MEET Taja Lindley, the founder of the organization, Colored Girls Hustle. At 27 years old, Lindley is not just the founder of her own organization, but a well-rounded Brooklyn-bred African-American female who practices as a visual artist, performer, full-spectrum doula and as a reproductive justice activist. Combining her many passions and talents into one, Lindley uses Colored Girls Hustle as her own ultimate “hustle,” emphasizing talent and the arts to celebrate the beauty and art of women of color.

MN: You just recently co-hosted an event, along with HelloBeautiful, where you launched your inaugural handmade accessories line, Luminary Sol, for Colored Girls Hustle. What brought on this collaboration?

TL: Kelly Thomas, the founder of HelloBeautiful, is a good friend and fellow entrepreneurial artist who I respect and adore. We decided to support one another and publicize our venture through a collaborative event called the “Beautiful Hustle” Sip and See Extravaganza. The event featured a fashion show, trunk sale, and live percussion, and a dance party followed. It was a success! So many of our friends and supporters came out to buy products, network and brought positive energy and feedback to share with us. The launch event was so much fun and we decided to host monthly “Beautiful Hustle” parties this summer.

MN: Tell us more about your organization, Colored Girls Hustle, and what type of service you focus on.

TL: Colored Girls Hustle is my hustle: it’s a space where I share my art and creativity to honor, celebrate and adorn the bodies and lives of women and girls, especially in communities of color. I focus on three main expressive elements:

Adornment: a daily meditation, adornment is a practice of decorating and praising our bodies. Colored Girls Hustle produces handmade accessories to inspire women and girls to admire and revere themselves.

Workshops: in groups large and small, Colored Girls Hustle facilitates creative arts workshops and trainings for youth and adults that cover topics of body exploration, health and wellness, and self-image. Colored Girls Hustle also offers Self-Love Parties: intimate, sex-positive gatherings where participants work on a creative project that will celebrate/honor/adorn their bodies and affirm their sexual expression.

One-on-One Creative Exploration Sessions: Colored Girls Hustle works with women and girls one-on-one to explore their own creative arts practice. Engaging in these sessions help women and girls discover their artistic interests and talents, or can help them navigate healing and transformation.

This week on The Truth @bout Natural Hair With Anu, Ms. Prestonia helps a reader learn how to better care for her infant’s natural hair. Here’s what our resident natural hair care expert has to say.

Hello, Anu,

I need some advice.  I have an eleventh month old baby girl and need some advice on caring for her hair. I have been told everything from “brush her hair before she goes to bed so it will grow” to “use hair care products specifically targeted for babies.”

This is my regimen.  Currently, I use olive oil in her hair everyday and when I part her hair in barrettes, I use coconut oil. I have read in the past not to use mineral oil.  I have noticed her hair is a little dry.  When I wash her hair, I use the baby shampoo, specifically for curly hair.  I wash her hair every two to three weeks because she does not like her hair washed and cries.

To make matters worse, I have a five-year-old daughter, so you would think that I would know what to do.  No! I have had her going to the beauty salon for about a year now, and her hair has doubled in length.  Why is that?

PLEASE HELP A CLUELESS MOTHER! Oh! and by the way we have 100% negro, African-American hair that is very curly or some would say “kinky.”

Thank you
Cathy, age 39