Are Locs/Natural Hair appropriate in the workplace?

Corporate Professional

Business Professional

Times have changed but not quite enough. After having some conversations with my clients and hearing of their experiences in the corporate realm it makes me wonder have times really changed?

Listen you corporate thugs, (those that try and dictate how a person is supposed to look in a business setting) locs are just as if not more professional than those who wear scraggly weaves. You can't be serious and think that someone who comes in with a weave that literally sits atop their head looking like a helmet or a person who's hair is limp and oily or with a bad color job is business professional. And what does hair have to do with someone's ability to do the job hired to do anyway?  Besides how does a persons hair affect their ability or skill set to do the their job? The answer for some could be "Confidence". If a person feels confident on the inside it will show in aspects of their life. But when Big Corp inserts doubt now said persons work may slack a bit. This could be a far fetched idea but hey it's just my opinion/thought process. 

Ava DuVernay

That's like saying that the person who gets a D on a paper but wears straight hair or low cut is better suited to pass the class rather than the person who gets an A and wears locs or natural hair will likely fail the class. Sounds pretty silly right? Well this is the logic you are sending when saying someone is not a professional b/c they choose to adorn a more natural look with their hair. 

Hidiyah Green

Come oooooonnnnn we have professionals such as; Ava Duvernay - Screenwriter, Hadiyah Green - Medical Physicist, Dr. Kari Williams - Trichologist, Brian Terrell - Lawyer, Carolyn Edgar - VP /Legal Counsel for Estée Lauder and Kellen Darada - Attorney to give some examples of locs being represented in Professional America. Not to mention there are a host of others that are not known, that are excelling while working in their professional arena.  

Dr. Kari Williams

No one should feel the need to contemplate how they wear their hair in order to please the masses nor should they have to think that their hair will be the reason they don't get a promotion or a career of their choice. Besides  experience and qualifications are the basis that deems a person employable, right? People who work hard and have drive, passion, focus and put forth effort to be the best at what they do should be rewarded for it and not passed over simply because of their hair. Trust I understand  having a look that appeals to the client base. But if you are uncomfortable with how one chooses to wear their hair then maybe you shouldn't be in face to face arena and should work from home. 

Brian Terrell

Carolyn Edgar

Locs are stunning and versatile. They have the ability to fit in any environment with proper grooming and care. Locs can be professional, corporate friendly, formal and creative. So to all my corporate professionals, kudos to you for being excellent at what you do while rocking your locs out loud and proud!

Corporate Professional