The Afrocks Blog

Photo credit: @Adeolu Eletu

Ok so you woke up this morning with THAT killer idea for a startup, and you just can’t wait to get started: build that sh*t and ship it, right?
It reminds me when I first thought about starting Afrocks. To me, it was pretty much all mapped out. I was going to build the product, launch it, grow it, maybe sell it and then breeze through the rest of life as a successful entrepreneur. Daydreaming!

Photo credit: Snatch Edges podcast

By far, live radio has been dominating the audio landscape for ages. However, with mainstream media often being pointed and the level of trust declining, we can arguably wonder if this era of glory is coming to an end?
Our habits have evolved drastically, especially when smartphones landed in our hands. Millennials know it well.They are the biggest consumers of audio content on mobile devices.
The last decade have been witnessing the rise of podcasts. According to the Radio Joint Audience Research, 6.4 million adults or 12% of the adult population in UK use a Podcast in an average week and that number is growing year on year.

Afrocks Hair and Business Consultant Simone, shares the inspiration behind the ‘Take a Seat’ poem. It may be hard to believe but self care is a new concept to many black women.

Photo credit @William Stitt

Following a challenging few months at afrocks HQ, we have had a look at how we look after ourselves, not just in business, but in life – full stop. 
Over the next few weeks our Head Afro hair and Business, Simone will be sharing her thoughts on self care. Although aimed at stylists and entrepreneurs, the content of this 4 part series can apply to anyone.
Enjoy part 1.
From us to you

Photo credit @AuraKits

Festive season is just around the corner – you can feel it in the air (and TV ads) but you are desperately in need of inspiration for your christmas presents. Afraid not! We’ve done all the work for you and picked awesome gifts from black owned brands that will definitely impress friends and family.

Photo credit: Fiona Whyte Photography

For some, it has been a long time coming…for others, it is a shock to the eyelids! We like to think of it as ‘Afro Inception’. Out of nowhere (it seems) melanin magic is hitting the mainstream. You don’t have to be well read to know the importance of having your own beauty reflected in what you see in the media, and we are in a time where Afro is doing the most YAAASSSSSSSSS! Growing up, many of us did not have this amazing experience of seeing people on TV that looked like or represented our beauty, so this not an over reaction, this is curl appreciation at it’s finest.

Picture credit: David McFadden, Associated Press file

“Dreadlocks? There is nothing dreadful about my hair!” I have heard this expression and read some interesting posts on Tumblr about the use of the word “dreadlocks” to describe the ropelike matted hairstyle popularised by Bob Marley in the 70’s. Because I was born and raised in the caribbean in the 90’s I could understand the very valid point made by these locticians and afrocentric activists about using language to elevate and not denigrate ourselves, but the country girl in me had some reservations and if you have time I’ll tell you why you will never have dreadlocks and if you do, why it is, on the contrary, a wonderful and powerful ting.

Back in 2016, I wrote about 5 locs salons I had personally visited in London for my loc maintenance – at the time I had long and beautiful dreadlocks; still don’t know why I cut them off to be honest 🙁
2 years on, I am happy to say this post has literally been one of the most popular on our blog with nearly 12,000 visits to date. Wow! this is quite huge, and we’re always proud to give top quality black businesses the exposure they deserve. However since publishing the blog post I never stopped receiving emails from other salons in London, asking to be featured in an updated article, which is fair.
So here we are now, here is a list of 8 smaller or less known salons that you should still visit if you are in London. Enjoy! In no particular order!

Finding a good afro hair professional can be a tedious and sometimes stressful process in London for many Black women with natural hair. We have all hear or experience dreadful salon stories right? Well, if you live in London and are looking for reliable, skilled natural hair stylists, locticians or braiders, say no more! You will find below some of the best afro hairdressers in London – good news is you can also book them on Afrocks. C’est parti!

Pretty sure you guys have seen Tola’s BBC interview being shared on social media. She was discussing the harmful effects that hair products cause in black woman health and the importance of being more ingredient conscious. In a study, published in April 2018 by researchers from the Silent Spring Institute and Battelle Memorial Institute in the USA it was found that 80% of black hair products contain endocrine disrupting and asthma causing chemicals.
Tola is now launching a crowdfunding campaign to finance a documentary called ‘My Haircare Nightmare’. The documentary will creatively explain the science behind the research and delve deeper into the societal and cultural pressures that lead black women to use these products. They will speak to real women and hear their hair stories.  The documentary will also provide expert advice and practical approaches to help Black women reduce their level of exposure to EDCs and asthma causing chemicals. We met with Tola for a quick, yet insightful chat.