Woman of Vision | NATALIE PURSUE:INSPIRE

There are many honourable black figures in our history, from people who paved the way during the Civil Rights Movement to those who have led countries and continents. In this post I want to resurface those who have made a huge impact in the scientific field. Why science? Because I have a Chemistry degree and hardly talk science... and I do slyly miss it.

Whilst doing my research, one lady that stuck out to me was Patricia Bath. This remarkable woman was born in 1942 in New York and graduated early from high school. She then went onto study Chemistry at New York's Hunter College, before gaining a doctoral degree from Howard University College of Medicine. That’s all good and well but why did she stand out to me so much? Because she was a first kind of lady:

Image source: Google

• First black person to reside in ophthalmology at New York University,
• First African American woman to serve as a surgeon at UCLA Medical Centre,
• First to ever receive a medical patent for her invention ‘Laserphaco Probe’, used for treating cataracts
• Founder of American institute for the Prevention of Blindness

Image source: Google

Patricia Bath’s resilience and passion for helping others led her to accomplish great things, even in the midst of sexism, racism and poverty. She had no black role models in the industry she wanted to go into, let alone women. Being a physician was a very male dominated role. In addition at that time there were no high schools in Harlem and black people were mostly excluded from many medical school and societies. Yet Dr Bath didn’t let that stop her, and her parents were her number one supporters.

Image source: Google 

I encourage you, especially as we in the UK are still celebrating Black History Month, to find out about someone new. Find someone in your areas of interest and share with others. We all need to learn a bit more.

Natalie | @Pursueinspire

Post sources:

• http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/black-history-month-2014-five-black-chemists-who-changed-world-honoured-1435102
• https://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_26.html

GroHealthy Hair! | NATALIE PURSUE:INSPIRE

I’ve been searching for product that my mane will take to as I have dry, not so porous 4c hair (if we go by categories). So you can imagine my delight when I was introduced to GroHealthy’s Shea & Coconut range. These beauties came just in time for wash day and I looked forward to trying them out!

The products from the GroHealthy Shea & Coconut range are great for three reasons:

Shea

Nourishes the roots and soothes the scalp

Coconut Oil Extract

Moisturises hair, adds shine helps combat frizz and promotes hair growth

Omega 3

Helps rebuild, strengthen and protect hair from within

Also as a bonus they contain none of the nasty stuff like mineral oil, petrolatum, sulphates, phthalates, colorants or parabens.

I’ve very recently started pre-pooing and noticed such a difference to the feel of my hair. I separated my hair into 4 sections and applied the Shea & Coconut Oil to each, leaving it in for about 15 minutes. I then rinsed out the oil, shampooed with the Moisturising Shampoo and conditioned my hair in the same sections as the pre-poo using the Moisture Rich Conditioner, wrapping my hair in cling film and leaving the conditioner in for about 45 minutes. Finally I rinsed my hair with cool water and parted my tresses again into four sections to apply the Leave-In Conditioner, Flat Out Frizz Fighter and Shea & Coconut Oil respectively.

Overall I like the GroHealthy range! Each product smells absolutely lush and worked well on my hair. I tend to finger detangle whist conditioning and the conditioner didn’t have the best slip on my hair but it was still lovely. This product in particular gave a cooling sensation on my scalp which I found very soothing.

My favourite quality of the GroHealthy range is the lightness of each of the products. My hair doesn’t feel weighed down by any of the products, even with the Leave in – Frizz Fighter – Oil combo. Also I’ve found that my hair has more shine than it normally does and feels moisturised, without the build up.

Make sure you check out GroHealthy’s Shea & Coconut range. I recommend it especially if you're looking for something that doesn't make your mane heavy!

Natalie | @PursueInspire

Wash Day with GroHealthyUK

I am Black | NATALIE - PURSUE:INSPIRE

As it's Black History Month here in the UK, I sat down and thought about what it means to be a part of this beautiful race which can be hidden in the background. I hope the words you are about to read uplift and empower.

I am black. I am beautiful.

I am brought to life by God's light. 

I am nappy. I am powerful.

My being is filled with many wonders.

I am love. I am big lips.

My words assert authority.

I am intelligence. I am big hips.

My potential to birth something special is imminent.

I am black. I am heritage.

Respect my culture and uniqueness.

I am strong. I am shrinkage.

My ability to grow is not to be overlooked.

I am music. I am vibrance.

See my colours and sounds intertwine.

I am dance. I am confidence.

My actions speak a thousand words.

I am black. I shall not lack.

I am brainstorming. I am amazing.

I am creative. I am innovative.

I am wealth. I am health.

I am nature. I am Africa.

I am melanin. I am Caribbean.

I am universal. I am essential.

I am Gold. I am whole.

I am black.

Natalie SW - October 2016

Picture source: John Blaney 2010 - Summer of Love


Until next time, God bless!

Natalie | @pursueinspire

Celebrating Black: Lupita | NATALIE PURSUE:INSPIRE

If I could pick a celebrity to be my big sister (I’m the oldest of my siblings so don’t have the joys of having a big biological sister), it would Lupita Nyong'o. Yes she’s Kenyan-Mexican and I’m Ghanaian but I don’t care! We are all one big African family :D

It’s crazy how one moment in life can change everything! And one of those moments for Ms Nyong’o was for her part in Steve McQueen’s 2013 movie “12 years a slave”. All of a sudden, boom... there she was! She’s now become a household name and gone on to win many awards and been in some more amazing film such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the newer adaptation of The Jungle Book and newly released “Queen of Katwe”. What I admire about Lupita is her humbleness. She has not let success make her become arrogant. Also she always seems to be happy and smiling!

And oh my gosh can she slay (image sources from Google)!

One of my favourite things to date Lupita has done is inviting Vogue into her family home back in Kenya. I was SO happy when I saw the pictures from the article and the video with her parents. If you haven’t seen it, check it out below.

And also read her September interview with the magazine: http://www.vogue.com/13476950/lupita-nyongo-october-cover-village-kenya-africa-queen-of-katwe/

It’s like she’s made being a successful natural haired, dark skinned African woman seem more attainable in this day and age. Little girls will look at her and say to their families “it’s me on TV! She looks like me mummy/daddy!” and that’s so important. Representation is so important, across all cultures. Watch her iconic speech at Essence here where she talks about being inspired by Alek Wek:

 

This lady is absolutely inspiring in many ways and I’m looking forward to what the future has in store for her! May Lupita’s story be fuel for you to chase your dreams and remember, as she said in her Best Supporting Actress speech for 12 Years a Slave, “no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid”.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie | @pursueinspire

EMRACE YOUR CULTURE| BOLU NOELLE

Once every year, my church, Jubilee Church holds a function called International Day,which is all about celebrating your culture and individuality. I LOVE IT! We have had roughly 70 nations represented in one place, and it is amazing. Seeing people from completely different background being able to embrace their ethnicity is beautiful.

It's Black History Month, so I wanted to share this with you all and encourage you, not only this month, but also beyond to embrace all aspects of your culture fearlessly.

 Even from this tiny snippet of the 2015 celebration, showing some backing vocalists on stage, you can see the range of cultures. This was this years view from the stage:

Of course, we also celebrate our British Nationality and our country of living:

Here are some pictures of me and my church family celebrating our culture❤

The squad (missing Diego :( ) 

 Slaying with my homegirl aka Queen/Mum❤

 Oh and this was my attire for this year. 

ALWAYS remember to love and embrace your culture and personal style. Don't wait for celebratory events to feel like you can put on your traditional clothes or jewellery etc.

Don't wait for society to approve, style is always changing. Your traditions shouldn't.

Thanks for reading!

Much love,

Bolu Noelle x

P.S:

Words of Power | NATALIE - PURSUE:INSPIRE

Your words have power. They have the ability to bring life and cause death. They uplift and to tear down. They can bring success and to cause failure.

What words are you speaking into your life? How do you describe yourself? How do you allow others to talk about you to your face? How do you see yourself? Do you love you? I ask this because “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”.  Are you someone who speaks rashly and self-harms with negative comments? Are you killing yourself slowly with your destructive speech?

If your answer to the above is yes, beautiful, it’s time to change the way you speak and heal your soul. It’s also time to get rid of “friends” who bring you down with their mouths. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body”. I’d like to encourage you today to ask trusted family and friends to list what they see as your positive attributes and use them as affirmations. Alternatively think of words and statements opposite to the bad ones you/other people say. Start each quality with either “I am…” or “[Insert your name here], you are…” and reject the negative. 

For example, and using my name:

I am beautiful and not ugly / Natalie you are beautiful and not ugly

I am smart and not dumb / Natalie you are smart and not dumb

I am a success and not a failure / Natalie you are a success and not a failure

I am blessed and not cursed / Natalie you are blessed and not cursed

I am enough / Natalie you are enough

The key to this is repetition and consistency. As a challenge speak positive statements to your mirror reflection every day for a week, even if you don’t entirely believe what you are saying, and note the change. Then carry on for another week. You are not your situations. You are not your failures. It’s time to go on a journey of self-healing and self-loving.

Please feel free to share this post with someone and send us a message if you take on the challenge. 

Natalie | @pursueinspire