(Blooming Entrepreneurs) “The hair change and the weight change made me feel like I wanted to be a dance fitness instructor, specifically a Zumba instructor….”
Blooming Entrepreneurs, Washington, DC, Women, Women Owned Businesses

Chandra Hampton is a ball of inspirational energy!  A friend recently introduced us during the Athleta Presents: Style Evolution Fall Fashion Show. Chandra is  Zumba Fitness instructor who currently serves as a brand ambassador for Athleta and is the founder of Champion Lifestyle Fitness. This year she was awarded Best Dance Class 2017 by the Washington City Paper. Her story is truly inspirational and I thank her for taking out time to chat...

“Wanting to not put chemicals in my hair or use harsh things that are not good for me, all started with the transition to natural…”
Washington, DC, Women

“I transitioned when I was in ninth grade, so I was a little bit ahead of the curve. At that time, not a lot of people were letting their big curly hair go, so it was kind of a struggle going through school. It was definitely worth it in the long run, however.

Wanting to not put chemicals in my hair or use harsh things that are not good for me, all started with the transition to natural. The transition also impacted my skincare routine when I decided to use all natural products. I really pay attention to all of the ingredients in the food that I eat ensuring that I focus on food that’s more natural and clean, so it really has became a lifestyle for me.”

“I cut my hair two weeks ago and it’s growing back already. My sister is battling Stage IV lung cancer, so she lost all of her hair…”
Washington, DC, Women

Sending strength, love and healing energy to the sister of this beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing your story.

“I cut my hair two weeks ago and it’s growing back already. My sister is battling Stage IV lung cancer, so she lost all of her hair due to the radiation treatments on her brain. She’s only 27 and we’re both natural hair enthusiasts, so losing all of her hair was really hard. Essentially, some of her identity was lost because she’s really into beauty and fashion. She’s a makeup artist, so I could tell that her soul wasn’t fully ready for the change although hair loss is a side effect of the radiation. Losing her hair made the sickness real which made her feel sick. She’s been going through a lot this year, so I shaved my hair too.

My hair was bright pink prior to shaving it. One day my sister said, ‘you should dye your hair pink’ and I was like ‘okay, whatever makes you happy’ so we both had pink hair. After a while, the radiation treatments made her hair bone straight which was an adjustment because she always had really curly, thick full hair. It’s been a hair journey since she was diagnosed in December, so that’s why I shaved it all off. I surprised her and went to Richmond, VA where she lives. I went down there to shave what was left of her hair and then we took pictures together.”

“Both of my parents are health nuts, so I’ve been natural all my life…”
Washington, DC, Women

“You caught me while I was sitting here with my eyes closed in the park enjoying the warmth of the sun before the weather gets too cold.

Both of my parents are health nuts, so I’ve been natural all my life. Being natural hasn’t really impacted the way that I live because it’s really the only lifestyle that I know. If having natural hair inspires more women of color to live a healthy and organic lifestyle then that’s definitely a good thing.”