Shantrelle from New Orleans

Meet Shantrelle P. Lewis, Madame Curator/Executive Director & Curator of the McKenna Museum of African American Art and a Professor of African World Studies at Dillard University. She's been natural for 8 years.

On going natural...
The first person that I met with natural hair that was a peer was one of my best friends at Howard who had locs when we met freshman year. She was actually also the very first person I met on campus. Coming from New Orleans, we ALL had relaxers. She was from New York and had this earthy, funky bohemian flare. I kept cutting my hair shorter and shorter until one day, I went to the barber shop and decided to chop it all off. My hair reflected the growth I experienced as a young woman coming into my own. Now, I can’t imagine having a relaxer. My hair is a representative of who I am. It actually has a personality of its own so sometimes. It does all the talking without me having to say a word.

Favorite hair products...
Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Oil and Mimosa Hair Honey. I also really like Nature’s Gate shampoos and conditioners (henna, tea tree and herbal conditioner). I have yet to check out Oyin Handmade products but some of my dearest friends swears by them...so needless to say, I’ll be trying some of their “Greg juice” really soon.

Hair tips/secrets...
Freedom: Most black women OVER DO IT: over-dye, over-heat, over-process, over-weave, or over-braid their hair. I’ve been blessed with naturally thick hair from my paternal gene pool but I also allow my hair to roam free without doing too much to it.

Moisturize: Depending on your hair type, it’s essential. I’ve historically suffered from dry scalp/skin, so it’s necessary that I keep my hair moisturized to maintain its healthiness.

Everybody’s not a beautician: I’m extremely selective about who I let in my hair...for both spiritual reasons and aesthetic ones. Everyone is not a “hair care” taker, including yourself. So instead of trying to do my hair myself or just letting any random person with even more random energy get “in my head,” I choose my hair dressers with care. I pay close attention to their energy, their consciousness, the products they use and their “hair care” methods.

Favorite salon and stylist in New Orleans...

Dwana Makeba at Beauty on the Bayou

Favorite salon in Philly...
Duafe

Favorite place to buy hair products...
Carol’s Daughter and Whole Foods Market

Favorite hair style...
I’m a Gemini so it’s soooo hard to say. I’ve worn my hair in everything from a fade, to locs, to a bush, to bantu knots. It all depends on my attitude and the moment. Currently, I think my favorite would have to be the mohawk that I’m rocking now, with my bantu knots coming in a close second place.

On style...
I am Zora Neale Hurston meets Carmen de Lavallade meets M.C. Lyte meets All of Fela’s wives meets an “ole lady in the 9th ward” – I’m kind of like a southern belle, tom boy, Afro-futuristic fashionista.

Favorite places to shop...
In New Orleans – Funky Monkey and Buffalo Exchange
On the East Coast – ZARA and thrift stores
In Europe and Africa – the markets!

Wardrobe must-haves...
Fresh earrings and sunglasses...Never leave home without them.

You should know...
I’m working on a website that will launch at the end of the summer. In the meantime, folks can check out www.themckennamuseum.com for the Art museum that I re-established in New Orleans or www.youngfriendssociety.org for the non-profit organization I founded (with the help of some amazing, talented people) for young folks interested in supporting African Diasporan cultural institutions.