When I began Pangea’s Garden, I was told about the World Natural Hair Show. At the time it was just a blog and I was simply exploring my own interest of capturing images of natural beauty. I missed the opportunity to attend the WNHS that first time and came to regret it. Not then, but later, because as I created my works, it became more important the sources of this aesthetic. The culture that cultivated the beauty is significant and I began to appreciate that. When the chance came again the following year I leapt at it. This feature is one of the foundations of the Garden. Bookmark on Delicious...

Help Happily Natural Day celebrate the brightest and most dynamic people in our community via the first annual Happily Natural Awards! We have fallen into the habit of celebrating greatness after the fact, we have decided to start giving our flowers to the living… Happily Natural Awards AWARD CATEGORIES The Afro Pick Award: Natural Hair Product of the Year The Wadjet Award: Holistic Health & Healing Business of the Year The Duafe Award: Holistic Beauty & Wellness Business of the Year The Akoben Award: Activist of the Year The Asase Ye Duru Award: African-Inspired Woman Entrepreneur...

BleuRose kept saying how cold it was! Grinning from ear to ear, playfully strutting like a peacock, she appeared to be basking in the sun but she was not kidding. It was really cool out. Although the sun shined brightly, it was early in the day, air was dry and while the wind was comforting, the sun heat was not with us at that time. And even know she talked about it, the earthSista never complained. BleuRose’s spirits were high as always (I’ve yet to see this sista face challenge with anything less than positive attitude.) The earthSista’s lighthearted nature was infectious and...

SirReal Photography presents Signature: blax·ploi·ta·tion A genre of American film of the 1970s featuring African-American actors in lead roles and often having antiestablishment plots, frequently criticized for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence. Gordon Parks described his blaxploitation projects as “a picture people go to see because they want to see the black guy winning.”  Being a late 80’s baby, I always found it quite difficult to understand the Black community’s attraction to blaxploitation films let alone the term.  But growing as a Black artist has...

Jirard: I’ve been shooting a nude series for a little over 5 years & I want to to publish a collection of coffeetable books derived from the work. My “Velvet Painting Series” is designed to be beautifully arousing… celebrating the sexual potency and freedom of wonderfully diverse women. “The Velvet Painting” started as one book… but has evolved into a series of books. After submitting my books to some art book publishers, I was told that they were unable to find a place for these types of projects in their book schedule. And the closing of many bookstores...

Ari J is known for her work as a filmmaker and documentarian. With an eight year history as a creative in various genres, Ari has worked as director, director of photography and editor. As the producer of this video of the Dead Prez work, “The Beauty Within,” she worked with director/photographer Shannon Mccollum. Regarding this work, Ari had this to say on her website, “A casting call, produced by Shannon and artistic director, Jamila Crawford of Earthcandy Arts resulted in over 100 women from Atlanta, GA and various parts of the country, coming together to represent women...

I am part of group of Photographers and Models who get together, every now and then, for some casual shooting. And last week we went on a lakeside stroll. I got a few great shots and I will probably post them later but right now I want to focus on the captures of Hafees Byard. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tumblr it Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post

This Soundcheck is brought to you by naps, locs, kinks and coils (like everything else on this site!). dead prez released a video for a song this week called “The Beauty Within” that celebrates the beauty of natural hair. With lyrics like, “Real Black girl, I salute your existence,” this is definitely a new favorite in the Garden. Watch the official video below and support these honorary earthBrothas who support us. Some of the lyrics: this Hollywood world so pretentious every other girl got a perm or extensions but you don even rarely wear lipstick still your beauty is...

I have my own production company and we focus on fashion marketing, model marketing, promotional marketing, event coordinating and fashion shows. As my company flourishes and becomes successful I hope to bless others, easing their struggles as they strive to become successful too. I’m literally between a “skinny “rock and a “plus-size” hard place due to not being the average size model and not really being a plus-size model. As a professional model now I hope to become specifically well known as a Curvatious Full-Figured, none-average Model completely changing the tone of what the Model...

Hello Pangea’s Garden! My name is Sepia and I am a wife, mother, sister, granddaughter, aunt, friend, model and creative soul. Whether it’s through writing or being in front of the lens, I love expressing myself. I’ve been writing for a long time. However my busy schedule with working full-time and taking care of my family, it was placed on the backburner. The love of writing reappeared late last year. I attended a spoken word night at a local club with my cousin to celebrate her birthday. I was truly inspired. I began writing poetry and then branched out with erotic stories. I look forward...