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...

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...

This week a new Garden Voice will begin and its focus will be on the fashion and glamour. Called Fashion & Glamour Naturalle, it features the perspective of those in Fashion Culture who are inspired by Naptual and Afrosensual beauty. Our first feature will be the works of Dexter Sir Real Jones. He’s one those “next level” people… you know them, right? They are the ones who can’t help but to take photography to the level of art. earthSista Sincere debuts her first image set. Her edgy sensuality is captured against artistry of the urban landscape. First we take...

Every now and again shells clink around my ears and I’m reminded that I have locs. Not in the forgotten sense but more like they’ve become so natural that they’re just “me”. And as strange as that may seem, it wasn’t an easy task when I entered into the natural world. Growing up there weren’t many women around me with natural hair. Of course there were the older women who at some point decided straighting, perming, or curling wasn’t worth the hassle but for the most part I grew up in a straight world. “Nappy rarely meant happy”, after...

There is so much beauty in the world… Going into this week we have a lot look forward. Fashion model Errika, the Earth Angel make an appearance in the Pangea’s Garden Project with images of her own beauty and thoughts on Fashion culture, music and and the struggle to find comfort in her own skin. We finally see the much demanded (believe me, everybody, I heard you!!!) second part of the Photographer’s Cut of Scottie’s AfroerotiK romance, AT Last. Raw and colorful, these final captures that were originally (and wrongfully) left on the cutting room floor make their appearance...

Ah, yes. Spring. Rebirth. As we emerge from a harsh, bitter winter, let’s look back on the birth of earthSista ISIS as she takes a refreshing stroll through one of the Garden’s secret paths. This set is relaxed and easy, with playful sunlight and delicate poses. ISIS declares who she is, and the camera captures her awakening. 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

As I was digging in the archives, I came across this image set featuring Shells, one of the models at Apache. The way she held her head was striking, and as I began to read further, I saw that Vince had noted it as well: My thinking on Shells is that her head is never down. And before I knew who she was and what she was doing, she was beautiful to me in that way. Yep. Her head is most definitely never down, and after reading some more about her, I found out why. Her background is as unique and beautiful as she is. On this night at Apache, she became an inspiration for the Garden. Bookmark on...