I’m going to cut to the chase and say I found this beauty on Instagram.  I just could not get over how awesome her hair is but after I asked her if I can feature her and read the answer to her questions- I was BLOWN away!! !!!  I’m not going to ruin it for ya so check her out!

1.    Name and where you are from?

Chenoia Bryant, Birmingham, AL

2.    How would you describe yourself?

A bit awkward, big hearted, and outgoing

3.    Tell us something about you that will make us say WHOA!

I am currently training for a triathlon, but I should back up a bit. My goal is to complete a triathlon in the next three years. However, I must learn to swim (currently scheduled to begin lessons in January 2014), learn to ride a bike (currently signed up for Atlanta’s Bike Coalition beginner’s class), and run for long distances (fortunately I’m familiar with cardio and a bit of jogging, so this will be more a test of building my endurance). How I am going to manage to do all this while working and doing the Ph.D. thing is a bit beyond me, but I am going to chronicle my journey on my blog (under development – www.autruchenoire.com) just in case anyone else out there thinks such a thing is not possible or would just like to read the chronicles of my crazy.  

I am getting my Ph.D. in Medical Sociology with a concentration in gender, sexuality, and health. My research interests are in socially and sexually marginalized populations, HIV, social determinants of health, and health disparities. I am very passionate about the health of transgender persons and sex workers and really aim to contribute to the narrative and broaden the life course perspective of their health and social outcomes.  

People may also be interested to know that as much as I love fashion, I don’t read or buy magazines (unless they have an amazing cover – I think the last one was Gwen Stefani on the Vogue cover).  As much as I love a great accessory, I don’t really care for purses or to carry them rather. Handbags are so annoying to carry around and most days I have my hands full enough already without having some annoying thing on my shoulder. 

Another side note – I used to weigh 210 lbs.  

I lost the weight because I did not like the way I felt and I also found that it was more difficult for me to wear my heels. I was a fan of wearing them all the time at that point in my life. It’s funny because now it’s a struggle to get me to put  on heels. I lost it very slowly over the course of about 4-5 years. I did not rush it because I wanted the results to last and the process to be something that was sustainable. I am now a pescatarian.

4.    How long have you been rockin’ yo rizos?

The journey to rockin’ my rizos began in August 2008 and I actually didn’t start rocking an afro until December 2011. I only wore my afro in spurts. Now I wear it all the time and love nothing more than letting the coils spring forth daily in all their glory.

5.    What is your hair routine (including staple hair products and home made recipes)?

My hair routine is fairly simple. I wash and condition and roll and go. My staple products are primarily from the Agadir line. They work so well for my hair and they smell heavenly. I love their shampoo, conditioner, and deep moisture masque. I use the moisture masque and coconut oil together for deep conditioning and I usually sit under the dryer for about 45 minutes.  I then wrap my hair in a towel straight from the dryer and let the conditioner sit for hours while I do my chores. My hair always feels buttery soft after I do this. I use their spray on oil and heavy liquid oil as well. I guess what I am saying is that the entire Agadir line is my go-to.

6.    Where can we find you on social media?

Blog – http://autruchenoire.com

Instagram – Chenoia

Twitter – @Chenoia

7. Any last thoughts? Anything you would love for us to know?

You are beautiful…you are loved…you are worthy…you are worthy of all good things…you are a good thing…and you are worth being loved…

XOXO,

Chenoia