Contributing Writer
Photos Mike Norris
On Saturday, SoCal’s 1st Natural Hair & Health Expo brought a new meaning to collaboration and community in San Diego. The original reason for the expo was to build brand awareness to a new start up company, Shukor BELLA, founded by local native Rosa Adam. Inspired by Ethiopian culture, Shukor Bella’s goal is to assist anyone on their journey, to a healthier lifestyle of grooming. They believe that healthy hair is not found in the bottom of a potion bottle, but is found through a healthy mindframe and beauty régime.
Shukor BELLA started off in Rosa’s kitchen in Southeast San Diego and she now aims to be the leader in conscious cosmetics. With the help of the Morrow family products, which are known for creating the California Curl, Shukor BELLA’s new formula is bridging the gap of old native grooming techniques with new innovative cosmetics.
When she founded her company, Rosa couldn’t find a platform that reflected what her brand meant. That’s when she decided to build her own platform to showcase her brand, later realizing that this could be an opportunity for local brands to promote themselves as well.
Having no budget, she got community members to get involved through a barter and exchange arrangement, leveraging the platform to local business owners as an opportunity to promote their business. CAT Theater was the first to jump on board, supplying the expo with five Hair and Health skits. In exchange, the theater received a free Expo exhibitor booth to register community members in acting classes. The barter and exchange process continued until Rosa had a full Expo roster filled with local talent.
The expo served as a hub of everything nurturing first the hair, then the body, and most importantly the spirit through educational workshops, product demonstration, live entertainment, seminars and exclusive vendors, with products and services that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Vendors, exhibitors and volunteers all fall into one of these three categories.
Rosa wants to give a special thanks to Doretha Thomas ( event manager), Trillianne Johnson ( volunteer manager), Charles Cummings (Sponsor Manager) Cheryl Morrow ( manufacturer/ moderator), Nechel Best ( brand consultant), DJ Barry Thomas (entertainment/ audio), Kayshawn Thomas (event host) and a special thanks to all the performers and volunteers. This event was successful because of community support. Just as the hair follicle grows from the root, it is from our roots where we will find the answers.
