Pioneering African American Rap Artist MC Sha-Rock has been appointed as National Advisor for the Cornell University Hip Hop Library. Sha-Rock is relevant to the Hip Hop culture, music and industry. Established in 1976, she began her career as a b-girl/break dancer in the Bronx, New York. In the Hip Hop community, she is known as the "Luminary Icon" or the "Mother of the Mic". She stands as the foundation for female, emcee's. She is a former member of the legendary rap group, The Funky 4 Plus One More. In 1981" they appeared on Saturday Night Live and became the first rap group to ever appear on national television.

MC Sha-Rock is a recipient of the Honorary Award from the Council of New York and The Women's Distinction Award by The Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem, New York. She has been featured in countless magazines and books written by authors and Hip Hop Historians.

She comments, "I am humbled and honored to accept this titled as a National Advisor for the Hip Hop Library at Cornell, said MC Sha-Rock. It feels as if I'm home. I am thankful that Katherine Reagan and Ben Ortiz have asked me to serve as an educator on the board. I have been involved and apart of the Hip Hop culture, since its inception. I am truly looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge with the world. I am also excited about working with other pioneer's, educators and scholars. The Cornell Hip Hop Library will stand as the leading educational university to educate, highlight and showcase a vast selection of the origins of Hip Hop in film, old school flyers and photographs. It is open to the public, and it is my wish that everyone will get the opportunity to come out and experience the Hip Hop movement before its posterity."

MC Sha-Rock couldn't be any happier to announce that the Cornell Hip Hop Library will showcase the first known vintage film footage that was documented and dated in 1977 by a young man's task to complete a high school project. The film highlights the Original Funky Four MC's and also charts MC Sha-Rock as the first female MC of Hip Hop.

Design Essentials ® Natural brings New Styles, Transitioning Tips and Blood Pressure Screenings to the 16th Annual World Natural Hair Show

Design Essentials® Natural Master Educator Deshonica Kerrie and hair model show the versatility of natural hair. Photo Credit: Calvin Lionel Photography(ATLANTA)- Naturalistas converged on Atlanta during the 16th Annual World Natural Hair Show and Design Essentials® Natural was on hand to give on-site consultations, share hair tips in the Do It Yourself and Chic Natural Styling workshops, and they also provided free blood pressure screenings to those who stopped by the booth. 

Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products is the proud presenter of the World Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Show. The show connects professionals and consumers to learn and exchange information about natural hair care, health and beauty products and techniques.

Design Essentials was there in full force. The pictures below tell much of the story.

As a bonus, YouTube vlogger Kiki of Mahogany Knots commanded the booth to talk all things hair and take photos with attendees.

Design Essentials is available at select Walgreens, salons, and select beauty and barber supply stores.

Natural hair bloggers and vloggers from across the country stopped by the Design Essentials® Natural booth to show off their natural styles. Dr. Nina Hervey- Ellis, Beautiful Brown Baby Dol (left) Meechy Monroe MeechyMonroe.com & Vaughn Monroe, Ms. Vaughn TV (top right) Maeling Tapp Murphy Natural Chica (bottom right) Photo Credit:Calvin Lionel PhotographyFrances Williams Revealing Beaute & Kiki Mahogany Knots (top left); Peace Gurlish Curls (top right) Arkeedah McCormick It's Arkeedah (bottom left); Vanessa Vanie0295 (bottom right) Photo Credit: Calvin Lionel Photographyttendees enjoyed personal consultations and styles by Design Essentials® Natural stylists. Photo Credit: Calvin Lionel PhotographyKiki of Mahogany Knots hosted the Design Essentials® Natural booth where she mingled with attendees, posed for photos and offered hair styling tips. Photo Credit:Calvin Lionel Photography

World Natural Hair attendees were able to get their blood pressure checked at the Design Essentials® Natural booth. Photo Credit: Calvin Lionel PhotographyHundreds of women stopped by the Design Essentials ® Natural booth to show their hairstyles. Attendees sported everything from a pop of color to curls, twists and braids. Photo Credit: Calvin Lionel Photography