So I learned basic HTML and within a week had created a space where we could gather, without having to feel the pressure of straightening, and talk with each other in an honest, supportive, healing and helpful environment.
When I launched the new web page on January 23, 2002, I had 5 pages of info, some photos of women I had met on other websites and links to their online albums hosted elsewhere. I never dreamed Nappturality.com would grow so large and become the pioneer in natural hair care on the internet. The Nappturality.com community spearheaded the natural revolution and I could not be more proud of what has been achieved.
Nappturality.com went through multiple format changes, first the hosted “Yellow Board” which can still be found online, then our own board, multiple host changes, launching of premium memberships, sponsorships, then our community exploded in popularity and we had to upgrade to own dedicated server. It grew so fast I could barely keep up.
It is ten years later and I now see hundreds of natural hair social groups across all social media channels. We have natural hair groups defined by state, school and locality. Natural hair product companies have been borne out of women learning to make their own products from Nappturality.com and have blossomed into money earning and family-supporting businesses.
So many members of Nappturality.com were inspired to form their own websites to create their own natural hair web spaces with their own niches and membership.
Through it all, Nappturality.com is still here. We have evolved but the mission remains the same. Through all the early growing pains of a new concept website, the criticisms, the loved and the not-so-loved, changes to the forum, website and expanding membership, our community has stood the test of time and remained steadfast and true.
Thank you to everyone who has remained with “Deecoily” and supported Nappturality throughout the years both with participation and with donations. Without you, Nappturality would have gone offline years ago but with your continued support, Nappturality will remain for decades to come. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping the dream become a reality.
I wish you all a safe and happy New Year. 2013 here we come.
Patricia “Deecoily” Gaines
Founder,
Nappturality.com