Hi, my name is Kalae (pronounced “kuh-LAY”) Whitman. I’m a native East Texan, with a life-long dream not just to normalize, but to fully appreciate the beauty, purpose and uniqueness of “nappy” (naturally textured afro) hair.
As a Professional Loc & Natural Hair Specialist, Educator & Advocate, I’m passionate about the cultural dynamics of the African Diaspora concerning natural beauty and wellness.
In 2011, I opened Sankofa Natural Hair for the purpose of providing holistic natural hair, loc & wellness services for the East Texas community. Personally, I had a difficult relationship with my hair in childhood, and making it through the transitional experience into accepting, then appreciating my texture was a huge challenge with a limited support system. I soon became active in community work, participating in both the 2012 & 2013 Natural Hair Parade & Festivals in Dallas, TX. From 2012-2016, I presented annually at the Tyler Natural Hair Divas’ Expo as a speaker. Each year, I showcased protective style versatility & seasonal trends in real-time, while sharing useful, practical, and honest advice with attendees in a relatable way.
In the spring of 2015, I submitted one of the 1st complete applications for licensure as a designated Braiding Specialty School- which I designed around a proposed 300 hour curriculum (& Texas only required 35 hrs!! I based my approach on precedence of related specialty license requirements in other regulated states, because we would want our license to be transferrable if ppl have to move, right??!?).
Preparing the application required day to day working knowledge of the function of a sustainable natural hair salon, and the ability to demonstrate a reasonable projection for the sustainability of an establishment designed for the purpose of focused, specialized instruction within this niche. It required a detailed, functional business model, and plans for transitioning graduates into gainful employment, etc.
I was expecting to get a call around early May, but when it rang through, it was to inform me that my otherwise APPROVED application was being returned to me (along WITH the check for the fees!), and my location inspection date cancelled because the upcoming vote was likely to result in deregulation, meaning our records would be dissolved and we no longer have a recognized license (or inspection), or anything at all, with TDLR. In September, it happened; I was officially one of the 532 Licensed Braiding Specialists and 27 Braiding Specialty Shop entrepreneurs negatively affected by the politically motivated DEREGULATION of the Texas Natural Hair Braiding Industry by the 84th Texas State Legislature.
Since deregulation, out of integrity, and respect for the clients who trust me to maintain their hair & scalp health, I continue to uphold the same high standards of care, especially in the areas of Bacteriology & Sanitation.
In 2016-2017, through the Brand Ambassador program for SheaMoisture Natural Hair products, I received focused training in small business marketing, while providing direct consumer education in the Tyler area at local events, pop-up markets, & workshops with interactive demonstrations of efficient product use & healthy protective styling. In my role as a “Sheabassabor,” I worked within the community, providing valuable information and hair styling techniques that promoted real engagement with the brand.
I continue working diligently to legitimize Natural Hair Education as a specific set of skills necessary for the health and growth of Black hair. I remain an active member of E.M.E.R.G.E. Natural Beauty Industry Alliance, the Association of Natural Hair Professionals, and The Natural Hair Industry (NHIC).
Utilizing skills acquired through NHIC 2016 in Atlanta, GA, & previous work experience in print and radio, I worked on staff as a Committee Member of the EastTX Hair Expo in summer 2017. My roles were primarily in Public Relations, Marketing, & Hospitality. I successfully secured product sponsorships, created engaging marketing materials & the branding/media kit, wrote, revised, and edited contracts & press releases, and executed the layout, design & production of the souvenir book.
At the EastTX Hair Expo, I also presented a workshop on Protective Styling from the Main Stage, which led to my 3rd prominent business feature in the Tyler Morning Telegraph as Sankofa Natural Hair.
In 2019, Sankofa Natural Hair partnered with local non-profit organization Empowerment CDC to host a private viewing of “Natural Hair: the Movie” at the Liberty Theater of Tyler, followed by an intimate Q&A discussion with news anchor Tashara Parker. The showing was part of a nationwide event held simultaneously to discuss the prominence of discrimination against natural hair in the workplace.
I’m proud & deeply grateful to have been featured in numerous local video, digital and print publications, including the East Texas Ebony News Journal, on KLTV & CBS19, in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, (where I made local history when prominently featured on the front page, above the fold in 2014), and in written article contributions for the formerly active Liberate Magazine.
Post COVID, through Sankofa Natural Hair, I continue my work of maintaining a “safe space” for cultural learning, personal growth, and healing for my community. This year, Sankofa Natural Hair will commemorate 15 years, from 2011-2026, and it all started with a personal “journey of return”. Sankofa, a Ghanaian concept belonging to the Akan tribe, means “to gather the wisdom of the past, & build upon it, to create a better, brighter future.”
It’s on the backs of the Ancestors, we stand. We are guided & protected by the Ones who came before us, who are opening & preparing the Way for us to achieve our true potential. We’ve got to learn to listen to the wisdom of our Ancestors- learn to “go back & get it,” and here’s where we’ll find everything we need. It’s there because they are actively invested in our collective success.
“If the Truth can set us free, we must search until we find it & KNOW it- but where, when all has been forgotten- where should we look to find the Truth?? Sankofa, ‘The TRUTH is in Your ROOTS!’”
sankofanaturalhair.com 