Havana—June is “No Borders” month at OkayAfrica. That can mean a lot of things and we’ll get to that, but one thing we wouldn’t want to miss out on is the sheer joy of travel. So, to honor the carefree black traveler we’ll be posting new photo diaries from a wide range of African and diaspora super-travelers of their favorite places and why.
Our second diary entry—see the first here— is from the hair care expert Karen Mitchell, owner of the True Indian hair franchise. The Jamaican born entrepreneur has spent over a decade in the haircare industry. Beginning as a licensed cosmetologist, license honed her skills in salons from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Her experience as a stylist introduced her to her true passion: connecting image-conscious career women with easy-to-care for luxury extensions.
Mitchell’s dedication to this mission has propelled True Indian Hair to the forefront of the industry. Today Mitchell counts trend setting celebrities such as Taraji P. Henson, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, and Serena Williams among her devoted clientele. As a result, leading publications like ESSENCE, Black Enterprise and The YBF have all leaned on Mitchell’s expertise for stories as well as profiled her rise as one of the few African-American entrepreneurs in her industry.
Since it’s inception, the demand for Mitchell’s product has seen the expansion of True Indian Hair from it’s flagship Brooklyn boutique to Midtown Manhattan and Atlanta locations.
Mitchell is currently at work on expanding her franchise to Los Angeles and West Africa in the coming year. Check out her site here. Below, Mitchell tells us about some of her favorite moments from her trip to Cuba.
Roof top dining with friends at Havana's Hotel Inglaterra
This historic hotel has a prime location facing Central Park and very near the Capitolio, which means it’s perfectly situated for exploring the old town. Three cozy seating areas ensure optimum lounging and the roof terrace is legendary.
Visiting San Pedro de la Roca Castle in Santiago de Cuba
The large fort was built to defend the important port of Santiago de Cuba. The design of the fortification was based on Italian and Renaissance architecture. The complex is one of the most complete and well-preserved Spanish-American defense fortifications.
Taking a classic car tour in Havana
Havana is known for its classic cars dating from before the American embargo. While parts can be hard to find, the cars are kept in top shape through a mix of Cuban ingenuity and care. Classic car tours are a great way to see the city in style.
