#NNPA BlackPress

Niece to Award Winning Artist Wyclef Jean Serves As the Face of New Hair Product For Children with Locs

CHICAGO DEFENDER — Right on time for the Fall school season, children’s hair care line Natural Bunch Kids has tapped the niece of acclaimed, Grammy Award Winning artist and musician Wyclef Jean as the face of their newly released hair care product Locs of Love. Locs of Love is a specially designed pomade that not only styles locs on children but was created to celebrate the beautiful and rich history of loc’d, natural hairstyles as worn across the Caribbean and African diaspora. LeeLee Jean, known as the “Haitian Princess” and Wyclef’s niece, was chosen as the official ambassador for Locs of Love due to her mane of locs and Haitian heritage. With natural hairstyles being a political hot topic as of late, thanks to the wave of natural hair discrimination bans that are passing across the country, it is without a doubt the perfect time for such a product to come out as children are learning to love their locs and the history behind these styles.

Published

6 years ago

October 19, 2019

Oakland Post

Natural Bunch Kids (Courtesy Photo)

Natural Bunch Kids taps LeeLee Jean as the official ambassador for the brand’s newly released Locs of Love Pomade for children with loc’d, natural hair

By Chicago Defender

BROOKLYN, NY — Right on time for the Fall school season, children’s hair care line Natural Bunch Kids has tapped the niece of acclaimed, Grammy Award Winning artist and musician Wyclef Jean as the face of their newly released hair care product Locs of Love. Locs of Love is a specially designed pomade that not only styles locs on children but was created to celebrate the beautiful and rich history of loc’d, natural hairstyles as worn across the Caribbean and African diaspora. LeeLee Jean, known as the “Haitian Princess” and Wyclef’s niece, was chosen as the official ambassador for Locs of Love due to her mane of locs and Haitian heritage. With natural hairstyles being a political hot topic as of late, thanks to the wave of natural hair discrimination bans that are passing across the country, it is without a doubt the perfect time for such a product to come out as children are learning to love their locs and the history behind these styles.

A hair care line made specifically for children with curly and coily hair, Natural Bunch Kids is the brainchild of daycare mogul Ms. Betty Ceus. Operating multiple daycare centers throughout the New York area, Ms. Betty’s passion for teaching is organically a part of the Natural Bunch Kids brand as she is constantly finding ways to educate parents and their children on best hair care practices that will allow their little one’s hair to flourish. She brings to the parents a whole new meaning to the class in session with her Curls In Session brand style. With the addition of Locs of Love to the Natural Bunch Kids line of products, there is a plethora of styling and hair care choices for children of all textures to choose from to ensure that their hair grows to its fullest and healthiest state.

“In my work, I am constantly around children, and I find that many times parents aren’t sure how to take care of their children’s natural hair. Therefore, I wanted to create a line of products that made caring for natural hair easy and fun, while giving the child something that they can call their own,” states Natural Bunch Kids founder Ms. Betty. “However, as I grew my brand I noticed virtually no products made specifically for kids who wore their hair in locs. That’s why I came up with Locs of Love for the children that felt left out of the natural hair movement. Thus, I chose to have LeeLee Jean and her colorful ribbon decorated locs as the face of this new product!”

To represent the launch of Locs of Love, Natural Bunch Kids paired with LeeLee Jean, the niece of three-time Grammy winner Wyclef Jean, who rose to fame as a member of the New Jersey hip hop group, The Fugees, and later achieved solo success collaborating with big-name acts such as Will.i.am, Avicii, Shakira, Cyndi Lauper, Lil’ Kim, Ludacris, and many more. Being known as the “Haitian Princess” made LeeLee Jean the obvious choice to represent Locs of Love as Ms. Betty was able to help pay homage to her own Haitian roots while celebrating loc’d hairstyles among children.

“I wanted to create something that honored the children of the Caribbean, specifically Haiti. I myself am from Port-Au-Prince in Haiti, and I do what I can to support and empower the children of Haiti,” says Ms. Betty. “I wanted to give something to the children of Haiti, and of all the Caribbean that would give them pride in the history of their hair, so that they could wear it proudly and take care of the natural crowns that they were blessed with.”

Locs of Love is truly an all-in-one product that gives a medium shine and hold, while providing the hair with everything it needs to be healthy and strong. Packed with hair-healthy ingredients, Locs of Love includes Haitian castor oil and aloe for hydration, soy protein for strengthening, peppermint oil for stimulating the scalp, and vitamin E, A, and C for overall hair health. The product is not only ideal for locs but is also perfect product for kids sporting natural styles, like braids and twists.

To help show LeeLee’s hair in all of its natural splendor, Natural Bunch Kid’s partnered with the renowned husband & wife photography duo Kahran and Regis creators of Creative Soul Photography for a Locs of Love editorial shoot. The shoot featured diverse loc’d styles on LeeLee amidst Haitian-themed, school backdrops. The Locs of Love product shoot mirrors the Natural Bunch Kids brand emphasis on education that has long been the focus of the brand thanks to Ms. Betty’s educational background.

As natural hair continues to make waves in the workplace and schools, representation in the beauty industry is crucial to show kids that their hair is beautiful. Locs, twists, and braided styles are finding their time to shine and with the help of Locs of Love, they can shine stronger and brighter than ever! To learn more about the launch of this exciting new product, visitwww.NaturalBunchKids.com.

This article originally appeared in the Chicago Defender.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Betty Reid Soskin, the Nation’s Oldest Park Ranger Suffers Stroke

Don't Miss

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Outward Bound Adventures show children a new world

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

2 hours ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

2 days ago

May 28, 2025

admin

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: