Impromptu Meet-Up

My earring haul from Akente Express

Long before Target, the only place in Denver to get Miss Jessie’s products was Akente Express on Park Avenue West, just north of downtown. 

Akente has been the one-stop shop for all things African and African-American for the past 20 years  - original artwork, African artifacts, sculptures, prints, jewelry, posters, T-shirts, designer purses, intense, oils, skincare products. Owner Ron Springer is finally calling it quits and selling his business so  he can pack up his bags and finally go visit the Motherland.

Before he could closed the doors for good, I made my annual trek to Akente for the MJ BOGO sale. I was just going to resupply on the Baby Buttercream and maybe try the Curly Meringue, when I got caught up in the moment. 

Two women were already in the shop when I entered. One of them, her hair in braids, looked at my curly fro and exclaimed that’s how she wants to do her natural hair when she takes her braids down. What did I have in it? Kinky-Curly Curling Custard, I said, somewhat sheepishly cuz KCCC isn’t sold at Akente.

What followed was a discussion on natural hair care, the differences among MJ products and how to use KCCC. While we were a talking, another woman with 3c curls came in. What did she use in her hair? KCCC again! Miss 3c admitted that only in the last year had she decided she loved her hair. Growing up she had always fought against the curl. Didn’t we all? 

Swept up in all the hair talk, I bought the Buttercream and the 8oz jar (get one free) of the Curly Meringue and earrings to go with my curly hair. Spent way more than I should have, but loved sharing my knowledge with other curlies.