Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 2-19-21

Feature
Tampa Native Is Published In Africa-Based Magazine For Her Bald Boldness
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Tampa native Dr. Bonita ‘Bo’ Best, made her first international appear- ance as a fashion model in an Africa-based magazine re- leased in the United States on December 26, 2020, de- spite the pandemic.
Hopez Magazine has been published in 3 coun- tries: Ghana, 29 times; Nige- ria, 19 times; and 2 times in the U. S.
According to Dr. Best, Hopez Magazine is a be- spoke publication that spe- cializes in identifying and promoting talents and brands in the African Fash- ion Industry. The editor- in-chief of the magazine is Hope Chioma Offor.
Dr. Best was published in the “Enough” edition of the magazine, where the magazine’s most celebrated African Fashion for Peace covers the very best of fash-
ion, culture and entertain- ment in the globe.
“The “Enough” edition contained sensitive issues and exclusive interviews with industrious individuals who contribute to the growth and development in the fashion world,” Dr. Best explained. “The “Enough” campaign raises global awareness or peace, African Fashion for Peace.
The magazine’s editor was interested in creating a space in the magazine to pro- mote bald women and reached out to Black women via social media.
“When I was contacted, the editor wanted me to share about ‘what inspired me as a bold, bald and bad- dest?” She captured my story and I was inspired to show women that you can rock your personal look and style with fashion...this was a glimpse of who I am, what I stand for, and this is how I face the world as a woman of
Dr. Bonita (“Bo”) Best Appears In Hopez Magazine
color who chose to be bald.”
Bald By Choice
Dr. Best recalled her “journey to baldness.” The graduate of St. Augustine College, 1991, said, “I always wanted to cut my hair, how- ever my family and peers were into hair, so I kept a bit of length until 1996. I filed
for divorce from my child’s biological father and the next stop was a barbershop in Miami, FL.”
There were all types of backlash, but “I chose to re- ally give the naysayers some- thing to talk about or hate further, I shave my hair off,” she told the magazine.
“My hair didn’t define me and my beauty wasn’t de- fined by my hair. This hair- style empowered me to breakdown these stereotypi- cal views of hair, hairstyles and hair loss for women; and it taught me about my strength, capabilities and about human behavior.
“I let my hair grow enough to inspect to see if my hair is gray before I shave it and I have no gray hair at 51 years of age.
“I was honored to share my story and use the maga- zine as a platform to fulfill my life’s mission, “Help Peo- ple Help Themselves, in hopes of inspiring others
who may or may not have a choice to be bald, encourage others and give homage to those who inspired me to be who I am today.”
Dr. Best, the daughter of Evangeline (Van) Best and David Best was in Tampa Super Bowl Week for a Super Bowl-themed fash- ion show in Pinellas Park, FL featuring Jacka Saldana. “I've walked for her previ- ously and she heard I was in the area and asked me to walk for her during this event.”
In addition to being a model, she is in the field of Information Technology (IT) and cyber security. She is a life member of her college, St. Augustine’s University, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.. She has created a schol- arshgip “Bo Knows IT,’ to help others pursue their de- grees in Computer Science/Technology.
FYI
Deadline February 28th
Academic Scholarships Available For Senior Girls
The Gamma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, in partnership with Gamma Theta Omega Inc., announces academic scholarships available for senior girls in Hillsborough County public, private, or charter schools.
The scholarships are intended to recognize, encourage, and provide support to students in the community with higher ed- ucation and future career goals.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by applying before the February 28, 2021, deadline. For more information and to apply, please go to: www.akagto.com.
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