The Root 100

The ROOT 100 recognizes emerging and established African-American leaders who are making extraordinary contributions. The ROOT 100 celebrates leadership, creativity, service, and, above all, excellence.

 

Shelley Davis

Age38 years old years old

Hometown St. Vincent

Claim to Fame CEO, Kinky-Curly

Bio Shelley Davis is a natural-born lemonade maker. When her cosmetics bag was lost on a flight to her native island of St. Vincent, the savvy entrepreneur turned to locally available items to treat her hair, and stumbled across a new business in the process. The newly curly convert returned to the States and spent the next few years developing her all-natural product line. Since 2003, Davis has been on a campaign to get women with curls, waves, and kinks to rethink their idea of "good hair," embrace their natural texture, and move toward a healthier, more organic lifestyle.

Quote I have always been passionate about healthy hair and was inspired by my husband Craig, who is an expert at health and nutrition. I took his favorite saying that he often asks about food/meals "are you healing or stealing" and applied it to hair care.