Meet Kris K. | Owner & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kris K. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kris, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Black Girl Waisted was birthed from my craft addiction. I’ve literally made everything, and at the time waist beads were on my hit list. So I went to the craft store, bought the materials and got to work pumping out strands. Those first strands were terrible but through those is how I fell in love with the art, the history, and the rich culture behind waist beads. This was more than my next craft project, it was a passion, and from then on Black Girl Waisted was born.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’d like to set the record straight on the Black Girl Waisted name because I always get asked about it. I’m super tongue-in-cheek, so it’s definitely a play on the term white girl wasted, but just like me there’s so much more behind the exterior. The BGW name is really my way of taking reclaiming my power. There were more times than I care to admit that I felt wasted. My voice, my thoughts, my love, my trust, my body, at some points in my life were completely wasted. As sad as that is I know I’m not alone in having felt that way. So Black Girl Waisted is many things, it’s a pun, it’s a direct reflection of myself, and it’s so many of my black sisters out there who are reclaiming their power too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d definitely take by bestie for some cocktails at Atlas in the St.Regis Hotel, the drinks are hitting and the place is decorated with the works of Picasso, and Monet. I love live music so we’d checkout who’s playing at Terminal West, a dope venue that I always have a great time at. And we have to go to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. History and human rights are very near and dear to my heart. As a black gay woman, my rights have always been under attack so it’s important to know the history and direction we as humans are headed, so the museum trip is a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate this to the wonderful organization of Our Village United for helping me boss up big time. A major shoutout to my beautiful partner-in-life Holli, for being a steady stream of encouragement and support. And last but not least, my spirited colleague Muriel Evans for putting me on!

Website: www.blackgirlwaisted.com

Instagram: @Getblackgirlwaisted

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackgirlwaisted

Image Credits
All images credited to Black Girl Waisted