Fayetteville, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/18/2014 -- After switching careers from Master Level Psychology to owner of a popular hair salon, Kandra Ferguson was surprised to find that her former experience would prove more than useful. With fewer women of color getting their hair chemically straightened, Kandra noticed the hard time many were having bridging the disconnect between themselves and their hair.

The same could be said for young girls of color, too; so much so that Kandra decided to address the growing issue through a powerful and transformative new children’s picture book. ‘KenKay: Hair I Am’ urges girls to accept their God-given beauty and instead work on developing their good character and integrity.

Synopsis
There was a girl who hated her kinky, curly hair. The little girl had the tightest kinky curls you did ever want to see, so much so they called her KenKay. Then one day, her teacher introduces her to someone who changes her life.

“I was already teaching this message to my child clients, but knew that the problem stretched far beyond my City and State,” admits Kandra. “I am now on a mission to reach out to as many women and children as possible to bridge this disconnect and empower them to see their natural beauty.”

“Continuing, “One integral theme to help get this across is the book’s depiction of the perfect loving family. KenKay’s rock-solid and unwavering relationships further boost her self-esteem, something I’d like to see mirrored in families everywhere. Family can help you realize that it’s not what you look like on the outside that matters.”

Kandra puts this concept into a compelling turn of phrase; “Society places so much emphasis on what one looks like that we forget to develop good character building traits, causing us to look like an empty million dollar house. Beautiful on the outside, but nothing on the inside to make it a home,” she adds.

Since its release, the book has garnered rave reviews.

Jamie Sossamon comments, “I LOVE this book!! The love expressed between the father and daughter warmed my heart!! I also loved how the author said our hair is a reflection of who we are on the inside...that surely feels like truth as I reflect back on good hair days and bad ;)”

Katie Felder adds, “I wish there had been a book like this when my girls were small. Little girls of color have so many issues to face and sometimes a story can make the difference. Especially a story that has a character who looks like you. It was excellently written and the illustration popped off the page.”

Peaches was also extremely impressed, writing, “It helps us to understand how we make people feel when we bully and it teaches us how to love and appreciate who we are inside and out! Bravo to you Kandi for shedding the light on this topic! Beautifully written and illustrated!”

‘KenKay: Hair I Am’ is available now: http://amzn.to/1t2tIBx.

About Kandra Ferguson, in her own words
“Hi my name is Kandra, but friends and family call me Kandi. I hold a masters degree in psychology and I love doing hair and educating people about hair and health. I am the owner of Hair I am Natural Hair salon in Fayetteville NC. I am also a veteran of the United States Army, mother of two and a wife. Writing is another way I am able to illustrate my creative side. Growing up in South Carolina I learned how to take the little I had and turn it into something great. I remember writing my first book in middle school and it was not a children's book, it was a little erotic and I remember someone told my mom about it, she wasn't very pleased, but I knew I wanted to be an author. Needless to say I didn't write anymore erotic books, I began enjoying English creative writing classes. Now decades later I publish the first book in my children series. If I could give any advice to a mother who child expresses an interest in writing, don't just blow it off; take interest cultivate it...help her/him to publish their stories. Who knows you could have the next big writer.”