Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Dubose.
Hi Sandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body. Medically, there is no cure for this condition and it affects as many as 6.8 million people in the U.S including children, men and women of all ages and nationalities. Within three years, I developed the rarest form of the condition, Alopecia Universalis, which causes total hair loss on the scalp and body. While every patient’s experience will be different, I have lived completely bald for over 20 years. For the 1st eight years, I wore wigs to cover up my baldness, and I dealt with feelings of low self-esteem and situational depression. This experience forced me to go on a deeper journey of self-love and self-acceptance to rebuild my confidence. In 2008, I made the decision to ditch my wig and rock my naturally bald head. It was more comfortable for me, and I wanted to be my authentic self instead of feeling like I was covering up my truth.
It was a life-changing, personal decision that subsequently allowed me to inspire and support other women who were struggling with hair loss for various reasons. I became an advocate for alopecia areata awareness and a motivational speaker empowering women with the tools I used to build healthy self-esteem regardless of their circumstances.
On this journey, I was presented with the opportunity to compete in a statewide beauty pageant. I decided to participate to bring greater awareness to my platform, and as a result I made history when I was crowned 2011 Mrs. Black North Carolina. I became the 1st bald beauty queen of the state which then became my tag line and a proud part of my legacy.
As a professional singer and actor, I use my voice to reach audiences through words and songs. I travel nationally as an award-winning motivational speaker to women’s conferences and schools encouraging women and teens to live a courageous, bold and fearless life. I am the author of the self-help book “My Crown and Glory, It’s Not About the Hair” and the producer and host of “The Urban Parle’ Podcast.” This new initiative is a positive forum for adults to enjoy mature and entertaining conversations around topics that are liberating.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road of life is rarely smooth for most and I am no different. It has been a balancing act to manage my adult responsibilities of raising children, working a full-time job, pursuing my passion, and building a sustainable business as a performing artist. In the midst of that, my marriage dissolved after 21 years and I shifted into being a single mother with two amazing teen daughters. These experiences have only made me stronger and wiser. It solidifies for me the power we all possess to create the life we desire and the importance of finding love and happiness inside of ourselves no matter what.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Around the Triangle area, I am known for many things. Some people have experienced me as a motivational speaker at conferences, some know me as the self-help author, and others have seen me perform either in a musical play or rocking out with my R & B band at a festival or event. I have enjoyed performing all over the state of North Carolina in difference arenas, and the consistent love I receive from my community invigorates me. Because of my unique look, I stand out which helps other women identify me as a safe space to share their hearts. At nearly every performance, I meet at least one woman who confides in me that she struggles with hair loss and that she is encouraged by my freedom. It gives me an opportunity to encourage and uplift her on her journey and those small one on one moments are what I am most proud of. Positively impacting the life of others is my greatest reward.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I am a native of New York City, born and raised in the Bronx. I relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2007 with my family in search of a better quality of life to raise my daughters and that is exactly what I found. As a child, I did not grow up in a musical family but I have been singing and acting since elementary school. I was reared steeped in the Pentecostal church so my musical roots stem with gospel and later expanded into pop, r & b, and jazz. I followed the creative path and majored in drama at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Artistic expression was a natural gift, my passion, and my outlet from the trials of life. Growing up in the city afforded me exposure to Broadway musicals, Shakespeare, modern dance, and all forms of the arts. As an extrovert, I have always found my home on stage connecting with an audience and inspired by creative genius.
Contact Info:
- Email: Booking@DuboseEntertainment.com
- Website: www.SandraDubose.com
- Instagram: @BaldBeautyQueen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaldBeautyQueen/
- Twitter: @BaldBeautyQueen
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/sandradubose
