Will the #BeardGang please stand up? Bearded baes reigned supreme in 2017 and the ladies loved every second. So, what was it like being a beautiful bearded Black men this year? In partnership with Black Men With Beards, once again, we check in with a few of your faves to ask.
Name: Cellis Mosby
Age: 26
Location: Baltimore, MD
Instagram: @TheRealCellis
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
The best thing about having a beard in 2017 is the sense of Black pride it gives me. It’s strong, black, commanding and has an underlying tone of “don’t mess with the movement.” To me, seeing our brothers with beards is almost as symbolic as our black pride fist and with a subtle nod of affirmation we know we got each others back in any environment.
<a href=“https://asseenbyt.com/” target=_blank>Tatianna Mullin</a>
Name: Tobiah Rocker
Age: 27
Location: Atlanta, GA
Instagram: @sge_biofit
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
I really like the attention I get from all races complementing something that I naturally grew and I love when a woman rubs her fingers and hands through my beard before I go to sleep or while I’m on the phone talking.
Name: Deveja Webb
Age: 24
Location: Dallas, Texas
Instagram: @_djuice
One thing you love for a woman to do to your beard?
I love for my queen to run her hands through my beard as she tells me about her day.
Name: Aaron Michael Bryant
Age: 25
Location: Orlando, FL
Instagram: macaaroni_
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
Having a beard is like being a part of a mysterious, extraordinary league of gentlemen. Most people don’t understand that in order to grow a beard, a man has to have patience, humility and confidence in his appearance throughout his journey. It’s the understanding of a one’s self-worth without needing to be validated by others. And in today’s society, your self-assurance is everything.
<a href=“http://www.jflynnphoto.com/” target=_blank>Queen Flynn</a>
Name: Andre LaDon
Age: 32
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Instagram: @andreladon
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
I believe 2017 has really set the stage for us bearded guys whom have embraced our genetic facial features early on. I get the question of how I got mine to grow as it has or what do I put on my beard to make it full which the answer to those questions is simply nothing. Of course I wash it normally and I groom myself rather than having barber do it so I have a bit of an advantage of controlling the look of my beard.
Name: Jean Titus
Age: 50
Location: Washington, DC
Instagram: @titusunlimited
What’s the best compliment a woman has given you about your beard?
An older woman who had to be in her 70s walked up to me as I sat and said “you look very powerful with that beard and the grey makes you look quite distinguished”, as it seemed like she was about to walk off she leaned in and smelled my beard and said “oooh and it’s soft and even smells good too,” then walked off. That’s my best beard compliment ever!!
Name: Kalan D. Laws
Age: 35
Location: Houston, TX
Instagram: @senorguapo713
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
Beards provide access and mystique. For those who are used to bearded gentlemen, it underscores your class, style, and edge to them. But to those who aren’t familiar with black men in robust and well manicured beards, it intrigues them. It’s mysterious. They often try to figure out why the like it when, in the past, they weren’t fans it such facial regalia. There isn’t a week that goes by that someone online or in person isn’t dialoguing with me about my face crown. It’s quite remarkable!
Name: Kevin Allen
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Instagram: @istayshootin
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
In 2017 it’s like the trend of having a beard is at an all time high, but really the best thing is just the mature look that a well clean and maintained beard gives me.
Name: Lakyle Thomas
Age: 32
Location: Atlanta, GA
Instagram: @lakylethomas
What’s the best compliment a woman has given you about your beard?
An older lady at my church stopped me after church service. She said, “young man you have very a nice beard. It reminds me of my late husband’s beard. Are you single?” We started to just laugh. It was a great feeling.
Name: Geraud Singh
Age: 30
Location: Atlanta, GA
Instagram: @geraud_singh
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
There is a popularity, demand and reverence for a Black man with a beard now that is incredible. For my career, this year has been nothing short of amazing, and I can attribute that to the versatile look my beard gives me. My beard has made a way for my talents to shine!
Name: Correll “King Rell” Stanfield
Age: 22
Location: Baltimore, MD
Instagram: @king_rell_
One thing you love for a woman to do to your beard?
I love for a woman to caress and run her fingers through my beard…it’s one of the best feelings on the planet.
Name: Dr. Shaun Woodly
Age: 35
Location: Atlanta, GA
Instagram: @UrbanEducating
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
The best thing about having a beard in 2017 is that there are so many great products available, especially for men of color, which allow me to keep my beard-game tight each and every day!
Name: Keith Jacobs
Age: 31
Location: Houston, TX
Instagram: @thisiskeithjacobs
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
We are in the middle of the cultural beard renaissance where all beards are created equal. The best part about having a beard in today’s society is that it allows us with another layer of creative expression.
Name: Mike Edwards
Age: 27
Location: London, United Kingdom
Instagram: @aireyys
One thing you love for a woman to do to your beard?
My guilty pleasure is having my woman massage my face using my own line of beard oils after a steamy shower. To be frank, there’s nothing like a woman’s touch on my beard to stimulate growth.
Name: Aaron Oates
Age: 21
Location: Greensboro, NC
Instagram: @aaronjoates
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
The best thing is that with such an emphasis on time management, you save a significant amount of time by not shaving. I love for women to run their fingers through my beard. It’s soothing and relaxing.
Name: Wade the Barber
Age: 34
Location: Hanover, MD
Instagram: @wadethebarber
Best thing about having my beard in 2017?
My beard saved my life and got me more attention from the ladies!
Name: Nestle Snipes
Age: 34
Location: East Orange, NJ
Instagram: @nestle_snipes412
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
The best thing about having a beard is seeing the response of women who are attracted to my beard. They tend to show their attraction and expression nonverbally. The act of a man having facial hair goes back to the most carnal and primitive aspects of human attraction. Having a strong body & facial hair meant that you were genetically superior and it made you a top suitor amount women in a tribe. So, when I hear “That’s a really nice beard you have,” I hear you loud and clear madam!
Name: Latino McDowell
Age: 32
Location: New Orleans, LA
Instagram: @tinothestylist
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
For me the best thing about having a beard in 2017 is making so many of our black queens smile! “Blush” when they see a Black bearded handsome man. It shows a sign of power and women love a strong powerful man.
Name: Kyle Kelly
Age: 24
Location: Queens, New York
Instagram: @ladiesluvk00lk
Best thing about having a beard in 2017?
I think the best thing about having a beard in 2017 is the number of people who now accept beards. To me, my beard is a part of my identity, the beard doesn’t make me nor I make the beard, so when I meet different people in different walks of life I always get those common comments like “wow that’s a nice beard” or “I wish I could grow one” or “ is it real” and it amazes me sometimes because I would of never thought people would see all this hair and even acknowledge it on the level in which they do. A few years ago in corporate America, every guy in there for the most part would be clean cut with a smooth face fast forward to 2017 and you still see the clean cut but it’s accompanied by a nice beard as well and that’s a dope thing to see.
