may 2021
tact with so many different people from all walks of life and sharing their stories with you, entertaining you and hopefully empowering you to live your dream as well. I first saw Ms. Bailey’s photos as a model for one of our recent interviewees; P121Cr8tions designer; Jessica ‘Untile’ Goodwin. Her natural beauty and her confidence radiated in each shot. Later I had the pleasure of seeing her rip the runway, owning it as if it were hers. I overheard the admiration of those in attendance as she fiercely strutted her stuff! Awesome, was the first thought that came to my mind. She’s young, she’s beautiful, she’s confident and she deserves to be shown some Ambi’ance love! Ambi’ance: Hey Bertina, tell us a little about yourself. Bertina: I was born and raised here in Atlanta, GA. I am the oldest of four children. I have two sisters and one brother. I graduated from Fredrick Douglas High School. Afterwards, I attended Life University where I studied Business Administration and later attended Bauer College for Fashion Design. Ambi’ance: So you are a native of Atlanta? You are the first one that I have met since I’ve been here! I almost thought the natives were non-existent! (Laughing) Does anyone in your family model besides you? Bertina: (Laughing) Yes, I’m a
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‘Grady Baby’! (that is the name natives call themselves who were born in Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta) None of my siblings model, but my ten year old daughter; Bella Larman does!
“Project Curve Appeal” as a spokesmodel for Peach City and I moved on to Curve Appeal; which are all under the same umbrella, so that was June 2009 and I have been going strong since then.
Ambi’ance: Great! I am sure she also commands the runway!
Ambi’ance: You have a unique look. What encouraged you to step out and be different? As a sister wearing the natural close cut as well, I love your cut and as you know there aren’t many who will join us in making such a bold move! Did you set yourself apart to be different?
Bertina: Yes, she comes across very shy, except when she’s on that runway! She loves it! (Laughing) Ambi’ance: Had you had any formal training in modeling? Bertina: No formal training. I have never had any modeling or photography classes. When I was coming up my mother has always been a plus-sized woman and she would PUT her clothes on. She had one shade of red lipstick that she would put on her eyes, cheeks and her lips. She always carried herself with pride. My grandmother was also a big woman and she would always say, “I put my earrings on and my clothes on. I may be the biggest woman, but I am the finest woman!” So I have always grown up around confident women and thought I was cute! (Laughing) Now since I thought I was cute, an opportunity came for me to model, I took it and things just took off from there. Ambi’ance: How long have you been modeling? Bertina: Since June of 2009. I started with a company called
Bertina: Even in high school, I was always on the ‘outside’. I had people that I hung out with, friends and family, but was never part of the “in crowd.” I have always worn braids. I‘ve wore the puffy braids so that I would be different. I shaved the back of my head with them, setting me apart from everyone else. I wore them for about three to four years and tried the wigs and weaves for about a year after that. Then I went to a Jill Scott concert; I am a huge fan of hers! She was wearing her hair similar to mine and I said, “Let me do something different!” That was in January, 2012. I cut off all of my hair and my cousin braided the top and I have been rocking it ever since. A funny thing is I see women with the similar cut all the time, but the compliments I get are like, “OMG, I just love your hair, I haven’t seen anything like that!” I get a lot of compliments and it’s very humbling, I love it! I love being different and I love being me! 23
