Are you natural? Do you thank God you’re natural? Well, you might want to extend some of that gratitude to Chris-Tia Donaldson, author of the break-out book, Thank God I’m Natural. By day, she provides strategic legal advice to top executives at one of the world’s largest Fortune 100 companies. By night, the Harvard educated lawyer-turned-businesswoman is inspiring women from the southside of Chicago to South Africa, to adopt healthier greener lifestyles.

I consider Donaldson one of the pioneers of the natural hair shift with African American women, and that’s why she makes the list for the NNBW–she has made it her mission to inform and educate black women to take their hair into their own hands and not be slavishly bound to any beauty salon. And here’s another reason she’s awesome: She’s harnessed her passion and made it a viable money-making venture that benefits black women. Me thinks that’s lover-ly.

Donaldson and company have recently expanded with a product line of African shea butter, brown sugar scrub, bath salts, lip balm and soaps. A new hair care line will debut this spring. “From green smoothies to sulfate free shampoos, Chris-Tia’s ultimate mission is to show the average American that eating healthy, exercising regularly, and living well does not have to cost a fortune,” said her bio.

Congrats, Chris-Tia. You are the New, NEW Black Woman. 😉