The natural-hair community is mourning the loss of vlogger Domineque Banks, who lost her battle with lupus on April 9. She was 27.
Known as “Longhairdontcare2011” by her many followers on YouTube, Banks’s hair journey was inspired by her illness. She began documenting her hair health in 2004, taking viewers along as she eventually grew her mane to tail-bone length, and doling out encouragement and styling tips on her channel. In addition, she regularly contributed articles to blackgirllonghair.com and the online hair forum Black Hair Media.
A close friend tells blackgirllonghair.com that Banks had been a longtime suffer of lupus and had taken a turn for the worse in recent months. She is survived by her partner, sister, family and friends that no doubt include her adoring online supporters. With their help, Banks’s family raised $17,910 to help with funeral costs, surpassing their original goal of $10,000.
The vlogger’s untimely death is the second to rock the online natural hair world in recent days. It was reported last week that Karyn Washington, founder of the blog For Brown Girls, died of an apparent suicide. 
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(Photo: Courtesy of Domineque Banks via youtube)