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[Exclusive] Director of “Conversating While Black” Wants To Create More Black Content for Black People

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By Sharee Silerio

At the barbershop. In the hair salon. Family gatherings. Game night. Dinner after a movie. What do all of these places and activities have in common?

People getting together.

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When people normally gather, what do they do? Besides eating, they talk. Whether it’s about sports, music, number 45’s latest fiasco or another tragic case of police violence, it’s difficult not to talk about things when you’re around people you know and trust.

Conversations feed the heart, soul and mind, connecting people from all walks of life, experiences and beliefs.

Add themes such as what it means to be black or a person of color; race, gender, relationships and current black news, and you will have a discussion that will challenge everything you know and think you know.

The scripted series “Conversating While Black”, highlights these one-of-a-kind life moments. Produced by Brooklyn Director Rahwa Asmerom and her production company blackSTORY films, the series stars MaameYaa Boafo (An African City), Andrea Lewis (Black Actress), Skyler James, Damien Norfleet, and DeShawn White.

“The inspiration was mainly to share dialogue-driven mini-stories about unconventional topics we often talk about but which we do not get to see explored on-screen,” Asmerom told Curly Nikki.

Asmerom wrote the two-to-three-minute episodes in collaboration with filmmaker Essence Ward, who both viewed it as a way to hone their writing and film and television production skills in between projects.

CWB is a 10-episode web series that celebrates the “gift of a good conversation” featuring five “thoughtful, curious black folk” – three women and two men.

“Doing most anything while black calls for caution and comedy,” Ward said on the series’ website. “These characters love black culture and have a steady stream of questions, observations, and jokes about the way we live now.”

Andrea Lewis, who plays feisty, spicy Anya in the series, was asked by Asmerom to be a part of the project, as she is a fan of Lewis’ web series and content online. Lewis liked the message in the script including its artistic elements, and thought that Anya was an interesting character.
Screenshot from web series "Conversating While Black"

“She’s one of those people who doesn’t take something at face value. If you’re going to say something to her, you’re going to have to back it up with facts, which is kind of how I am in real life,” she said.

Lewis also explained why audiences should tune in to the series.

“It is a good representation of black millennials right now. It is truly a conversation that black people are concerned with. It’s a little bit of news, a little bit of popular media, but it’s also for an educated group of people; which black millennials, for the most part, are very educated.”

Although most will see “Conversating” and think: is this even a word? Asmerom and Ward see it as an opportunity to spark dialogue.

“We chose the name ‘Conversating While Black’ because we wanted to clearly convey that this was a series about conversations,” Asmerom explained. “Conversating is a controversial word. We have a lot of viewers who like to correct us and assert that the correct word is conversing. The point of using a word like conversating, which is in fact a word, is that it demonstrates how influential black vernacular is to American English.”

Topics in the show include “non-traditional” black names, the one million plus African-American men who are missing, haters and more.

“Because they are so near and dear to my heart, I love the topics of conversation and how they evoke ironic, serious, and funny responses from our characters,” Asmerom said. “I especially love the conversations about baby daddies and haters.”

The show is a great fit for thoughtful, curious viewers who appreciate rich dialogue, unconventional perspectives and stories without clichés.

BlackSTORY films was started in 2013 as an individual project, and since then, Asmerom has produced a short film titled “Didn’t I Ask For Tea?” with the feature length film “Maya vs. Settling” and an episodic television series in development.

“The inspiration for blackSTORY films came from my love of black culture and my yearning to see more authentic representations of black life on screen,” Asmerom said. “The conversation about black under-representation in the media is often focused on the statistics, and on having more films and shows feature black actors rather than on the narratives and characters being reflective and true to the range and nuances in our culture. For me, it’s not about just having more content which features actors that happen to have brown skin but narratives that really lend themselves to our variety of views, dialectics, and experiences.”

Watch the entire series on Blavity now.

Let us know what you think of the series.
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Sharee Silerio is a St. Louis-based freelance writer, Film and TV writer-producer, and blogger. When she isn’t creating content for The Root or The St. Louis American, she enjoys watching drama/sci-fi/comedy movies and TV shows, writing faith and self-love posts for SincerelySharee.com, relaxing with a cup of chai tea, crafting chic DIY event décor, and traveling. Review her freelance portfolio at ShareeSilerio.com then connect with her on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

A New Whitney Houston Documentary Is Headed To Theaters This Summer

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Photo courtesy of Whitney Houston's Facebook page

Written by Sharee Salerio

It’s been a little over five years since the world lost pop music legend Whitney Houston.

Her passing and manner of death broke the hearts of fans, leaving a void that can never be replaced.

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Everyone was aware of her personal and relational struggles, but it always seemed like there was a part of her that wasn’t expressed.

A new documentary, titled “Whitney: Can I Be Me”, is coming next month that hopes to shed light on who the superstar really was, outside of fame and behind closed doors.

Directed by documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield (“Biggie and Tupac”, “Kurt & Courtney”), the film tells the story of Houston’s “extraordinary life and tragic death”, according to IMDb.

The almost two-hour flick starts at the end of her life then goes back to where it all started, Houston’s childhood in Newark and East Orange, New Jersey.

Using unseen footage and live recordings from her life, the film focuses on the icon’s career, her troubled marriage to Bobby Brown and her untimely passing. Interviews from her band members, hair stylist, makeup artist, backup singers, promoters and former bodyguard offer insight into who Houston was beyond the spotlight.

Speaking to The Guardian about the project last month, Broomfield explained: “What we tried to do was to explain it from her point of view, so you understand what she went through at various stages of her life. The irony is that the wonderful person she actually was is so much more interesting than the image that was created around her.”

I look forward to watching this documentary, as Whitney was one of my favorite singers-turned-actresses. There was something about her that was graceful, divine and powerful, yet aching.

The film will be released in U.S. theaters this summer. Watch the trailer below!



What do you think about the preview? Do you plan on watching the film?
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Sharee Silerio is a St. Louis-based freelance writer, Film and TV writer-producer, and blogger. When she isn’t creating content for The Root or The St. Louis American, she enjoys watching drama/sci-fi/comedy movies and TV shows, writing faith and self-love posts for SincerelySharee.com, relaxing with a cup of chai tea, crafting chic DIY event décor, and traveling. Review her freelance portfolio at ShareeSilerio.com then connect with her on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Hundreds Of Alphas Marched Through The Southside of Chicago In Effort To "Save Our Streets"

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Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

On Saturday, May 20th, hundreds of members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. marched through the Southside of Chicago in an effort to reclaim their community. And while it hasn't gathered much media coverage, it's important that stories like these are told, especially when we're consistently that the Black community isn't doing much to save their own outside of fighting for police brutality.

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Alphas In The Streets is an initiative that aims to do just that.
Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

"The Alphas in the Streets Initiative is an aim to champion our communities and continue to advocate for the worth, wealth, and resources that are available within. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood, and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities. The Iota Delta Lambda Chapter, of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., wants to combat the negative stigmas that plague the community, marching against violence with the community, families of victims, and collective mentees from various mentoring programs. This is a continued effort to "call to action" those that believe mentoring our youth can save our streets, a statement that says we are for our city and the safety of our neighborhoods, and a promise that we are here to better the lives of all."

And while the media won't show you things like this, just know that it's happening, and in Chicago. Kudos to these brothers!
Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Andre Jamar/Andre Jamar Photography 
Alphas In The Streets, Saturday May 20, 2017

Why do you think the media won't show stories like these?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

[Exclusive] Docuseries "The Root" Sheds Light On Black Women's Natural Hair Journey

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By Sharee Silerio

Black women wearing their hair the way it grows out of their heads is a big deal. It breaks the “rules”, makes some people uncomfortable, and is often viewed as unkempt, unprofessional and inappropriate.

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The movement for black women to return to the hair they were born with has transformed what black beauty is, means and how it’s presented.

Over the last several years, websites like Curly Nikki have coached, informed, supported and encouraged women from all around the world to “go natural”, offering advice and tips on how to take care of their divine tresses.

The way black women wear their hair, including its impact, has been explored in documentaries like Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” (2009), magazines, celebrity interviews and countless books.

Earlier this year, results of the “‘Good Hair’ Study: Explicit and Implicit Attitudes Toward Black Women’s Hair” by the Perception Institutefound that black women who are in the natural hair community experience more anxiety related to their hair and are twice as likely to report social pressure to straighten their hair at work compared to white women.

“The Root”, a new docuseries from self-taught Brooklyn filmmaker Austin Dancy, aims to shed light on the insights and feelings natural-haired black women have about natural hair.

Produced by his company Point Game Media, the episodes will shine a light on multiple women, their hair and the unique and positive things in their lives.

“I came up with the idea to produce and direct the docuseries after reading a Facebook post that my girlfriend made. In the post, she spoke about a moment during her morning commute where a person randomly made a negative comment about the style that her natural hair was in,” Dancy told Curly Nikki. “After she gave details about that experience, she began to explain that she loves her hair and loves herself no matter what, and that all women should remember to stay true to themselves and not take what outsiders may view as beautiful into consideration.”

For Dancy, this sparked the desire to create something to document different black women’s thoughts and advice on natural hair while offering positive examples of confident, beautiful natural-haired black women.

“I decided to name the series ‘The Root’ because I felt that it was a name that pointed straight to what the essence of the series would be, which is to inspire other black women by letting them see that it’s perfectly ok to feel confident with their natural hair, or their natural roots,” he said.

In the film, some of the questions he asks are: why do you think black women sometimes have difficulties embracing their natural hair? Have you found many creative ways to style your natural hair?

Through the answers to such questions, each episode will reveal what’s at the heart of natural hair for black women. From the dilemma of choosing to go natural, what family and friends might think and say, to the practical journey of learning how to care for and style what is yours, the series is a discussion that we don’t get to see on the screen, until now.

The docuseries is for all women of the African diaspora; black women with various life experiences, professions, hobbies, hair types and stories. However, it’s still specific enough to pique the interest of most natural hair enthusiasts.

According to Dancy, black women who watch vlogs about natural hair and keep up with the lives of their favorite natural hair vloggers will immediately become fans of “The Root”.

“I know that there is a lot of informative content about natural hair on the internet and across social media, such as tutorial videos showing how to do certain styles; but I want ‘The Root’ to be what black women watch either after or before they watch the videos that offer hair care tips and stuff,” he said. “This series will provide them with an extra dose of inspiration while also being a good source of entertainment that features women that they can relate to.”
Watch the debut episode of “The Root” below! More episodes will be released within the next month.


If you want to know when new episodes are released, subscribe to Dancy’s YouTube channel The Austin Dancy, and follow him on Instagram @austirdancy.

How has your experience with natural hair been so far? What do you think about the concept and inspiration behind “The Root”? Are you going to watch the documentary series?
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Black Scientists Create Hair Care Line Specifically For Black Hair

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Photo Credit: Asiyami Gold

To believe the hype, or not to believe the hype. That is the question.

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Recently Pantene has been pushing their new Pantene Gold Series Line harder than Shonda Rhimes at an Interracial dating convention. Their ads have been popping up all over unsuspecting Facebook and Instagram feeds, and most recently, a high fashion television spot has been making the rounds as well.

Their pitch is that this is a line specifically created for Black women, by Black Scientists (a group composed primarily of black women.) Gold Series labels promote moisture retention, creamy, paraben free lathers, and easy detangling.

But do the new culture conscious products live up to their gilded hype?

Luckily, YouTube is a sister needs these days to make an educated purchase. The verdict is in, and the reviews, while mixed, mostly offer the hair care line plenty of praise.

All in all, most reviewers, both new and old, popular and unknown, like the series. Their most popular product by far is the shampoo, which seems to have the collective community shook. It’s paraben free, but still contains sulfates (hence the rich lather) but amazingly, doesn’t strip the hair shaft, the way many mainstream products do. I think half the surprise is that Pantene did this shampoo right (because girl, you weren’t the only one buying AsIAm in the same batch… just in case!).

Many are complimentary of the shampoos, but at least one reviewer, whose opinion is likely less biased (viewer count is not as high as others, this ain’t no sponsor situation) honestly admitted that there are probably better conditioners out there. Also, considering the density, and moisture requirements that black hair requires, she also pointed out that, while the shampoo is efficient enough to last a while, the conditioner will likely be used up after a few wash days, making the price point a big consideration.

Now, of course, there are the more popular YouTube hair gurus most of whom are fans of the line itself. Without name dropping, I will say that many of them seem to be sponsored, which is neither here nor there but is important to consider. The BEST results overall seem to come from reviewers who used the line in its entirety. I noticed that people who used the products in conjunction with other products were less likely to enjoy the series.

Kudos to Pantene for giving visibility and credence to the black consumer base, which makes up an incredible part of the beauty and hair care industry. Their efforts should be commended, whether you use the Gold Series or not.

Have you bought the Pantene Gold Series? What did you think of the newest foray into black hair? Share this article, and comment below with your hair type, and your experience!
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Alma Hill is a freelance journalist, actress, and mother living in Orlando, FL. A frequent contributor to online and print media publications, she believes that the words from our mouths will change the world. Born in Charlotte, NC, she's a millennial with an old soul who appreciates a good meme as much as a Miles Davis album. Brave souls can follow her on Twitter @_mynameissoul, but you have been warned.

Try These Post-Coloring DIY Treatments

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Photo Credit: Pinterest

by Mary Wolff

Coloring your hair is a fun way to change things up. It is also a quick way to damage your hair and undo your hair care routine’s hard work. Many curlies who color would benefit from doing a simple post-color DIY treatment. After you color your hair, it can become a little drier than usual, especially if you color a lot. Try one of these post-color DIY treatment recipes to restore the health of your hair!

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1. Going Green Mask
Packed with healthy fats and nutrients such as vitamin E, avocado is a great way to fortify your strands against the damage often done by coloring hair. The olive oil is full of moisturizing properties for added softness. Simply mash the pulp of one avocado and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Feel free to blend it in a blender to get a more spreadable consistency. Apply to hair and place shower cap over your head. Rinse hair and wash as usual.

2. Simply Bananas Mask
This is one of the easiest post-color treatments for hair and only involves one ingredient! Bananas are loaded with potassium and vitamins that help keep hair strong. They also add a nice boost of moisture! For this recipe, simply mash or blend one ripe banana until it is smooth enough to spread. If you have long hair, you may need two bananas. If you find that the banana is not smooth enough for spreading, try adding some olive  oil to make it smoother. Apply to hair, coat strands thoroughly, put on a shower cap, and rinse after 30 minutes.

3. Oiled and Spoiled Mask
There is no denying the powerful impact coconut oil has on hair. It is full of healthy fats and moisture restoring emollients. It is known to leave strands soft and silky while giving your dry scalp thirst quenching hydration. For this recipe, combine the powers of coconut and olive oil perfect for colored hair that is dry and brittle. Take two parts coconut oil to one part olive oil and warm them up to room temperature. Colored hair needs to avoid anything too hot since it will rob you of the color faster. Room temperature oil will still work just fine. Rub the oil into your scalp and strands. Wait 30 minutes and then wash hair as usual.

4. Shower Beer 
Now, this one is for my curly girls who are over 21. Another simple one ingredient hair treatment for colored hair is beer. Beer is full of properties such as barley and hops that are reported make color last longer so it is a definite must-try for curlies who color. Also, shower beers are becoming a thing on their own. For this, simply take a beer in the shower. Drink some if you want. Pour the rest into your hair and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing out. Wash hair as usual.

After 184 Years, Oberlin College Names Its First Black President

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Cedar Crest College President Carmen Twillie Ambar is leaving to become president of Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio. 
(MORNING CALL FILE PHOTO)

After 184 years, Oberlin College announced that its first African American leader would be a woman.

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Carmen Twillie Ambar will become Oberlin's 15th president and the first African American woman to lead the institution. Ambar currently serves as president of Cedar Crest College, a position she has held since 2008, increasing endowment by almost 92%, launching 18 new academic programs, and increasing enrollment--Cedar Crest will welcome its largest freshman class since 2007. Under her leadership, the diversity of Cedar Crest's student body increased from 16% to 38%, with the highest increases in Hispanic and African American students.

President Ambar was selected from 150 applicants, not just for her excellent work ethic, but for her overall efforts. "President Ambar has a record of recognizing and embracing the importance of participatory governance, knowing that the community is integral to an institution's trajectory,” said Jeremy Poe, a member of the Presidential Search Committee. “She understands both the challenges of equitable access to education and the equity disparities students face after matriculating...I'm excited to see and be a part of what Oberlin is able to do under her leadership, and I know other students will be similarly excited."

"She's clear-eyed and tough-minded, honest and smart, and she believes passionately in the transformative power and social impact of what we do," said Jennifer Bryan, am Associate Professor of English. I think she's really inspiring, and I'm confident that she's going to be a powerful voice for Oberlin's mission and values.”

“I look forward to my work with Oberlin’s faculty, staff, students, board, and alumni to think creatively and collaboratively together," the new president said. "I am humbled to be joining this institution and excited about the opportunity to lead it into its next era.”

She'll join Oberlin's campus full time starting in September.

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Tiffani Greenaway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.

Jordan Peele Does His Own #GetOutChallenge On Jimmy Fallon, Announces Baby

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Jordan Peele is out here winning in a myriad of ways! In yet another winning example, Peele appeared on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon and this time, he was alone and not with his comedy partner in crime, Keegan-Michael Key. The two, of course, had risen to fame from their Comedy Central sketch series, Key & Peele.

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In one of the most epic tv show entrances ever, Peele reenacted the infamous sprint done by the Get Out character “Walter,” now known as the #GetOutChallenge. He blessed the Tonight Show audience, admitting that it was the very first time that he had done the challenge. Very meta!

Fallon congratulated Peele for his recent marriage to fellow comedian, Chelsea Peretti, to which Jordan followed with, “we’re brewing together a comedy legend… within her.” In the way that Peele only could, he was basically announcing her pregnancy. They’re having a baby!

The two also reminisced on his last appearance on the show with Key in which they referenced Questlove given them a shout-out, which hilariously resulted in Questlove spitting out his drink. The shout-out must’ve taken him aback, but that very moment became a social media meme and gif. Peele described Questlove’s slip as “mother bird feeding his children.” Ha!

The two went on to talk about his upcoming works, including Peele producing a show for Tracy Morgan on TBS that follows Morgan’s character who returns to Brooklyn after a 15-year prison stint only to find it a new and unrecognizable gentrified Brooklyn.

Peele’s hype train is definitely not stopping anytime soon and it’s great because he’s a talented guy! Congrats to Peele on his “brewing” baby news and I look forward to his upcoming projects!

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Tonja Renée Stidhum is a writer/director living in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. She is the co-host of the movie review podcast, Cinema Bun Podcast. She is made of sugar and spice and everything rice... with the uncanny ability to make a Disney/Pixar reference in the same sentence as a double entendre. You can follow her on Twitter @EmbraceTheJ, on Facebook FB.com/tstidhum, and Instagram @embracethej. You can find more of her work on her About Me page, https://about.me/tonjareneestidhum.

5 Black Owned Beauty Brands For Women Of Color

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Photo courtesy of The Lip Bar

Written by Monica Williams

For many black women, searching for makeup that matches our skin tone can be quite challenging. There are many mainstream beauty brands that do not supply ranges of color for women of color. It becomes frustrating walking down the drugstore isles in hopes of finding the “perfect match”, only to leave empty handed and disappointed the majority of the time.

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What about the black women who can easily find products with the popular brands that are advertised in commercials and magazines, but would like to be more conscious about where they spend their money. If any of those are you, consider purchasing your makeup from black-owned beauty brands. Listed below are 5 companies you should know.



Black Opal was created by a trio of passionate individuals who found success with solutions for hyperpigmentation, oil-control, shade matching and more. With 16 colors in their collection, the foundation sticks are one of the best selling drugstore beauty products of all time, according to Self Magazine.

Black Up is the first French beauty brand for women of color. This makeup line has professional quality makeup for darker skin tones. Their three new concealer palettes are a best seller according to their website. “Its cream, pigment-enriched texture, offers an optimal level of coverage and an invisible result. Also noted concealers are oil and paraben free.


Black Radiance Beauty offers a variety of sheer to vivid lip and eye color. One of the top rated products on their website is the Liquid Lip Color which is currently only $1.49. It applies like a gloss, but is very moisturizing, rich in color, gluten and cruelty free.


The IMAN brand philosophy holds that women of color represent many races cultures and ethnicities. “ The brand offers cosmetics, which includes 16 foundation shades, as well as skincare. New to her collections are 5 must-have Luxury Matte Lipsticks that are velvety smooth and enriched with Jojoba and Vitamin E. The lipsticks are long-lasting and non-drying.


The Lip Bar is a vegan, cruelty-free line with an array of super-pigmented, high performing products which includes lipsticks, liquid matte and lip gloss. Founded by Melissa Butler in 2012, the Lip Bar is “challenging the beauty standard through products, inclusive imagery and pricing.”

Have you tried any of these beauty brands or do you have a favorite that is not mentioned? If so, please share below.
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Monica Williams is a freelance beauty writer for CurlyNikki.com

Black Grads Are Highlighting Their Graduation Photos Using #BlackAndHooded

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Photo Credit: 
(@DorianTroy93 on Twitter)


Hoods have acquired quite the meaningful image since the tragic murder of hoodie-wearing Trayvon Martin, becoming a symbol of Black revolution. Now, we can add another powerful symbol to the bunch and this time, it relates to higher education: #BlackAndHooded.

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The two recent graduates first used the hashtag in late April, which was perfect since it was the peak of graduation season. It soon became a household staple on Twitter.





The movement was started by Indiana University alumnus Anthony Wright and Columbia University alumnus Brian Allen, each of whom recently completed their respective masters’ programs. They decided to flaunt their black excellence via a hashtag that all black grad students can emulate and enjoy.

“[A conversation I had with one of the black undergraduate students I advised] made me think about how in my time in undergrad, I didn’t have that type of representation or example and how it almost deterred me from applying at all,” Wright told HuffPost. “Seeing people like you in any educational or professional space is important in planting the seed of believing you can be there, and by using the hashtag across social media platforms, I sought to create a large pool of that representation across regions, institution types and areas of interest.”

According to a National Center for Education study, only about 13 percent of black people graduated with a master’s degree in 2015.



“I think it’s clear that the higher education system was not constructed with Black folk in mind and their success was definitely not a factor that was considered either,” Allen noted. “I believe #BlackAndHooded displays the infinite possibilities of black excellence and shows that Black people around this nation are doing amazing things, specializing in all fields and disciplines, and that we are no longer adhering to the confines of lack of access and opportunity that many of our ancestors experienced before us.”



“Celebrating black accomplishments is always important in my opinion. Everyone has that inner auntie with the disposable camera in them waiting to cheer on another black person who is out here achieving great things,” Wright, who hopes that this series creates a general sense of pride, whether you seek higher education or not, said. “This hashtag just serves as a reminder to some and an eye-opener for others, that black people are more than just the negative images displayed on television and that we are and will continue to make positive contributions to society ― in this case through our scholarship.”

You can learn more about the #BlackAndHooded movement on the official website as well as submit your very own black grad photos to their ongoing photo series by emailing them at hashtagblackandhooded@gmail.com.

Have you recently graduated? Share in the comments!
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Tonja Renée Stidhum is a writer/director living in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. She is the co-host of the movie review podcast, Cinema Bun Podcast. She is made of sugar and spice and everything rice... with the uncanny ability to make a Disney/Pixar reference in the same sentence as a double entendre. You can follow her on Twitter @EmbraceTheJ, on Facebook FB.com/tstidhum, and Instagram @embracethej. You can find more of her work on her About Me page, https://about.me/tonjareneestidhum.

Chicago Bar Releases Controversial Dress Code Policy

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A Chicago bar located in River North has released a controversial dress code policy that has everyone talking.

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The Bottle Blonde, a beer and pizza garden located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago has released a policy that has many wondering just exactly who it is they're looking to keep away. The bar released a very lengthy dress code policy that bans patrons who are wearing Jordans, Air Force Ones or plain white t-shirts to name a few.

The 10, 000 sq. foot venue with a capacity of 500 describes itself as a "casual neighborhood concept of restaurant and nightlife. But the dress code is just the opposite. It's policy reads the following:

“Bottled Blonde will maintain a classy atmosphere and reserves the right to refuse anyone,” the code states. “A high standard of dress is required at all times. Dress code is on a case-by-case basis, and is at the sole discretion of the door staff. In all instances, the door staff’s decision is final. If denied entry, changing your appearance will not change the decision.”


You can see part of the lengthy dress code policy below:

-No bad attitudes or behavior
-No baggie, sagging, ripped, dirty, frayed, overly flashy or bright clothing
-No Hawaiian, tie dye, floral, skull prints or anything else obnoxious (What is their definition of obnoxious?)
-No embellishments, statement jackets, shirts, beanies or hats
-No plain white tees, long tees, denim, flannel, or zippered shirts
-No cut off shirts, deep v-necks, undershirts or mesh shirts. And no tank tops after 6 p.m.
-No overalls, cargo, bleached, acid wash, odd colored or leather pants.
-No joggers, manpris, drop crotch pants or multi-zippered pants
-No Jordans, Nike Air Max, or Air Force Ones
-No male jewelry and no visible tattoos on neck, face or hands

Over the years, the River North neighborhood has heard several complaints, mostly from patrons of color, who have been denied entry because of either strict dress codes or being denied for other miscellaneous unjustifiable reasons. The Bottled Blonde appears to be no different.

Even more confusing is this post on their Facebook page that clearly seems to go against the dress code of the venue. And from the looks of the comments, people are calling out the venue's contradiction and rightfully so.

What do you think about their dress code? Share in the comments
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Nas Calls Trump A Racist In Open Letter

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In an open letter on Mass Appeal, rapper turned mogul, Nas pens an open letter in which he calls Donald Trump a racist. Nas, a co-founder of Mass Appeal Records among many other things, speaks on the power and influence of politics, and the importance of making an impact through everyday work.

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Read an excerpt of the open letter below:
The Creator put us here to do our thing, so I do my thing. And I don’t pay attention to politics at the moment. For what? There’s no reason. For me, it doesn’t make any sense. We all know a racist is in office. People can talk their shit. Comedians can sound racist. People can go through their moments of that shit, but when you have the responsibility of being President and you carry on like that, you send a strong message to people outside of your group that they ain’t worth shit.
So why would I focus on that unless I’m in the political game? Unless I’m running for office I don’t have to pay attention to know that. If I ever vote again—when it’s time to vote again, and I feel like voting again—I don’t have to follow the news to know who I’m voting against. But then you wind up saying “Who’s the next motherfucker coming in, and how does that help?”
My way of addressing these issues is through my work. Whatever president may be in office doesn’t affect my work directly. The way he affects people is what affects me. I observe what’s going on and that goes into my creative process. The person himself, I’m not caught up with. I don’t even have time for Trump or Pence. I don’t give a fuck.
My focus is on what’s happening with real people in their everyday lives. How they behave, the decisions they make, and how that affects families. I grew up in a single-parent household, so I was affected by that life. But it didn’t stop me. So I speak to the everyday people. I speak to everybody. If the people are bothered by it, I speak on it. If the people are bothered and want change, I speak on that.
It’s the same way I felt as a youngster when Ronald Reagan was in office. My voice at that point didn’t fuckin’ matter to anybody. I didn’t care. You know what’s different today? I’m older, that means I’m more responsible. That means paying attention to what’s happening to my country.

But in reality, art is gonna thrive regardless. Whether it’s affected by who’s in office or not, art thrives. I live in that—I live in those walls, I live in those wires, I live in those pencils and papers, and that sound. I’m not caught up in politics. I saw Gerald Ford and his vice president Nelson Rockefeller. I saw Jimmy Carter. I saw Ronald Reagan, and I saw George Bush, Sr. I saw Bill Clinton, George Bush, Jr., and Barack Obama. I’m good.
I got my own things to say and I been saying how I feel on the mic. Sometimes people ask me “Why you didn’t say this?” or “Why you didn’t talk about that?” You got a million people out here with a million different views and I heard it all. I talked about it all. I thought about most of the shit somebody could think of. I move through action. My music is action. What I’m giving you through my music is my actions.
I might have a song I want to deliver and then do things around that song that represents that song. And that can represent people and change and help with the education of young people. I like those ideas. I like ideas about helping kids in the inner city want to learn. Helping them want to be more. I’m all about being what you can be, because you never know.
That position, the presidency, seems so far away. But Barack Obama changed the game so that now, whether you’re a woman or Latino or whoever, you can feel that running for office can be a real goal. Winning the election could be real for someone in this country, if that’s what you want. As a kid, at one point I thought I wanted to go to film school. It was gonna be films or music. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas—those were big names for me coming up.

Read the full open letter here.

What do you think about what Nas had to say? Share in the comments.
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

A Janet Jackson Netflix Documentary On Divorced Motherhood Is Reportedly In The Works

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Miss Jackson is always in control! Janet Jackson is reportedly in talks with Netflix for a documentary series about life after her divorce and new journey as a new mother. Of course, the routinely private singer’s life has been the source of much speculation nowadays, so having her tell her own story would be significant.

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A source from The Sun said that though Jackson kept a low-profile after her divorce from billionaire husband, Wissam Al Mana, she is now ready to put herself and life out there for the world to see, but in her own words, “Janet has been fiercely private about her life in the past but feels the need to keep her fans in the loop with what life has been like since she went into hiatus ten years ago.”

It’s true; Jackson has been actively keeping her fans in the loop and being transparent with her life through social media. For example, she recently announced the name change of her once-named “Unbreakable” tour, now known as the “State of the World” tour and that the tour was back on, after a short hiatus to have her baby boy, Eissa.



“The show will run as a ten-part documentary and will feature recording ­sessions in the studio, co-parenting her child with Wissam and preparing for the European and Asian legs of her tour. Netflix [is] negotiating a big sum for the rights to the show as they expect it to perform well,” the source added about the Netflix doc in the works.

Given the myriad of ways Janet Jackson’s life has changed over the past several years, this will surely be an intriguing documentary to look forward to! Fingers crossed it all works out!
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Tonja Renée Stidhum is a writer/director living in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. She is the co-host of the movie review podcast, Cinema Bun Podcast. She is made of sugar and spice and everything rice... with the uncanny ability to make a Disney/Pixar reference in the same sentence as a double entendre. You can follow her on Twitter @EmbraceTheJ, on Facebook FB.com/tstidhum, and Instagram @embracethej. You can find more of her work on her About Me page, https://about.me/tonjareneestidhum.

5 Tips For DIY Temporary Hair Color

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Photo Credit: Melting Pot Beauty

by Mary Wolff

Color is a great way to experiment with a new look, but some of us have trouble committing. Since no one wants to be stuck with a hair color they can’t stand, DIY non-permanent hair color is a great way to play around with hues without getting stuck. Best of all, you can do this in the comfort of your home and at fraction of the cost of a salon. Here are a few tips on how to make DIY non-permanent hair color work for your curls.

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1. Choose Close to Your Shade
For at-home dye jobs, you want to choose products that are no more than 1-2 shades darker or lighter than your natural hair color. It can be hard to get color to absorb with DIY non-permanent hair color from a box if the change is too drastic. Drastic, lighter colors usually require a bleach, which can be very damaging to your strands. Choose a color that won't require bleach.

2. Know Results Vary
At home hair color is definitely not one size fits all in terms of color results. In fact, many boxes of non-permanent hair color will tell you what shade to expect based on your hair color. For example, if you have black hair, you might achieve more of a medium blonde instead of the platinum blonde of someone with light brown hair. Many women choose to stock up on more than one box to repeat the application if necessary to get the results they want.

3. Choose Liquids Over Foam
For curly hair, you may have a harder time absorbing that color because of your hairs natural porosity. Foam tends to be easier to apply, but it will definitely have a harder time penetrating strands for full-color coverage.

4. Take Your Time
Experimenting with a new look is something most people want to happen overnight. However, if you want to play with a new color and keep your hair safe, it is best to take baby steps into the world of at-home coloring. For example, try giving yourself highlights before attempting an all-over color. Try going only one shade lighter or darker instead of two shades.  Keep in mind your hair type may be prone to damage and breakage. Introducing new colors can wreak havoc on the health of your hair if it isn’t healthy to start with.

5. Keep Up With Your Conditioning 
Once you have colored your hair with a DIY approach, you still need to keep up with our routine. Conditioning your hair is more important than before. Color-treated hair may become dry and feel brittle. You want to make sure you use a rich leave in that is safe for colored hair. If you use products not intended for color treated hair, you will lose your color faster. A few of my favorites for this are SheaMoisture Sea Kelp and Pearl Protein Color Extend Leave-in Conditioner and Carol's Daughter Tui Color-Care Hair Oil. They leave my hair hydrated and happy!

Taking a DIY approach to non-permanent hair color is a fun way to mix things up.  With these tips to guide you, you can explore a new look today!

The Inventor of the Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson is Helping Fund Other Young Engineers

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Photo Credit: JOHNSON R&D

Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker has made over $1 billion in sales. He now wants to give back to young kids just like him. His nonprofit, Johnson STEM Activity Center is funding high school robotic teams and also offering them a creative work space in Atlanta.

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The space is Johnson Laboratories in Atlanta. Johnson, who grew up in Mobile, Alabama at the height of the civil rights era, turned his fear into motivation. He would go on to have a career as a NASA rocket scientist, leading to the moment of designing the water pump. "It really felt aiming that stream of water across the bathroom. At that point I decided to put my engineering hat on and design a high performing water pump," says Johnson.

Now he's helping fund several high school robotic teams, one of them being former refugees. Kudos to Lonnie Johnson.



What do you think about Lonnie Johnson's new initiative to give back to young engineers?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

'The Real Sidechicks Of Charlotte' Is A Real Thing And It's Sad

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While it's safe to say that many of us enjoy our fair share of ratchet television, the real question is...where do you draw the line?

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There's a new television in the works called "The Real Sidechicks of Charlotte" and i'm actually pretty upset about it. When shows like Underground and The Get Down are cut, yet shows like this somehow find funding, it makes it really hard for me to grasp why we as a community accept this type of content. RSOC, in essence is about women who are "side chicks" and "proud of it."

"This show is based around the side chicks perspective, using men for money the same way men use them," creator, Pete Pitrelli said. "These women have no desire to be wives/main chicks, they are perfectly okay with their positions and want nothing more than to have fun."

I'm a big believer that there's so much power in the media and how it represents our community. Do you ever wonder why there's so many shows that promote broken homes and promiscuity in the Black community? There seems to be a lack of television shows that promotes a wholesome Black family these days.

One of the cast members argues, if you're getting the same treatment as the main woman, you're technically not a sidechick. "You might look at it as a sidechick, but I look at it as a main chick as well, cause I'm getting the same treatment as you," said one of the cast members in an interview with Power 98's Morning Madhouse.

Are we living in an era where it's become acceptable to not fully commit to relationships and to maintain multiple relationships? I can't help but think that we are. Who is behind the show and thinks it's okay to push this image of Black people? I can't say that it's entertainment, because it's not. How you portray yourself eventually becomes reality.

Sadly, this is another L for the Black community. Meanwhile, some corporation thought this was a good idea.



A post shared by The Real Sidechicks Of Clt (@therealsidechicksofcharlotte) on




What do you think about this show? Has the "sidechick" become an acceptable alternative in our community? If so, why?
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Mike "Orie" Mosley is the managing editor for CurlyNikki.com and a cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the founder of www.afrotrak.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie

Does Bill Maher and Other White Liberals Get A Pass on Racism?

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Written by Alma J. Hill

Recently Bill Maher, host of the HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher, pulled the ever unforgivable N-word out of his tired ass trick hat. This isn’t the first time that Maher has used inflammatory rhetoric, but it is the first time he’s had the gall to use the N Word, in public anyway.

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Inevitably, the black community collectively wondered if Maher had lost his damned mind, and expressed their very justified frustration and anger. Celebrities like Chance the Rapper called for the cancellation of his show, and many demanded HBO reconsider his regularly scheduled programming.
The biggest cause for alarm wasn’t simply Maher’s use of the word, but the fact that it was a casual slip. It’s not that he didn’t mean to say it, he didn’t mean to say it out loud. I don’t know about you, but his familiarity with the word, hard -r and all, rolling off the tongue so casually, is what really make me look at him differently.

Maher is considered a liberal personality, and many of his views are skewed left when it comes to politics. His actions on Friday night throw a huge question mark in the faces of Black America, and minorities in general: Are all white liberals created equal?

What’s worse? Who is more dangerous; the wolf in the field, or one that’s dressed up like a sheep?
Minorities as a community often look to white allies whose ideas align with ours to support us and our communities. Their voices often cut through the political sphere much better than our own. There is a glass ceiling that all minorities face when it comes to fighting for our rights, and like it or not, white liberals in positions of power are a great tool for getting our voices to be taken seriously. But often, some of the same people we want to be on our side, either show themselves to be just as flaky as the next or ignore our struggles altogether.

Take the New Feminist Movement for example. Recently, women of all shapes, shades, sizes, etc have taken to touting women’s rights in the streets. While the cause is noble and definitely worthwhile, the face of the movement is something to be discussed.

Middle aged, liberal white women in fill your feeds with pictures of picket signs and pussy hats yet the fact remains that 53% of Caucasian women voted for the very President they now claim is infringing upon their rights. Black women and minorities always knew that Donald Trump didn’t care about us, (check the receipts) so what changed for 45’s female voters? The second their OWN privilege was threatened, their cause seemed more important. This cockamamie version of feminism isn’t one that cares about the rights of all women, its mission is want to preserve the rights of white women.

Bill Maher is the latest liberal to have the veil of equal rights ripped from his face. In the past, he’s been called out for rampant Islamophobia, and in this latest shtick, he’s being called out for being far too comfortable with a term that carries a lot of racist rhetoric with it. The fact remains, just because liberals and black people have similar ideas, this is often just a coincidence and not a sign that they actually care about the rights of minorities.

Let me answer my own question: No. White liberals do NOT get a pass on racism or racist rhetoric. Not now. Not ever. A wolf on the left is just as bad as a wolf on the right, if not worse. I personally would rather see a wolf coming a mile away than be surprised to find one in my house.

Black people and minorities need to take this incident as a reminder that to protect our interests we need to uplift our own voices and put power in our own communities, instead of looking to white allies to speak on our behalf.

What do you think? Share in the comments
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Alma Hill is a freelance journalist, actress, and mother living in Orlando, FL. A frequent contributor to online and print media publications, she believes that the words from our mouths will change the world. Born in Charlotte, NC, she's a millennial with an old soul who appreciates a good meme as much as a Miles Davis album. Brave souls can follow her on Twitter @_mynameissoul, but you have been warned. 

Here's 3 Tutorials On Creating The Perfect Eyebrows

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Written by Monica Williams

Most beauty enthusiasts would say that eyebrows are the most important feature on any face. Did you know their main function is to prevent moisture from getting into the eyes? Not only that, brows are important to “human communication and facial expression”, reported by Yahoo! Health. It is one of the first things you notice when you are in someone’s presence. Whether you prefer them thick, thin, arched or natural, you are bound to find the right look to enhance your appearance.

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If you don’t have the time to get your brows professionally groomed, you can try 1 of these 3 YouTube tutorials to help you create perfect brows.


1) Carmen starts with details on how your brow should be formed. She creates an arch that suits her best by plucking and sometimes threading. Her inspiration is Aaliyah and Beyoncé (full, thick with high arch).


2) The Chic Natural uses an eyebrow primer to help keep her brows in place all day. She gives details on how to outline and create her arch using a lighter pencil than the natural shade of her brow to give a softer look.


3)Queeni uses a light Taupe color brow pencil to outline her brow shape. She blends with a spooly brush and personally likes concealer to highlight under the brow. Setting the eyebrows with a brow gel finishes her look.

Remember, the key is to enhance the brows without going overboard. Find a brow pencil that is a shade or two lighter than your brow color and be sure to blend out harsh lines. Also, when using concealer to highlight underneath the brows, find a color that complements your skin tone.

What do you think about these tutorials? Share your routine for creating the perfect eyebrows in the comments.
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Monica is a Milwaukee native, wife, mother of two, step mother of one and working professional.  In her spare time she enjoys reading,  shopping and following the current trends of natural hair, beauty and health, all while pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Business Management and Leadership. You can follow her on Instagram@allbeautyandhair and Twitter @allbeautynhair.

Single Dad Defies Stereotypes, Teaches Black Men To Do Their Daughter's Hair

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Written by Nikki Igbo of NikIgbo.com

What's a single father to do when his daughter needs her hair styled and he hasn't the slightest idea how to do so? If that single father is Darius Bland of Huntsville, Alabama, then he gets down to the business of learning how to care for his child's hair. And, he happily passes on all he's learned to other otherwise hairstyle-challenged fathers.

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Bland, who told WHNT News how he initially didn't even know how to do a ponytail, hosted an event called Can Daddy Do My Hair? late last month. The event served as hair-styling training session for fathers intent on breaking stereotypes regarding their parenting roles to daughters as well as a fun activity to build stronger, closer bonds with their little girls.

"The father is the ultimate role model. He's the person that everything kind of falls back on. He's the person daughters look to as a male figure and so do their sons," Bland said.

One attendee, Darius Jefferson, took to Facebook to share his delight and satisfaction with the event. The father of a six year old girl with what he describes as "thick hair" said of the experience, "I'm so glad I went to this event to network with other fathers and create some memories with my daughter. Even though my twists weren't the best, I think it was the idea of me playing in her hair that she loved the most. Now I know the basics of doing her hair. Thank you, Darius."



What do you think? Should more fathers know how to do their daughters hair?
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Nikki Igbo is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and political junkie. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Political Science from California State University at Fullerton and a Masters in Fine Arts of Writing at Savannah College of Art and Design. When not staring in disbelief at the antics unfolding on CSPAN, she enjoys philosophical arguments with her husband, 70's era music and any excuse to craft with glitter. Feel free to check out her freelance services at nikigbo.com and stalk her on twitter @nikigbo or Instagram at @nikigbo.

Meet Aiden The Zoologist, The Kid Genius And Star In The Making

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The world inside the brain of a child is like no other. The pure wonderment of a child seeking unlimited knowledge is a priceless sight and one that I’m always here for. That’s why I was super excited to see Aiden The Zoologist flutter across my timeline.

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In the clip, Aiden adorably spits that knowledge about the critters that hide within the lichen and bark inside the tree, given its source of water and nutrients. He even introduces us to the ants living beneath the bark, deftly naming the soldiers and voyagers, as if providing the ants with their own characterization and agency. His passion for the topic is apparent and endearing! Further, he clearly has the type of charisma to appeal to his fellow peers and adults alike. The way he breaks down the basics of trees, including determining their age via annual growth rings, is accessible and engaging for a wide range of audiences eager to learn more.

Aiden has already captured the hearts of many, accumulating more than 7K subscribers on his YouTube channel since his first video upload -- in just a day! And after his big sister, Britney Cooke posted the above clip on Twitter, swarms of tweeters immediately recognized a star and some called for networks to pick up his video as a show or for sponsors to invest in his YouTube channel.



Whether the cards of landing at a network or fostering his own are on the table, Aiden is surely going to shine!

As for his educational shine, his family is certainly taking that seriously as well. His sister posted that the family set up a college fund on GoFundMe with a goal of $100K. Because, yes, not only is he obviously college-bound, but he will excel!



Per Cooke, who created the GoFundMe page, “Aiden has a passion for animals and nature and dreams of being a zoologist in the future. I noticed all the support and love he's getting from the video, so I decided to start a college fund for him early so that he can be set in the future and choose from whatever college he dreams of attending! This is a college fund for Aiden, donors are those he has inspired with his nature videos on YouTube and Twitter.”

Black And STEM plus Black Boy Joy equals peak Black Excellence! We wish Aiden all of the success in the world as he is destined for just that!



What would you like Aiden The Zoologist to cover next? Make sure you head over to his YouTube and check him out!
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Tonja Renée Stidhum is a writer/director living in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. She is the co-host of the movie review podcast, Cinema Bun Podcast. She is made of sugar and spice and everything rice... with the uncanny ability to make a Disney/Pixar reference in the same sentence as a double entendre. You can follow her on Twitter @EmbraceTheJ, on Facebook FB.com/tstidhum, and Instagram @embracethej. You can find more of her work on her About Me page, https://about.me/tonjareneestidhum.
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