After Nine Years In Prison, O.J. Simpson Has Been Released On Parole

July 20, 2017, 1:29 pm

≫ Next: Is Being A Vegetarian Bad For Your Hair?

≪ Previous: 7 Sweet Lessons in ‘Queen Sugar’ Season 2, Episode 6

$

0

0

The O.J. Simpson saga continues! After a 9-year stint in prison for his role in a 2007 armed robbery, 70-year-old Simpson has been released on parole. He was initially sentenced to 9 to 33 years for the Las Vegas arm robbery and kidnapping incident. The former NFL star also known as “Juice” had ensured the parole board that he’d been a model prisoner and he promised to not be involved in any further conflicts if released. The parole board unanimously granted his wish, with an expected release date of October.

Continue Reading


"I've done my time," pleaded Simpson to the Nevada parole board. "I've done it as well and as respectfully as I think anyone can."

Simpson was reportedly alert and energetic during the parole hearing, even laughing when parole board Chairman Connie Bisbee mistakenly cited his age as 90. "I feel like it," he quipped.

In case you’re wondering, there was no mentions of the infamous 1995 Nicole Brown/Ron Goldman case and acquittal. If you can believe it, it has been 22 years since the verdict heard ‘round the nation. That particular case has made Simpson a household name far beyond his NFL days, inspiring works such as the award-winning documentary O.J.: Made in America and the popular FX true-crime drama The People v. O.J. Simpson.

Simpson maintained that he was not fully responsible for the Vegas incident, citing his associates as misleading and turning on him in court. "Unfortunately, they got a get-out-of-jail-free card when they said 'O.J. told me (to do it),'" he said. "Nothing I can do about that."

Board member graded Simpson a “low risk to reoffend” to which Simpson smiled a simple “thank you” before silently lowering his head for a few moments.

Simpson plans to move to his home in Florida.

Source:CNN

What do you think about O.J. finally being released from prison?

*****************************

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.

---

Is Being A Vegetarian Bad For Your Hair?

July 21, 2017, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Can I Remove Split Ends Without Cutting?

≪ Previous: After Nine Years In Prison, O.J. Simpson Has Been Released On Parole

$

0

0

by Mary Wolff

We all know the foods we eat play a role in how we feel, but they also play a role in how we look, too. When you aren’t getting the nutrients you need, the body will naturally shift focus to protecting other areas such as teeth and bones, before worrying about giving the leftover nutrients to external factors such as the skin or hair. Many people choose a vegetarian lifestyle for personal reasons such as not wanting to harm animals, for health reasons, or just as a preference for not eating meat in general. What effect does this have on your curls?  Is being a vegetarian bad for your hair? Let’s take a closer look at this topic to put your mind at ease.  

Continue Reading

Is Being a Vegetarian Bad for Your Hair?

This is a loaded question because there are stories of those who switched to being a vegetarian and had serious hair issues after such as limp strands, and even hair loss. Don’t write off vegetarianism just yet! Being a vegetarian isn’t inherently bad for your hair, but you need to do your homework before committing to this or any type of diet. If you were eating a lot of lean protein and nutrient rich fish, and you suddenly switch to eating less nutritious greens without a full spectrum of options, your hair will definitely have more than a few issues. For example, eating a diet of only a few types of veggies or fruits without taking into consideration the overall needs of your body, and subsequently, your strands, will only lead to trouble.
It should also be noted that all vegetables and fruits are not necessarily created equal. For instance, if you only eat iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, you are missing out on options packed with more essential vitamins and nutrients such as spinach, kale, carrots, and other superfood options that are still vegetarian. Since you will be getting all of the necessary nutrients from a well-balanced diet, you can rest assured a vegetarian diet isn’t bad for your hair. In fact, according to an article on Munchies.com, Dr. Angela Eakin, a physician with a background in nutrition, talked about the absolutely false claim that a vegetarian or vegan diet was linked to hair loss and hair health concerns. According to Dr. Eakin, ""All the evidence suggests that a vegan diet is protective not only against hair loss, but all of the diseases that can actually kill an individual like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes."" Going meat-free is a healthy move, as long as you pay attention to your nutritional needs overall.

What Other Nutrients Does Hair Need?

When planning your vegetarian diet, you need to make sure you get variety in both food sources and the nutrients they provide. For example, your hair needs high levels of vitamins B, C, and D which can be found in various fruits and vegetables, as well as options loaded with healthy fatty acid complexes such as the healthy fats in avocados. In addition to this, you still need the main nutrients found in lean meats, chicken, and fish, even though they aren’t on your vegetarian menu. The main things to make sure you are incorporating into your diet are sources of iron, protein, and zinc. While these are easier to find in animal products and by-products, they can be found in more vegetarian-friendly options such as grains, legumes, lentils, and nuts.

Source: Vice  

Can I Remove Split Ends Without Cutting?

July 21, 2017, 5:30 am

≫ Next: For All The Black Girls Teased About Their Natural Hair, This Book Is For You

≪ Previous: Is Being A Vegetarian Bad For Your Hair?

$

0

0

by Mary Wolff

We all want our curls to look their best. When split ends pop into the picture, it can be a real nuisance. Many naturalistas have questions about splits ends and how to best solve them. What causes split ends? Do split ends mean my hair is unhealthy? Can I remove split ends without cutting? Well, let’s get to the bottom of these questions!

Continue Reading

What Causes Split Ends?

Split ends are when the cuticle of the hair shaft becomes raised and causes the hair to split in two. While this usually is found at the bottom of strands, if left untreated, the keratin bonds can continue to weaken up the shaft all the way to the root. Split ends are caused by a few different factors. Basically, anything that is damaging can result in split ends so you want to be careful how you treat your hair.  From brushing with a rough brush and rubbing strands with a towel or overusing heat tools, anything that causes damage to the keratin bonds can create split ends. For most people, this pesky problem is hard to get to the root cause because there are so many different factors at play.

Do Split Ends Mean Unhealthy Hair?

Based on what a split end is, it is usually a sign your hair is under some distress. Do split ends mean your hair has reached new levels of unhealthiness? Not necessarily.  Does it mean your hair is more vulnerable to further damage? Yes! Hair that seems to get split ends on a regular basis is probably hair that needs to be handled with more care. Maybe a gentler brush is needed or a keratin building protein mask. It will depend on the person as to what type of solution is best suited. While split ends are a sign of a problem, there are ways to prevent them from happening. The best way is to make sure your hair has a routine that is gentle and non-damaging. Avoiding the use of rubber bands in your hair or daily heat tool usage, will reduce these pesky hair worries.

Can I Remove Split Ends Without Cutting?

The first line of defense for most people is to simply snip the split ends until they reach the healthy part of the hair shaft. While this is a quick solution, you may lose precious length, which is a real concern for curly hair. Unfortunately, if the split end is at the bottom of your strands, cutting will most likely be the only option. You can hide them or make them less noticeable with the use of a sealer such as coconut oil, but the underlying problem will still be there.

For All The Black Girls Teased About Their Natural Hair, This Book Is For You

July 21, 2017, 7:47 am

≫ Next: 'Power' Star Naturi Naughton Welcomes Her Baby Girl

≪ Previous: Can I Remove Split Ends Without Cutting?

$

0

0

IG: Jamie Loves Her Natural Hair

Ariane Roberts saw the stories of little brown girls bullied and teased about their natural hair. Girls like Vanessa VanDyke, who faced expulsion over her bountiful 'fro. Girls like Tiana Parker, sent home from school because of her lush locs. Girls who needed to be embraced, celebrated, and reaffirmed of their natural beauty.

Continue Reading


The natural hair enthusiast and blogger BlackNaps.org decided to write a book that would help build their confidence and teach them self love--and set a goal to raise the money she needed to create and publish her work.

"I thought why not teach kids from the beginning that who they are is just fine. Vanessa has such a strong sense of self, but there are many young girls her age who don’t," Roberts wrote in her Kickstarter campaign. "Even more troubling, this is not the only incident where young girls of color are told by their schools that their hair is unacceptable. This led me to the decision to create a character that would encourage children to embrace who they are."

Jamie Loves Her Natural Hair is the story of a young girl who realizes that her hair is different --so she loves and accepts who she is.

A post shared by Jamie Loves Her Natural Hair (@jamielovesherhair) on Jul 12, 2017 at 5:43pm PDT

Jamie knows her hair is uniquely beautiful. It isn't like the other girls' in her class, her teacher's, or her favorite characters, but that's okay. She's positive and confident, and accepts her hair in all of its glory.

"What I love about this project and what differentiates it from others in its niche is the positivity that radiates from the character. At no point does she view her hair as unruly or hard to manage," says Roberts. "This is a book with an important message and value; teaching our children the beauty of self love."

The campaign brought in donations from hundreds of people who believed in Jamie's story of self love, raising almost $600 over the goal amount. You can support and inspire a little girl by purchasing the book here.

What do you think about this book? Was there a time you were teased about your natural hair?

******************************************

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.

Facebook: https://facebook.com/mymommyvents

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mymommyvents

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymommyvents/

'Power' Star Naturi Naughton Welcomes Her Baby Girl

July 21, 2017, 7:56 am

≫ Next: Here's What We Loved About Insecure Season 2, Episode 1

≪ Previous: For All The Black Girls Teased About Their Natural Hair, This Book Is For You

$

0

0

J. Countess/Getty Images for The Chamber Group

Congrats to Power star Naturi Naughton on welcoming her baby girl. Naughton gave birth to her daughter on Wednesday, July 19th.

Continue Reading


"This is the best experience of my life! Myself and Benjamin are so honored and happy to welcome this beautiful girl into the world!"

Her daughter arrived at 8:48 p.m. and weighed in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 19 inches long.

She told Essence in an interview, "Everything that my parents imparted to me. When I was coming up we didn’t have the movement of Black Girl Magic or Black Girls Rock, but my parents made it their business to make sure I saw positive images of myself and celebrated images of Black women. I want to implement those same things but thank goodness today there’s a movement that celebrates all of our hues, our shades, our beauty, our lips, our noses--there’s a celebration surrounding Black women."

Here's What We Loved About Insecure Season 2, Episode 1

July 24, 2017, 8:42 am

≫ Next: 'Girls Trip' Brings In Over $30 Million In Opening Weekend

≪ Previous: 'Power' Star Naturi Naughton Welcomes Her Baby Girl

$

0

0

Photo courtesy of HBO

Okay y'all Season 2 Episode 1 happened hella fast, and gave us a lot of information a little at a time, so it's time to recap!

Continue Reading


Season 2 picks up a few months after the Season 1 finale with the break-up and the hearty resigned cry on the bouch. This premier did something unusual and brilliant enough to deserve praise. Both Issa and her bff Molly, have ample screen time and story development, setting a definite tone for this season. The second season of Insecure is going to be about the growth of BOTH women, and more than likely a commentary on their friendship.

Issa's story centers around her lost love with Lawrence. She wants him back and, HARD. In fact, every action she takes in episode 1, outside of work, is related to Lawrence. Her character has two motivations right now. 1: Getting Lawrence back or 2:Trying to get over him. She even fakes a party for him to stumble into after she invites him to pick up his mail, just to put on a front.

We can't help but wonder if she actually misses Lawrence, or just the security? She's lonely and that's evident, but there's lots of things from Season 1 (studio smash session aside) that may indicate that she was in love with the relationship and maybe not so much the man.

The way the episode ends lets us know that he misses her too, but the tension between the semi-estranged couple is as evident as the Carlo Rossi red on her carpet. Even though Lawrence is casually doing... i don't know... SOMETHING with Big Booty bank teller, it's clear she's more into it than he is. He's not over Issa, but he wants to be. I predict more unexpected reunions, but not necessarily a rekindling.

Molly's story is particularly intriguing as most of her conflicts seem to focus on her coming up against stereotypes. Despite being realllll salty about the suggestion that she see a therapist, she goes to see one. Sadly, she ends up following a trend that is all to common in Black people when it comes to addressing mental health:The ultimate 360 deflection. She's fine. Work is fine. Everything is fine. We're hoping she opens up enough to take care of herself.

Then, we see Molly get her life all flipped turned upside down by white male supremacy. Despite her good standing in her firm, she accidentally discovers a coworker who has been there the same amount of time as her is making significantly more. How do we know it's significant? Because Molly is really making this a huge ordeal. If it wasn't a big difference, it wouldn't be a big deal.

Predictions are that by the end of the season, Molly is better at finding herself, even if that means losing some of the things she holds dear, like her confidence, her prolific career, or even a few important relationships. She's hiding a sense of dissatisfaction with a smile and a check, but it's all gonna come to the surface, and when it does, it's gonna be a brand new ball game.

Did you catch the Season 2 Premier of Insecure? What were your thoughts? Predictions? Comment below with your predictions for what's to come in the rest of Season 2.

**********************************

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. 

'Girls Trip' Brings In Over $30 Million In Opening Weekend

July 24, 2017, 9:27 am

≫ Next: This Grammy Award-Winning Drummer Wants To Inspire Young Black Girls To Play An Instrument

≪ Previous: Here's What We Loved About Insecure Season 2, Episode 1

$

0

0

The numbers are in for #GirlsTrip and they're impressive! The comedy starring Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish and Jada Pinkett Smith brought in $30.4 million in its opening weekend. This figure makes the film the largest opening of any live-action comedy this year.

Continue Reading


Not only did the film do impressive numbers, but it's already beat out the less than $20 million budget it took to produce the film. 'Girls Trip' opened up at #2 in the box office, only taking second place to Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, which opened with $50.5 million.

Last year, Hidden Figures opened up at the #1 spot, raking in $22.8 million in its opening weekend. It set the tone that a cast full of Black women (although often rare) would generate millions of dollars in its opening weekend. Girls Trip was no different!

Did you see Girls Trip over the weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This Grammy Award-Winning Drummer Wants To Inspire Young Black Girls To Play An Instrument

July 24, 2017, 11:15 am

≫ Next: Dallas Police Department Hires First Black Woman Police Chief In History

≪ Previous: 'Girls Trip' Brings In Over $30 Million In Opening Weekend

$

0

0

Terri Lyne Carrington was just seven years old when she started playing drums. It was immediate love because it was something that she was good at. With practice she got even better, and by the time she turned 11 years old she had already lined up a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and was holding her own with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Fast-forward to her early 20’s and Terri cemented herself as a beast behind the drums when she became the house drummer for 80’s late-night talk show King, Arsenio Hall. From there she’d expand her skills to include musical director, composer, teacher (she’s currently a professor at Berklee College where she also holds an honorary doctorate degree), and record producer. She’s a three-time Grammy Award-winner, and the first female artist to win a grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental recording.

Continue Reading
“I never knew where it would take me when I started,” says the drummer, now in her early 50’s and considered one of the greatest female instrumentalists of all time. “But when I think of the life that it’s afforded me, I feel it’s my purpose to share my experience and encourage other young black girls to play an instrument.”

Now Terri doesn’t expect that every young girl who picks up an instrument will have the instant connection or the uber successful career that she’s had, however, there’s still plenty of reasons to play. Travel and exposure being at the top of Terri’s list!

“I have friends from all walks of life, all over the world. I’ve played for Heads Of States and for kids in orphanages in Kazakhstan as well as India, where they come in from off the street to take showers once a month. So there’s a pretty big range of experiences. Traveling through music widens your perspective of the world, and it’s very different from, say, traveling through the military.”

One key difference, says Terri, is that it’s a lot of fun.

“It’s wonderful to make a living creating something from nothing in front of a group of people; and it feels great when people come up to you after a show and tell you how much you inspired them.”

If that weren’t enough, there’s the added benefit of getting paid for it.

“Some people choose to play as a side hobby at weddings or clubs on the weekend, but there are also career options such as engineering, composing, teaching, and music therapy. It’s been proven that music helps to heal Alzheimer’s and dementia, and is great therapy for cognitive, motor and social skills for Down's Syndrome and stroke patients. In general, you can get back as much as you put in with a career in music,” Terri explains.

It also builds confidence.

“I really urge parents to encourage their young girls to stand strong in front of their male counterparts. Music is a great example. If you can hold your own in band, you’ll be more confident in other male-dominated environments, whether it’s in the office or another profession,” Terri says, adding that in the last 20 -30 years we’ve seen advancements in the number of female doctors and CEO’s, but we’re still lagging in terms of female instrumentalists.

It’s beyond time for change. But how do we make it happen? Especially, when arts programs are the first to get cut?

“Parents definitely have to do their due diligence and seek out programs outside of school,” says Terri. “Find churches and community-based organizations that support music.”

There’s also the issue of challenge. It’s not easy to learn to play an instrument. Even pop icon Alicia Keys will tell you that she spent more time learning to play the keyboards than hanging out with friends.

“Allow yourself more time when you feel like you can’t do something or want to quit just to see what happens if you don’t. We also have to look at our personality traits to see if we are the type of person to persevere when it gets tough or if we like to give up,” Terri says. “For women, we may be accustomed to certain ways of being socially, and playing music may not always fit into the existing roles or stereotype we see of ourselves. So we have to step up to the door, and through the door, to make change.”

Ultimately, who is to say if playing an instrument will be the end-all-be-all for our young girls. However, just knowing the opportunities that exist in this world could mean the difference between buying yet another Disney Princess doll or video game, or perhaps picking up a second-hand guitar, keyboard, bass or flute. It’s worth a try!

To find out more about Terri Lyne Carrington visit www.terrilynecarrington.com

*****************************************

Erickka Sy Savané is a wife, mom, and freelance writer based in Jersey, City, NJ. Her work has appeared in Essence.com, Ebony.com, Madamenoire.com and more. When she’s not writing...wait, she’s always writing! Follow her on Twitter and Instagram or ErickkaSySavane.com

---

Dallas Police Department Hires First Black Woman Police Chief In History

July 25, 2017, 7:18 am

≫ Next: This Powerful Ad Shows How Black Parents Talk About Racial Bias With Their Kids

≪ Previous: This Grammy Award-Winning Drummer Wants To Inspire Young Black Girls To Play An Instrument

$

0

0

Black women are undefeated! When we set our minds to achieve something, we do it… and we make history while doing it!

Continue Reading


Such is the case with Detroit Deputy Police Chief Ulysha Renee Hall, who has now been appointed by the Dallas Police Department as its new police chief! Not only is Hall the first black woman police chief in the city, she is the first female police chief period, per CBS News. Per the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), only 13 percent of all U.S. sworn law enforcement officers are women and the number of women in senior level positions is even lower. These low numbers truly showcase the impact Hall’s appointment has.

Hall, a 19-year-old Detroit police force veteran will be taking over the post from former Dallas police chief David Brown who retired this past October. She is leading the Dallas police force after a challenging bout of incidents such as the police ambush in July 2016.

“Chief Hall is a proven leader with a stellar background and a passion for public service," said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax.

Her professional background is impressive, but there is also a personal aspect to her allegiance to the police force as well. Hall lost her father Officer Ulysses Brown when he was killed in the line of duty in 1971. She was just six-months-old. “My father not being there meant the same thing as every other child in Detroit or around the world growing up without a father. It has an impact,” she said.

Via a strong mother, Hall grew up with a solid base of discipline and education. “That's what I sit here today as deputy chief of the city of Detroit. My brother is a chief warrant officer of the Navy station in Florida. My sister is an educator for 25 years,” she added.

Source:Essence

Congrats to Ulysha Renee Hall! What do you think about his historical moment? What do you hope Hall’s new position brings to the city of Dallas?

************************************

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.

This Powerful Ad Shows How Black Parents Talk About Racial Bias With Their Kids

July 25, 2017, 8:47 am

≫ Next: R. Kelly Hires Bill Cosby's Former Attorney Monique Pressley To Defend 'Sex Cult' Allegations

≪ Previous: Dallas Police Department Hires First Black Woman Police Chief In History

$

0

0

My Black is Beautiful, a Proctor & Gamble owned brand has released an incredible ad touching on that most sensitive of topics. It highlights the first time Black children have to contend with their skin color being seen as problematic.

Continue Reading
A young girl opens the ad, clutching a blond doll while her mother does her hair. "Who said that??" her mother asks sharply "That is NOT a compliment". Black women everywhere already know, just based on tone, that this child had heard something, said by someone, who was not black, that had made the girl feel less than.

It's common in our world, as black women, to come across the same feelings this girl did, most times in our youth. We hear the micro aggressions, from friends, from co-workers, and most of the time, brush it off and keep it moving. We put on a face as we struggle to sort out our feelings about how your crush things "you're pretty for a black girl." the same backhanded compliment this young girl received. We laugh nervously, before retreating to our desks when we hear "I just don't find black women attractive" around the water cooler.

In our society, there comes a time, where every black parent has to talk to their child about the fact that the color of your skin will make other people see and treat you differently. My Black is Beautiful & P&G do an incredible job of highlighting these difficult conversations, both showcasing the identity crises these children have, and the steel resolve of their parents as they guide their kids through the harsh realities of the world. This ad is stark in its raw honesty. It's the kind of honesty black people don't often discuss in public spaces.

The brand does a great job of introducing the topic of "The Talk" to mainstream audiences, in an effort to get the conversation started about why there needs to be a conversation in the first place.The ad ends with a phrase

"Let's all talk about 'The Talk'"

Six words flashed across the screen in the last seconds of the ad. It's a simple enough invitation, but the implications of each word hold the weight of a society burdened by unfair judgment. Ours.

Their goal is simple. It's the very next sentence.

"So we can end the need to have it."

A hundred thousand kudos to My Black is Beautiful and P&G for this ad. It broke me down, all while building me up.

So ladies, let's talk. Have you ever had the talk? Who sat you down? Or have you ever had to give "the talk" to someone else? a family member or friend? Tell us about it in the comments.

************************************

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. 

R. Kelly Hires Bill Cosby's Former Attorney Monique Pressley To Defend 'Sex Cult' Allegations

July 25, 2017, 1:33 pm

≫ Next: Time Inc. Is Selling Its Majority Stake In Essence Magazine

≪ Previous: This Powerful Ad Shows How Black Parents Talk About Racial Bias With Their Kids

$

0

0

After being accused in an alleged sex cult, singer R. Kelly has hired attorney, Monique Pressley according to sources revealed exclusively to DailyMail.

Continue Reading


Pressley, a DC-based trial attorney stepped down from Cosby's legal team of a sexual assault case in August 2016. As the lead attorney of Pressley Firm PLLC, she specializes in civl litigation, crisis management and communications.

Another attorney for R Kelly, Linda Mensch released the following statement after allegations of R. Kelly running a sex cult surfaced:

The statement read: "Mr. Robert Kelly is both alarmed and disturbed at the recent revelations attributed to him. Mr Kelly unequivocally denies such allegations and will work diligently and forcibly to pursue his accusers and clear his name."

After a report surfaced from Buzzfeed of the alleged sex cult, 21-year-old Jocelyn Savage came forward, denying claims that she was being held by the singer against her will. Despite responses from her gradmother Shirley Savage—who believes that her granddaughter is completely being held against her will, she denies any claims, reporting in a video: "I am happy where I'm at and the people that I'm around."

Monique Pressley has not responded to any requests from Daily Mail.

This just got interesting. Why do you think R. Kelly hired Monique Pressley?

*********************************

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

Time Inc. Is Selling Its Majority Stake In Essence Magazine

July 26, 2017, 7:18 am

≫ Next: 5 Natural Tricks To Boost Your Metabolism and Improve Digestion

≪ Previous: R. Kelly Hires Bill Cosby's Former Attorney Monique Pressley To Defend 'Sex Cult' Allegations

$

0

0

There are few shake-ups happening in the black magazine industry! There’s the recent news of EBONY magazine writer payment controversy, but now Essence Magazine has a different spotlight!

Continue Reading
Time Inc. has announced that they will be selling a majority stake in Essence Magazine. Time CEO Rich Battista noted that there’s still a “real upside” to the monthly African-American women’s lifestyle magazine, so they plan to still hold a stake. However, its decision comes at the desire to bring on a “strategic partner with investment capital” to “unlock value” for the magazine.

Time Inc has decided to refocus on its core brands such as People, InStyle, Real Simple and TIME.

Battista did say that he views Essence to be a part of this “core brands” list and also cited Essence’s strong marketing relationships, events, and digital presence in in regards to his optimism for the brand. Essence definitely has a big digital media presence, being the only African-American brand with a dedicated Snapchat Discover channel.

This news marks Time Inc’s first major move since deciding not to sell itself this past April.

Source:The Street

What do you think about Time’s decision to sell off their majority stake in Essence Magazine? What do you think this means for the brand’s future?

*****************************************

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 Natural Tricks To Boost Your Metabolism and Improve Digestion

July 26, 2017, 8:06 am

≫ Next: This Black Father Teaching His Son the Importance of Self-Care Is Pure #BlackJoy

≪ Previous: Time Inc. Is Selling Its Majority Stake In Essence Magazine

$

0

0

It’s no secret that our metabolisms begin to slow down as we get older.
But the truth is that this has more to do with our activity levels than it does our actual age.
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to maintain muscle mass and lower body fat in order to keep your metabolism at its highest.
However, aside from getting the recommended 30 minutes of exercise daily, there are other ways we can boost our metabolism and potentially improve digestion.

Continue Reading


These tricks are memorable and simple:

1. Eat Until You’re Satisfied, Not Until You’re Full
Many people still believe that the best way to boost their metabolism or lose weight is to eat less. Maybe in the context of fasting, like in Intermittent Fasting, but the truth regardless of whether you’re eating in an 8-hour time frame or 24-hour time frame, you should be eating enough to make you satisfied, but not too much to make you uncomfortably full. When you eat too little, your metabolism actually slows down. And since it takes 15 plus minutes for your stomach to actually signal to your brain that you’re full, it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re eating, taking your time to chew your food completely.

2. Sleep on Your Left Side
Sleeping on your left side can have a beneficial effect on how you digest your food due to the positioning of your organs like the large and small intestines. Based on Ayurvedic principles of the entire body being aligned, the left side of your body is the lymphatic system’s favorite, or dominant, side. Lying on your left sides aids the removal of metabolic waste and toxic elements from your body and according to Dr. John Douillard, a leader in natural health, “allows gravity to encourage the food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine.”

3. Drink Water 30 Minutes Before Every Meal
Do you tend to drink liquids while you eat? Most of the digestive process begins before you even swallow your food. By drinking excessive amounts of liquid while chewing, you significantly reduce the juices your body naturally produces to help break down food. To make sure you don’t get super thirsty while eating, drink a glass or two of water 30 minutes before every meal. You can also double check on the salt and make sure there’s not too much as this can also increase thirst.

4. Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cayenne Pepper
Pretty much anything spicy is going to give your metabolism a proper boost. It can range from spices like cayenne pepper or turmeric to condiments like mustard. Not only do spices like turmeric fight inflammation and prevent cancer, but they can also temporarily boost your metabolism by 8 percent. In addition to giving your metabolism a boost, adding spices to your food can also make you feel fuller while heating up your body to burn more calories.

5. Laugh More
It makes sense to think that laughter could help increase your metabolism or burn extra calories during the day. Think about it, when you laugh, you engage your core muscles and move around - at least when something is really funny. A study from the International Journal of Obesity revealed that 10–15 minutes of laughter per day could increase your total energy expenditure by 10-20 percent, which means that just by laughing, you could burn 2-10 Calories.

There’s no need to try to incorporate all these things into your daily routine at once. Take it one step at a time and only use the tricks that work for you, that give you peace of mind.

******************************************

Ariel is a 23-year old SoCal native, working professional, and Alumna of the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and through her studies, acquired a passion for gaining knowledge that would improve the quality of her life and further allow her to interact with and touch people in a positive way. You can follow her own blog, The Freewoman Diaries, at www.thefreewomandiaries.com

This Black Father Teaching His Son the Importance of Self-Care Is Pure #BlackJoy

July 26, 2017, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Trump Bans Transgender Community From Serving In The Military

≪ Previous: 5 Natural Tricks To Boost Your Metabolism and Improve Digestion

$

0

0

I have always despised the adage “Do as I say, not as I do”. Not only is it contrary to human nature, but it undermines one’s position as a role model and they lose the ability to influence others, especially when it comes to children.

Continue Reading


Basically, if we want our children, family members and friends to learn from us, then we must become what we want them to learn and do. It’s simple, it makes sense, and it is in line with the fact that a lot of human behavior is learned.

If we want to raise children that are polite, love others, take pride in who they are, and take care of themselves, then we must become the same.

And this is exactly what Eric Ellis, a D.C. and Los Angeles-based photographer, is doing with his almost two-year-old son, Faruq Ade Ellis.

In an Instagram post captioned, “The Art of Moisture”, Eric shows and helps Faruq apply coconut oil and lotion to his skin and hair.

Because of Them We Can posted the video on their IG account, which has been watched over 36,000 times. Check it out below.

The Art Of Moisture. @blackfamilyjoy w @faruq.ade (son) #grooming #parenting #rolemodels #blackfamilyjoy . #fatherhood #fatherson #daddy #awesomekid #learning #coconutoil #melanin #sofreshsoclean #blackboyjoy #blackfamily #blackdads #blackfathers

A post shared by Eric Ellis (@cire.capture) on Jul 5, 2017 at 11:01am PDT

According to “Huffington Post Black Voices”, Eric said that it is important for him to capture such intimate moments with his son because he lost his father at a young age and wants to leave memories behind.

As far as teaching his son how to take care of himself, Eric told HuffPost, “I want him to understand its importance to the degree that it’s not even an option. His mother is very much on top of setting a standard for his diet, and my showing him about his male grooming is the other component to complete that self-care.”

The couple’s self-care routine also includes tending to the mind, body and soul. In another IG video, posted below, Eric and Faruq’s mother practice yoga as Faruq plays, climbs on them and does several yoga poses with them.

T H E J O U R N E Y #familyyoga . w @thelocdarling (mom) + @faruq.ade (baby) #familyphoto #familygoals #coreworkout #blackfamily #babyyoga #yoga #yogainspiration #downwarddog #yogadaily #yogajourney #yogaposes #yogainspiration #yogawithkids #stretching #kidsofinstagram #relationshipgoals #corewater #blacklove #daddynme #mondaymotivation #mondaymorning

A post shared by Eric Ellis (@cire.capture) on Jun 26, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT

From the #blackboyjoy to the father-son moments, black love, and self-care lessons, Eric’s posts are sure to warm your heart and soul.

This family is a beautiful illustration of the phrase “Lead by Example”, and I’m excited to watch cutie Faruq grow up.

I don’t know about you all, but one day at a time, my hope is to become everything I want my future children to be.

How do you model self-care to your family, children, friends and loved ones? What does self-care mean to you?

***************************************

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 Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Trump Bans Transgender Community From Serving In The Military

July 26, 2017, 8:46 am

≫ Next: Esperanza Spalding Becomes A Harvard Professor

≪ Previous: This Black Father Teaching His Son the Importance of Self-Care Is Pure #BlackJoy

$

0

0

Early this morning, Trump released a series of tweets banning the transgender community from serving in the military. The series of three tweets read as following:

Continue Reading
"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow..........Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you"

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017

The decision reverses a policy that was initially approved by the Defense Department under President Barack Obama. According to CNN, Ash Carter, the Defense secretary under Obama, ended the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military in 2016, but allowed for a year-long review process to allow the Pentagon to determine how it would accept new transgender recruits into the military.

"Since becoming the Secretary of Defense, I have emphasized that the Department of Defense must measure each policy decision against one critical standard: will the decision affect the readiness and lethality of the force?" Mattis said in a memo late last month. "Put another way, how will the decision affect the ability of America's military to defend the nation? It is against this standard that I provide the following guidance on the way forward in accessing transgender individuals into the military Services."

Based on this study, the number of transgender people serving in the military sits somewhere between 1,320 and 6,630 out of the total 1.3 million military force.

What are your thoughts on Trump's decision? How do you think this affects not only the LGBTQ community, but society as a whole?

*******************************************

---

Esperanza Spalding Becomes A Harvard Professor

July 26, 2017, 2:41 pm

≫ Next: Tips for Blending Hair During Transitions

≪ Previous: Trump Bans Transgender Community From Serving In The Military

$

0

0

DUSAN RELJIN

Esperanza Spalding can officially add Harvard Professor to her long list of accolades.

Continue Reading


Her appointment as a Professor of Practice at Harvard officially starts this month, but The Harvard Gazette is reporting she won’t officially be in front of students until Spring 2018.

The talented Afro-Latina songstress is best known for her breathy, expressive tones, and her incredible abilities as a jazz bassist. In 2011 she upset a whole bunch of Beliebers when she shocked the world and became the first jazz artist to win the Grammy for Best New Artist, despite being less popular than the tween sensation. She went on to win another three Grammy’s a few years later, which we’re sure look real nice in her trophy case along with her NAACP Image Award, her Soul Train Award, and the Frida Khalo Award just to name a few.

The diverse artist is no stranger to the profession of teaching. She graduated Berklee’s College of Music in Boston in 2005 and immediately landed a teaching gig…at Berklee. At 20 years year old she was one of the colleges youngest professors ever. She maintained her position for three years before focusing on music full time.

In the spring, she’s picking up her specs again to instruct students in a range of courses including arranging, songwriting, improvisation, and performance.

Harvard is just as excited as the students to have her join their ranks. “Esperanza is a superstar performer” The head of the the music department, Suzannah Clark said. “Not only does she sing and play multiple instruments, she’s multilingual and writes her own lyrics. There is a great thirst amongst current students at Harvard for courses in songwriting and music video, in both improvised and composed formats. Esperanza brings a formidable experience and dazzling range of stylistic capacities in these areas.”

Since the tenure of Professor of Practice lasts 5 years, incoming students have more than enough time to learn musicianship from a bonafide master of music.

If you could ask Professor Spalding any question, what would it be?

 Let us know in the comments below!

***************************************

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. 

Tips for Blending Hair During Transitions

July 27, 2017, 7:20 am

≫ Next: Does Stress Play A Role In Hair Turning Gray?

≪ Previous: Esperanza Spalding Becomes A Harvard Professor

$

0

0

IG: @miss_acalaca

by Mary Wolff

When it comes to transitioning to your natural hair, there are more than a few issues to iron out along the way. One of the biggest issues new naturalistas face is blending hair during the transition stage. You obviously want a look that is as natural as possible so here are a few tips for blending hair during transitions.

Continue Reading


1. Choose the right products for your hair type. If you are working with a drastically different texture than what your natural hair is growing into, you will make it more noticeable. For example, if your hair is a 3C texture and you use extensions in a type 2 wave pattern, you might end up looking a little off. Match the existing texture for a better overall look.

2. Avoid straight style pieces. When blending your natural hair with a weave or extension, straight hair tends to be less favored. It usually creates choppy layers and gives a decidedly unblended look that won't work.

3. Intertwine the hair with the extension. This is one of the best tips for blending hair during transitions because it makes the hair look more like your own. If you have an extension and your natural hair is sticking out, this will definitely detract from your look.

4. Choose the right color. If you are going for a more natural look, you want to match the color of your extension with your natural hair for better blending. While getting a 100% match may be a stretch, at least keeping it in the same color family will help make the blending look more natural and less noticeable.

5. Don’t neglect your edges. When it comes to tips for blending hair during transitions, you want to remember your edges are fragile so take care when blending. If you put too much strain on your edges, you may end up with hair that is weaker and more prone to breakage.

6. Don’t be afraid to use products. When blending your hair, you still need to think about the overall health of your natural hair, and not just the way it will look when the artificial and natural hair are blended. It is important to keep up with whatever routine you currently have in place to care for your natural hair.

Does Stress Play A Role In Hair Turning Gray?

July 27, 2017, 7:34 am

≫ Next: You Can Now Listen To Every Song From The 'Insecure' Season 2 Premiere

≪ Previous: Tips for Blending Hair During Transitions

$

0

0

Image: Ty Alexander/Gorgeous in Grey

by Mary Wolff

When you spot that first gray hair, it can be an upsetting experience for most people. This sign of aging can’t be ignored, and it often leads to panic about what’s to come. Some people worry they will just wake up one day with a head full of gray hair seemingly overnight. Other people worry that their constant worrying will lead to more gray hairs. So, does stress play a role in hair turning gray? Let’s take a closer look at this concept.

Continue Reading

Can you go gray overnight?

There is an old wives tale that you can go gray in a relatively short span. This wouldn’t happen overnight since the way gray hair happens is due to a pigment loss in the follicle and strand. This process doesn’t happen immediately since hair must first go through the usual growth cycle before turning white or gray. In other words, hairs that already exist on your head lose pigment naturally and the natural hair growth process replaces the melanin without you noticing, but as you age, it becomes a slower process to create the same levels of melanin needed, so you will start to see some gray hairs. The process of hair turning gray usually goes through the hair growth cycle which can last up to three years, so the idea of going gray seemingly overnight is a myth.

Does stress play a role in hair turning gray?  

The idea that stress relates to gray hair is a long-standing notion. However, there is little truth to this concept. While stress hormones are a possible culprit in blocking the hormones needed for the production of melanin in some individuals, there is little research to confirm it for sure. In fact, you can blame genetics more for your gray hair than your rising stress levels.  According to Angela Lamb, M.D., a dermatologist at The Mount Sinai Hospital, ""Genetics play the largest role in when you will start going gray,"" says Lamb. It is also important to note that the majority of people will go gray at some point in their later life, but that time frame varies from person to person based on genetics.

Source: Self& The Conversation

You Can Now Listen To Every Song From The 'Insecure' Season 2 Premiere

July 27, 2017, 7:39 am

≫ Next: Michelle Obama Opens Up About The Racism She Experienced As First Lady

≪ Previous: Does Stress Play A Role In Hair Turning Gray?

$

0

0

A film or television show’s soundtrack is often just as important as its visuals, serving as the perfect compliment to an emotionally resonating scene. HBO’s Insecure hit the ground running with praise for its debut season’s soundtrack, famously consulted via Solange Knowles. With the masterful work by composer Raphael Saadiq and music supervisor Kier Lehman, season 1 granted us gifts like Kendrick Lamar’s Alright and D’Angelo’s Sugah Daddy.

Continue Reading


It looks like the sophomore season’s quality is no different because the premiere dropped musical gems!

If you saw the rousing second season premiere, you couldn’t forget moments like the aptly-timed insertion of Jazmin Sullivan at the OMG-inducing end of the episode! Featuring talent such as NxWorries, SZA, and GoldLink, the Insecure folks assured us that music would be a prominent character within the series.

Shortly after viewers were able to lift their dropped mouths from the ground out of shock, Issa Rae took to Twitter to post the Spotify list:

#InsecureHBO Season 2, Episode 1: The soundtrack is now available on @Spotify: https://t.co/RzYDB2hwY4

— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) July 24, 2017

So, what’s next for the rest of the season? Well, Lehman teased names such as Bryson Tiller and Miguel!

Insecure airs on Sundays at 10:30pm on HBO.

Get your soundtrack life with the Spotify playlist below!

Do you have a favorite song from the season 2 premiere? Let’s vibe in the comments!

***************************************

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.

Michelle Obama Opens Up About The Racism She Experienced As First Lady

July 27, 2017, 9:20 am

≫ Next: These Deltas Reunited For Their 10th Deltaversary In This Melanin Filled Photoshoot

≪ Previous: You Can Now Listen To Every Song From The 'Insecure' Season 2 Premiere

$

0

0

Source:People

We adored Michelle Obama's style, elegance, and always on point hair for eight years, but the former First Lady recently shared that not everyone in America loved her as much as we did.

Continue Reading


During an armchair chat at the Women's Foundation of Colorado's 30th anniversary celebration, Mrs. Obama revealed that although she had shattered a glass ceiling in becoming the nation's first African American first lady, there were some shards that cut her deeply.

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” she told WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel and the thousands of women gathered to hear her speak at the Pepsi Center in Denver. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

She spoke about the pain of being called an “ape in heels” by a West Virginia official and being told she had a “gorilla face” by a local Washington mayor--but acknowledged that they should be held accountable for their actions. "For underrepresented people to pretend like it doesn’t hurt, it lets those who hurt us off the hook," she added, according to the New York Daily News.

Mrs. Obama also touched on our strength to endure as women.

“Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut,” she said. “We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”

While she confirmed she won't be running for office, her impact on millions of women is clear.

"Michelle is a rarity in today's society," Mattye Crowley, one of the event's 8,300 attendees told CNN"We have witnessed for over eight years people picked and tormented her every move, and she stayed true to herself."

Are you surprised my former First Lady Michelle Obama's experience? What are some moments that you've had to deal with racism in the workplace? How did you overcome them?

**************************************

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.

Facebook: https://facebook.com/mymommyvents

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mymommyvents

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymommyvents/