Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are Caucasian women who have made a name for themselves in the male-dominated political arena, but the political role models for African-American women are significantly fewer. However, African-American women who are currently in the 113th Congress and running for various political positions around the country seek to change that.

by Denise J. Hart (@MotivationMama)

Vulnerability is not your enemy. This statement is certainly antithetical to what most people believe. Most of us believe that we must avoid being vulnerable to make it safely through life. Emotion is also not your enemy. Since we cannot be vulnerable without feeling emotion, this statement is also in opposition to what most people believe. I believe that the mindset of being in opposition to vulnerability is actually what hinders us from being who we really are and thus prevents us from achieving the goals and dreams we have for our life.

A while back, I read an article on Huffington Post about sugar daddy/sugar baby relationships and it was quite interesting and very eye-opening to say the least.

The sugar daddy phenomenon is certainly nothing new. We’re all familiar with the notion of older men lavishing younger women with gifts and money in exchange for having them around. But it seems to have become much more popular in recent years than many (myself included) realize. A quick Google search of the term “sugar daddy” pulls up many well-populated websites that facilitate a variety of sugar daddy interactions. 

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has honored several influential African-American Women with various awards. These women include Dawn Kelly for the Annual Media Professional Award, Yamiche Alcindor for the Emerging Journalists of the Year, Marissa A. Evans for Student Journalist of the Year, and Michelle Johnson as Journalism Educator of the Year. Roland S. Martin, Gregory L. Moore, and Dr. Shelley Stewart were also honored for Journalist of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award and Community Service Award respectively.

NABJ, which began as an activism group in 1975 in Washington, D.C., will honor these women and honorees this summer at the organization’s Annual Convention and Career Fair in Orlando, Florida. The NABJ convention is the largest gathering of minority journalists.

The deadly game of gender body image comparison wreaks havoc on our social, emotional and psychological health.  When coupled with sadistic messages of thinness from commercial media and pharmaceutical companies that push diet and supplemental pills, it ultimately becomes a whirlwind of frustration, destruction and loss.

Eating disorders are often generally depicted as stories only associated with Caucasian women.  When topics of anorexia nervosa and or bulimia arise, faces of skinny, depressed looking white teens plaster the cover pages of magazines, websites, and pamphlets used to educate society.  Blocked out are the faces of the other women of color who too suffer from these same toxic illnesses.

I am my parents’ youngest child and only daughter. In normal instances, my role is very coveted. I am spoiled rotten, get away with anything and get everything that I want. While this may have been true once upon a time, these characteristics no longer describe my life as an adult and as a former “golden child”. Growing up was the easiest part of playing the role of “baby girl” that I was born into. I only had to be myself and do what made me happy. But after a certain age, I realized that my brothers and I were separately accountable for our life choices.

According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control African American Women are 3.2 times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth than Caucasian counterparts. The study also stated that African-American Infants are 2.4 times more likely to die from premature birth than Caucasian infants.

In 1997 “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” debuted with Brandy Norwood as the main protagonist, Cinderella. In 2009 “The Princess and the Frog” premiered with Tiana, as the first African-American Disney princess. Royalty, for the African-American community has been a foreign concept whether in film industry or real life, until now. Emma McQuiston will be the first person of African descent to become a Marchioness in Great Britain’s royal line. However, McQuiston is not the first and only woman of African descent to be considered royal.

by Nana Brantuo

“Is that a man or a woman?”
“She looks like a man.”
“Are you a man or woman?”

I’ve heard these questions countless times. I’ve heard them whispered at the lowest of volumes and had them blatantly asked to my face. Comments and questions, stares and snickers escaping from lips of Black faces. This harassment comes from both men and women of all different ages and after years of dealing with this constant badgering, you’d think I’d be used to it. I’m not.

 by Jemarion Jones (@TheRealJcarol)

This blog is supposed to be about lessons, right? Well, an extremely important lesson is finally starting to sink in: I need help.

Here's another little gem for free: You need help as well. What kind of help? It depends on the person and the situation. Help can be financial aid and/or emotional support from family and friends, God, prayer, therapy, medication, etc. No matter what it is, you're eventually going to find yourself dealing with a situation that you just can't handle, and none of us can handle everything by ourselves. It's freakin' impossible, and the sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be.

I grew up all over the world. My father, a military aeronautical engineer and my mother, a cosmetologist, traveled from continent to continent, country to country, whenever the Air Force called. Born on Beale, Air Force Base—a small community near Sacramento—my sister and I soon found our toddler selves in New Jersey. Then Japan, England, and North Carolina. We traveled back and forth to the Maryland and Washington D.C. area for family visits, and traveled leisurely to Belgium and France. As a track & field athlete at Lakenheath High School, in England, I competed in Germany, Italy, and Spain.

by Chelsa Brown

A few weeks ago a video posted on WorldHipHopStar.com of a father beating his daughters with a cable cord, whom he allegedly caught making a twerk video, is being debated if he was demonstrating good parenting or him going too far went viral. Recently, news media revealed that the father is now being indicted on corporal punishment after the mother reported to the police the incident and welts and open wounds were left on his daughters from the beating. Many have commented on the video and links commending the father for disciplining his daughters and stirring them from possibly becoming strippers.

by M. Lavora Perry


On a recent sunny day, as I walked down the street with my gorgeous 17 year-old daughter, a man in a car called out "Hey!" twice. I kept walking, assuming he was checking my daughter out, which would have been icky because he was old enough to be her father. But, of course, I know it happens. In fact, on more than one occasion, my daughter and I have discussed the sociodynamics and evolutionary reasons why older men hound after teenage girls.

Vogue Netherlands published an editorial that features white models with their faces painted black. At this point, magazines and photographers pull these types of stunts with the intent to draw criticism and boost sales, so I feel conflicted about even mentioning it. But this is a great time to think about the things we call blackface and the implications of the label.

by Denise J. Hart (@MotivationMama)

Typically creativity is associated with traditional careers like visual artist, singer, actor, architect, fashion designer and writer. However, many people are finally awakening to the truth, that creativity is the essential characteristic necessary for success in anything we set out to accomplish.

by Mia Jackson

At the opening of this documentary “Venus and Serena” Chris Rock tells us that the sisters are black. He goes further and says, “black black – like the people I know.” It had some to do with the actual color; moreso, it was about their unwillingness to blend in or tone it down. That fact frightened many as they began to win, thwarting the notion that only country club courts produced tennis stars. But there they were. Soon they reached #1 and #2 in the world as predicted by their parents.

Just last week I found out that Oprah is now 59. I sat there with my mouth agape. This news next to a photograph that swore to my eyes she was 40. Then the last 20 years flashed before my eyes and I thought, Wow, Oprah. Here is a West-African woman who is intelligent, gorgeous and—of course—wildly successful. Not because of her over $2.7 Billion net worth, but because she is gleefully “answering her calling,” and changing the lives of others. Here is a woman running an empire, making it known to the world that they can take all their stereotypes about Black women and throw them in a bonfire.

by Veronica Hilbring (@Veronicolumn)

This isn’t another blog post about trying to dissect Rihanna. Hell, I’m older than her and I don’t even understand myself. Instead, this is simply me trying to understand why a man’s attempt to diss another man resulted in treating a woman with so much disrespect and contempt.

The great Ruby Dee has always been one of those ageless actresses whose presence, on and off the screen, never seems to disappoint or waver in grace and class. Time, like it has for some, has not damaged her superb multifaceted abilities, but rather magnified them to create an even larger circle of humility for anyone who wishes to learn life’s truest secrets to happiness and success (read: not the Hollywood superficial glare, but the clear vision of hard work, persistence and most importantly, valor).

Originally posted at Allied Thought
by La Truly (@AshleyLaTruly)

There was such uproar this past week surrounding Black men and their misunderstanding (at best) of how women should be treated or their blatant disregard for women (at worst). Rick Ross is being shamed (and rightfully so) for his clear description of date rape in one of his recently released singles and there is further outrage at his unrepentant, half a**ed apology tweet. There was also such clear and vehement disgust shown for the rape/hot and heavy love scene in Tyler Perry’s newest film “Temptation” which just hit theaters. We also called out the father who has been charged with abuse for beating his teenage daughter with what looked to be an extension cord in a video that went viral in less than a few hours.

You would think that happiness would be a celebrated state of being, however, it's been my experience that for many people happiness is hard to come by and can be met with scorn and suspicion when it's around in abundance.

When I was seventeen, a female friend of my older brother made a comment to me that I always walked around looking like I was so happy.

Growing up in my community there was never much talk of anyone adopting a child that they were not already related to or knew through some communal relationship. Even if a woman could not have children of her own, choosing to adopt was never seen as a viable option; only those who were close enough to have already been considered “family” were acceptable.

By Veronica Hilbring (@Veronicolumn)

With every new reality show comes a new opportunity for a cast member to cash in on their newfound fame. I’m certainly not against any person who wants to find new streams of income. I mean, we all have to eat right? But how low are we willing to go to get it?

The sun blares through the blinds of an unfamiliar room. It takes a few blinks for you to put together the pieces of your night. The disheveled room décor is a pretty good indication that fun was had. The light snore of the person next to you is comforting but their scent is one that is unfamiliar to you. This is not the person you are used to. They are not your significant other.

The remnants of the night confirm your infidelity.

It's time to reconsider the necessity and usefulness of those who call themselves our allies. I say "our" with an assumption that those who speak out against white supremacist capitalist patriarchy have a genuine desire to dismantle the oppressive structures that shape the lives of marginalized groups. But, perhaps, I'm being presumptuous. Maybe we're not all on the same team.

Each Thursday—well, when Shonda Rhimes and the crew decide against punitive three-week breaks—millions of viewers tune in to ABC for the political drama Scandal. The stylish, calculating Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, navigates the center of delicious presidential pandemonium as we watch, react, and salivate over her wardrobe. Add in popular social networking site Twitter, and now we can watch, react, and salivate together.

Womanist theology emerged in the late twentieth century as a resounding voice giving African American women theologians a new sense of freedom in reclaiming their spaces within the realms of theology, the church and the community. With the publication of Alice Walker’s book, In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose, and her four part definition of the term “womanist,” African American womanist theologians began constructing new critical analyses by which to challenge the exclusion of their personhoods from Black liberation theology, Christian theology and feminist theology. Furthermore, these theologians sought to illuminate the multiple religious complexities that define the Black woman in the West.

“This my sh*t, bow down b*tches.”

If you were hiding under a rock a few weeks back you might have thought that edgy pop star Rihanna released new music, or perhaps it was a rapper deciding to indulge in the misogyny of the business. But make no mistake; those lyrics were from none other than “King Bey” herself.

I forgive you because I have learned the true value of loving me more than hating someone else. Forgiveness is an act of self love. ~ Mindset Mojo

In the beginning he was the source of tremendous pain. Then he became the catalyst for my desire to awaken. Now, he's become my greatest support and my best friend.

It happens to the best of us. Sometimes we see it coming, and sometimes it comes out of absolutely nowhere.

My recent job loss was the latter. I wish I could say there were signs of it coming, but it was just like any other normal day. I woke up, got dressed, headed to work, and by the end of my lunch break I found myself without a job.

This post is sponsored by digitalundivided

digitalundivided, a social enterprise created to bring more black women into tech, is holding an event, START ATL, to help you start and grow your tech business. START ATL takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, on the campus of the Spelman College in the Science Center NASA Auditorium.

Condola Rashad, daughter of Phylicia Rashad, will star in David Leveaux’s Broadway production of Shakespear’s “Romeo & Juliet” as Juliet. Condola Rashad will join the ranks of many other African-Americans stars that are currently starring on Broadway.

Rashad, who is a Tony Award nominee for “Stick Fly”, will star opposite of Orlando Bloom who will portray Romeo. Rashad most recently starred in the Lifetime remake of “Steel Magnolias” alongside Queen Latifah.

Although, Leveaux’s version of “Romeo & Juliet” will portray an interracial couple, Leveaux doesn’t want the play to be a comment on interracial tribulations. In “Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad to Star in “Romeo & Juliet” on Broadway” by Felicia R. Lee for The New York Times, Leveaux comments, “The two actors I wanted to be together producing sparks just happened to be those two and I followed my nose in casting the families.” The two debating families will simply be all black and all white.

 In the May issue of British Vogue, Beyoncé calls herself a modern-day feminist.

By Marissa Jackson, Esq.
Visiting Scholar, West African Research Center (CROA)

I hate the Harlem Shake. The meme is amusing, and the execution thereof occasionally hilarious or adorable. The song is, in my opinion, of negligible cultural or artistic value, but where the YouTube videos are concerned it gets the job done. In fact, if I were not so offended by the Harlem Shake, I would probably take a couple hours of out my day to make a Harlem Shake video here in Dakar, Senegal, where I recently moved (from a certain New York neighborhood). Just because.

The Ashanti nation goes down in history as one of the fiercest African nations to resist European colonialism. Second only to the famed Zulu warriors. Today, the Ashanti display such cultural pride; images of them cause a yearning for the days of old. What a wonder it must have been exist in the colorful, golden pre-colonial Ashanti kingdom. Among their fiercest leaders, one stands out more than others. Not just because she was a woman—because she was prepared to fight just when everyone else wanted to give in. In spite of the fall of the Ashanti, their fierce resistance earned them a place of high esteem even among the same empire that was massacring their people.

By Brandi Green (@b_mariegreen)

You’re out with a friend and you unexpectently run into a mutual friend, and you notice that she has gained weight. Do you say something? Do you tell a mutual friend as you walk away? Do you ignore it? I’m sure this has happened to you before. It is a common scenario.

Soul songstress Jill Scott graces the cover of the May issue of Ebony magazine. Jill looks spectacular and her son Jett couldn't be more adorable, but it was headline "SAVING OUR SONS" in bold, capital letters that caught my attention and gave me pause.

By Staci Gorden

I witnessed her do it again. Serena Williams defeated her opponent 6-0 in the third set, winning the Sony Open Tennis Tournament last weekend. It was another come-from-behind victory, delighting fans and commentators alike. No one should be surprised though. If anything, viewers have now become accustomed to seeing this kind of performance from Serena. But what makes me so proud, is how she has been able to dominate this majority-white sport for over a decade.

For a country that puts so much emphasis on the values of individual freedom and self-determination, we sure have a funny way of showing it – especially when it comes to reproductive health. If cognitive dissonance were an illness rather than a theory, I would say that the United States has a really bad case of it.

If we truly believe that all people should have the ability to make the best decisions for themselves and to determine the course of their lives, we should take action to promote individual freedom and facilitate exercising of personal autonomy.

By Monifa Bandele

There is a deadline looming of great concern to Black parents of school-aged children. Last month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule that would update the nutritional guidelines for snacks sold in schools for the first time in 30 years. The public has until April 9th, to make comments about how strong or weak the final rule should be.

I BECAME A GIRL
I remember the day I was not allowed to hang-out with “the boys” anymore. We were all set to head out into the woods behind my house when my father called…

“Alice.”
“Yeah.”
“Stay here to the house.”
"Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“But Loomus and UJ are going. Why can’t I?”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“It’s not fair.”
“You heard what I said.”
“Please can I go? Please?”

By Veronica Hilbring (@Veronicolumn)

I’ve had many best friends in my life. But there’s nothing really like your first best friend. Over the weekend, I went to the funeral of my very first best friend. We went back like Chico sticks and Boston Baked Beans. When I was first able to make phone calls, hers was one of the first numbers I knew by heart. Her parents still have that same number to this day.