by Erickka Sy Savané

It’s the first week of an amazing courtship. This day finds me and Mr. Wonderful sipping margaritas at an outside café. There are so many things we have in common: our love of food, long walks, conversation, music, books… The fact that he is one of the sexiest guys I’ve ever seen is just frosting on top of a chocolate cake. I want to say that fate brought us to the same club on a night that neither of us wanted to go out, but I know better than letting my mind race to a point in the future where I’m already trying on his last name. This nugget of wisdom came after enduring months of boot camp therapy with super shrink Carole La Bar. Though I’ve said it before in the past, this time I’m going to take things slow…er.

"In our field it’s typically called Mommy and me, but we like to be a bit more inclusive,” my boss told me as we sat in his lush office. The business of babies pays well, I thought to myself admiring his shiny modern digs. At least for him anyway, and he was right of course. Mothers are not the only ones that can act as a partner for tiny tots; Dads, Aunts, and Grandparents can also be in attendance. In my experience as an Instructor, the people I listed are hardly ever in attendance. These classes should be retitled: Nanny and Me.

by Donna Desilus

The natural hair movement has leveled up. Like all great cultural movements, it has gone through an emergence stage and then quite quickly crystalized its purpose. In recent weeks, we have watched before our own eyes and ears the natural hair community enter its newest and most relevant phase: curation. What once were a few rogue individuals looking for natural products is now a well-defined community with its own language, values, and authorities. The natural community has moved from seeking to define itself to selecting and organizing its bests, whether they are personalities or products.

The Associated Press reports that an unidentified producer of 106 and Park has been suspended for a segment aired Monday that featured a completely inappropriate joke about two-year-old Blue Ivy Carter's hair.

Benefit Cosmetics is marketing their mascara and eyeliner with a new video that features comedian Anjelah Johnson performing a remix of the 1994 hit "This is How We Do it" as her character Bon Qui Qui.

Yesterday on BET's countdown show 106 and Park, Karrueche Tran delivered an extremely tasteless joke about two-year-old Blue Ivy Carter's reactions at the Video Music Awards, "I really did wake up like this because my parents never comb my hair." The ill-advised attempt at comedy drew immediate backlash because many of are, quite frankly, sick of the joke being on little Black girls.

Black women waited for years to have a princess who looked like them, and now there is a growing presence of black female characters in the comic-verse.

by Stephanie Gates

James Brown’s, Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud is an essential part of the soundtrack that is my life. It was in constant rotation on the radio, blasting from the windows of cars driving down the block, and playing on stereos in our homes during my childhood. As the Black Power Movement began taking shape, that song helped usher in a sense of pride in the Black community. Prior to that time period, to call someone “black” was an insult. We reclaimed our African ancestry and loved ourselves as we were. I saw people dressed in dashikis, African prints, and platform shoes sporting gigantic afros. It was a magical period in history; I loved living through it.

I’ve always been envious of the girls who could tell their mothers personal things about themselves. I always imagined such mother-daughter relationships were just like on television: sharing our feelings while having a girls’ day at home, painting our nails and watching reruns of Law & Order together. However, this wasn’t the case for me and the absence of sharing and the lack of emotional connection made me reach out to other mother figures during my adolescence. Here are three things I wish my mother taught me during my adolescence:

by Michelle Denise Jackson

On June 30th, 2014, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Hobby Lobby and other businesses whose owners had deeply-held religious beliefs could refuse to pay for certain types of birth control for female employees who had the company’s health insurance plan. Hobby Lobby’s reasoning being certain types of birth control methods, like the IUD and Plan B, prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a woman’s uterus. Without implantation, the fertilized egg is expelled from the woman’s body, and they view this as abortion. This is scientifically and medically incorrect. Hormonal IUDs and emergency contraception work the same way as other hormonal birth control methods: preventing an egg from being released from the ovaries; thickening cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to travel through the uterus to fertilize an egg; and thinning the uterine lining. And while thinning of the lining does make it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant, a fertilized egg is not yet a baby. It is not even an embryo or fetus.

Originally posted on The Style Optimist

A few weeks ago I traveled alone for the first time to Paris. It was a dream come true and then some. You see, learning to be alone is somewhat of a new concept for me within recent years. When I expressed to family and friends my plans to travel to the city of lights alone, I received many questions as to why I would do that or even consider it. I had already made up my mind, so their thoughts didn't deter my plans, but I did travel with caution. I thoroughly enjoyed my solo trip to Paris. Not once did I feel alone, unsafe, lonely or regretted my decision to travel solo. Below are a few things I learned through this experience.

This week, the Navy honorably discharged 32-year-old Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jessica Sims, a sailor for 12-years, for “refusing to cut her locs.”

Regular exercise, including brisk walking, is associated with a decrease in the incidence of breast cancer in African American women. In a recently published study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center found strong evidence linking physical exercise to a lower rate of breast cancer in African American women, a group in which previous evidence has been lacking.

Every Sunday, millions of young women sit down to a church service and hear sermons that are intended to uplift their faith in The Lord.

What happens, then, when the messages they hear fail to encourage their spirit and lead them to believe that the often-toxic traditions are for their own good? For many, the idea that one can embrace both feminism and Christianity is an absurdity. Some people believe that the two are unable to coexist, and the name itself prompts confusion and a myriad of other reactions. However, I firmly believe that the church needs feminism.

by Ryane Nicole Granados

It’s that season again! Wedding season. Summer is synonymous with save the dates and gift registries and explaining to my husband why fatigue cargo shorts should not be worn, even if it is an outdoor ceremony. It’s the time of the year where a woman reawakens her childhood fantasies while a man resigns himself to the first of many marital compromises. It’s where a father or even a father in law reminds the groom it’s often best to practice a lot of head nods and “yes dears” and an emphatic “I do” for opinions, even solicited ones, can be dangerous things to share. Turns out there really is a difference between purple, plum and eggplant. If you don’t know, it’s best to say nothing. For these distinctions and more, this day is often referred to as the BIG day; even still, the sheer magnitude of what two people are entering into is often overshadowed by seating arrangements, dessert options and chicken versus beef. I have been a bride before, so I am speaking from experience. I’ve actually been a bride twice, so either I’m all the wiser or I’m doubly foolish.

by Reniqua Allen for Quartz

Last week, as I sat and watched the events unfold in Ferguson, Missouri over the death of Michael Brown, I went through a range of emotions: rage, grief, depression. Even without the full details of the case, it was upsetting—horrifying really—to see another unarmed black body slain in the broad daylight for the entire world to see. For days and days, I tried to express the emotions that I was feeling, but my fingers went limp.

The United States has never had a Black female as the governor of a state-level jurisdiction but that could change in the November general election. U.S. Virgin Islands Del. Donna Christensen (D) is well on her way to becoming the governor of her territory. She and Basil Ottley Jr. won the crowded Aug. 2 Democratic Party primary for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, and because of the strength of the party, will face minor opposition from the island’s other political parties in the Nov. 4 general election.
Christensen was delighted to win her latest political battle. “I am pleased to have the nomination of the Democratic Party and I invite all of my fellow Democrats to work together with me to ensure victory in November,” Christensen, 68, said. “We have a lot of work to do; our people expect that we will have a common vision and a plan to move our territory forward.”

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dismantles some long held myths about teen sexuality. The birthrate for teens in the United States hit an all-time low in 2013.

The government agency reports 277,749 babies were born in 2013 to mothers who were under the age of 20. That is the lowest number recorded since the CDC began collecting birthrate data in 1940.

The internet often brings out the worst in people. We’ve seen it before: trolls in the comment sections of articles and YouTube videos abusing their anonymity and safe position behind their computer screen. Dealing with those people is easy, but what happens when the online harassers were once your friends?

Renisha McBride's family filed a $10 million lawsuit against Ted Wafer for her wrongful death.

On August 7, Wafer was convicted of three charges in the Nov 2 death of 19-year-old McBride in Dearborn, MI: second-degree murder, manslaughter and a weapons charge.

by Nika

There is no shame in desiring love and companionship. No dishonor in wanting to share your life with someone special. Like any dream or goal, we can choose to intentionally pursue love. In the Biblical story, Esther positioned herself before the king. She took a year to prepare so that she could position to win. You decide if, when and how you attract the love that you desire.

The Associated Press - Annual recruitment has ended for sororities at the University of Alabama with black women making up just 1 percent of new members.

by Jazell Hunt for NNPA

From the rubble of the Great Recession, women business owners are emerging victorious with record growth and economic impact. Even so, women entrepreneurs still face barriers to success.

Today, 30 percent of all American businesses have a woman at the helm. African-American women in particular are a driving force, establishing their enterprises at six times the national average, according to a 2013 American Express OPEN report. Between 1997 and 2013, African-American women-owned businesses grew by 258 percent and made $226.8 billion in revenue. They employ 1.4 million people, which is more than the combined population of Atlanta, St. Louis and Miami.

by Pennie Penz

Do you remember that episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in which Will thought it was a good idea to set his male professor up with his cousin Hilary because he expressed interest in her? The set up was supposed to work for everyone involved – The professor would date someone he was attracted to, Hilary was supposed to get out of her funk (as she hadn’t dated anyone since the untimely death of her fiancé, Trevor) and date a new man, and Will was slated to pass the class that he was flunking. Hilary and the professor went on a date and she enjoyed his company, but as the night went on she began to find the mole on his face more and more repulsive.

by Kirsten West Sivali for Dame Magazine

It is impossible to turn my eyes away from Ferguson, Missouri.

As law enforcement continues to use military weapons to terrorize protesters seeking justice for slain teen Michael Brown, the 18-year-old who was gunned down by police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, the ache in my soul is primitive and all-encompassing.

by Queen Muse

This morning, as I awoke and read about yet another day of unrest in Ferguson, the details of police throwing tear gas and smoke bombs on protestors, protestors ducking rubber bullets, and journalists being arrested while covering the chaos, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" began to play in my head and I began to weep.

Photo Credit: @FrenchieGlobal/Twitter

Like much of the world, I haven't been able to take my eyes off of the unrest that's happening in Ferguson, Missouri. Social media has, once again, proven it's effectiveness in quickly disseminating information and fact-checking mainstream sources for an event that the history books will not forgot. While you're trying to keep up with what's going on, be sure to follow these women who are doing extraordinary work telling stories and keeping those of us who cannot make it to Ferguson abreast of what's happening on the ground.

It happened to me as if I were in a movie. I was sitting in the front row of my “Race, Class, and Gender” lecture one Fall semester when my professor – a white man – displayed in his PowerPoint Presentation slides what he assumed were functioning Detroit Public Schools in contrast to suburban schools.

It happens every few months: black youths create a new dance phenomenon or phrase, share it on social media, and it becomes a hit in the black community. A few weeks later, however, mainstream media has once again caught up with the trend, drives it into the ground, and the cycling mill of genius black creativity is put to work creating the next craze.

Season four of TV One's spoken word series Verses and Flow sponsored by Lexus will premiere tonight. This season, Laz Alonzo will host the celebration of creative expression that will showcase the talents of musicians and poets. Catch musical performances by Maxwell, K. Michelle, Joe, Johnny Gill, Alice Smith, and Mali Music among others. Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Tonya Ingram, Ramya Ramana will present poems.

Mo'Ne Davis, pitcher for Philadephia's Taney Dragons, lead her team to a 4-0 victory over a team from Nashville on Friday.

13-year-old Davis is one of two girls at the Little League World Series this year. She allowed only two hits in six-innings in the opener for both teams. Her performance makes her the first female pitcher to throw a shut out in the Little League World Series.

by Neisha Washington

“I feel like I’ve been robbed, and I’ve been ok with being robbed, because that’s what I’m used to,” wailed the voice on the end of the line. I listened as Aisha told of the unjust treatment by aunts and uncles who had delegated her as caretaker to an elderly matriarch. As I listened to her strained voice I knew that in life wisdom is paid for with the travail of generations. And no one this young should have a voice dripping with such sagacity.

by Stephanie Gates

Booty, booty, booty, booty, booty everywhere—and I’m over it. I am sick of big booty White girls. And no, I am not a hater. I have a bodacious backside of my own. But what gives this big booty girl a wedgie the size of an extra-small thong is the fascination with the protruding posteriors of White girls as if it’s the best thing since peanut butter found jelly. Big booties ain’t new! Big booty Black girls have been holding it down since the beginning of time.

14-year-old Parkview High School Freshman, Caleb Christian was concerned about the number of incidents of police abuse in the news.  Still, he knew there were many good police officers in various communities, but had no way of figuring out which communities were highly rated and which were not.  So, together with his two older sisters: Parkview High School senior Ima Christian, and Gwinnett School of Math, Science, and Technology sophomore, Asha Christian, they founded a mobile app development company– Pinetart Inc., under which they created a mobile app called Five-O.

by Aja Trotter

People are angry. And rightfully so. There is much to be angry about: the murder of Mike Brown; the funding and backing of genocide of innocent people; the murder of Eric Garner; the withholding of water from residents in Detroit, gentrification in Oakland, CA and Brooklyn, NY, the murder of Ezell Ford, the sentencing of Marissa Alexander; the murders of John Crawford, Zoraida Reyes, and Tiffany Edwards, just to name a few.

by Nancy Aroyo Ruffin

All across America people of color are getting killed. This is nothing new. America has been killing people of color since the inception of slavery in the early 1600’s. Less than a month since the Eric Garner police involved death in New York City, and amidst the increasing tension in Ferguson, MO another Black young man was killed this time in Los Angeles, CA. The shooting of Ezell Ford while tragic is not surprising. From Oscar Grant to Sean Bell to Ramarley Graham to Trayvon Martin to Renisha McBride to Michael Brown the news headlines are becoming all too familiar: Shooting Death of ______ (you fill in the blank).

by Nichole O. Nichols

The thought of an after five networking mixer exhausts me. It’s not that I don’t like meeting new people. It’s not that I’m an anti-social hermit or that I don’t appreciate the slick ambiance, Lalah Hathaway and Ledisi singing in the background, or the myriad of saditty finger foods and drinks (no shade, I love saditty food. It’s actually my favorite type of food) that are usually strategically and beautifully placed around the room to provide something to munch on while staying nondescript—as not to inhibit the hardcore relationship building, contact adding, and lighthearted social entertainment that such an event is intended for. It’s just that, especially if this event is after five, I’ve been around people at work all day, and before I douse myself with another dose of social stimulation, I need to recharge and say the word that Martin Lawrence made famous in Bad Boys: WOO-SAH.

by Eris Zion Venia Dyson

My hair has been the subject of scrutiny for as long as I can remember. In fourth grade, a classmate called me “Grease.” In sixth grade, songs were sang about my Jheri Curl “don’t slip on the drip” and “the juice is loose.” By the time I was in eleventh grade, I cut all of my hair off only to be mistaken for a boy and called a d**e (not to mention a little boy said my head looked like a bag of flaming hot Cheetos at the barbershop). My freshman year of college, a professor picked up one of my locs and told me to “take your braids down when you go on a job interview,” and in my senior year of college, I flat ironed my afro only to have another professor say “you look better that way.” I cut all of my hair off the very next day.

by Mwende Katwiwa

When I first heard about the murder of Trayvon Martin, I was livid. I remember the searing heat I felt at yet another black person becoming a disposable character in the American narrative of violence against black bodies. Despite my anger, the initial media storm and protests that surrounded his death gave me hope that Americans were finally going to have to confront our blatantly racist society. By the time the Trayvon Martin verdict came out however (and let’s be clear, he was on trial just as much as Zimmerman) the initial feeling of hope I had was long gone. The time in between the injustice of his death and the injustice of the verdict exposed me to how deeply Americans had read into the racist narrative this country has been writing since its “discovery.”

by Marc Santora

After a nine-month investigation, Barneys New York has agreed to pay $525,000 in costs, fees and penalties and institute a host of reforms to settle accusations that it singled out minority shoppers for heightened surveillance at its store on Madison Avenue.

The investigation, led by the state attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, showed a “disproportionate number of African-American and Latino customers being detained for alleged shoplifting or credit card fraud.”

by Nancy Aroyo Ruffin

It has been two years since my daughter was born and every night while putting her to sleep I think about the person she will one day become. I think about the daunting task parents have in raising confident, kind, and productive members of society. I sit in her dark bedroom and also think about the challenges she will one day face and my heart aches with pain. I am reminded of a quote by Debra Ginsberg.

I have been called a “special negro” since elementary school. It started when my love of math turned into a game of wits for older kids who were not so good at it. My diction, my unintentional word choice – from hours and hours of reading the Encyclopedia Britannica (yes, I predate Google), and my overall poise made folks think I thought I was “all that.” They told me I thought I was better than them. While it wasn’t true, it still resulted in the name-calling and the isolation many geeky black nerds (glerds) experience in circles where mainstream ideals are pervasive and normalized. I still get the occasional “special negro” insult. I have to ask though: Isn’t it about time we retire that term and find more effective ways to empower ourselves?

I was in middle school the first time a friend told me she had been sexually abused by her stepfather. Since then, I have had countless numbers of Black female friends and family members share with me that they, too, had been raped, abused, assaulted, harassed. I was 13 years old when the boys and men started sexually harassing me. They did not see a human being; to them, I was just a pair big tits and an object for their pleasure. And it was in college when I was sexually assaulted by a partner and did not have the words to name it.

Today in history, one of the greatest black female leaders of our time was just an average black woman.

On August 11, 1965, a young Maya Angelou was living and working in one of the poorest communities in Los Angeles, observing as racial tensions sparked the now historic riots in her Watts neighborhood. At the young age of 28, she had yet to publish any volumes of poetry or books. In fact, she hadn't even begun to create half of the musical and literary works that she's now renowned for.