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“I Didn’t Notice It At First” Model Stephen Cone Talks Developing Vitiligo Mid-Career

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stephen cone talks struggles with vitiligo

When late pop star Michael Jackson first opened up about his struggles with vitiligo, the skin condition that causes white patches to appear on various parts of the body due to depigmentation, many people made jokes about his condition and assumed it was just an excuse for insecurities about his race and African-American features. Today thanks to famous faces like model, Winnie Harlow and child model, Angel Star we now know that vitiligo is something many people live with and learn to accept and embrace. But male model, Stephen Cone is reminding us that struggles with skin color and black beauty isn’t something American culture has a monopoly on. BET reports that the 23-year-old shared that growing up in London with dark skin wasn’t easy:

“Growing up I was bullied and teased for being ‘dark skin’ and not just from kids and other classmates, but teachers as well.”

“It really affected me. I didn’t know how to process it at a young age and embrace and love myself and my skin.”

Eventually, Cone began to be inspired by actors like Lance Gross and Idris Elba, actors in whom he saw reflections of himself in popular culture, but his awakening self-love was almost interrupted by a diagnosis of vitiligo. He shares he wasn’t exactly sure what was happening at first:

“I didn’t notice it at first.”

“Really, I thought it was a rash of some sort but my friend on our way to class pointed it out, and I joked around and said I had vitiligo. Which at the time I didn’t know I did. I was just trying to cover up the fact that I was actually embarrassed about what was going on.”

He says the diagnosis momentarily brought back feelings of isolation and self-hate:

“I felt like my younger self before the confidence.”

“When I first got the news I was hurt. The first dermatologist made it seem like there wasn’t much I could do. I was like, ‘Man, I just got comfortable in my skin. And now this is happening?!’ How are people going to look at me? How can I stand in front of a camera like this? I felt like I was just starting to look OK to people and now I look worse.”

Instagram Photo

Cone says thanks to his girlfriend he was able to overcome those feelings by sharing his story on social media, and giving a voice to black men who aren’t very vocal about building confidence and struggling with their appearance. He says her support along with other factors like God, friends and people who were familiar with his situation encouraged him to continue pursuing his dreams.

Instagram Photo

The unsigned model says forces in the fashion industry like Winnie Harlow are bringing an awareness to the public about vitiligo which he appreciates:

“First off she is beautiful; vitiligo or no vitiligo. And from what I know about her, I think she is an amazing voice and model for those who have vitiligo. I mean it! Because of people like her, we have even more awareness about this skin condition.”

Cone also expresses that there’s beauty in vulnerability and expressing masculine emotion, something that often isn’t highlighted in African-American culture:

“My advice to men is to continue to be strong because that is our identity; to be strong and to be leaders but in that we have to show emotion. It’s through our emotional experiences that we connect with others. That’s what I’ve learned with sharing my story.”

Cone is giving us all kinds of black boy joy with his message and a little “Kofi Siriboe” flavor. We have no doubt he’ll be the face of somebody’s national campaign in the near future.

Do you or does anyone you know have vitiligo?  In what ways do you embrace your beauty despite public opinion?

 

The post “I Didn’t Notice It At First” Model Stephen Cone Talks Developing Vitiligo Mid-Career appeared first on MadameNoire.

Apparently Coconut Oil Isn’t As Healthy As We All Thought… Or Is It?

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For the past few years, there’s been a craze over coconut oil, with many dubbing it  the ultimate multi-tasker and natural beauty staple. You can use it for everything from a makeup remover, moisturizer, shaving balm, to even cooking with it as a healthy alternative to butter and other cooking oils.

However, The Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease advisory of the American Heart Association found that coconut oil increases LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), explaining that 82 percent of its composition is saturated fats. In comparison, it’s 19 percent more saturated fats than butter and 32 percent more than pork lard.

Marie-Pierre St-Onge, associate professor of nutritional medicine at Cornell University Medical School, shared her thoughts on why intaking coconut oil in particular isn’t good for you.

“The reason coconut oil is so popular for weight loss is partly due to my research on medium chain triglycerides,” she told TIME. “Coconut oil has a higher proportion of medium-chain triglycerides than most other fats or oils, and my research showed eating medium-chain triglycerides may increase the rate of metabolism more than eating long-chain triglycerides.”

Nevertheless, St-Onge’s research actually turns out to be a little misleading, as it’s been reported that the coconut oil she used was filled 100 percent medium-chain triglycerides, or MCT. In comparison, the coconut oil most people buy from the grocery story typically only contains 13 to 15 percent MCT.

The verdict? We’re definitely still using coconut oil in our daily beauty routine, but we’ll skip out on it in the kitchen.

The post Apparently Coconut Oil Isn’t As Healthy As We All Thought… Or Is It? appeared first on MadameNoire.

Meet The Ladies Who “Got In Formation” And Are The First Recipients Of Beyoncé’s Scholarship Fund

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formation scholarship recipients announced

On Thursday, the Beygood Foundation announced that four phenomenal women got in formation and will receive $25,000 towards their education because of it. To receive the woman-only scholarship the women had to maintain a 3.5 GPA and write about how Beyoncé’s Lemonade inspired them in their educational pursuits.

Huff Post reports that four black women were chosen. Maya Rogers and Bria Paige both attend historically black colleges and universities. Rogers is a graduate student studying music therapy at Howard University and Paige is an English major currently enrolled at Spelman College. The other two recipients are artists in their own right. Sadiya Ramos is a sophomore studying dance at Berklee College of Music and second-year student, Avery Youngblood is studying graphic design at Parsons School of Design.

In a press release, Paige said Lemonade was behind her decision to “pursue doctoral studies centered on black feminist thought”:

“As I prepare to enter into my junior year at Spelman College, I walk with new purpose as I work to redefine and transform academia, specifically infusing creativity, innovation and popular culture into scholarship.”

“Similar to Beyoncé, I aim to merge two worlds, considered to be complete opposites, to create my own genre of scholarship.”

Congrats ladies! The women will all receive $25,000 towards their education. You can learn more about The Formation Scholarship and this year’s recipients here.

The post Meet The Ladies Who “Got In Formation” And Are The First Recipients Of Beyoncé’s Scholarship Fund appeared first on MadameNoire.

Judge Declares Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case A Mistrial

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Bill Cosby’s sexual assualt case has come to a close.

After the jury – made up of seven men and five women – underwent six days of deliberations and were unable to come to a unanimous verdict on any of the three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault  that Cosby had been charged with, the judge has declared it a mistrial.

But the comedian who plead not guilty isn’t off the hook just yet. According to ABC News, “Kevin R. Steel, the district attorney from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who brought the charges, has announced he will retry the case.”

CNN, who has been live reporting the happenings of the case, shared that a spokeswoman for Cosby read a statement from his wife, Camille Cosby, who criticized prosecutors, the judge and the media.

In addition, they reported that Gloria Allred, the attorney representing many of Cosby’s accusers, said she hopes the court will allow other “prior bad act witnesses” to testify at the next trial. “If the court allows more accusers to testify … it might make a difference. In other words, it’s too early to celebrate Mr. Cosby.”

 

The post Judge Declares Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case A Mistrial appeared first on MadameNoire.

No Nap Time, Stay Woke: Are You Scared Of Your Children Having White Friends?

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scared of children having white friends

I’m terrified at the thought of sending my toddler to daycare. In fact just the other night, as my daughter sat in my lap with her head nestled in my chest, avoiding eye contact with cousins she hadn’t seen in months, I told a relative, “My baby is perfectly fine stepping into the ‘classrooms’ of her two sets of grandparents each week. She won’t step foot into a daycare until it’s time for Pre-K.” Like many new parents that I’m sure have felt this way, survived and soon found themselves asking their kids to tuck and roll their way into school from a moving car, I know these feelings are a part of the process and will pass. The idea of my daughter leaving the protection of her close relatives and entering a world where daycare workers throw children down steps gives me all kinds of anxiety.

But what worries me just as much is the cruelty of other children and my baby entering a world where racism exists and knowing that her classmates won’t all be returning to a household where dinner is served regularly with parents who have a decent idea about boundaries, acceptance and respect. I also know that all those kids won’t be taught about diversity and tolerance and I worry about whose feelings I may have to hurt in the event that they’re careless with those of my child.

Although my daughter is only two, the dilemma my partner I find ourselves facing is whether we want to put up private school tuition and continue to live in Philadelphia or put up tax payments to get our daughter an admittedly better education in the suburbs. Of course as we browse Trulia.com and even occasionally drive through neighborhoods in the county while doing our dose of weekly shopping we jokingly ask each other, “Are there any black folks out here? Will our daughter find herself having to be the class expert on hip-hop, cornrows and African-American culture even if she’s listening to Halsey with the rest of her classmates.” It’s also important to her father that she gets her fair share of “struggle” and at least have an understanding that no matter how fortunate she is that many of her blessings come from humble beginnings. I didn’t realize how real the fears of my daughter facing intolerance were until I came across an article by a woman named Margaret Jacobsen called, “Honestly, Sometimes I’m Uncomfortable With My Children Making White Friends”. In the piece Jacobsen recalls a moment when her bi-racial daughter handled an awkward moment with a “You Tried It” reaction Tamar Braxton would be proud of. Jacobsen was at a friend’s house when a child proceeded to question her daughter about her hair:

“Why did God give you this gross hair? Why didn’t he give you princess hair like mine?’ I just stared at her, because I couldn’t fathom why she would ever say something like that. But thankfully, my daughter didn’t get upset. Instead, she retorted, ‘My hair is perfect. I have a black mom and a white dad, so it actually makes my hair better than your straight hair.’ Then she went back to playing.”

Jacobsen says the moment was the first of many in which she realized other parents weren’t having the same conversations with their kids as she had with her own:

“It was the moment that I realized that not everyone talks to their children about race, which can put my children in an uncomfortable position — and I want to avoid putting them in that position whenever possible.”

Although Jacobsen’s kids are half black and white, she mentions race and respect for other cultures and backgrounds is a conversation that she suspects may not be as prevalent in white households as it is for minorities. She notes that when parents make remarks like, “I don’t see color,” it makes her nervous for her children, because when you don’t see color, you don’t see or appreciate diversity. When you don’t see color you aren’t having conversations with your children that “princess hair” doesn’t just mean straight and blonde, it can be black and curly or red and wavy. I don’t want my daughter to make friends’ with kids’ parents who pull out the dashikis every February to prove that they celebrate all cultures, but I do want other children to know that black is different and wonderful and not something my daughter needs to defend or give a PowerPoint on every time they tune in for an episode of black-ish.

Jacobsen mentions that she finds herself doing a sort of “vetting process” when it comes to her kids’ classmates and their parents to see exactly how “woke” they are. With her kids attending a suburban school outside of a major city, 90% of their classmates are white so for many it’s their first time having any sort of connection to a part of African-American culture. Jacobsen says discussing her work helps to navigate other parents’ ideas on race:

“I’m a photographer and a writer. I write about raising black children, being a black parent, and what it’s like to be black in America.”

For Jacobsen, this her subtle way of expressing how important race is in the life of her family and letting other parents know that her kids are prepared for these types of conversations, but are theirs?

As a parent, all I know is that I don’t want my daughter’s feelings hurt. I know that in the political and cultural climate we live in, that’s a tall order, but I don’t believe it’s impossible. The first time I ever had the subtle scent of racism and stereotyping fill my nostrils was during my freshman year of college when one of my white roommates stated matter-of-factly, “You’re so nice for a black girl.” I wasn’t offended, but I was awoken to the fact that there are plenty of Caucasian kids in Middle-Of-Nowhere, USA towns like where I attended undergrad who believe that every black girl from the city whose name ends in an “A”, will be popping gum, and twerking in some box braids ready to beat a broad’s behind. I know I won’t be able to prevent my daughter from having these types of encounters, but what I can do is teach her to own who she is in the face of ignorance, whether she’s rocking box braids or a bundle of Malaysian down her back. Because as much as parents of all colors may be intimidated by conversations about race, they are necessary. And in Jacobsen’s opinions conversations about race and respect go hand in hand:

“We talk about it. We talk about being black, about the white side of the family, about what it means to have light skin privilege, which my children have. We make sure that whoever comes over is respected and loved, but who they are is never neglected or ignored. We honor the cultures, traditions, and stories that are carried into our home by those who visit us.”

How are you preparing your children to defend themselves against racism and maintain tolerance in today’s world?

Toya Sharee is a Health Resource Specialist who has a  passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about  everything from beauty to love and relationships. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.

 

 

 

The post No Nap Time, Stay Woke: Are You Scared Of Your Children Having White Friends? appeared first on MadameNoire.

Pat McGrath Is Releasing A Game-Changing Collection Of Matte Lipsticks Next Month

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Ladies, our favorite makeup guru Pat McGrath is back with yet another product that you’ll want to get your hands on.

After bestowing some really, really cool smokey eye kits upon us in April, she’s now focusing on fleeting our pout with nine-piece collection of beautifully pigmented matte lipsticks. Dubbed Lust MatteTrance, it features three various color palettes to compliment all skin tones. There’s Skin Show, which boasts of nudes; Colour Blitz, which stuns with vibrant hues of red; and Vicious Venoms, which offers striking tones of purple.

In addition to it’s inclusiveness, this matte offering stands out for the fact that it promises to hydrate your lips. And we know how notorious matte lipsticks are for drying out your lips.

In a recent press conference, McGrath spoke about the fascinating creamy yet matte formula and how she developed it, explaining,  “We’d make the perfect matte, and it felt like concrete. Or we’d come up with something that was super comfortable, and it would look oily. So it was just that search for the ultimate matte that was comfortable, but then at the same time gave that feel that you’ve seen in all of my editorials. Our mattes are really bright, but not really masking the beautiful natural texture of your own lip.”
Sounds like a must-have to us! The lipsticks will set you back $38 each or $95 for kits of three, but you’ve got time to save. Or if you’re really, really feeling the collection you can cop a box set that includes every shade for $275.
 McGrath’s MatteTrance collection is limited-edition will launch on PatMcGrathLabs.com at 12 p.m. ET on July 13, and then on Sephora.com (and in seven select Sephora brick-and-mortar stores) on July 28.

The post Pat McGrath Is Releasing A Game-Changing Collection Of Matte Lipsticks Next Month appeared first on MadameNoire.

Keke Palmer Shares The Inspiration Behind Her Latest ‘Do

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she a lil’ street but she so suhweet

A post shared by K E K E (@keke) on

While we all know Keke Palmer as an actress and budding songstress, in recent times she’s emerged as a hair chameleon. Not even a month ago, she was spotted rocking burgundy box braids and now she’s popped up on Instagram sporting a head turning purple buzzcut.

“As you can see from my track record, I love trying new things,” Palmer told Refinery29 in an exclusive interview, where she went on to explain the reason why she chopped off her mane. “I wanted to start over. My texture has changed quite a bit over the years from all the things I’ve done to it. I really want to be able to let my hair rest and become its own thing. I also really wanted to be bald!”

In addition to starting from scratch, Keke offered, “I love trying new things. I love finding new versions of myself. It just makes me feel super inspired.”

She’s the wildcard you wanna be holding.

A post shared by K E K E (@keke) on

With hair being an accessory, Palmer also gushed about changing her wardrobe to compliment her new ‘do. “For me, style is all about self-expression. I’m in a place in my life where I realized I don’t have anything stopping me from expressing myself in any facet, and that makes me happy.”

Check out the entire article here.

The post Keke Palmer Shares The Inspiration Behind Her Latest ‘Do appeared first on MadameNoire.


Here’s How To Say Goodbye To Cystic Acne Without The Help Of A Prescription

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If anyone is privy to the horror that is cystic acne, you’ll want to listen up closely.

Byrdie recently spoke to doctors Gary and Kristina Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City about the severe type of acne that many women of all ages have encountered at some point in their lives. Surprisingly, the doctors explained that while the infection that forms deep below skin tissue is tough to crack it can actually be managed effectively at home.

Yes, you heard right. Instead of running up a bill at your doctors office, there’s a few steps you can take to get rid of your cystic acne with the help of a prescription.

To begin, the Goldenbergs believes that cystic acne is heavily correlated to diet, explaining, “Diet is very important in development and progression of acne.” Therefore, it’s a good idea to make some modifications to your diet, in particular, cutting out all dairy products. However, they do recommend eating only organic dairy products if you have to. “We recommend a daily probiotic and ask patients to consume more anti-inflammatory foods,” they further offered. “A diet that produces an alkaline state is also important.” In addition to the aforementioned, the duo also believe in lowering your alcohol consumption if you feel like you’ve been indulging too much.

Next, they advise that simply keeping your skin clean will aid in keeping it clear. That means showering immediately after a work out, as you run the risk of “bacteria sitting on your skin. So, instead, just get up and shower and wash your face to keep your pores clean. Pillowcases are also a big deal, too. Keeping them clean is a must. By regularly washing your pillowcases, you’ll avoid irritation and infection.

When it comes to products, the Goldenbergs love peels. “Peels helps acne, and to some extent cystic acne,” say the Goldenbergs. “Peels containing retinoids or glycolic acid can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as prescription creams and pills.” But be sure to pick the right one that will suit your skin type well because it could make things worse. So, if you’ve got sensitive skin don’t go for something scented or including harsh ingredients. 

As most know, your stress levels can dictate cystic acne. Therefore, it’s best to as stress free as possible. That means self-care practices and simply taking time out for yourself. According to the Goldenbergs, you’ll see an improvement in your skin by doing such.

Check out the full article here, and kiss cystic acne goodbye!

The post Here’s How To Say Goodbye To Cystic Acne Without The Help Of A Prescription appeared first on MadameNoire.

Warner Bros. Is Reportedly Making A Movie About Mike Brown

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It’s been nearly three years since the untimely death of Mike Brown. The then 18-year-old was gunned down in Ferguson, Missouri by white police officer Darren Wilson. Brown’s death sparked much conversation about race relations in America and the Black Lives Matter movement. Now, Brown’s story is reportedly being developed into a film by Warner Bros.

 

According to The Root, Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to “Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown, a memoir co-written by Brown’s mother, Lezley McSpadden, and novelist Lyah Beth LeFlore.

It was also reported that there was a bidding war amongst a number of studios who were interested in making the movie. With Warner Bros. coming out successful, it’s being said that the studio is searching for a writer of color to take on the task of adapting the racially sensitive topic into a screenplay.

Tracking Board also reported that the film will thematically play out like Oscar-winning motion picture, Crash. 

For a refresher, Brown was not armed during the shooting with witnesses saying he had his hands up in the air when Wilson shot him. When taken to court, a St. Louis grand jury didn’t indict Wilson. The U.S. Department of Justice also determined that the witnesses who said Brown’s hands were up were not credible, and Wilson shot Brown in self-defense, ultimately being exonerated.

Stay tuned for the latest developments on Warner Bros. bringing Mike Brown’s story to the big screen.

The post Warner Bros. Is Reportedly Making A Movie About Mike Brown appeared first on MadameNoire.

Ring The Alarm! Take The Chains Off The Doors! This Is Not A Drill. The Carter Twins Are Here!

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beyonce gives birth to twins

Just in case you took a short nap, lost signal in a subway tunnel or got momentarily blinded by a stray eyelash, you may have missed the news that the Carter’s are now officially a family of five.

Multiple news sources have reported that Beyoncé and husband Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter welcomed the twins in Los Angeles recently. TMZ reports that sources close to the family have confirmed that the Lemonade singer gave birth to a boy and girl on Monday in Cedars-Sinai hospital in L.A., but a minor issue has kept the newborns in the hospital and doctors do not feel comfortable releasing them just yet.

So why almost a whole week for the blessed B-day news? A family representative apparently broke the news Saturday to People magazine:

“Bey and Jay are thrilled and have started sharing the news with their family and closest friends.”

The 35-year-old performer announced her pregnancy back in February posting pics of her blossoming belly in a Virgin Mary type photo shoot surrounded by flowers and lingerie. Queen Bey also literally glowed in all her maternity glory at the Grammy’s in the same month to perform songs from her Lemonade album and slayed per usual, despite having to postpone her performance at the Coachella festival in which she was announced as a headliner only a few weeks before (we all know that busy bee will pick up right where she left off and give her fans the performance of a lifetime next year). We also witnessed the couple surrounded by family and friends at an African themed “Carter Push Party”  with guests like Lala Anthony and Serena Williams in attendance. Let’s not forget she also announced she was going to help young women change the world one boss move at a time with her “Formation Scholarship” program.

All I did during my pregnancy was put together an IKEA shelf and develop an expensive Talenti Southern Butter Pecan Gelato habit. What you thought creating two lives was going to slow the almighty Bey down? Congrats to the Carter family!  We know Blue Ivy is going to be the best big sister and Jay-Z just received the greatest Father’s Day gifts ever.

The post Ring The Alarm! Take The Chains Off The Doors! This Is Not A Drill. The Carter Twins Are Here! appeared first on MadameNoire.

This Rapper Wants To Call Out The Bail Bond Industry By Bailing Out Men For Father’s Day

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national geographic picks up race with jay-z

On Friday (June 16), TIME published an op-ed written by none other than lauded recording artist, philanthropist and father Jay Z. The topic? Father’s Day and his idea to use the celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society to reveal the crooked nature of America’s bail bond industry.

“If you’re from neighborhoods like the Brooklyn one I grew up in, if you’re unable to afford a private attorney, then you can be disappeared into our jail system simply because you can’t afford bail,” he wrote.

Jay Z  went on to explain that big bail companies prosper by the over-policing and arresting black and brown people, in which turns into them being “forced to pay for their freedom before they ever see trial.” A devastating reality for many families, the rapper went on to drop staggering statistics.

In particular, he reported that “One in 9 black children has an incarcerated parent. Families are forced to take on more debt, often in predatory lending schemes created by bail bond insurers. Or their loved ones linger in jails, sometimes for months—a consequence of nationwide backlogs. Every year $9 billion dollars are wasted incarcerating people who’ve not been convicted of a crime, and insurance companies, who have taken over our bail system, go to the bank.”

To further lament the dangerous nature of the bail industry, he references the tragic deaths of Kalief Browder and Sandra Bland, who served as as examples of how not being able to make bail can end horribly.

To show his support and effort, the Magna Carta Holy Grail artist shared that he will be partnering with  Southerners on New Ground and Color of Change, who recently did a major fundraising drive to bail out 100 mothers for Mother’s Day, ” to bail out fathers who can’t afford the due process our democracy promises.”

“As a father with a growing family, it’s the least I can do, but philanthropy is not a long fix, we have to get rid of these inhumane practices altogether,” he concluded. “We can’t fix our broken criminal justice system until we take on the exploitative bail industry.”

Salute, Jay Z! Head over to TIME.com to read Jay Z’s full op-ed.

The post This Rapper Wants To Call Out The Bail Bond Industry By Bailing Out Men For Father’s Day appeared first on MadameNoire.

Kerry Washington Is Urging Women To Be Financially Literate…Their Lives May Depend On It

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kerry washington urging financial literacy for women

Last Tuesday, Kerry Washington addressed an audience as a panelist at the Forbes Women’s Summit and there wasn’t anything the least bit scandalous in her message. In fact, the only thing the actress is hoping to fix is what seems to be some women’s lack of financial literacy.

Washington is an ambassador for the AllState Purple Purse campaign which works to fight against financial abuse particularly for women who are experiencing domestic violence. Author Janet Mock, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and journalist Tamron Hall were also present on the panel.

The actress sat down with Refinery 29 to expand on her message and also talk about why she hasn’t tuned in to A Handmaid’s Tale just yet:

“I’m not sure I can handle it, particularly in these times.”

She may have a point as the show takes a sobering look at a world where women have almost completely been stripped of their independence. Washington is working to make sure nothing even close to that ends up happening in reality. Her first step is raising awareness around one of the major reasons women stay in abusive relationships. The National Domestic Violence Hotline reports 19% of their contacts reported some form of economic or financial abuse. Allstate’s senior vice president of corporate responsibility, Vicky Dinges says not having financial freedom is something that many couldn’t begin to imagine:

“Imagine not being able to pay for a cab ride because you don’t have money, or not having access to a bank account or the use of a credit card because your partner won’t allow it.”

“Financial abuse is a powerful and invisible form of domestic violence that keeps victims trapped, but we can do something about it: We can stand up to abusers, speak out on behalf of victims, and support survivors in their recovery.”

Purple Purse is working to create a chain of support by awarding grants to local grassroots organizations that provide financial literacy services, job training, and entrepreneurship guidance to survivors. The project  also provides a digital financial and career curriculum that survivors can reference, using expertise that keeps their circumstances in mind.

Washington says a part of healing and making progress for the survivors is eliminating stigma:

“I think a big part of it is lifting the veil of shame. A lot of times we say, why does she stay? Why do they stay? We know from our work that the number-one reason people stay is because they don’t feel like they have the tools to go. And all of us, rather than shaming and blaming, can use our resources to lend a hand to people who don’t have access to that information to be able to transform their lives.”

She also states in her own childhood home, money was rarely discussed in detail:

“I know how disempowering it can feel to not feel financially literate. Sometimes, as women, we just don’t want to be involved in the details and don’t want to ask the questions. And because it’s not something that we’re necessarily taught, we’re not sure if it’s something we should know. Abuse is a multi-layered issue, so there are obviously sociological and psychological issues that need to be addressed, but when you can at least give a woman the tools to walk away, then you can start to do that bigger work.”

Washington is also helping work on a limited-edition purse for the third year in a row to which portions of the proceeds will go towards the project.

You can learn more about the Purple Purse Foundation here.

 

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Camille Cosby Had Some Words For D.A. And Judge After Mistrial

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Yesterday (June 18), the verdict of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault case was announced. Ending in a mistrial, Cosby’s wife Camille spoke out about the case, boldly blasting not only the D.A. and judge but the lawyers of her’s husband’s accusers, as reported by ABC News.

“How do I describe the District Attorney? Heinously and exploitively ambitious. How do I describe the judge? Overtly and arrogantly collaborating with the District Attorney. How do I describe the counsels for the accusers? Totally unethical. How do I describe many, but not all, general media? Blatantly vicious entities that continually disseminated intentional omissions of truths for the primary purpose of greedily selling sensationalism at the expense of a human life,” she stated.

The 73-year-old producer and author went on to say express gratitude towards the jurors who  “tenaciously fought to review the evidence,” exclaiming that they used the “rightful way to make a sound decision.”

“Ultimately, that is the manifestation of justice, based on facts, not lies,” the comedian’s wife continued. “As a very special friend once stated, ‘truth can be subdued, but not destroyed.”

Camille concluded by thanking her friends, family, staff members, and supporters. Cosby’s legal team even got a shout out for their “hard work,” and “powerful articulations of truth.”

The post Camille Cosby Had Some Words For D.A. And Judge After Mistrial appeared first on MadameNoire.

‘All Eyez On Me’ Producer Responds To Jada Pinkett Smith’s Critique

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Before All Eyez On Me, the highly-anticipated biopic narrating the life of  Tupac, hit the big screens on Friday (June 16), Jada Pinkett Smith, who had a special friendship with the hip hop icon, took to social media to share that she wasn’t happy with the portal of their relationship.

“The reimagining of my relationship to Pac has been deeply hurtful,” Smith wrote on Twitter Friday afternoon, claiming that many of the conversations and situations that were depicted in the movie never happened in reality.

After setting the social sphere ablaze with her disproval, one of the film’s main producers, L.T. Hutton has spoken to TMZ on the matter.

“I’m kind of disappointed and just hurt by the accusations that it wasn’t depicted or I can’t remember the exact words she said,” Hutton said. “But it all came from the truth and places of moments of her actual dialogue and ideas that Pac actually had.”

The producer went on to say that he took the time to study Jada’s own words about Tupac in interviews, and believes she was fairly portrayed, adding that while the filmmakers took a few liberties in the script for the sake of showing who Pac was, wanted to be, and had to be, there was no malicious intent.

While Hutton was affected by Pinkett Smith’s words, he did offer that he still has unwavering respect for the award-winning actress.  “I wouldn’t put anything in this film…and everybody watching the film, they’ll tell you I was very responsible with everyone,” he continued.

Watch the video below as L.T. Hutton speaks out on the sticky situation.

The post ‘All Eyez On Me’ Producer Responds To Jada Pinkett Smith’s Critique appeared first on MadameNoire.


Tamar Braxton Talks Upcoming Album, Says It’s Her ‘Best Work Yet’

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Tamar Braxton miscarriage

After the success of 2015’s Calling All Lovers, Tamar Braxton is excited to unleash yet another album, which she exclusively shared as her “best work yet” with Rap-Up.

“It’s almost like Love and War and Calling All Lovers got together and had a baby,” the singer-reality star said of the forthcoming project, which is executive produced by her husband Vincent Herbert and the coveted Rodney Jerkins.

In April, Braxton released the close-to-home single “My Man,” which narrated the ups and downs of her parents, Evelyn Braxton and Michael Conrad Braxton Sr., that have also played out on the “Braxton Family Values.”

“I wanted to be a voice for my mother and say things that she didn’t get to say to both of them when it was all going down,” explained Tamar. “I wanted to truly channel her as a woman and not just as my mom, to confront the both of them.”

The youngest of the Braxton sisters also cites this upcoming LP is a breathe of fresh air and new chapter, as she now has an independent deal with eOne after releasing three albums on Epic Records. “I’m really excited about it because I get to do things my way,” she explained. “I don’t have to sell people on things I want to do.”

The aforementioned pivoted the conversation to the R&B singer’s unwavering love hip-hop. “Just because I’m a fan of hip-hop music, does not mean this is the music that I’m supposed to make,” she said, while naming some of her favorite rappers. “I’ll do any record with Kendrick. I love Future, love Yo Gotti. Listen, I’m a ratchet head.”

With that being said, we’re exciting to hear what comes of Tamar’s upcoming project. Sounds like the possibilities are endless. A few ballads, a few traditional rhythm and blues joints, and maybe even some Ratch&B jams?

 

The post Tamar Braxton Talks Upcoming Album, Says It’s Her ‘Best Work Yet’ appeared first on MadameNoire.

Mark Your Calendars: Old Navy’s $1 Flip-Flop Sale Is Coming To The Web

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If you’re an avid Old Navy shopper, than you’re definitely familiar with their $1 flip-flop sale.

But the popular retailer is putting a contemporary twist on this year’s sale. Instead of it being a solely brick-and-mortar event, the annual sale chockfull of colorful flip-flops will be available online.

Yes, you heard that right. You can stock up on super cheap flip-flops from the comfort of your home now. The buzz of the sale heading to the web actually hit last year with many shoppers anxious to participate. “Customers start asking about the date as early as February,” Julie Luker, the director of PR and partnerships at Gap Inc. and Old Navy, told Refinery29.
Some shoppers with an Old Navy, Gap, or Banana Republic card were able to experience the deal back in May, and it turned out to be a huge hit.
While the sale will begin online and in stores across the country on Saturday, June 24, cardholders can pre-shop the $1 flip-flops in-stores only on Saturday, June 17. Oh, and the stores will open their doors at 7 a.m., which is two hours earlier than their normal hours of operations.
Will you be participating in Old Navy’s annual $1 flip-flop sale?

The post Mark Your Calendars: Old Navy’s $1 Flip-Flop Sale Is Coming To The Web appeared first on MadameNoire.

Did Your Partner Ask For Your Parents’ Permission To Marry You?

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permission for marriage

I wouldn’t describe myself as an emotional person in the least. My husband and I have built our 10+ year relationship on a solid foundation of sarcasm and dark humor. So when he proposed almost 3 years ago in our living room while I was clipping coupons, I didn’t exactly turn into a mess of tears and Vera Wang hopes and wishes. I high-fived him because he did a damn good job at choosing and emerald cut solitaire and texted my sister shortly after. But what turned me into an emotional mess was when my father called a few minutes later and told me, “We were wondering when he was going to finally do it. He asked us weeks ago!” A few days later when my little cousin called to congratulate me she also admitted, “He told me he was going to marry you a few years ago.”

I think what hit me front and center in the feels was the realization that from that moment on that seemingly outdated gesture was what marriage was about for me. It was about the idea of your family growing and becoming connected to whole new set of aunts, uncles and cousins just because of one person.  In the past I had never dated anyone who felt comfortable enough to hold a conversation with my Dad that wasn’t about me or when I wasn’t around. But for the past few years, my fiancé at the time had managed to get along with my parents effortlessly and always made my sister feel welcome when she would hang out with us, unlike other guys who seemed annoyed when anyone else had my attention but them. The idea of family growth was also important to me because I had never grown up close to my own extended family, and much of the time I had to treat my cousins with as much caution as I would a stranger on the subway. It was nice to witness how loyal my partner was to not only his family, but family friends that he grew up with. It opened my idea of family to a whole new world of Sunday dinners, family reunions and weekly phone calls from Grandma. I probably would’ve married my fiancé even if he didn’t ask for my father’s permission, but the gesture affirmed that he wasn’t just making a commitment to me, but my whole family, and I appreciated that.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that asking your parent’s permission to make your lifelong union official isn’t as popular as it used to be. According to a 2015 internet poll done by wedding website The Knot, some 77% of suitors ask parents’ permission to wed their daughters, according to a 2015 internet poll of 12,000 brides and 1,200 grooms. Gay and lesbian couples are embracing the tradition too, with more than 40% asking parents’ OK.  But even at those rates many couples still say they would do the damn thing anyway with or without parental approval. Many couples reported that they had already gotten the engagement out of the way and booked a venue before letting their parents in on the secret.

Stephanie Coontz, author of “Marriage, A History” expresses that couples may be opting out of parental approval because marriages are becoming more equal with both partners contributing financially to the household and cohabitating before even discussing matrimony. She reveals that the tradition survives in part because couples hope their families will invest interest in their marriage and help hold it together in a time were divorce is so easily accessible.

In a world where independence is the goal and many couples find themselves having to prove their love and make scheduled progress on milestones like marriage, home ownership and parenthood, I think the idea of including family in your union from the beginning is comforting. When you’re starting a family, whether you have 5 kids or 2 cocker spaniels, you really start to grasp the importance of a support system and how much you may lean on your family for everything from house sitting to life advice. I’ve witnessed friends who have co-parented with partners whose families they can’t share a meal with without the cops being called, and I must admit being able to drop my child off with in-laws who genuinely like me and feel connected to me without their son being around makes all the difference. It’s nice to know that if there ever did come a time when we weren’t together for whatever reason, it might be awkward but I know that I could still call his parents and get support and he could still call my family and ask my Dad to take a ride in his muscle car without anyone feeling like strangers or enemies. And what better way to start that kind of relationship, than to include them from the very beginning. You marriage may not rise and fall on the approval of your parents, but unless you’re dealing with the in-laws from hell, having a few more relatives on your side could only help.

Toya Sharee is a Health Resource Specialist who has a  passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about  everything from beauty to love and relationships. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.

The post Did Your Partner Ask For Your Parents’ Permission To Marry You? appeared first on MadameNoire.

Watch Zoë Kravitz Nail The #NickiMinajChallenge

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#PressPlay: did #ZoeKravitz nail the #NickiMinajChallenge, #Roommates!?

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on

For the past week, we’ve seen social media spin Nicki Minaj’s theatrical, Prague-boasting PSA into a viral challenge dubbed the #NickiMinajChallenege. From single parents holding down their personal and professional lives to chicks schooling all how to pull up to the super market after collecting food stamps at the welfare office, everyone is getting in on the fun — including Zoë Kravitz.

“Attention, this is how a bad b***h leaves her hotel to go do Good Morning America,” Kravitz boasted in the clip, where she’s seen holding a miniature tea cup while decked out in a fancy, blush-tone frock from Sies Marjan, a velvet The Row bag, and large black sunglasses. “Y’all b***hes can’t even spell Good Morning America,” she concluded, sauntering off down the hallway with a fierce strut.

We see you, Kravitz. Share with us some of your favorite videos from the #NickiMinajChallenege in the comment section below.

The post Watch Zoë Kravitz Nail The #NickiMinajChallenge appeared first on MadameNoire.

Can You Stand To Loosen Up In Bed?

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[caption id="attachment_833849" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Happy couple lying in bed cuddling at home in the bedroom[/caption] Do you have a hunch that you don’t exactly bring it in the bedroom? If your sexual routine has become so repetitive that it’s almost an equation at this point—20 seconds of this foreplay, one minute of that, a few minutes in this position and everybody’s done—you could be right. You may not even be routine because you don’t want to try other things; you might just be insecure to try them! It’s a pretty common problem. A lot of women worry that their face might look weird in this position, that their thighs might jiggle too much when they do this, or that they’ll just be plain bad at the other thing. But honestly, the excitement over trying new things can override the attention to technicalities. So go for it. Could you stand to loosen up in bed? [caption id="attachment_608418" align="alignleft" width="414"] Corbis[/caption]

You worry about your faces

You spend a lot of time during sex wondering what your face looks like, and trying to pose it so that you look aroused but still normal. Normal? NORMAL!? Come on. If you look normal then that will make your partner think he’s doing something wrong. You should look like you just smelled something atrocious but also are being tickled but also are about to sneeze. But correction: there’s no exact way you should look. Just let go. [caption id="attachment_713803" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

In fact, you hide your face

You go so far as to only allow positions where he’s behind you, so that he can’t see your face. If you are facing him, you put a pillow over your face. If he’s behind you but there is a mirror in front of you, you relocate everybody.       [caption id="attachment_710677" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You monitor your lube use

Sure, lube is expensive and messy and takes a while to rinse off. But honey charge it to the game. If your partner sees you eyeing that lube bottle, making sure he doesn’t use too much or put his sticky hands on the bed frame, neither of you will have good sex. You’ll have plenty of lube left, but who cares—the sex sucked!     [caption id="attachment_613774" align="alignleft" width="421"] Corbis[/caption]

He keeps asking if you’re okay

Your partners often ask if you’re okay, if they should be doing something different, or if you want them to stop. It could be because you lie there rather lifeless, look like you’re staring at a wall and haven’t made a sound.         [caption id="attachment_618085" align="alignleft" width="422"] Corbis Images[/caption]

You’re not even a little tired after

You have plenty of energy after sex. You could go for a run! You could climb a flight of stairs! If someone took your heart rate after sex, they’d think you were sleeping. Oh, and you’re not even the tiniest bit sweaty.         [caption id="attachment_704626" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You worry about your noises

You worry about being too noisy that you’ll bother the neighbors, or that the noises you make will be weird. Your partner isn’t even thinking about your noises; he’s having sex with you. Just let those noises out.         [caption id="attachment_709782" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You must have the lights off

You must have the lights off and the blackout curtains shut and the small glow from the laptop covered up. Your partner doesn’t even really know what you look like naked, and that was your master plan.         [caption id="attachment_607980" align="alignleft" width="415"] Corbis[/caption]

You’re concerned about your smell down there

You enjoy oral but you don’t let men go down on you because you’re concerned about how you taste and smell. Let’s not forget that as women, we put our partner’s entire genitals in our mouths. They certainly don’t forget that, and are probably happy to do a little licking in return.     [caption id="attachment_714445" align="alignleft" width="420"]You're Likely To Be Exoticized Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You study up before trying something

Before you even attempt a new position or act, you read five articles and watch a few YouTube tutorials about it. You cannot fathom the idea of trying something in bed unless you’re going to get it exactly right. But that takes a lot of the fun out of it.       [caption id="attachment_612606" align="alignleft" width="378"] Corbis Images[/caption]

You need things mapped out

If your partner tries to maneuver you into a position, you cannot just go with the flow, and let him lead the way. You ask him exactly what he’s trying to do, where you should put your right hand, your left hand, your right knee, and your left knee. You also want to know at what angle your head should be. It really would just be easier if he drew you a map.     [caption id="attachment_611728" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You can’t orgasm from oral

You don’t allow yourself to orgasm from oral because you feel that it’s selfish—he’s not getting anything out of it. Does he worry about that when you go down on him? I highly doubt it. [caption id="attachment_607197" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You won’t let him watch you

You can’t stand it when your partner watches you go down on him. You don’t want him to see you in that position, with your jaw open and locked like that. You tell him to look away. Or you just do it in a position where he can’t see your face. [caption id="attachment_699584" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

The words, “Can we try something?” scare you

When your partner asks if the two of you can try something, you instantly dry up down south and your blood runs cold. You’re certain this will somehow end in you making a weird noise or a strange face.       [caption id="attachment_623396" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ve never done it out of the bed

You’ve only had sex in bed. Oh, and everyone’s heads have stayed up by the headboard and their feet by the bottom of the bed. If it were up to you, you’d even have one bed for sex and one for sleeping. [caption id="attachment_717918" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Your sheets stay in place

Nobody can even tell, by the looks of your bed, that you just had sex. Nobody can tell by the looks of your hair or the smudge of your makeup, or the pheromones oozing out of your skin.

The post Can You Stand To Loosen Up In Bed? appeared first on MadameNoire.

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