Source: My Black Is Beautiful / Courtesy of P&G My Black Is Beautiful has a mission of “redefining what it means to be Black.” The company, a division of P&G, is a 10-year-old platform promoting and affirming Black culture in an uplifting way. Now, they are taking their message a step further and helping Black women nurture their hair through a line of products made specifically for us. “The My Black is Beautiful line of hair products was inspired by the 2.6 million women in our online community who have evolving and diverse beauty needs,” Lela Coffey, brand director of multicultural beauty at P&G explained. The brand has been engaging with women and having conversations around hair and hair needs so it’s no surprise the company, owned by a consumer powerhouse, wouldn’t forray into the haircare space to help Black women reach their hair goals. The line launched today with 5 products including a hydrating shampoo ($11.99, sallybeauty.com ) and fortifying conditioner ($11.99, sallybeauty.com ). They also have product they are calling a ‘tangle slayer’ available for women with both Type 3 ($12.99, sallybeauty.com ) and Type 4 ($12.99, sallybeauty.com ) hair. Yesss! They also have an intense recovery treatment ($12.99, sallybeauty.com ) which is a deep penetrating hair mask that smoothes and replenishes hair. The formula strengthens hair and restores moisture with results after the first use! Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty Felicia Leatherwood stopped by Hello Beautiful offices to talk about the new line. The product has tumeric, ginger, honey, coconut milk and coconut oil to help all curly kinky girls maintain, manage and grow their curls. Leatherwood shared, “A lot of women write to me and say there hair isn’t growing or they are having issues with their hair.” The first question that she then asks the inquirer is how much product build up do they have on their scalp? Too much product buildup causes sebum, a XX. A main ingredient in the product line is tumeric. Leatherwood explained, “Tumeric being an anti-inflammatory will address the blockage and the follicle. Tumeric will also strengthen at the cortex.” You need products that are going to get to the root (literally!) of the problem. She added, “You are looking for a product that’s giving you maximum moisture, hydration and strengthening your hair.” Leatherwood has used this product on her clients and she shared, “I noticed how soft it made the hair. It was manageable!” Tumeric has been used for a long time as a remedy for anti-inflammatory, itching, etc. There are not too many brands that are using it in the haircare space and Leatherwood feels that “the MBIB line is winning with the tumeric. I think it’s going to be a key component to them growing bigger with their product.” Another powerful ingredient found throughout the collection is ginger. Leatherwood exclaimed, “Ginger wakes up the follicle!” She continued, “It wakes up the cuticle of the hair. It says to the hair, ‘Hey, let’s do something fun!’ When it wakes it up, it opens it up. That’s when the coconut milk and coconut oil gets to penetrate the hair.” Source: My Black Is Beautiful / Courtesy of P&G If hair shedding is an issue for you, then you’ll definitely want to use the intense mask as it helps with hair retention. Leatherwood said, “The mask will help with the shedding and the growth. What masks do is it exfoliates on the scalp. You need your scalp to be scrubbed in a non abrasive way. It exfoliates and cleanses your hair and scalp from the toxin and the environment.” Leatherwood shared a pro-tip in utilizing the mask: “After you use the mask, wash with the shampoo, then use some conditioner to soften it back up.” Normally, I start with shampoo, conditioner, then use a mask, but you can do it in the opposite direction for a more powerful effect. Source: My Black Is Beautiful / Courtesy of P&G Source: My Black Is Beautiful / Courtesy of P&G The one thing that personally stood out to me about the product line is the conditioning creams. I loved that they came in two options, depending on hair type. Leatherwood revealed, “These conditioning creams are 24/7. You are styling with a conditioning cream but it’s working for you all day.” Give your hair some time to adjust to these products and show their change. Leatherwood taught Hello Beautiful to “use it as a lifestyle product.” If you’re anything like me, you have a cocktail of products and brands in your beauty cabinet. You probably mix and match and have your go to favorites. If you truly want to see an effect, Leatherwood revealed, “You want to stick to it for 3 months or more to get the benefits of how it works.” Beauties, are you excited for this new haircare line? Will you be trying the product? Take our poll below and talk to us in the comment section! Take Our Poll DON’T MISS: Lizzo Wasn’t Wearing A Hat At The 2019 BET Awards, She Was Wearing Hand Painted Natural Hair GET THE LOOK: Ciara’s Hairstylist Used His New Wig Line For Her 2019 BET Awards Lewk Paula Patton Buys Her Go-To Curly Hair Product At The Grocery Store [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3006526″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Lily Cummings / Lily Cummings Name: Ariel Pierre-Louis IG: couvertier_louis Agency: Dorothy Combs Claim to Fame: Ariel has been featured in ads for Ashley Stewart , Dia & Co ., Ave and Hue. She was also recently featured in the inaugural campaign for The Hours. Some models can afford to wax poetic about slurping ramen noodles in a studio apartment, but Ariel Pierre-Louis could not. “I’m not a model bitch. I am a Brooklyn bitch,” she told Hello Beautiful in an exclusive interview. View this post on Instagram Happy pride month to everyone except y’all ignorant mfs that still think hate speech is free speech and that we should ignore micro aggressions #AllThatShitIsViolent Photographer: @robertclydegrima #visiblyblack #visiblyplussize #afropoping #4typehair #happypridemonth A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jun 7, 2019 at 1:59pm PDT The breakout model who has featured in major campaigns for some of your favorite retailers had a difficult time adjusting to the unusual power dynamics of the industry. Her biggest objection was the way finances were handled. Forced to care for her younger siblings emotionally and financially due to serious family issues she was frustrated with being expected to shell out cash to attend castings that could result in nothing more than a ‘maybe next time.’ View this post on Instagram @diaandco coming out with the fat visibility and I’m it fat @dianaross from the front Hair: @mideyahparkerhair @chuckielovehair Mua: @brianduprey Stylist: @theswaggiebum @ashleyfalcon Director: @the_rosaliz #visiblyplussize #fatpositivity #visiblyblack #4typehair #mydiastyle #afropoping A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Apr 8, 2019 at 12:47pm PDT “I’m not gonna say the name,” Pierre-Louis began, describing a scene many aspiring models have dealt with. “But they made me come all the way fucking down there and spend my hard-earned traveling money . At the time I wasn’t able to pay for weeklies [Metrocards]. Now I can pay for weeklies, so I came up. But I was hopping the shit [turnstiles] or had to get on the bus. But I paid my money to get there just in case. I wasn’t hopping nothing to get arrested or some shit before my meeting.” View this post on Instagram Y’all see them pointed toes right? #fatdancer #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #visiblyblack #4typehair #afropoping A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Feb 23, 2019 at 1:26pm PST Pierre-Louis felt the expense, an extravagant one given her financial situation, was worth it because it might lead to her big break. View this post on Instagram As a survivor of DV I was more then happy to partner up and model for @impishlee to make and sell calendars to support @sffny If you care about victims of Domestic violence please donate and/or buy this calendar showcasing beautiful womxn/femmes like myself wearing beautiful lingerie designed by @impishlee #supportdvvictims #sffny #helpstopdomesticviolence #visiblyplussize #visiblyfat #visiblyblack A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jan 31, 2019 at 9:34am PST “I got so excited,” she explained. Her excitement was short lived as the agency she skipped a meal to audition for rejected her. The encounter started out positively. “They were like ‘you’re so beautiful ’ and all this great stuff about me,” she said. Shortly after the accolades came the disappointment. “But we might try to like put you in a development thing because you’re too big we don’t really sign girls this big,” the rep reportedly told her. View this post on Instagram I was just coming off of a milly rock that’s how u kno I’m from bk nyc Photography: @_isaacanthony Stylist: @beautybydefault and @zach_is_doing_fine Hair: @austinthorntonbeauty MUA: @sophieono #tbt #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #visiblyblack #afroextensions #afropoping #4typehair A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jan 8, 2019 at 1:53pm PST “And I swear to God I was smaller than I am today same height and everything just a little smaller,” deadpanned Pierre-Louis. The unexplained rejection stung, and she sprung into action to try and change herself to give herself a chance at making her dreams happen. View this post on Instagram #tb of when I modeled for @universalstandard with cornrows by @watchbrenottv looking black and plus asf #blackhairisprofessionalhair #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #visiblyblack A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Nov 7, 2018 at 1:29pm PST “I literally freaked out, had an eating disorder and everything I literally lost 60 lbs in 2 or 3 months and then I contacted them, and they were like uninterested.” View this post on Instagram Hi @wmag Thank you for showcasing a black fat femmes form Photography: @_isaacanthony Stylist: @beautybydefault and @zach_is_doing_fine Hair: @austinthorntonbeauty MUA: @sophieono #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #visiblyblack #fatvisibility #afroextensions #afropoping #4typehair #saggyboobsmatter A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on May 9, 2019 at 1:11pm PDT A larger version of the same body they were uninterested in would soon be featured by Issac Anthony in a spread in W Magazine , every curve celebrated for its distinctive appeal but at the time Pierre-Louis had no idea where her career was headed. View this post on Instagram Them: “bitch ur fat….” Me: …..and litt Them: Me: *mouth pop* u mad doggie u mad doggie *nicki’s bird voice* SB: and yes a hoe flexible and fat Editorials for @krowdmagazine photography @_isaacanthony styling/creative direction by @zach_is_doing_fine and @beautybydefault hair @austinthorntonbeauty make-up @sophieono #sexywhilefat #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #visiblyblack #krowdmagazine #unedited #nophotoshop A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Oct 6, 2018 at 9:50am PDT Her experiences with body shaming motivate her to deliberately shatter her younger sister’s illusions about the industry. Recently she educated her about size bias why she couldn’t find her size at an event offering prom dresses. She works to unpack every airbrushed image uploaded on Instagram so that her sister will see the value in her own unique beauty. “It’s my little sister and I don’t want her to foster these ideas in her head that it’s normal to only see size one or two dresses,” she added. The self-proclaimed “Liberated Black woman,” discusses that and more on Instagram where is constantly uplifting marginalized people. View this post on Instagram Photographer: @devincruzphotography Mua: @lovemiyako #visiblyblack #visiblyplus A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Sep 3, 2018 at 1:15pm PDT She almost gave up after that experience. “I was like if I don’t get signed by 21 I’m not doing this shit no more. This is clearly not for me. This is not what I’m supposed to be doing then lo and behold a few day before my 21 st birthday I was signed and I was like okay this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” View this post on Instagram You want sexy? Lol @secondsight #visiblyblack #visiblyplus #couvertier_louis A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Aug 9, 2018 at 9:57am PDT When she did get signed, she reportedly had to deal with shady agency tactics including agents taking jobs she brought in and giving them to other girls on the agency’s roster. “I’m gonna have to be really honest because that’s all I can be I really feel like it’s because the other girls were a little bit more palatable. I was one of the only Black girls there. I’m gonna tell you what they do they pretend like you cost more money and they’ll they’ll offer these amount of girls for that same amount of money and all those girls were white and smaller than me. I think one of them were Black and she has two type hair she’s half white, so her hair was like really loose she got good hair quote un quote. They didn’t give it to someone whose more marginalized than me like they never did that shit.” View this post on Instagram #Repost @sorelfootwear with @get_repost ・・・ This Summer we're all about print mixing and our Joanie Lace Wedge in snakeskin adds a bit of edge to any look. #SORELstyle #visiblyplus #curve #visiblyblack #fentybeauty #statemgmt #couvertier_louis A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jun 13, 2018 at 5:26pm PDT The lack of inclusion echoed her initial foray into a creative profession. Pierre-Louis began modeling after exploring acting. “I just really like to act I don’t know if it’s a trauma thing,” she jokes. The things she endured as a child and young adult that required the soothing effect the practice has on her were no joking matter. She reported physical and emotional abuse allegedly taking place in her household. She said these events were part of what encouraged her to step up and take a bigger role in her siblings’ lives. This choice affected her relationship with her brother. “He didn’t like someone who was only four years older than him acting like a mom,” she shared. View this post on Instagram Color me a painting Photographer: @kqiix #visiblyplus #statemgmt #visiblyblack #curve #beachday #couvertier_louis A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jun 9, 2018 at 5:15am PDT Acting was a way for her to temporarily excuse herself from the responsibility of survival. “By being different people, you could really dive into that without compromising yourself in any way,” she revealed. She refuses to compromise her identity to get gigs. She proudly displays a rainbow flag in her bio along with tongue-in-cheek visually references to her sexuality via strategically selected emojis. She described the “moral dilemma,” of capitalism and stated that while like other working models she is in no position to turn down jobs but she would absolutely draw the line at working with a “morally bankrupt” company. View this post on Instagram Make a @chnge Photographer: @blackout.jpg #statemgmt #curve A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Apr 21, 2018 at 5:45pm PDT “A lot of companies pretend to care and the spend half of their funding to make sure certain people don’t have rights,” she stated. She saw acting as a way to explore all the different sides of herself, but she was forced to draw the line there as well. “I just always like to do make believe as a kid it made me feel like I could express myself by being all these different people because I would say I’m multifaceted.” Sadly, the roles offered to the young aspiring actress who saw herself “Al Pacino but a Black woman,” were not multifaceted. View this post on Instagram I genuinely remember when I used to be soo terrified to wear anything remotely flattering especially with me being “so developed” at a “young age” (despite developing being a normal thing that we just sexualize especially for young girls and young black girls at that but that’s a topic for a different day) in fear a “street harasser” aka a male identified dust that would yell out something to embarrass me or come up to “talk” to me and it eventually turn into something threatening, literally I wanted to revert inward in shame until one day I literally decided I was going to take back my power because wether I was “nice” or not, answered them or didn’t ,they were going to do what they were going to do anyways…… be a harmful dust. So I got my self defense armory up n wether I have an embarrassing snappy comeback to say or I decide it’s not worth my time, I keep my confidence up and not allow anyone to dictate how I feel about me. So you can catch me outside on these bk,nyc streets literally doing me being fly and looking at these niggas like “who birth u?” Regardless of my reply Team: Photographer: @lydiahudgens Stylist: @littlelimedress Mua: @makeupbyslater #statemgmt #curve #blackfeminist #growingupagirl #growingupinbrooklyn A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Apr 18, 2018 at 9:10am PDT “There weren’t a lot of roles for women who looked like me and the ones that there were in my opinion weren’t serious enough. They were always like the sassy friend or just somebody who was like ‘mm mm’ and I didn’t want to do that.” Modeling presented itself as a way to increase representation while soothing her creative itch. “If people see more people like me maybe there will be more roles for people like me,” she reasoned. “I know that I’m light skinned and I know my privileges but I also know the representation of me doing like work with certain brands with my afro and me being a size 18 and being Black and tall from a certain type of class and background. When I was growing up I didn’t think anything was for me,” she said excitedly. View this post on Instagram Yes I am . #visiblyplussize #fatpositive #4typehair #afropoping #visiblyblack A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on May 20, 2019 at 2:10pm PDT “Like recently even though it hasn’t come out, yet I’m really excited I worked with a really huge brand that I used to look up to and hear fashion shows about on like Sex And The City and stuff. I was like there’s no way you know that’s not something they would do.” Part of why she thought that way was the unlevel playing field she entered when starting to model. A quick study she swiftly picked up on the fact that the most successful girls at her first agency were the ones with a preexisting financial advantage. View this post on Instagram They still trying to call us everything but fat ……. k @universalstandard fit #4typehair #visiblyblack #afropoping #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #sexywhilefat A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jan 18, 2019 at 12:11pm PST “Outside of like Naomi [Campbell] and Tyra Banks I really didn’t go out of my way to look at other models. I really didn’t know there was a whole industry of plus-size women so when I got into modeling, I thought that everybody who was in my agency or whatever agency was really just grinding and you figuring thing out. As I started knowing more and learning more about the industry, I found out a lot a lot of women who come into the industry tend to have a good background already. They’re so successful because they’re able to do all the shoots. They’re able to just travel to these events or pay to get into these events where certain people are. Whereas me I’m like ‘I hope you see my book that I just spent a grip on’. I’m over on Instagram posting pictures of me like ‘I hope this is enough.’ So, like it’s hard…it really is.” “We weren’t necessarily poor poor but we were like poor. My mom did her best to afford us things and we did have certain things but sometimes we only ate peanut butter crackers and ramen noodles sometimes we couldn’t put the heat on,” she recalled. View this post on Instagram Mood……. I’m exhausted from dayzzzzzzz of unboxing shit and trying to find a place for it in this new space Plus side tho I’m serving sexy sadness in this photo ….. ur welcome Photography: @_isaacanthony Stylist: @beautybydefault and @zach_is_doing_fine Hair: @austinthorntonbeauty MUA: @sophieono #fuckmylife #movingaintshit #saveme #sadgirl #4typehair #afroextensions #afropoping #visiblyblack #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Jan 15, 2019 at 2:24pm PST “I mean for a long time we lived in a basement and in what was 1-bedroom basement where me my brother and my sister shared one bed. We eventually got a house which was great but because when you get a house you spend all your money trying to buy this American dream so you eat the same thing every day or you end up with no furniture or like your bed is on the floor. It was really difficult growing up in that environment. So, yea I didn’t think most things were for me I wanted those things I always wanted better things. I wanted to have good things, but I knew what it cost, and I didn’t think it was possible for me.” It didn’t help that her rail thin mother who reportedly had her own modeling career in her younger years wasn’t exactly supportive. “My mom came from like a generation where it was if somebody doesn’t come up to you and like discover you then you’re not it.” View this post on Instagram I’m waiting on holiday vacation desperately but looking fine asf Wearing @byashleystewart Mua: @redcarpetfaces #curvygirlbyashley #visiblyplus #sexywhilefat #visiblyplussize #visiblyblack #curvygirl #holidayseason #countdowntochristmas A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Dec 19, 2018 at 2:01pm PST Despite not having the mythical discovery her mother longed for, and switching agencies, her career has thrived. But even with major campaigns under her belt she doesn’t consider herself to be on easy street. “A lot of people think it is because they see me post a lot,” she says. “I feel like my agency is better they show me who they’re submitting me to they go out of their way to get feedback from the client. They make sure I’m good. It’s as if I’m their only client they want my ass working.” View this post on Instagram A lewk Outfit by: @secondsight #visiblyplussize #visiblyplus #visiblyblack A post shared by ARIEL A. PIERRE LOUIS (@couvertier_louis) on Nov 6, 2018 at 10:37am PST She wants to be working as well. She continues to try to help give her brother support and her little sister the healthiest environment possible. Additional income makes that possible. “I have kids to feed. They not my kids but I got kids to feed.” DON’T MISS: MODEL MONDAY: Tanya Angelique Talks Perseverance And Getting Her Start Through A Black Designer MODEL MONDAY: Quan Michelle Is Coming Back For Baltimore MODEL MONDAY: Aba Forewa Is Going Full Force [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3052344″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Radio One / Radio One Digital After I heated debate in the office and the viral explosion our Instagram caused, we decided to take the debate to the streets and let the people decide, an ultimately they did. We polled over 3000 people and asked them to pick their TOP 10 Hip Hop artists ever to come out of Atlanta based on the criteria below. These results are all from audience, Atlanta has spoken… Cultural impact + Album Sales + World Wide Relevancy Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit _______ Check out the results below… Source: Radio One / Radio One Digital
90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? continued on Sunday night. After discovering and even confirming the extent to which Jay cheated, Ashley packed his things. When he had the nerve to show up in her home, things went from bad to worse. Larissa had her hearing, but felt so betrayed and hurt by her husband that she didn't even tell him how things went. Chantel had to face the ugly truth after Pedro's sister showed her footage that confirmed her worst fears. Russ fends off Juan for the billionth time while Paola begins to spiral because of her postpartum issues. And Nicole has the most heartbreaking conversation with Azan. Does he even love her? 1. Ashley. Has. Had. Enough. 2. As you may recall … Ashley went to ask Jay’s friends at the barbershop if maybe he had cheated. She was suspicious. She gets told about how he banged some girl in the bathroom and she even sees a video of him getting roughed up by the owner for disrespecting his establishment. Ashley even got confirmation from the girl herself, who shot down Jay’s claims that it was only a blowjob. 3. Ashley is cutting him out of her life She packs up his things with her friend there to help her. After the call from Jay’s side piece and the details she got from her, Ashley isn’t really treating this as a delicate matter. 4. She doesn’t even want to see him Ashley asks Jay to just pick up his things, which she has packed for him and placed on the porch, and go. Unfortunately, Jay doesn’t listen. 5. He uses his key and barges into the house Jay tries to talk with Ashley about this. Maybe if he’d groveled or stuck to apologizing, it would have worked … but probably not. He didn’t actually admit to boning this girl (real talk: would it being “just” a blowjob have made a difference? It’s still sex and it’s still cheating). 6. Ashley didn’t take it well Furious, she drove Jay out of her house. While he should not have reentered without her permission in the first place, she definitely went overboard with this. View Slideshow
Teen Mom pregnancy rumors are like Trump tweets: It’s really only newsworthy if a whole day goes by without a particularly crazy one going viral on Twitter. The latest round of speculation has fans theorizing that Kailyn Lowry is pregnant with her fourth child . Kail, of course, is already mother to three boys — so perhaps it should come as no surprise that the latest rumor has Kail finally welcoming a baby girl. Usually, these reports make their way around social media and quietly disappear without the subject of the speculation ever dignifying them with a response. But this time, Kail felt the need to speak out. And remarkably, it seems she’s just as giddy as her followers when it comes to rumors of a bouncing baby girl. Over the weekend, a fan commented on Lowry’s YouTube channel and stated that she “really, really wants a baby girl soon.” (As far as we can tell, she meant that she wants a baby girl for Kail, not for herself.) That’s the kind of comment that some stars might dismiss as creepy, but it seems Kail shares in the girl’s enthusiasm. “I actually just said this! I really do. I don’t know what it is! Everyone says you should be happy with what you got. I am obviously,” said Lowry. “If I couldn’t have kids, I’m happy with my three boys but I do, I really wish I could have a girl at some point in life.” So yeah, while it sounds like Kail wouldn’t mind welcoming a baby girl at some point in the very near future, it also sounds as though her oven is currently bun-less. Still, the fact that she’s got babies on the brain has led many to wonder who Kail might be considering as the father of her fourth child. The obvious answer would seem to be Chris Lopez, given that Kail has strongly hinted that she’s still in love with him . But there have also been reports that Lowry has a new man in her life and has finally moved on from Lopez. Whatever the case, we’re guessing Kail is in no big hurry to bring another baby into her life. After all, as a mother of three, reality star, podcaster, and bestselling author who recently launched her own line of hair care products, the woman already has a lot on her plate. Still, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear a pregnancy announcement from Kail before the year is out. View Slideshow: Kailyn Lowry: Did She Actually Cheat on Javi With Her Best Friend’s Husband?!
Some franchises just won’t die, no matter how rough the road is, and Charlie’s Angels has had one of the rougher roads over the last forty-plus years going from a kick ass TV show to an also-ran show, followed by two campy films directed by McG. … read more
T ennis star Serena Williams is making historic moves on and off the court. Just weeks after becoming the first athlete to land a spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest self-made women, the Compton native now has her own Wheaties box; making her the second Black woman tennis player in history to be the face of the cereal brand, the Undefeated reported. Serena Williams is finally gracing the cover of Wheaties. https://t.co/jGC0LUiRlM pic.twitter.com/qTFb0SrhoG — The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) June 28, 2019 Gracing the cover of a Wheaties box is a pinnacle for many athletes. The cereal brand—known as the “breakfast of champions”—has been featuring influential athletes on their boxes for 85 years. The leadership team at Wheaties believed that it would be fitting to feature Williams on the box because her impact transcends far beyond the tennis court. Williams has been a fierce advocate for social justice. Over the course of her career, she’s utilized her platform to spread awareness about gender equality and racial injustice. “Serena exemplifies all of the personal attributes that Wheaties looks for when choosing who its next champion will be,” Wheaties marketing manager Tiffani Daniels , said in a statement, according to the news outlet. “On the court she has been named the women’s most valuable player seven times, while off the court she uses her voice to inspire and spark change to make the world a better place.” Williams was humbled by the honor and took to Instagram to express her excitement. She says that being featured on the Wheaties box illustrates the importance of representation. “I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman,” she stated. “I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big.” The decorated athlete—who has four Olympic medals and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles under her belt—joins a group of influential Black women athletes who have been featured on the box. Those who have graced the box include tennis player Althea Gibson , track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee , and gymnast Dominique Dawes . Williams is not only opening doors for women and girls who want to pursue careers in sports, she’s giving aspiring women entrepreneurs a seat at the venture capital table. In March she joined forces with the app Bumble to invest in women of color entrepreneurs. SEE ALSO: Serena Williams Joins Forces With Bumble To Support Women Of Color Entrepreneurs Serena Williams Appointed To Join Poshmark’s Board Of Directors [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3881358″ overlay=”true”]
S oftball star Natasha Watley is on a mission to empower the youth through sports. According to the Los Angeles Sentinel she has been hosting a youth softball league to provide mentorship for young girls that are from South L.A. Softball Gold Medalist Gives Back with Summer Program #BlackNews #BlackPress #85YearsofLASentinel https://t.co/bjujQ1ZeIx — L.A. Sentinel News (@thelasentinel) June 15, 2019 The Natasha Watley Softball League—which has been in existence for over a decade—is supported by the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Its an 8-week free softball program for girls between the ages of 8 and 15. This year, the initiative is serving 126 girls from underserved communities. The organizers say their mission is to teach girls about leadership and health and inspire them to join the softball teams at their schools. For Watley—a UCLA alum who helped the USA Softball Women’s National Team win a gold medal during the 2004 Olympics—it’s all about representation. She wanted to ensure Black and brown girls were exposed to softball at a young age and hopes to use her program to increase representation within the sport. “We started the league to give opportunities to young girls in LA to learn how to play softball,” Watley said in a statement, according to the news outlet. “Most of them, when they start, they’ve never even heard of softball so we’re teaching them the game. Through that we hope that they also learn about teamwork, commitment, and dedication.” There are several efforts being made to diversify softball and baseball. In May, Black College Sports Group 360 launched the HBCU World Series as an avenue to spread awareness about baseball programs at HBCUs and increase racial diversity within the sport. “We want to utilize these events to promote educational opportunities to urban youth who in some cases may not even know schools with the history of a North Carolina A&T State University or a Southern University even exists,” said Black College Sports Group 360 founder Erwin Prentiss Hill . “These oftentimes may be first-generation college prospects. They have good grades and good GPAs. They just do not have an understanding from a previous generation of what it takes to navigate that process.” SEE ALSO: HBCU World Series Aims To Diversify College Baseball Serena Williams Becomes Second Black Woman Tennis Player To Grace Wheaties Box [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3881358″ overlay=”true”]
P harrell Williams is investing in the futures of youth from underserved communities. According to Because of Them We Can , the music producer surprised the 2019 graduating class at Promise Academy by vowing to give them all internship opportunities after they complete their first year of college. 100% of the graduating seniors from Harlem’s Promise Academy got accepted into college, then @Pharrell surprised them w/internships next summer! https://t.co/fUvdHeUxeG — #becauseofthemwecan (@Becauseofthem) June 28, 2019 Williams served as the commencement speaker for the Harlem-based school. During his speech, he gave the graduating class—which consisted of 114 seniors—encouraging words about how to navigate the next chapter of their journeys. Graduates and their loved ones were in for a surprise when he shared that he would provide the students with internship opportunities as a way to establish a stepping stone for their success. After Williams shared the news the sea of graduates—who proudly donned blue cap and gowns—erupted into cheers and clapping. “The world is watching Harlem, but this renaissance will be different,” said Williams during his speech . “Believe it or not, with respect, it’s going to actually be better and the reason why is because the new Harlem Renaissance has education at its core.” Williams has lended his voice to several social issues and the philanthropist has been dedicated to ensuring that students—specifically those from underserved communities and underrepresented groups—have access to enriching opportunities. In April, he teamed up with Verizon to introduce a tech-focused music curriculum to schools throughout the country. Through the program, students will have the opportunity to explore music through robotics, virtual reality, and other types of technology. In 2018 he hosted the Yellow Ball gala in partnership with American Express Platinum to benefit Young Audiences Arts for Learning; an organization that implements arts education curriculums in different community centers and schools across the country. SEE ALSO: Pharrell Williams Launches Music Education Program In Partnership With Verizon Black Teacher Gives Students Haircuts For Graduation [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3881358″ overlay=”true”]
Ricco Barrino talks to B High about his new hit single “Baby”. During the convo Ricco talks about how the death of his son impacted him, the struggles he has been through as an artist, and how he overcame the pain to become a better man.
