Debbie Allen & Shonda Rhimes Team Up With Dove to Redefine Beauty
Black women are lit, and Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen just teamed up with Dove to produce a short film series to prove it. The talented duo recently announced the release of the second season of Real Beauty Productions, an initiative created by Dove in 2017 designed to redefine beauty standards to reflect real women.
Allen, a prominent actress, TV director, and dance instructor, is a perfect match for this project, given her accomplishments in diversifying markets where black women aren't highlighted. She said that she decided to hop aboard this project simply because it was necessary.
"I felt that this is an initiative that has a real purpose and real meaning, and it could make a difference in our community. This could help millions of young women step out of a dark space and into the light…They'll look at these stories we're telling and I'm sure they'll see a reflection of themselves."
2018 is the year of the Black Girl Renaissance, and stars like Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen are using their platforms to elevate all forms of feminine power. "An Hour With Her" encourages women across multiple generations to have open conversation about issues like self-esteem and beauty standards. Having this dialogue amongst one another will give us the opportunity to develop a theology where young women of color can develop their perceptions of beauty, and see that manifestation of beauty within themselves.
According to Dove, experts suggest that one hour of conversation about self-esteem and positive self-image has the power to change the way a woman sees her own beauty for a lifetime.
Allen told Blavity that her passion for the project came after reflecting on her own experience battling traditional European standards of beauty and learning to take pride in her own physical appearance. Allen said that her favorite part of Black Panther was when Okoye took her wig off because it revealed how beautiful and multifaceted that black women are, naturally.
"We as black women need to see ourselves, and we look so many different ways, and people have to stand there, look at themselves, and see a reflection of God. There is a reason why we don't all look the same. We don't need to look the same."
In the latest episode, actress Chelsea Harris, an ambassador for Dove's Self-Esteem Project opened up about how she was able to overcome bullying and appearance related negativity as a woman of color.
"For me, some of the different aspects of being African American became things that I just didn't feel good about. I used to wear makeup that was way too light for my skin, and I used to have these bright green contacts. Then I would wear a lot of long super straight hair extensions. It's just one of those things where I looked in the mirror and didn't even recognize myself."
She continued on to say how her collaboration with Dove Self-Esteem project 10 years ago allowed her to develop a new perspective about self-esteem.
"It was about defining my own beauty. And that's my measure of self-esteem now. How do I feel about myself when it's not based off of anybody else's standards. It's so important to define what beauty is for you."
Women of color are constantly held to a standard of beauty that is unrealistic and unattainable and we often drive ourselves to extreme measures to seem more aesthetically acceptable to a society infatuated with overtly outdated Western theology. But our melanin is poppin', and here to stay.
"An Hour With Her" is necessary to the current political landscape because if we don't identify our own standards of beauty, society will decide them for us.
To watch the latest episode from the second season, click here:
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Vivica A. Fox Gets Candid About Her Dating Life As Her 60th Birthday Approaches: ‘I’m Taking Applications’
Vivica A. Fox says she’s on the market!
During a recent appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna, the Set It Off actress spoke candidly about her dating preferences amidst modern dating culture.
"I’m wanting to date, it’s just limited resources out there, right? Because I’m not getting on an app. I’m old-fashioned," Fox said. "I need to meet you and sparks happen because I just believe people make up stories, saying who and what they are."
The actress, 59, expressed her desire for a partner and isn’t shy about the traits she hopes her future soulmate will embody.
"When I say a partner, I want someone who’s going to be fun, who’s not intimidated by who and what I am, that likes to travel, and is gonna let me go shopping," she illustrates.
Fox continued, "I’m taking applications, so if you got a friend, I’m good. And I don’t discriminate. I’m not against different nationalities, so you can know that too. You gotta leave your options open."
With the Not Another Church Movie star’s 60-year-old birthday approaching this summer, Fox humorously reflects on how it feels to reach this milestone age. "Well, I'm not going to lie, my knees someday are like, ‘Let’s go get a little help there.’ Some shorts, or something. But I’m so comfortable in the skin I’m in."
Vivica A. Fox has had a notable dating history with high-profile relationships with rapper 50 Cent in the early 2000s and has been romantically linked to Dennis Rodman and was previously engaged to Omar "Slim" White.
Fox adds that she’s living her best “booked, busy, and blessed” life and is grateful for the fulfilling opportunities that have come to her in this chapter of her life.
"I never expected this chapter of my life to be so booked, busy, and blessed — literally in that order. I’m finally getting quality, I’m getting projects that I love doing," she says.
"I’m all about girl power and lately women have been giving me the most wonderful opportunities. ... The blessings have just kept growing, and finally, everyone’s giving me my flowers. It’s about time, and I’m taking them."
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Featured image by Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images