10 Unapologetic Ladies You Need To Follow On Instagram Now
"Womanist is to feminist, as purple is to lavender." - Alice Walker
There is no doubt that aligning yourself with black women is a surest way to get sh*t done. Getting sh*t done is what we do, as we are wired to power through and make the impossible happen. This past year, it was shockingly apparent that black women continue to save lives without praise or incentive. A perfect example of that is the victory of Doug Jones over Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate election proved that African American women are the driving force of the Democratic party.
While we are so here for the unity that has been shown through movements like #metoo and Time's Up, there is a need to erase white feminism and make the revolution intersectional. Let's keep it all the way one hundred, as a society, we are inherently conditioned to hear the whimpers of white women and overlook the screams from women of color. The playing field has been unleveled for decades but it is reassuring to know that there are women who have been championing change for all the little black girls and women. Back in the day, we had queens like Bell Hooks and Alice Walker who were determined to push their conscious and unwavering narratives forward by any means.
In celebration of womanhood and intersectional feminism, go ahead and follow some badass women that forever give us hope and keep us woke.
1.Tamika D. Mallory
Tamika D. Mallory is one of the national co-chairs of the Women's March, so you know she is all about evoking change and the galvanization of women. Political organizing is in her blood, being that her parents helped create the Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network. This year, Mallory and her girl gang focused on a national voter registration phenomenon, "Power to the Polls." By fighting voter suppression and electing progressive female candidates, the focus is redirected to women empowerment and not Number 45.
2.Alex Elle
I have no doubt that you have already used one of this dope poet's quotes as your most liked Facebook status in the past. Alex Elle is an amazing poet and author who is a vision of hope. In 2017, she released Neon Soul: A Collection of Poetry and Prose, where she promotes self-care and resilience as she shares her triumphs and adversities. Adding this beauty to your timeline is sure to brighten up your day and help you stand in your unapologetic truth as a woman cultivated from magic.
3.Angela Rye
Angela Rye is every woman. From her job at CNN as a Political commentator to being CEO of IMPACT Strategies, Angela is like your favorite homegirl who has all the knowledge and is completely unafraid to speak truth to power. Any woman that says, "Bye Felicia!" on national television is a woman you want on your team and your feed! To add more magic to the list, she hosts a podcast, On One with Angela Rye, spilling all of the pop culture, race relations, and political tea. Blavity also reported that our favorite homegirl is "set to host and executive produce a quarterly news show for BET, which is poised to dig deep into issues and stories affecting black America."
4.Gabrielle Richardson
Known on social by the alias Frida Cash Flow, Gabrielle's username alone should make you want to follow her. She is also the co-founder of ArtHoe Collective, a movement created by Queer People Of Color to provide a space for all creatives of color. You can expect straight positivity and encouragement from this dope woman because she is all about accepting your flaws.
5.Michelle Buteau
Full of sass and comedic brilliance, Michelle Buteau will fill your timeline with hilarious selfies and videos sure to have you crying laughing when you need it the most. Michelle has been giving us feminist vibes since she became a staple at VH1. We love her ability to highlight the woes and wins of being a black woman.
6.Jessamyn Stanley
You know that girl boss you've seen killing the yoga game in the U by Kotex commercials? It's Jessamyn Stanley and she is the queen of body positivity. Jessamyn nurtures yoga as a means for slaying mental and physical barriers. Her fearless photos will keep you from skipping the gym every Monday.
7.Amandla Stenberg
She's more than her character Rue from The Hunger Games. In high school, Amandla Stenberg created a song "Don't Cash Crop My Cornrows," highlighting the appropriation that has been an issue for black women for years. Not to mention, Beyonce told her while filming Lemonade that she wants Blue to be like her when she grows up. Any friend of Beyonce's is a friend of mine.
8.Patrisse Cullors-Brignac
Patrisse Cullors-Brignac is a proud queer activist on a mission to change the world. The co-founder of the Black Lives Matters movement is the epitome of a freedom fighter with her work in the civil rights movement. The recent release of her book, When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, has been receiving lots of attention, as it should.
9.Marley Dias
Talk about a black girl who rocks, 12-year-old Marley Dias is the young woman even I strive to be. She kickstarted the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign after frustration with books that only gabbed about white boys and their dogs. By February 1st of 2017, she collected 1,000 books with African American heroines as the leads to show that black girls are not just minor characters.
10. Michaela Angela Davis
Black and blonde beauty, Michaela Angela Davis, is 1000% rooting for every black woman, whether she knows you or not. The owner of the MAD FREE conversation project is no stranger to pushing the envelope upheld by her activist work is centered around valuing black women. As you scroll down your Instagram feed, you will feel inclined to double tap all of her rousing posts of her astounding street style, picturesque travels, and straight up magic.
We know that the list goes on but let us know which woman is your favorite and which ladies you follow on your feed.
Featured image by Ray Tamarra/GC Images
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
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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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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