Why Oprah 2020 Can Happen
The 75th annual Golden Globes aired last night and the star of the show was none other than part business and entertainment mogul, part godmother of the universe, Oprah Winfrey.
After receiving the Cecil B DeMille Award, Oprah (the first African-American woman to receive the award btw) graced us with quite possibly one of the best acceptance speeches in awards show history.
In their beautiful and authentic form, Oprah's words rained a message rich of history, hope, and an unequivocal stance against the injustices plaguing groups like the press and most notably, women. Her timely speech was nothing short of powerful, ringing a bright future specifically for girls of today, yet impacting each and every soul in the room and in homes across America.
Everyone was inspired.
…So inspired that "Oprah 2020'' became the trend of the night on social media as a call-to-action for the queen to save us all and run for president in the next election.
And although she's shut down the push for presidency in the past, her speech, lined with all kinds of political undertones, and last night's celebrity support is making that push real and the possibility of an Oprah campaign a little more promising. Even longtime partner Stedman Graham told the Los Angeles Times, "She would absolutely do it."
CNN Money reported this morning that sources close to Oprah could confirm that the media mogul is "actively thinking" about running for president. Political commentator Bill O'Reilly even added his two cents to the collection plate on the potential Oprah 2020 presidential run:
So could Oprah actually run for president and could she do a decent job as Commander-In-Chief? Yes and yes. Here's why.
She's technically qualified.
At minimum, Oprah meets the qualifications to become a US presidential candidate. She's over the age of 35, a natural-born citizen of the United States and has resided state side for at least 14 years. Yes, these are the only requirements to running for president of the free world. Hence, why we're in the situation we're in now, but I digress.
She knows great adversity and success.
Oprah was born poor - Dirt. Bottom of the mud. Poor. But somehow, despite extreme poverty and sexual and physical abuse, Queen O rose above the odds meant to destroy her and managed to build a billion-dollar empire all while changing the world for the better. Presidents often have to turn s*$@ to sugar, and no one else has accomplished that in the way Oprah has.
She's likeable.
Let's face it. One of the keys to being a viable option for the next presidency is the gift of likeability, especially now. And who doesn't love Oprah? She's inclusive, uplifting, and sing cheers when she speaks. If you've met someone not in agreement or awe of her greatness please show them to me. We can get them help afterwards.
She's Change.
Political affiliations and stances can be argued, but not many would argue that the current presidency has left us in a time of growing controversy, incessant unrest, and isolation of countless groups. The future of America depends on a drastic change starting with who's leading us from the oval office. If an exact opposition to our current situation exists, it's Oprah.
Can we count on seeing Candidate Winfrey on a 2020 ballot?
Oprah's no longer flat out rejecting the notion and with so many in support of the idea now, it's not completely a false hope. There are already companies selling "Oprah 2020" coffee mugs.
A new wave is here, and the pressure for change in the form of Lady O is thriving. I just hope that if Oprah does plan on running for president, the year 2020 gets here swiftly. I'm ready to say, "President Winfrey."
Farren El is a writer, former journalist and lover of all things health and wellness. She's usually where black dopeness, pop culture and comedy collide. Follow her on Twitter @FarrenEl and IG @phreshwishes.
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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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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