

10 Instagram Accounts That Will Keep Your Soul Quenched
You are what you follow on Instagram. That's a saying, right? Well, if not, it's the truth. I can't tell you how many times I have opened Instagram for some inspiration. That's also why you have to be careful who and what you follow because social media is such a powerful tool. Most of us use it to post our latest wanderlust or outfit of the day but encouraging quotes and stories have become more common in the past year. The 'Post to Your Story' feature has created an influx of quotes and affirmations and I am so grateful.
We all need a little pep talk or boost of confidence and there are some amazing accounts that help get us together and brighten our day. You up for some bottomless inspiration? Flip through the slideshow for some dope, soul-quenching accounts that will help you live your best life intentionally.
1.Heather Lindsey @heatherllove
Heather Lindsey is best known for founding The Pinky Promise, an organization that promotes honoring God with your life and body, no matter your relationship status. Through this initiative, she promotes practicing abstinence while you're single and being submissive within marriage. In addition to authoring a book, she is also a wife and mother constantly seeking God.
2.Alex Elle @alex_elle
I am sure at one point or another, you have shared one of Alex Elle's powerful quotes on your story or feed. You can count on Alex to make you think long and hard about the best ways to identify what your best life looks like and finding the self-care in it all.
3.Sarah Jakes Roberts @sarahjakesroberts
Also known as her alter ego Lil' Demon Bully, Sarah Jakes Roberts uses her platform to help women evolve in a way that is refreshing and real. The First Lady and Pastor has an unconventional way of inspiring women by simply being transparent. She shows off her blended family and has no problem pushing other women to their destiny by using her own trials and tribulations.
4.GurlsTalk @gurlstalk
Model, Adwoah Aboah, created Gurls Talk to encourage girls to do just that -- talk. But about the stuff we don't talk about. From depression to body acceptance to sex work. She told Vanity Fair:
"It's everything I ever needed when I was at school. It's a safe place—without stigma, without shame—where we challenge the social norms."
5.Myleik Teele @myleik
Myleik Teele is female empowerment personified. Her website reads, "There was no one who looked like me to show me the ropes, so I vowed that if I ever became successful, I would help others." Myleik created the renowned curlBOX and podcast #MyTaughtYou to help women realize they can have it all. By following Myleik, you are signing up for awe-inspiring quotes and dope business tips.
6.Unbothered @r29unbothered
r29Unbothered was designed for the black girl who knows what it means to be a black girl. This account is real, raw, and uncensored – everything we need. The bio says, "We are made for and by Black millennial women, celebrating the beauty, strength, and power in our community."
7.Well-Read Black Girl @wellreadblackgirl
There's something so beautiful about celebrating your own. Well-Read Black Girl is dedicated to showcasing the powerhouse women who live on our bookshelves. They have even teamed up with American Booksellers Association to bring book club meetings to independent bookstores nationwide with the goal of amplifying diverse voices and supporting emerging writers of color.
8.Idil Ahmed @idillionaire
Idil is my Instagram therapist. Just read the caption above. Energy, bliss, positivity, healing and hope are the cornerstone of Idil's goal to raise global consciousness. Her wish for her followers: be illuminated; and she's unafraid to share tips on her favorite subject -- manifesting.
9.WorkParty @workparty
Issa party, issa party, issa partaaayyyyy! This account is especially for the entrepreneur searching for creative inspiration and daily reminders to keep it pushing.
10. xoNecole @xonecole
I don't wanna toot xoNecole's horn but our IG is chock full of inspiration. Follow along, and you'll see.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Shutterstock
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.
How Content Creators Hey Fran Hey And Shameless Maya Embraced The Pivot
This article is in partnership with Meta Elevate.
If you’ve been on the internet at all within the past decade, chances are the names Hey Fran Hey and Shameless Maya (aka Maya Washington) have come across your screen. These content creators have touched every platform on the web, spreading joy to help women everywhere live their best lives. From Fran’s healing natural remedies to Maya’s words of wisdom, both of these content creators have built a loyal following by sharing honest, useful, and vulnerable content. But in search of a life that lends to more creativity, freedom, and space, these digital mavens have moved from their bustling big cities (New York City and Los Angeles respectively) to more remote locations, taking their popular digital brands with them.
Content Creators Hey Fran Hey and Maya Washington Talk "Embracing The Pivot"www.youtube.com
In partnership with Meta Elevate — an online learning platform that provides Black, Hispanic, and Latinx-owned businesses access to 1:1 mentoring, digital skills training, and community — xoNecole teamed up with Franscheska Medina and Maya Washington on IG live recently for a candid conversation about how they’ve embraced the pivot by changing their surroundings to ultimately bring out the best in themselves and their work. Fran, a New York City native, moved from the Big Apple to Portland, Oregon a year ago. Feeling overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of city life, Fran headed to the Pacific Northwest in search of a more easeful life.
Her cross-country move is the backdrop for her new campaign with Meta Elevate— a perfectly-timed commercial that shows how you can level up from wherever you land with the support of free resources like Meta Elevate. Similarly, Maya packed up her life in Los Angeles and moved to Sweden, where she now resides with her husband and adorable daughter. Maya’s life is much more rural and farm-like than it had been in California, but she is thriving in this peaceful new setting while finding her groove as a new mom.
While Maya is steadily building and growing her digital brand as a self-proclaimed “mom coming out of early retirement,” Fran is redefining her own professional grind. “It’s been a year since I moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon,” says Fran. “I think the season I’m in is figuring out how to stay successful while also slowing down.” A slower-paced life has unlocked so many creative possibilities and opportunities for these ladies, and our conversation with them is a well-needed reminder that your success is not tied to your location…especially with the internet at your fingertips. Tapping into a community like Meta Elevate can help Black, Hispanic, and Latinx entrepreneurs and content creators stay connected to like minds and educated on new digital skills and tools that can help scale their businesses.
During a beautiful moment in the conversation, Fran gives Maya her flowers for being an innovator in the digital space. Back when “influencing” was in its infancy and creators were just trying to find their way, Fran says Maya was way ahead of her time. “I give Maya credit for being one of the pioneers in the digital space,” Fran said. “Maya is a one-person machine, and I always tell her she really changed the game on what ads, campaigns, and videos, in general, should look like.”
When asked what advice she’d give content creators, Maya says the key is having faith even when you don’t see the results just yet. “It’s so easy to look at what is, despite you pouring your heart into this thing that may not be giving you the returns that you thought,” she says. “Still operate from a place of love and authenticity. Have faith and do the work. A lot of people are positive thinkers, but that’s the thinking part. You also have to put your faith into work and do the work.”
Fran ultimately encourages content creators and budding entrepreneurs to take full advantage of Meta Elevate’s vast offerings to educate themselves on how to build and grow their businesses online. “It took me ten years to get to the point where I’m making ads at this level,” she says. “I didn’t have those resources in 2010. I love the partnership with Meta Elevate because they’re providing these resources for free. I just think of the people that wouldn’t be able to afford that education and information otherwise. So to amplify a company like this just feels right.”
Watch the full conversation with the link above, and join the Meta Elevate community to connect with fellow businesses and creatives that are #OnTheRiseTogether.
Featured image courtesy of Shameless Maya and Hey Fran Hey
Exclusive: 'Praise This' Stars Chloe Bailey And Anjelika Washington Talk Acceptance And Their Favorite Scenes
There's nothing like a feel-good movie that you can watch with friends and family, and that's exactly what Praise This is. The film, executive produced by Will Packer and directed by Tina Gordon, stars Chloe Bailey, Anjelika Washington, Quavo, and many more, and it tells a story about how one's struggle with their faith can ultimately lead them to find themselves and appreciate the people around them.
In the Peacock original film, Chloe's character Sam has aspirations of becoming a singer, but her mom's death sends her down the wrong path, which puts a strain on her relationship with her dad. In an effort to help her, her dad sends her to live with her aunt and uncle in Atlanta, where she is introduced to the praise team thanks to her cousin Jess, played by Anjelika.
While this may sound like a fit, Sam is very resistant and continues doing things her way, further complicating her relationships with others. However, her undeniable talent breaks through, and she learns a valuable lesson in the end. Praise This isn't your typical church movie. While the story focuses on faith, the church shade throughout the movie is hilarious, and if you grew up in the church, relatable, and the fire mashups of secular and gospel songs will surely keep you entertained. I spoke with Chloe and Anjelika about the film, their characters' dynamic as "cousin-sisters," and the hijinks that happen throughout the film.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: Quavo, Tristan Wilds, Janora McDuffie, Jekalyn Carr, Anjelika Washington, Chloe Bailey, Tina Gordon, William Packer, Druski and Big Tank attend the "Praise This" World Premiere at Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University on April 03, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Terence Rushin/Getty Images
"I think my favorite scene filming with her would have to be our handshake because we made that up early on, and when Tina was like, 'okay, this is the scene where you pull up to Ty's house, you know, with the little handshake you guys do, you can do it right here,'" Chloe says. "We were like, 'oh.'""
For me, I really loved the scene in the house where I'm showing her my world and everything, and I get to sing for her," says Anjelika. "That was also my scariest day on set was because I was like singing for Chloe Bailey, like the singer. So, anyways, it was like a crazy moment, but I got through it. Chloe sat there [and] was like, 'this is great, this is funny.' She was laughing genuinely the whole time, which made me feel good 'cause then I was like, I'm doing a good job."
Praise This is available on Peacock.
See more from the interview below:
Stars Chloe Bailey and Anjelika Washington Reflect On Their Bond and Secret Handshake
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Feature image by Nykieria Chaney/WireImage