Ah, I miss the good old days when I would just pop in a Flintstones vitamin and call it a day. Those times are now long behind me, and my body has gone through many changes since my Flinstone days. I'm learning how important it is to take extra steps to keep my health in check. Drinking water, working out, and feeding my body only good things have helped me keep going. Something else offering an assist to my overall health are supplements.
Wellness supplements can make our bodies feel incredible, but finding a supplement that is right for our needs can be quite challenging. For generations, people of color have had a harder time finding proper medical care, health advice, and trusted supplements that speak to our bodies. I think it's fair to say it is the area where we feel the least heard on top of everything else.
Luckily for us, Black-owned wellness businesses are on the rise and are going the extra mile to make sure we're taken care of. Here is your list of black-owned wellness supplements.
MOVITA Organics
MOVITA Organics is a popular Black-owned vegan supplement created by Tonya Lewis Lee. Her mission is to support women of color and their powerful choices to amplify their life. MOVITA Organics is a multi-purpose vitamin brand made with organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and minerals. The vitamin is also gluten-free, allergen-free for shellfish and nuts and free of GMOs.
The vitamin-based brand offers a few different vitamins for any woman's needs. A few of the options are prenatal vitamins, which support the immune system and baby's development; beauty supplements support the healthy growth of hair, skin, and nails; and the multivitamin supports breast and reproductive health, heart health, immunity, and stress relief. The best part? The vitamins can be taken on an empty stomach. Perfect for taking your vitamin at the start of your day with no repercussions.
My Happy Flo
For some women, that time of the month is associated with negative feelings. Their cycles and cramps are painful, diagnoses like PCOS and fibroids fill the body with trauma, and something that should symbolize new life is affiliated with the inability to conceive. Coming in clutch and making #periodgoals a thing is My Happy Flo.
My Happy Flo is an up-and-coming supplement brand focused on empowering women to have a happy period, period. The brainchild of xoNecole founder Necole Kane, My Happy Flo is an all-natural plant-based supplement that helps to holistically balance your reproductive health system. The end result is a happier, drama-free period and elevating your menstrual wellness.
Sacred Vibes Apothecary
Sacred Vibes Apothecary was founded by Black herbalist Karen Rose. Her shop is based in Brooklyn, NY, and is a learning community center and a herbalist boutique. Karen makes an abundance of different cleansers for the body but is praised for her all-natural tonics. Her best seller is the Anti-Inflammatory Tonic.
The herbal tonic is made with devil's claw, turmeric, ginger and dandelion roots, garlic, and cayenne pepper. The product promotes weight loss, stops yeast and fungus growth, prevents infection, and balances blood sugar. Seriously, is there anything this tonic can't do? Not to mention it also prevents and removes inflammation. Simply include this in your water twice a day for maximum results. If you're looking for a rebirth, then this product is for you.
The Honey Pot
As women, that time of the month can be very hard on us. Our bodies are going through a beautiful process that can sometimes throw us and our pH out of whack. Now, there is a supplement to help get back in alignment with our pH. Bea Dixon founded the Honey Pot. Her now plant-derived feminine brand manifested through her struggles with bacterial vaginosis. She developed a series of feminine products as well as a vaginal supplement to help us all.
Her supplement Boric Acid & Herb Suppositories is a vaginal insert. The suppositories are made to help with pH balance but can support ongoing symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. The supplement is all-natural made with boric acid and tea tree oil for balance, plus coconut butter for an added boost of hydration and moisture. The supplement comes with an insert, similar to a tampon. It is advised to take the supplement for seven days twice a day.
Peak and Valley
Stress in our life can have hard effects on the body. Lack of sleep, weight loss, mood swings, the rise of blood pressure, and heart disease can all stem from stress on the body. Having a supplement to keep your stress levels low can save you a lifetime of health challenges. Good thing we have Nadine Joseph, the founder of Peak and Valley--an herbal company backed by science.
Peak and Valley promotes medicinal mushrooms and herbal supplements for holistic wellness. Nadine, a scientist, became passionate about providing products to help us deal with everyday stressful situations. Her powdered supplement, Balance My Stress Blend--is a chocolate blend of herbs and mushrooms to support calm and wellbeing without the need for prescriptions. The powerful ingredients are clinically proven to balance cortisol levels, support and enhance immunity, increase energy, and decrease stress. You may apply one tablespoon of the supplement to any tea, coffee, or milk.
VeganSmart
People of color, we have to do better about our eating habits. Now don't get me wrong, I love a saucy rack of ribs, but if I had it every day, I'd be dead. People of color are at a higher risk of having diabetes and other diet-related illnesses. In fact, Kareem Cook and Claude Tellis, owners of VeganSmart, saw this within their own families. The two college friends developed a protein powder and recipes to support nutritional health.
The VeganSmart All-In-One Nutritional Shake is a plant-based vegan blend of prebiotics, omega-3, digestive enzymes, and vitamins and minerals. Each ingredient contributes to the body's overall health, supporting cell function, brain and heart health, and the digestive system to absorb nutrients. You may also find a series of healthy recipes on their website to stay in alignment with your fitness goals.
Dr. Sebi's Cell Food
Giving our bodies a good cleanse can help us see the world just that much clearer, and Dr. Sebi's is helping us do just that. His cell food is proven to bring immense healing from the inside out. Most of his products are from botanical extracts and herbs, which help cleanse the body of toxins and every cell to promote profound self-healing and physical rejuvenation.
A few of his products include powders, tonics, and vitamins, but my favorite is Banju. This product is my personal favorite because it promotes brain health and reduces anxiety. The tonic is rich in antioxidants reducing neurological inflammation, elderberry, which protects and nourishes the brain, blue vervain delivers emotional and nervous restoration, and more. These ingredients make for the perfect anxiety-reducing potion.
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Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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It’s officially Miss Keri, Baby season again—and if you ask us, it’s been a long time coming. After 15 years away from the music scene, Keri Hilson has returned not only with a brand-new album, but also a captivating new role in Lifetime’s Fame—the latest installment in The Temptations film franchise.
Between the album We Need to Talk: Love and her leading role in Fame, this isn’t just a comeback—it’s a rebirth. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter turned actress is letting us into her world like never before, unpacking themes of vulnerability, healing, and inner strength with grace, grit, and raw artistry.
Now streaming on Lifetime, Fame follows two superstar sisters—played by Keri and singer/actress Keshia Chanté—as they navigate the cost of stardom, sibling rivalry, and the dark side of desire. The film also stars Romeo Miller, Ecstasia Sanders, Nathan Witte, and Sophie Carriere, and is executive produced by Derrick Williams and Adriane Hopper Williams of the Seven Deadly Sins franchise.
As for the music? We Need to Talk: Love is a three-part album (Love, Drama, Redemption) that tells the story of a woman who’s been through it—and has risen from the ashes. “It was time to speak for myself,” Keri says.
We sat down with Keri to talk about her return to music, her passion for acting, the emotional depth of Fame, and how she’s learning to care for herself amidst the chaos.
From R&B Queen to Drama Star: Keri Gets Into Character
“Even though she’s famous—as am I—it was really her humanity that I wanted to portray.”
Keri plays Cherish, one half of a superstar sibling duo who must confront their fractured relationship in the wake of a traumatic robbery. For Keri, the role was more than a character—it was a psychological study.
“I enjoy departures from reality. That’s why I love acting,” she shares. “Psychology is one of my favorite things in life. I became a writer because I’m an observer of human nature, emotion, and behavior. I think I did a good job showing her humanity.”
The Fame Isn’t Always Worth the Price
“Keep the main thing the main thing.”
Keri doesn’t sugarcoat the industry. When asked about what Fame reveals about the dark side of celebrity culture, her answer is clear:
“It’s a cautionary tale. It reminds you to keep your family close and not allow anything to come between them—especially in pursuit of success. Keep the main thing the main thing. For me, that’s family, love, spirituality, and values.”
Three Chapters, One Story: Love. Drama. Redemption.
“I’ve shed the fear. It was time to tell my own story.”
Released April 18th, We Need to Talk: Love is Keri’s first album in 15 years—and a deeply personal one at that. The three-part project (Love, Drama, Redemption) represents a timeline of healing and growth.
“I’m finally in a place where I’m able and willing to open up more,” she says. “For a while, I became really guarded—shell-shocked, even—after making mistakes in the public eye. Whether it’s all your fault or not, the scrutiny takes its toll. But now, I’ve shed that fear. It’s time to tell my story.”
Cooking, Walks, and Recalibrating in the Chaos
“I’m not doing the best job—but I’m doing what I can.”
Between eight-hour rehearsals, press runs, and music releases, Hilson admits she hasn’t quite figured out the balance yet—but she’s trying. For her, the key is carving out small rituals of normalcy.
“I enjoy cooking. That’s my sanctity,” she says. “I’ll go home, take my makeup off, put on my rehearsal clothes, and cook a meal. I take walks. I run. These little things help me feel like myself again.”
Art Imitates Life (and Album Tracklists)
“Cherish goes from Love… to Drama… to Redemption.”
Asked which album chapter her Fame character would fall into, Keri doesn’t hesitate. “She fits into all three,” she says. “You see her go from love, to drama, to redemption. That arc mirrors the journey of so many women who’ve had to navigate pain and find their way back to themselves.”
No Pressure, Just Art: Keri Wants You to Feel Something
“Just enjoy the art. That’s it.”
After all the time, patience, and healing, Keri isn’t asking for much. She just wants fans to press play—and feel something.
“I just want people to enjoy what they’re seeing and hearing. Enjoy me on screen. Enjoy me through their ears. People have waited, and I feel blessed by that. That helps me keep it all pure and simple.”
As Keri Hilson steps boldly back into the spotlight, it’s clear this era is all about alignment, artistry, and authenticity. With Fame airing on Lifetime and the first chapter of We Need to Talk: Love setting the tone, we’re more than excited to see what’s next.
As she continues to unfold the album’s next two chapters—Drama and Redemption—one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a comeback. It’s a reintroduction. And we’ll be watching, listening, and cheering her on every step of the way.
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