The art of pole dancing has to be the most underrated form of artistry. Pole dancers seamlessly culminate contradicting concepts like femininity and muscular strength with such grace. The added element of body positivity promotes wellness and healing so it's time we give these artists their flowers now.
With a myriad of mental and physical benefits, pole dancing serves as a conduit to finding your sexuality, individuality and strength. As a Black woman, I am mystified by the beauty of Black women and their bodies. To use your vessel to give birth, protect the culture and effortlessly contort your entire being is just...magic.
Black Twitter has gone up about the superpowers we were supposed to get on December 21st but the truth is we have always had superpowers and these accounts are the proof. To give you some inspiration, we have rounded up some pole dancing accounts that need a follow ASAP.
Zippora, @zipporaflexpolefit
The Baltimore native is a technical designer by trade but learned the power of the pivot when she attended her first pole class in 2010. There was something about how the woman delicately moved around the pole and around the floor that made Zippora re-evaluate her career path. Now, she's having full circle moments daily as she serves as major body and strength inspo for other women. This goddess has been a body double on shows like P-Valley and The Quad so you best believe she deserves a follow.
Simone, @smariasylvester
We stan mother, educator, and pole enthusiast, Simone, because she deserves it. She uses the pole as therapy. On an Instagram post, she shared, "My identity evolves. I give myself permission to explore. My purpose becomes revealed to me through this exploration." We are enamored by the way she balances the duality of being a mom while not losing herself in being deliberate about her other loves.
Sammy Picone, @sammypicone
You might know Sammy as Flame Bae. But what you really need to know is that Sammy's love affair with pole dancing came shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. Little did she know, her affinity for inverts would thrust her into her purpose. Sammy had dreams of going to medical school, but like many of us, she let self-doubt take control. Now, her resume includes accomplishments like "featured in Vogue Italia" and "toured with Summer Walker". Up next, she'll be your favorite acupuncturist slash pole dancer when she opens up her studio and practice soon.
AnnaKia, @itsbaelienbish
The day I saw AnnaKia gliding around the pole to Giveon's "Still Your Best" in cheetah print pants and killer heels, I hit the follow button like my life depended on it. The seductress is no stranger to large audiences and bright lights because she's been featured on stages with celebrities from Summer Walker to Young Dolph. It's really the way she owns every space she walks into for us.
Ney, @neyon_tree
Neyon inspires all of us to be comfortable in our own skin by simply slowing down and being present. Her ballet and contemporary dance background make for the most beautiful show when defying gravity. Ney quit her nine-to-five after wanting more — wanting to find a way to move that felt good to her and good for her body. Because the universe was conspiring per usual, she landed an opportunity of a lifetime when she got the call to be in Solange's "Almed" video. Visiting her account brings us joy because she is all the things: dancer, black femme, artist, and sex worker.
Ro'Yale, @daqueenofcurves
With over 60 million views on multiple social media platforms, Ro'Yale is the plus size pole fit instructor we all need. Da Queen of Curves became the first curvy instructor at the world-renowned Vertical Joe's when the studio became intentional about representation of all body types. From that moment, "Vertically Voluptuous" became the class for plus size women who used the studio as a playground. In an interview with Curvicality, Ro'Yale said:
"Feeling sexy as a plus-size woman is not to compare yourself to anyone else … and also not to give a damn what anyone else thinks. You got that! You've got to love yourself, no matter what size you are."
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Featured Image @neyon_tree
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Roscoe Dash joined xoMan host Kiara Walker to share the journey of his personal and spiritual evolution—from the party anthems that made him famous to a deeper life rooted in faith, family, and purpose. This episode offers an honest look at how the artist has grown beyond early fame, addressing fatherhood, masculinity, creativity, and healing.
Dash opened up about the internal transformation that has guided him away from chasing the spotlight and toward seeking peace. “Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space,” he said, underscoring his shift toward a more spiritually grounded life. Throughout the interview, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection:
“The most important conversations to me, honestly, outside of the ones you have with God, is the ones you have with yourself in the mirror.”
Dash is focused on the man he’s become. “I’m not the accolades I’ve achieved—I’m the person who achieved them,” he added, pointing to a broader understanding of identity and worth. A large part of that growth has come through fatherhood, especially raising daughters, which he said has deepened his understanding of love. “Love is unconditional and love loves to love no matter what,” he shared.
He also spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and its impact on creativity. “Chasing fame can kill your creativity as a musician,” he warns. Instead, his advice to other artists is simple but clear: “Keep your focus on your art form, whatever that may be, and stay passionate.”
The conversation also touches on gender dynamics and emotional safety in relationships. “Safe men make soft women. If she feels safe, she’ll melt like butter,” he said, challenging traditional notions of masculinity. Roscoe also offers wisdom on discernment and spiritual testing: “Sometimes the devil will give you what looks better than your blessing.”
Ultimately, Dash has learned to embrace peace over chaos. “All I can do is control what I can control. And that's how I respond to things and what I'm giving out,” he said. It’s a thoughtful, soulful side of Roscoe Dash that many may not expect—but one that leaves a lasting impression.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube