Elevate Your Closet With These Black Woman-Owned Apparel Brands
No matter what part of the world you live in right now, I'm almost positive that the weather is doing whatever the hell it wants to. Where I live, a full-force hail storm let loose in July, so I know that there's no telling what the rest of the year has to hold weather-wise, but I do know that rain or shine, my wardrobe will be on point.
The countdown to this year's ElevateHER event is on, and with only a few weeks until we all gather in a utopia of black girl bliss, we need to get our wardrobe together, sis.
One of the most difficult tasks in the world can be shopping for clothes when your city is constantly under attack by unpredictable weather patterns; but buying black isn't a motto, issa lifestyle. We're here to help you can attain the ultimate drip in any climate with the four black woman-owned businesses listed below:
J. Dow Fitness
Dr. Jacqueline Dow's motto is to not stop until you make yourself proud, and that's exactly what she plans to do with her athletic apparel brand, J. Dow Fitness.
Before launching her company, Jacqueline got her doctorate in Public Health and gained more than eight years of experience in the sector and now, she's on a mission to confront health disparities that exist for women of color through advocacy and research. The collection currently offers a unique line of tops, sports bras, and leggings that will help you attain all of your fitness dreams.
Click here to shop J. Dow Fitness.
Swank Blue
Created by the legendary Olori Swank herself, Swank Blue is guaranteed to give you the ultimate drip for any and every occasion, even at Waffle House. Olori, who is a renowned entrepreneur, celebrity stylist, and author, originally enrolled as a student at the University of Georgia with plans of going to med school, but as it turned out, God had other plans.
After graduating with honors with a bachelors in Psychology, an unexpected meeting with the VP A&R at Jive Records led Olori to jumpstart the celebrity stylist career or her dreams. Since then, Olori has worked with artists like Childish Gambino, Teyana Taylor, and Lance Gross, and now she's bringing her signature style to your closet with her brand, Swank Blue, which offers a unique collection of dresses, sets and onesies.
Click here to shop Swank Blue.
The Working Beauty
Janelle Henderson used her God-given talent of thrifting to help women get fly AF on a budget, and we stan for an unapologetically frugal Queen. You might have bought a style box in the past, but you've never had a monthly subscription quite like this. The Working Beauty sources specifically curated, thrifted items all over the world that you can buy either a la carte or as a part of a 10-piece package deal for under $100.
Click here to shop The Style Box.
Poise Ann
Corduroy and buttons and textures, oh my! *Inserts heart eye emoji* Poise Ann is a bad and bougie black woman's dream, and offers a collection of business-casual pieces that will turn every head in the boardroom.
The company's goal is to help busy women not only embrace their beauty and power and shatter gender-based obstacles, but to help them look damn good while they're doing it. This brand offers a unique collection of bottoms, dresses, blazers, jumpsuits and tops that range from $54 to $105.
Click here to shop Poise Ann.
Featured image by Instagram/@swankblue.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
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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 LISTÂ 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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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images