Black women aren't just securing bags, we're securing generational wealth and Yara Shahidi's first look real with ABC proves that I'm speaking big facts.
Recently, it was announced that the Grown-ish star and her mother, Keri Shahidi, launched their production company, 7th Sun Productions, a major mommy-daughter mogul move that Keri says the power duo "manifested".
In a previous interview with Glamour, Yara revealed that her mother is her biggest cheerleader and explained that it's because of her mom's relentless guidance that she's able to fly beyond her wildest imagination:
"She constantly says to me, 'You deserve to be in the room.' One thing I'm still trying to figure out is how to advocate for myself as strongly as she advocates for me. It's important that women of color and anyone from marginalized identities understands that they will try to intentionally unsettle you. They'll do this so that you'll spend so much of your time trying to convince people you belong that you don't get to dig in and do the work you were meant to do."
"I've always been curious. My mother always says, 'There's nothing more interesting than an interested human.' And I've just always been interested."
For more of our favorite famous mother/daughter duos who are simultaneously securing bags and leaving a legacy for their children's children at the same damn time, scroll below!
Serena Williams & Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
As of last week, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. is officially the youngest team owner of a professional sports team in history and damn it, we love to see it.
Serena and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, who are also co-owners of The Angels, an LA-based women's soccer team, say that the investment was a move that was was not only securing space for their daughter in the sports industry, but for other women who look like her.
Thandie Newton & Nico Parker
If twinning was a person, it would be Nico Parker because that girl looks just like her mama. Booking the lead role in Dumbo and launching her career on the big screen before the age of 16 only proves that this young starlet is following in her mother's footsteps and will secure many a bags in her future.
Diana & Tracee Ellis Ross
Diana Ross has been serving us moments for more than five decades and Tracee's recent role in The High Note proves that she's here to pick up the torch. While these two ladies have found success in different lanes of the entertainment industry, Tracee has always been outwardly appreciative for her mom's guidance in helping her build a legacy of her own.
Jada Pinkett & Willow Smith
Although Willow Smith had already broken into the entertainment industry with her 2010 hit "Whip My Hair", viewers got to see a different side of the now 19-year-old starlet when she, her mother, and grandmother launched the Red Table Talk and took the internet by storm.
Zoe Kravitz & Lisa Bonet
Although Zoe Kravitz may be the spitting image of Lisa Bonet, she's creating a lane in the entertainment industry of her own. As the lead on Hulu's High Fidelity and co-starring in HBO's mega hit Big Little Lies, it's clear that the best is yet to come for this lineage of moguls.
Featured image by Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com
- Mother/Hustler: Shanicia Boswell Black Moms Blog - xoNecole ... ›
- 10 Things Our Mothers Taught Us About Survival - xoNecole ... ›
- We Talked To 7 Mother/Hustlers About How To Secure A Bag ... ›
- Yara Shahidi Beauty, 73 Questions With... - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
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