This Powerful Video Of Essence Atkins Washing A Woman's Feet Is A Pure Act Of Sisterhood
If Jesus wept after being moved by someone’s grief, imagine the tears that would’ve poured at seeing someone weep with joy!
We always say that we should stand and support our fellow sistahs, but Essence Atkins (Smart Guy, Deliver Us From Eva) put action behind her talk when she performed a powerful act of kindness when washing the feet of Radio One Promotions Coordinator Allison Peterson.
Photo Credit: Instagram, @Hot1079ATL
The beautiful actress was in Atlanta this past weekend to promote her stage play Things Your Man Won’t Do along with fellow cast members Allen Payne (House of Payne) and Tony Grant (The Last Punch). During a promotional tour with Hot 107.9 and Majic 107.5, what started out as a joke of “what men won’t do” turned into a “What Would Jesus Do? moment as Essence randomly got down on her knees to wash Allison’s feet, just like Jesus did.
In the midst of amen’s and hallelujah’s Essence went into an impromptu speech sermon that made us shed some thug tears at the mere sincerity and beauty of her spirit—and let’s just say that she took us to church!
Essence Atkins got down on her knees and washed my friend Allison Pecola Person's feet today which I believe is a wonderful way to exude a simple act of kindness. #WWJD #TYLPosted by Michael Adeyeye on Friday, November 13, 2015
“This wasn’t planned for me to do this, but sisters it’s so important that we love on each other. I know I just met you today but I know the road that you walk, and I want you to know that you’re beautiful. And I want you to know that I got you, and I support you, and I love you."
Wellllll. Oh she ain’t done yet!
"And if we don’t give that to each other ya’ll we are lost, and will never be what we can be. So I get down here on my knees the way Jesus got down, and I give to you and say thank you for your strength, for your beauty, for your tenacity, for your integrity, for your intelligence, for your kindness. Thank you.”
Yes, Come on Sistah Atkins! You better preach!
[Tweet ""Sisters, it's so important that we love on each other!" -@essencesays"]
In case you slept through Bible Study, Essence’s act of kindness is reflective of when Jesus washed his disciples feet (John 13: 1 - 14) during an evening meal just before the Passover Feast and before he was to be crucified and return to his heavenly Father. Despite dining with men who would soon betray and desert him, he used his final hours to demonstrate the extent of His love before his departure. Jesus, who was looked at by his many followers as a leader and the son of God, began to wash his disciple’s feet—a task normally reserved for the lowliest of servants since back in the day people walked around in sandals on filthy roads and would need to wash their feet before a communal meal.
In this act, Jesus shows that “no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13: 14), and instructs his disciples to go into the world and do with others what he has done as an example to them, and also to bring others to Christ to be cleansed of their sins as well.
Photo Credit: Instagram, @GabUnion
It’s such a powerful lesson, and who better than to teach us the word then Atkins, who just two years ago officiated the wedding of her besties Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union alongside her husband Jaime Mendez (Interesting fact: Essence met Jaime on Match.com at the age of 36—won’t He do it?!)
We are blessed to be a blessing, and Essence is certainly a good example of a woman of God who is fulfilling her mission of being a humble servant.
Allison is also clearly living up to the accolades that Essence gave her, as her friends and followers took to her Facebook attesting that she is, in fact, a beautiful spirit and that her light, love, and strength radiate through her.
Both women are positive examples that nobody can dim your light and that we as women are stronger together uplifting and encouraging one another, than we are tearing each other apart through bitterness and hatred.
Keep shining Queens!
What act of kindness will you show today to your fellow woman?
Kiah McBride writes technical content by day and uses storytelling to pen real and raw personal development pieces on her blog Write On Kiah. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @writeonkiah.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
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 LIST 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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage