Quantcast
RELATED
What Does Black Excellence Look Like To You?
Culture & Entertainment

What Does Black Excellence Look Like To You?


Amer Woods and Sheriden Chanel, aka your favorite podcast duo, are back with a continuation of their season two rollout of xoNecole's Happy Hour podcast and they aren't pulling any punches. The first episode of the year, aptly named "'The Black Effect: What Is Black Excellence?"', explores the hottest topics during hiatus, along with more serious issues such as how we define black excellence, for ourselves, and for others.

In this week's pre-game, the ladies pop it off with an empowering breakdown of the controversy surrounding Chloe Bailey's "Buss It" Challenge. The conversation excitedly and quickly turns to the gossiping (and semi-problematic) ways of Drake and other male rappers. Finally, the topic of the year: the authenticity of Hollywood's newest IT-couple, Lori Harvey and Michael B. Jordan. Not only do the ladies debate if it's real love (like Mary J. taught us) or a big PR stunt, Sheriden drops some additional government knowledge that leaves Amer asking a few questions.

But the bulk of the episode and the titular topic is about how we, as a community and as a society, define black excellence; both big picture and in the every day. In current times, we see so many examples of black people, and especially black women, showing up and taking space. Is excellence only centered around income and degrees? Is it about what you do, or who you are?

The ladies' conversation leaves you asking, what is black excellence to me? Or even better, where are you getting those influences to define black excellence? The images of black excellence we see are needed, but what about the excellence that isn't newsworthy? There's an entire sphere of 'excellence' that we, as a community, are leaving in the rearview mirror.

The episode explores the impact of social media culture on the idea of what black excellence looks and feels like; how we can quiet the noise conflating our ideas; and why 9-to-5 job shaming culture should stop immediately.

Listen to the episode now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Leave us a voice message on xohappyhour.com to share your story with us or ask a question for a chance to be featured on the show!

Featured image by Mecca Gamble for xoNecole

 

RELATED

 
ALSO ON XONECOLE
ItGirl-100-list-xoNecole

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.

KEEP READINGShow less
Going To A Wellness Retreat Reminded Me Of The Love I Deserve

If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.

KEEP READINGShow less
LATEST POSTS