Everything That’s New & Black AF On Netflix In August
There's no hurt in this world like realizing that you are now in a show hole.
You've successfully watched all of your favorite series up until the most recent episode and you're left wondering how you'll survive until the next drop. But thanks to Netflix, we're getting hit with the heat back-to-back this summer, and they recently just released a Black AF list of titles that I'm prepared to binge ASAP.
I'm literally only two episodes into Orange is the New Black, the latest volume of Dear White People is drops today and I've already blocked out my weekend schedule out into 6-episode watch blocks because if you're gonna spend that much time watching TV, you might as well be strategic.
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Aug. 1)
Why Do Fools Fall In Love is an underrated classic that doesn't get the appreciation it deserves, damn it. Featuring Hollywood heavy-hitters like Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, and Lela Rochon, this biographical film tells the story of Frankie Lymon, an American Rock and Roll pioneer and the three women that sought to claim his estate after his death.
Are We Done Yet? (Aug. 1)
Crenshaw-born gangster rap artist Ice Cube is on daddy duty in this kid-friendly film, where he stars alongside his never-aging co-star Nia Long as newly married parents who decide to move their kids to the suburbs, but the family has to overcome a number of obstacles before they can truly have their dream home.
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (Aug. 1)
Without progressive films like To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar for introducing us to the world of Camp, we may have never gotten to experience the fabulousness of drag on a mainstream level. Before RuPaul and his gang hit reality TV, there was Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo, who acted as three drag queens on a cross country trip to a competition in Los Angeles.
Dear White People: Season 3 (Aug 2.)
After suddenly losing her father and uncovering the truth about an on-campus secret society, Sam decides to take a step back from her radio show and gives her best friend Joelle the reigns and we're excited to see what's next. Along with new faces, backstories, relationships, and even recipes for grits, Winchester seems to have a lot to offer this season that you won't want to miss.
Otherhood (Aug. 2)
Can we just start by giving Angela Bassett's body the respect it deserves? At 60 years of age, auntie is still serving us serious goals, and her latest role is proof that age is nothing more than a number. This feel-good Netflix original film tells the story of three mothers whose road trip to reconnect with their adult sons turns into a journey to rediscovering themselves.
Glow: Season 3 (Aug. 9)
Netflix
The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling are back to take Vegas for a third season that will pack even more of a punch than before. From the creators of Orange is the New Black, Glow is the '80s style dramedy series you didn't know you needed in your life.
Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready (Aug. 13)
GREG GAYNE FOR NETFLIX
Whoever said women don't have a place in comedy was deadass wrong, and Tiffany Haddish's new Netflix original stand-up series proves that this fact. Featuring six phenomenal and diverse female comics that were handpicked by Tiffany herself, each half-hour episode promises tons of raw humor, laughs, and hella feminine energy.
QB1: Beyond the Lights (Aug. 16)
IMBD
Produced by Complex and Friday Night Lights’ Peter Berg, QB1 follows high school quarterbacks who come from diverse backgrounds as they navigate the pressures of becoming a one-day hometown hero.
American Factory (Aug. 21)
Netflix
This documentary originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was ultimately bought by Netflix earlier this year. After a General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio closes, leaving hundreds of people without jobs, a Chinese billionaire reopens the factory as a glass facility, offering room for opportunity for blue class citizens of all nationalities.
Sextuplets (Aug. 16)
Netflix
When a man goes on a journey to find his birth mother before welcoming his first child into the world, he unleashes a whole world of trouble after finding out he was born a sextuplet and has five other siblings out in the world. In a touching and hilarious tale about the nuances of family, Marlon Wayans goes full-on Eddie Murphy and plays a total of six different characters.
Falling Inn Love (Aug. 29)
Netflix
In 2003, Christina Milian reminded us that Love Don't Cost a Thing, in 2019, the "Dip It Low" singer and soon to be mother-of-two is back in a new Netflix rom-com that proves ‘Falling Inn Love’ can be easy. The film, which was shot in New Zealand, is about an executive who wins an old hotel after a breakup and ultimately falls for a hunky contractor.
Styling Hollywood (Aug. 30)
Netflix
Jason Bolden, a fashion stylist best known for his work with stars like Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, Ava DuVernay, and Yara Shahidi, along with a few of his celebrity stylist friends are bringing their talents to reality TV in a series that will get your wardrobe all the way together.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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.
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.
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I think we all can agree that social media really is a double-edged sword. What I mean by that is there is just as much bad that can come out of it as good. At the end of the day, it really is about 1) having your own mind, 2) finding balance when it comes to how much time you spend online, and 3) doing your own research instead of taking random people’s opinions as the gospel (i.e., facts).
Gee, I wish more folks did all of this when it comes to if a man needs to have a large penis to sexually satisfy a woman (he does not) and if a woman who has had multiple sex partners will ultimately end up with a vagina that is too large for smaller penises to please her (a lie).
Science totally has my back on debunking both of those things (more on that in a bit). Know what else does? A particular type of sex method that is becoming more popular by the day. One that just might convince you to, as they used to say back in the day, focus less on the “size of the wave” and ride out the “motion of the ocean” instead.
It’s called shallowing. Here’s what it’s all about.
What Is Shallowing?
GiphyIf there’s one thing that I wish folks would say more thoroughly when it comes to women and orgasms, it’s that when it comes to75 percent of women not being able to orgasm from only intercourse, the accurate statement is they struggle with achieving a vaginal orgasm without the assistance of some type of clitoral stimulation. Yeah, we’ve really got to remember that very few things in this life are a complete monolith — orgasms included (check out “U-Spot Orgasm, Fantasy Orgasm & 6 Other Orgasms You Should Try Tonight”).
In fact, it was while I was reading up on pairing — a word that is used for when clitoral stimulation transpires during penetration — that I decided to do some deep-diving into shallowing (because it was mentioned inone of the articles that I read).And what is it? Shallowing is when a penis, finger, tongue, or sex toy of some sort is used in order to ever so slightly penetrate the vaginal opening of a woman.
And why is shallowing not just a current sex trend but something that every woman on this planet should try? It’s because of what I’ve said, more than once, on this platform: it focuses on the most sensitive part of a woman’s vagina, which isthe first two inches of her vaginal opening.
When the emphasis is placed there, not only does it increase your chances of experiencing “the big O,” but it can also build up anticipation, which can intensify your orgasms too — yes, shallowing can also be seen as a form of edging.
Another thing that’s cool about shallowing is — and it really and truly can’t be said enough — something that makes vaginal and blended orgasms easier to achieve for some women really has little to do with the size of a man’s package or even his technique; it’s straight up anatomy. Yep, the closer that a woman’s clitoris is to her vaginal opening, the easier it is for a penis to stimulate both. So, science makes it possible for vaginal orgasms to be easier for some women than others.
At the same time, shallowing can make it possible for more women who want to see what a vaginal orgasm actually feels like (because it’s easier for the head of the penis to stimulate the opening of the vagina while the shaft can rub up against your clitoris; based on the position that you are in, of course — the missionary with some pillows propped under the lower part of your back is ideal for this).
Now that you see what shallowing actually is, do you get why I said that penis size doesn’t matter when it comes to doing it — and getting the kind of orgasms that you want? Contrary to popular belief, your vagina is only around four inches. In fact, some health experts say that it ranges between 2-4”. Anything larger, your body literally has to stretch out to accommodate; this includes penises and babies. So, if your vagina is “making room” for more than four inches, why in the world do you think you need a 10-inch man? Yeah…exactly. It really is time to get over the silliness. The average penis continues to be 5.5”. Makes sense when you take it all in (no pun intended).
Aight, so now that you know what shallowing is all about, let me try and hard sell you on why it’s a sex technique that you should try as soon as tonight (if you possibly can).
1. It takes the pressure off of you and your partner.
I’ve been working with couples for almost 20 years at this point. This means that the topic of sex comes up quite a bit. And if there’s one thing that continues to be an issue is inconsistent orgasms (check out “Why Do Orgasms So Often Seem Like A ‘Hit-Or-Miss’ Experience For Women?”).
Listen, no matter how many articles you read or sex positions you try, if you’re anxious, stressed out, or overthinking, it’s gonna get in the way of you experiencing high peaks of pleasure on a consistent basis. Since shallowing is something that can easily be done even in foreplay (via fingering and/ororal sex) if you get that first “release” off, that makes it easier to just sit back and enjoy the ones that (hopefully) are to follow.
2. It teaches you more about your vagina.
A part of the reason why I keep repeating certain facts about vaginas in these articles is that it’s amazing how little certain things are discussed en masse — like the size of the vaginal tube. And since shallowing helps you to stimulate the nerve endings at the entrance of your va-jay-jay along with your G-spot (which is housed a little ways from your opening), shallowing is a great way to explore that area of your body as you figure out what truly works for you and…what doesn’t.
3. It’s the perfect merging of foreplay and intercourse.
When you really stop to think about it, shallowing is like the bridge between foreplay and intercourse because you can use so many different things to do it. So, if you want to experiment with a new sex toy or you want a bit more time to “warm up the engine” before full-on penetration begins, shallowing is one of the most sexually arousing compromises there is.
4. It can help to increase your partner’s stamina.
A few years back, I penned an article for the site entitled, “We’ve Got Some All-Natural Ways To Increase Stamina & Sensitivity.” Listen, even though I onceread a GQ article that said that over 60 percent of the people they polled were fine with intercourse lasting no longer than 5-10 minutes — that poll doesn’t speak for all of us, chile.
So, if you would like your man to build up to going longer, shallowing can help to make that happen. Since he’s barely putting beyond the tip in, he can learn how to be in you for longer periods of time without being, well, in you.
5. It helps you to appreciate whatever “package” he has.
Again — and it really can’t be said enough — if shallowing is all about exploring the mere entrance of your vagina, you don’t need a man with BDE (check out “BDE: Please Let The 'It Needs To Be Huge' Myth Go”) or honestly, even anything close to it.
I mean, even though, reportedly, the size that the average woman says gives her the most orgasms is eight inches — I bet those women have never really tried shallowing before. 10”, 8”, or the average 5.5” can certainly get the job done. And well.
6. It feels A-MAZ-ING.
Okay,so now that you know about shallowing, I promise that if you put the word into your favorite search engine, you’re either gonna see articles on golfing (LOL) or sex, especially as of late. That’s because more couples are trying it out and getting mind-blowing results from it. So, if you’re looking for something new to try, give shallowing a shot.
Hey, anything that’s designed to stimulate your most intense vaginal nerve endings has got to be something for the record books. I mean, how could it not be? Lawd.
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Featured image by Juan Moyano/Getty Images