

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.
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
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 YouTube/xoNecole
6 Tabletop Sex Positions That'll Unlock You & Bae's Most Primal Desires
Something I will never tire of is finding new ways to bring new layers to intimacy. A wall you use as momentum, a bathroom sink to help you keep your balance as he worships you on his knees, a shower that is usually for cleansing but evolves into a sacred ritual of shared intimacy.
My favorite kind of sex is the kind of sex that prioritizes pleasure and connection. So, technically and thankfully, I can say most of my sex life has been quite pleasurable throughout the years. But the memorable encounters for sure take the cake. One such encounter actually took place on a kitchen counter, and with it unleashed inhibitions in ways I never anticipated while unlocking levels to top-tier sex. And that, that involved a kitchen counter.
Why Kitchen Counter Sex Just Hits Different
What is it about having your hips pressed into the edge of a kitchen counter that lets out something so primal in you? The cool-to-the-touch feel of the countertop against exposed skin as you rise to meet him again and again. The urgency in every movement. The playfulness of repurposing an everyday space for something far more erotic. If you’re looking to bring that energy into your own sex life, keep reading for positions and tips to explore.
1. The Bounce House
They don’t call it Bounce House for nothing. In this position, the penetrating partner lies flat on their back on a sturdy table or counter while the receiving partner straddles them, knees bent and facing away. With their hands gripping the edge of the surface for support, the receiving partner slides or bounces at their own pace, owning the rhythm, the motion, and the view.
According to sex therapist Michael Aaron, Ph.D., who spoke with Women’s Health, the receiving partner placing their legs between their partner’s creates a tighter sensation, while staying fully astride allows for more bounce and range of motion. Either way, this one puts the receiver in full control, and you know we love a good woman on top position. Pleasure and power? Say less.
2. The Bicycle
Well, you know what they say about riding a bike. In the case of this table top position, it's the receiving partner who is the rider...but not in the way you think. While lying back on a sturdy surface or a table, the receiver will bring their knees toward their chest, bending them as if in a cycling motion. The penetrating partner stands at the edge of the surface, grabbing the receiver's ankles, and guides themselves inside, slowly so as to savor the moment. This angle puts everything on display for the penetrating partner while allowing for deep, connected thrusting for the receiver.
To take things up a notch , the receiving partner can touch themselves or flex their thighs to control the depth or the rhythm. Because, who says only one person gets to have control?
3. Counter Offer
How could we be at the table and not use it to eat? Enter: Counter Offer. In this oral-focused sex position, the receiving partner perches on the edge of a counter or table, lying back or sitting upright with legs parted or bent for comfort. The penetrating partner kneels or stands between their thighs, depending on the setup and the kind of attention they’re ready to give. No doubt, this one’s all about access and intention.
With the vulva front and center, the height makes it easier to maintain eye contact, use hands freely for things like breast play or incorporating toys, and take their time with every moan-inducing taste. And that’s on five, six, seven, ATE.
4. Standing Doggy
Standing Doggy is what happens when a classic like doggy style gets an upgrade. Instead of being on all fours on a bed, the receiving partner bends over a hard surface like a table or counter, keeping their hips aligned at its edge. The penetrating partner stands behind and enters from the back, using the angle to go deeper and create a strong, steady rhythm. This one offers maximum control and visual appeal, especially if the penetrating partner reaches around for a little extra clitoral stimulation throughout thrusting.
This angle can get intense quickly, so bonus points if the receiving partner engages their pelvic floor muscles or shifts their weight to adjust how the pressure hits, especially if your goal is to hit that G-spot sweet spot.
5. Top Shelf
Men's Healthcalls this one "Yourself on the Shelf," but we like to call it "Top Shelf" because it's giving full view, full grip, and climax potential that's hard to top. The receiving partner sits on the edge of a sturdy table or counter while the penetrating partner stands in front of them and slowly slides in, thrusting while keeping them in position. From there, legs can wrap around their waist, arms can encircle their back, and the closeness at peak ecstasy? Chef's kiss.
If you have the core strength, add lifting to the menu for the final strokes leading to orgasm. Otherwise, allow the surface to the heavy lifting and enjoy the pleasure.
6. The Thumper
What better way to remind yourself that you're both the snack and the entrée than with a little tableside service courtesy of The Thumper? This position has the receiving partner kneeling on a sturdy table or counter (keyword: sturdy), hands gripping the edge or braced in front for support. The penetrating partner can then either kneel behind them (if there's room for two), or stay anchored on the ground with both feet planted on the floor (similar to the previously mentioned Standing Doggy). It all depends on the mood.
Kneeling on the table offers just the right amount of leverage for deep, steady strokes. The receiving partner can play with tightness by either keeping their knees closer together for a snug grip, or open their knees wider to invite more access, depth, and stretch. The Thumper is versatile that way, and the most important thing? The receiver gets to be the main course. Yum.
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