I don't know about you but my next protective style has me feeling like Poetic Justice, Poetic Justice (in my Kendrick Lamar voice). Yup, you guessed it, the iconic jumbo box braids hairstyle that Janet Jackson put on the map in her portrayal of Justice in the classic 1993 film. They are even sometimes called "Poetic Justice braids".
While the summertime usually has us riding the less is more wave, jumbo box braids are definitely getting a resurgence this Hot Girl Summer. And for a lot of us out here, the motto to adopt is "more is more". What makes jumbo box braids different from box braids is that your hair is weaved into bigger sections to ultimately form a thicker plait (meaning more hair for the installing process, but less time in the salon chair - thank God).
As we gravitate towards more length with this classic and arguably OTT braided style, the inspiration for jumbo braids are endless.
Below are some black girls killing it with their jumbo braids hair game.
Love Triangle
Kellie Brown serves a killer outfit with every post she uploads to Instagram and when it comes to what to do with natural hair, the beauty is no different. Love this effortless look!
Featured image by Tacha J./Instagram
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For Us, By Us: How HBCU Alumni Are Building Legacies Through Entrepreneurship
Homecoming season is here, and alumni are returning to the yard to celebrate with their friends and family at the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that have changed their lives forever.
No matter where their life journeys have taken them, for HBCU students from near and far, returning to where it all started can invoke feelings of nostalgia, appreciation for the past, and inspiration for the future.
The seeds for these entrepreneurs were planted during their time as students at schools like Spelman, North Carolina A&T, and more, which is why xoNecole caught up with Look Good Live Well’s Ariane Turner, HBCU Buzz’s Luke Lawal and Morehouse Senior Director of Marketing and Comms and Press Secretary Jasmine Gurley to highlight the role their HBCU roots play in their work as entrepreneurs, the legacy they aim to leave behind through the work that they do, and more as a part of Hyundai’s Best In Class initiative.
On Honoring HBCU Roots To Create Something That Is For Us, By Us
Ariane Turner
Courtesy
When Ariane Turner launched Look Good, Live Well, she created it with Black and brown people in mind, especially those with sensitive skin more prone to dryness and skin conditions like acne and eczema.
The Florida A&M University graduate launched her business to create something that addressed topical skin care needs and was intentional about its approach without negative terminology.
Turner shared that it is important to steer clear of language often adopted by more prominent brands, such as “banishing breakouts” or “correcting the skin,” because, in reality, Turner says there is nothing wrong with the way that our skin and bodies react to various life changes.
“I think what I have taken with me regarding my HBCU experience and translated to my entrepreneurial experience is the importance of not just networking,” Turner, the founder and CEO of Look Good, Live Well, tellls xoNecole.
“We hear that in business all the time, your network is your net worth, but family, there’s a thing at FAMU that we call FAMU-lee instead of family, and it’s very much a thing. What that taught me is the importance of not just making relationships and not just making that connection, but truly working on deepening them, and so being intentional about connecting with people initially, but staying connected and building and deepening those relationships, and that has served me tremendously in business, whether it’s being able to reach back to other classmates who I went to school with, or just networking in general.”
She adds, “I don’t come from a business background. As soon as I finished school, I continued with my entrepreneurial journey, and so there’s a lot of that traditional business act and the networking, those soft skills that I just don’t have, but I will say that just understanding how to leverage and network community and to build intentional relationships is something that has taken me far and I definitely got those roots while attending FAMU.”
On Solving A Very Specific Need For The Community
Luke Lawal Jr.
Courtesy
When Luke Lawal Jr. launched HBCU Buzz, his main focus was to represent his community, using the platform to lift as they climbed by creating an outlet dedicated to celebrating the achievements and positive news affecting the 107 historically HBCUs nationwide.
By spotlighting the wonderful things that come from the HBCU community and coupling it with what he learned during his time at Bowie State University, Lawal used that knowledge to propel himself as an entrepreneur while also providing his people with accurate representation across the internet.
“The specific problem in 2011 when I started HBCU Buzz was more so around the fact that mainstream media always depict HBCUs as negative,” Lawal says. “You would only see HBCUs in the mainstream media when someone died, or the university president or someone was stepping down. It was always bad news, but they never shed light on all the wonderful things from our community."
So, I started HBCU Buzz to ensure the world saw the good things that come from our space. And they knew that HBCUs grew some of the brightest people in the world, and just trying to figure out ways to make sure our platform was a pedestal for all the students that come through our institutions.”
“The biggest goal is to continue to solve problems, continue to create brands that solve the problems of our communities, and make sure that our products, our brands, our companies, and institutions are of value and they’re helping our community,” he continues. “That they’re solving problems that propel our space forward.”
On How Being An HBCU Alum Impacts The Way One Shows Up In The World
Jasmine Gurley
Courtesy
Jasmine Gurley is a proud North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alum. She is even more delighted with her current role, which enables her to give back to current HBCU students as the Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications and official press secretary at Morehouse College.
“It was a formative experience where I really was able to come into my own and say yes to all the opportunities that were presented to me, and because of that, it’s been able to open the doors later in life too,” says Gurley of her experience at North Carolina A&T. “One thing I love about many HBCUs is that we are required to learn way more about African American history than you do in your typical K through 12 or even at the higher ed level."
She adds, “It allowed us to have a better understanding of where we came from, and so for me, because I’m a storyteller, I’m a history person, I’m very sensitive to life in general, being able to listen to the stories and the trials that our ancestors overcame, put the battery pack in my back to say, ‘Oh nothing can stop me. Absolutely nothing can stop me. I know where I came from, so I can overcome something and try anything. And I have an obligation to be my ancestors’ wildest dreams. Simultaneously, I also have a responsibility to help others realize that greatness.
Gurley does not take her position at an HBCU, now as a leader, lightly.
“People think I’m joking when I say I’m living the dream, but I really am,” she notes. “So I wake up every day and know that the work that I do matters, no matter how hard it might be, how frustrating it may be, and challenging it. I know the ripple effect of my work, my team, and what this institution does also matter. The trajectory of Black male experiences, community, history, and then just American advancement just in general.”
On the other hand, through her business, Sankofa Public Relations, Gurley is also on a mission to uplift brands in their quest to help their respective communities. Since its inception in 2017, Sankofa PR has been on a mission to “reach back and reclaim local, national, and global communities by helping those actively working to move” various areas of the world, focusing on pushing things forward for the better.
“Through Sankofa, we’ve worked with all different types of organizational brands and individuals in several different industries, but I would think of them as mission-based,” says Gurley.
“So with that, it’s an opportunity to help people who are trying to do good in the world, and they are passionate about what they’re doing. They just need help with marketing issues, storytelling, and branding, and that’s when my expertise can come into play. Help them get to that moment where they can tell their story through me or another platform, and that’s been super fulfilling.”
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Feature image courtesy
Fall In Love With These Braids: Chic Protective Styles To Keep Your Hair Thriving This Season
Summer is a time to make the most of being outside. However, as fall welcomes us with open arms, we naturally return to nights in, protecting our peace and hair. Fall braids are on the rise as the latest hair trend of the season. The colder temperatures can be quite drying for some hair types, and it’s always best to protect our hair the best way we can.
Braids can provide the moisture our hair needs to thrive all year. That said, we’ve provided some fall inspiration braids that could make you fall in love with protecting your tresses.
1.Floral Braids
Why settle for regular braids when you can spice things up? We love these box braids with flowers to add a refreshing feel for fall.
2.Boho Braids
Boho braids took over the summer, and it looks like they’re here to stay for the fall season. This style is a perfect way to get that “blowout feel” without risking damaging your strands. Get boho braids and enjoy living heat-free!
3.French Boho Braids
French boho braids are cousins to the classic boho braids. Both styles look very similar but are slightly different. French boho braids are woven with a straighter texture, giving an effortless feel, while boho braids have a wavy, beachy look. French boho braids could be for you if you want an Emily in Paris moment.
4.Straight-Back Cornrows
Straight-back cornrows are a protective style that never gets old. They come in handy when we’re not in the mood to sit in the salon chair for hours on end. This style is convenient and always gives a “cool girl” feel.
5.Ombré Braids
Photo by Andy Whitlach
An ombré style is the perfect way to add color to your life when things get routine. We love the natural ombré braids that bring us right back to life. The best part? There are no limits! Pick your favorite color to blend into your hair.
6.Mini Twists
Sure, they’re not braids, but they’re just as good. Mini twists are the little sister of braids. They give us the protection we seek while allowing us to enjoy our natural strands. You can try mini twists and mini braids with your natural hair to satisfy your needs.
7.Crown Braids
It's another summer staple that is just too good to end. Crown braids are making their way into fall, and for good reason. They allow us to show off our forever-approved face cards. And because of this, we rightfully approve of this style.
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Featured image by Delmaine Donson/Getty Images