
Take a moment to stop and think about what you were up to at the age of 21. I know personally, I was somewhere down in Alabama, hanging on to graduating from college, and just content with finally being able to (legally) buy my own cheap vodka. Not that I was striving for the bare minimum, I was just clueless about the power of manifestation. Sure, aspirations and journeys happen for each of us at our own pace, but at that time, chiiiiiiile, somethings just weren't even on the menu for me.
But as for some 21-year-olds, some absolutely know the power of their own mind. Kennedi Carter, is a walking testimony to that because Carter, at the mere age of 21, is the youngest, and second black person ever, to photograph for Vogue.
And in case this isn't impressive enough for you, she shot, not one. Not two. But three covers...of Beyonce. Let that sink in.
Of the shoot, Carter said:
"It didn't feel like it was real. Some days it still doesn't feel like it actually happened. We're holding a door open currently because it's not going to be just me or [Mitchell] taking images and doing covers; it's going to be more of us."
Mitchell, being Tyler Mitchell, who was the first person who shot for Vogue in its 125-year history, and who also was chosen by Beyonce.
She continued:
"I was just going with the flow. I had done a lot of research into how she works, and I had underestimated how much she's willing to submit herself to a vision and truly become someone else's muse."
A follow-up assignment for Carter consisted of sis nagging a Rolling Stone cover, featuring Summer Walker and Erykah Badu. The image donned colorful imagery of the two crooners, for a feature interview.
"We shot it in Erykah's house. It was everything I thought it would have been when you're thinking about Erykah Badu."
Did sis just refer to Queen Badu on a first name basis? I stan.
Anyway, Carter, a Dallas transplant and college student at the University of North Carolina--Greensboro, has gone from taking pictures of fine art and all things black af, to literally shooting with some of the highest-profiled celebrities and publications in the world. It's mind-boggling and ultra-impressive how she has managed to pivot to her massive portfolio.
But how did Carter even get the opportunity to shoot for British Vogue? Well, luckily for her, she comes from a generation that believes in thinking big, shooting their shot, and putting themselves out there.
Beyoncé specifically requested a black woman for the shoot, and together with British Vogue's editor-in-chief, she found Kennedi, a young, ambitious, fine arts enthusiast who frequently gravitated toward "overlooked beauties of the Black experience." But it wasn't luck, sis was placing herself in rooms, manifesting the correct energies to be seen.
Another 20-something-year-old recently did the same when he promoted his work on Twitter, just for the one and only, Oprah Winfrey to notice. She went on to offer him a job at the relaunch of O Magazine, a monumental opportunity that would have never come his way had he not taken the time to believe in himself.

#beyourownbiggestfan
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Today, Kennedi is taking in the aftermath of her historic shoots, living her best creative life and representing herself for the next opportunity that arises. But for now, she says her focus is to 'create timeless work that "echo[es] the South'.
"Working from the South, there are so many people that feel like they have to move to get a good opportunity or to get put on the radar. There are stories down here that are worth hearing."
She continued:
"I want people to look back on [my work] in 20 or 30 years and feel like there's some type of accurate depiction of what the mid-2000s was like."
We can't wait to see her journey take flight from here!
Feature image via Kennedi Carter/Instagram
This article is in partnership with Lexus.
Luxury is often defined by someone else’s standards. But what if the finer things in life looked different through the lens of those crafting and shaping Black culture?
In Redefining Excellence, a two-episode short-form video series presented by Will Packer Media in collaboration with Lexus, we dare to broaden how we think about luxury. Here, it’s not just about the price tag. Luxury is a practice.
At its core, Redefining Excellence is a celebration of intention woven into every detail of how we live: our joy, our spaces, our craft, but also our rituals of care. These are the Black creators who not only give the best to themselves in what they build, but also pay it forward to the communities around them.
Through their vision, they embody the same precision and artistry that Lexus embraces when in pursuit of a higher standard, the Standard of Amazing.
In Episode 1, “Ingredients of Success,” the series follows chef, restaurateur, and Lexus Culinary Master Kwame Onwuachi, whose artistry is imbued with rich cultural storytelling. We see him wander purposefully through a garden, gently testing the ripeness of fresh fruits and vegetables. “Luxury isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about being intentional with your choices and craft,” he says.
The article continues after the video.
“Now, because of my work and the ingredients I use, luxury means something different. I am boldly setting a new standard of amazing and innovation.”
As he chops vegetables, plates vibrant dishes, and loads the finished product into the sleek Lexus LC Convertible, he continues, “For me, luxury means ingredients that carry memory… dining experiences and locations that honor the stories that raised me and feel like us.”
In Episode 2, “The Texture of Luxury,” the lens turns to founder and CEO of CurlyCon LA Ava Pearl, whose ingredients take a different form. As the trunk of her Lexus LX 700h lifts, she says, “When I think of luxury, it isn’t expensive, it’s expansive.” The scene shifts, and we watch Ava lay down a bouquet of fresh flowers upon entering her home before using aloe vera leaves to prepare gel by hand.
The article continues after the video.
“When I was younger, I thought luxury was something you bought. Now I know it’s about living up to a higher standard… Black women have always defined what’s next, setting the standard for beauty, luxury, and excellence.”
Like Kwame, she builds with intention, pouring care into the details, believing, like Lexus, that “luxury isn’t just a finish, it’s a standard. One that’s built to amaze.”
Through these stories, Redefining Excellence serves as a reminder that the journey is not just about the destination, but also the ingredients you choose along the way.
Watch both episodes now and learn more about how Kwame and Ava set their own standard of amazing.
Featured image by xoNecole/Will Packer Media
I Tried Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern Body Collection & This Is What I’d Actually Restock
Tracee Ellis Ross is a masterclass in self-preservation. Even through her Girlfriends era, we saw it: spa days, workouts, time with her girls—care as a lifestyle. On Black-ish, we saw it again: a woman centering her family while still claiming space for herself. And more recently, with her Roku series Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross, she’s still modeling rest and exploration on her own terms for women all over the world.
In her everyday life, when she isn't spreading the gifts of her ethos on-screen, Tracee takes to her 11 million Instagram followers, giving us the 411 on all things dry brushing, gua sha, derma-rolling, facial rollers, massage tools, oils—and I never miss a workout video where she’s sharing her Tracy Anderson class recaps.
Pair that with the curl-defining legacy she’s built as the CEO and Founder of Pattern Beauty, and it’s clear: she’s always been intentional about care—and invites us to be, too.
Her latest launch, Pattern Body, feels like a natural extension of that—a full line designed to make body care a ritual, not an afterthought. The collection includes the Moisture Rich Body Cream ($36), Nourishing Body Oil ($36), Hydrating Body Lotion ($32), Moisturizing Body Wash ($32), and Dry Exfoliating Scrub ($36), plus bundled sets.
Why I Wanted To Try Pattern Body
I’ve been using Pattern Beauty for years. Long before I could afford it I’d use my mom’s Ulta card to swipe and get what I needed, I’ve legitimately loved Pattern since day one. It’s what works best on my hair no matter the style, wash & go, slick back ponytail, braids, and blowouts. The Palo Santo ensemble is my new favorite after using their signature collection for years. That shampoo and conditioner, paired with the scalp serum and Pattern’s shower brush, whip my curls into shape like nothing I’ve ever used. I can go from a 'fro to defined coils in minutes with water, conditioner, and that brush.
Pattern is my daily go-to, so when Tracee expanded into body, I wanted to see if the same love affair I have with Pattern Beauty would carry over to Pattern Body.
The last body care launch that truly spoke to me was Taraji P. Henson’s Body by TPH, with its distinct daytime and nighttime routines—it pulled me into body care in a way I hadn’t felt in a while. Another product I’ve loved is OUI the People’s Clean Slate Lactic Acid Body Wash, a formula that exfoliates gently while leaving my skin soft.
Pattern Body feels similarly intentional but distinctly Tracee—rooted in the rituals we’ve seen her share for years. This launch feels like her way of ensuring that our bodies can finally get the same level of care she’s modeled all along.

Courtesy of Pattern Body
My Relationship With Body Care Rituals
Body care is where I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be when it comes to self-care. I dry brush daily, I’m particular about the body washes I use, and I’m intentional about organic feminine products. But when it comes to moisturizing, I’ll be honest: I usually just slap on whatever lotion is nearby or a body butter when I remember. What I want is to be more intentional—not just moisturize, but actually lean into rituals.
I want to use my bath salts more, soak with scrubs, and treat body care as something to luxuriate in, not rush through. Pattern Body felt like a call inward to take that next step.
Even the bold orange packaging felt joyful and unapologetic—a reminder that prioritizing yourself can be fun.
The Ingredients That Set Pattern Body Apart
Pattern Body isn’t just about the ritual—it’s about what’s inside the bottles. When I connected with someone from Pattern’s team, I asked how they envisioned the body line fitting into Tracee’s larger ritual. For them, it wasn’t just about moisture; it was about creating a layering experience that mirrors the way Tracee cares for herself daily—step by step, from exfoliation to oil to cream.
The line is built with nourishing ingredients that make sense for long-term care, like:
- Dead Sea Salt — natural exfoliation and mineral-rich polish
- Aloe Vera — hydration and soothing
- Baobab and Sunflower Oils — deep moisture and skin barrier support
- Cedarwood, Musk, and Midnight Amber — warm, grounding fragrance notes
- Shea Butter & Hyaluronic Acid — for softness, bounce, and lasting hydration
And according to a third-party study shared by Pattern, 100% of users experienced an immediate boost in hydration, luminosity, and the silkiness of their skin texture. As someone who always asks questions before folding new products into my routine, seeing both the story and the science behind the line mattered to me.

Courtesy of Pattern Body
My Honest Thoughts After Testing Pattern Body
How I Used Pattern Body
I followed Tracee’s recommended Pattern Body ritual:
- Prepare Dry Exfoliating Body Scrub (pre-shower to buff away dullness, unclog pores, and smooth skin)
- Cleanse Moisturizing Body Wash (a gentle lather that cleans without stripping, leaving skin refreshed)
- Protect Nourishing Body Oil (applied on damp skin to lock in moisture and add a silky finish)
- Hydrate Hydrating Body Lotion (lightweight hydration layered on top of oil for all-over softness)
- Nourish Moisture Rich Body Cream (thick, buttery cream for elbows, knees, and areas needing extra TLC)
The Products I’d Actually Repurchase
I tried the full line, but these are the three I’d keep stocked and repurchase:
- Dry Exfoliating Scrub — I’ve been looking for an exfoliant that’s effective without being harsh; I could see the scrub being a regular for me.
- Nourishing Body Oil — I love how it sealed the moisture in post-shower. It’s lightweight, smells heavenly, and I’ll keep this one in the rotation for sure.
- Moisture Rich Body Cream — I prefer a thicker moisturizer over lotion; this one delivers deep, buttery hydration that actually sinks in.
Pattern Body is consistent with Tracee’s legacy of care: bold, joyful, intentional. And while I won’t reach for every product daily, the ones I do remind me that tending to my body isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Because if Tracee Ellis Ross looks this good at 50 and says something is good for your body? I’m taking notes.
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Featured image courtesy of Pattern Body









