

Close your eyes and imagine a combination of your favorite websites all-in-one: Pinterest for inspiration, Google for credible information, and YouTube for visual examples and informative demonstrations. When you open your eyes, you'll find Melanin Moi, a platform for discovery, specifically for Black women.
Back in 2016, Fanta Dicko desired to simplify how Black women find relevant, accurate, and inspiring content centered around beauty, fashion, and wellness. Fanta found it was an extremely difficult process to find resources and cosmetic products that were catered to her hair type and skin tone. Melanin Moi's mission to change the way content reaches and represents Black women catapulted the platform's popularity and turned it into a content platform to share beauty tips and tricks.
Image courtesy of Melanin Moi
After launching MM, Fanta brought on her bestie, Chanee Hylton as co-founder. Together they have cultivated a community of over 8,000 followers and garnered partnerships with some of the largest brands committed to uplifting Black women like Fenty, Black Girl Sunscreen, Mented Cosmetics, and Curls. "We both grew up in New Jersey and met through a mutual friend in high school," Fanta told xoNecole. "Our relationship blossomed throughout college and only got stronger from there! We spent holidays together, traveled the world, and went through life moments with each other by our side."
As Fanta's best friend, Chanee was consistently sharing cool ideas to Fanta for what Melanin Moi could do next so it was only right that they join forces.
Image courtesy of Melanin Moi
How they both saw themselves in the beauty industry was a driving force in building their empire. Because of the lack of representation they once experienced, they now see themselves as the dot connectors and educators for Black women. "We want to share resources with our community, such as products that work well for melanated skin, trusted regimens that result in healthy hair and skin, as well as new things to try. We want to bridge the gap between inspiration and knowledge in our community. Melanin Moi is not only focused on helping Black women find relevant content, but we also hope to change the way brands create content specifically for Black women."
An essential factor: community. Because what is the beauty realm without community and what is Black Girl Magic without community. Fanta and Chanee believe that online beauty platforms will soon outrank other media such as magazines and TV as the main source for beauty product information. Melanin Moi's market research says the power of community has a huge role in that. For these Black women, community means you are part of a group that shares things in common, cares about each other, and works closely toward a common purpose.
"In the Melanin Moi Community, our audience trusts each other's opinions and recommendations because they are based on the real-life experiences of real people who look like them," says the co-founders.
Image courtesy of Melanin Moi
Beauty manifests as true happiness in the eyes of Fanta and Chanee. It's unapologetically and fiercely loving yourself whether you've got a full face of makeup and six-inch heels on or not. As melanated women, they understand the power of our beauty. They shared, "What makes us most beautiful is how we are all so naturally unique. No hair type is the same, our rich skin tones vary from shade to shade, and we all express our Blackness in so many different ways. Our uniqueness sets us apart and makes us stand out in any crowd."
Featured image courtesy of Melanin Moi
'Sistas' Star Skyh Black On The Power Of Hypnotherapy & Emotional Vulnerability For Men
In this insightful episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Sistas star Skyh Black, as he opened up about his journey of emotional growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The episode touches on emotional availability, self-worth, masculinity, and the importance of therapy in overcoming personal struggles.
Skyh Black on Emotional Availability & Love
On Emotional Availability & Vulnerability
“My wife and I wouldn't be where we are today if both of us weren't emotionally available,” he shared about his wife and Sistas co-star KJ Smith, highlighting the value of vulnerability and emotional openness in a relationship. His approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the traditional, stoic ideals. Skyh is not afraid to embrace softness as part of his emotional expression.
On Overcoming Self-Doubt & Worthiness Issues
Skyh reflected on the self-doubt and worthiness issues that he struggled with, especially early in his career. He opens up about his time in Los Angeles, living what he calls the “LA struggle story”—in a one-bedroom with three roommates—and being homeless three times over the span of 16 years. “I always had this self-sabotaging thought process,” Skyh said. “For me, I feel therapy is essential, period. I have a regular therapist and I go to a hypnotherapist.”
How Therapy Helped Him Heal From Self-Doubt
On Hypnotherapy & Empowering Self-Acceptance
Skyh’s journey is a testament to the power of tapping into self-development despite life’s struggles and being open to growth. “I had to submit to the fact that God was doing good in my life, and that I'm worthy of it. I had a worthiness issue and I did not realize that. So, that’s what the hypnotherapy did. It brought me back to the core. What is wrong so that I can fix it?”
Watch the full podcast episode below:
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Quinta Brunson Gets Real About Divorce, Boundaries & Becoming
Quinta Brunson is the woman who chooses herself, even when the world is watching. And in her June 30 cover story for Bustle, she gives us a rare glimpse into the soft, centered place she's navigating her life from now. From leading one of television's most beloved series in the last decade to quietly moving through life shifts, the creator of Abbott Elementary is walking through a personal evolution and doing so with intention, grace, and a firm grip on her boundaries.
Back in March, the 35-year-old filed for divorce from Kevin Jay Anik after nearly three years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." The news hit the headlines of news outlets fast, but Quinta hadn't planned to announce their dissolution to the public so quickly.
Quinta Brunson On Divorce, Public Scrutiny & Sacred Boundaries
"I remember seeing people be like, ‘She announced her divorce,’" she told Bustle. “I didn’t announce anything. I think people have this idea that people in the public eye want the public to know their every move. None of us do. I promise you. No one wants [everyone] to know when you buy a house, when you move, when a major change happens in your personal life. It’s just that that’s public record information."
In regards to her private moves becoming tabloid fodder, Quinta continued, "I hated that. I hate all of it."
"I Am An Artist First": Quinta On Cutting Her Hair & Reclaiming Herself
Still, the diminutive phenom holds her crown high in the face of change and is returning to the essence of who she is, especially as an artist. "Cutting my hair reminded me that I am an artist first. I want to feel things. I want to make choices. I want to be a person, and not just stuck in having to be a certain way for business." It's giving sacred rebirth. It's giving self-liberation. It's especially giving main character energy.
And while the headlines keep spinning their narratives, the one that Quinta is focused on is her own. For her, slowing down and nourishing herself in ways that feed her is what matters. "It’s a transitional time. I think it’s true for me and my personal life, and it’s how I feel about myself, my career, and the world," Quinta shared with Bustle. “I feel very serious about focusing on watering my own gardens, taking care of myself and the people around me who I actually interact with day-to-day."
That includes indulging in simple rituals that ground her like "making myself a meal" which has become "really, really important to me."
That spirit of agency doesn't stop at the personal. In her professional world, as the creator, executive producer, and lead actress of the critically-acclaimed Abbott Elementary, Quinta understands the weight her choices carry, both on- and off-screen. She revealed to Bustle, "People used to tell me at the beginning of this that the No. 1 on the call sheet sets the tone, and the producer sets the tone — and I’m both of those roles."
She continued, "I understand now, after doing this for four years, how important it was that I set the tone that I did when we first started."
Quinta doesn't just lead, she understands the importance of curating the energy of any space she enters. Even amid a season of shifts and shedding, her power speaks loudly. Sometimes that power looks like quiet resistance. Sometimes that power is soft leadership.
And sometimes that power looks like cutting your hair and taking back your name in rooms that have forgotten you were an artist long before you were a brand.
Read Quinta's cover story on Bustle here to witness the fullness of Quinta's becoming.
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Featured image by Zach Hilty/BFA.com/Shutterstock