Submit Your Stories
Want to Write for xoNecole?
We're always looking for new writers who have a story to share. If you're interested in submitting to xoNecole, please read these submissions guidelines thoroughly first!
Who is xoNecole?
At xoNecole, we're all about storytelling.
The journeys of women of color are filled with inspiration, life lessons, and reminders of our fierce independence. The xoNecole community thrives because of readers and writers who lend their voices and stir discussion.
The xoNecole reader is a mover and shaker. She's up on trends, she's a self-starter, and a supportive soul sister. She wants to know what's hot in beauty and fashion, as well as important changes in our community that affect our daily lives. She wants to know what shows to tune into, what interviews were dropping gems, and what relationship or dating advice can lead her to love.
Most of all - she wants to have fun.
We love to share inspirational stories that uplift our readers and remind them of the amazing things we're all capable of. We keep it real, but always with a note of positivity and encouragement.
In a world full of triggers, xoNecole is your safe space. Come in, stretch out, and be you.
What We Love
Let's talk about the things that shape our world! We love personal essays about life experiences that, perhaps, push the envelope on popular opinions or challenge a social norm. We love well-researched opinions of breaking news.
Don't just tell us what happened - tell us why we should care and how it affected you.
Topics we love include: trends in beauty and fashion, career advice, positive takeaways from difficult situations, the post-college transition, dating and relationship advice, and fresh takes on marriage and family. We want you to bare your soul, share your ideas, and open up discussion.
For your reference, check out some of our past favorites below:
- I Broke Up With My Boyfriend After Four Years And A Year Later He Became The Love Of My Life
- How Moving Overseas Helped Me Pay Off Over 200K In American Debt
- When Your Life In Pictures Isn't Your Reality
- I Have An Insatiable Appetite for Sex
- The Truth About How Men Handle Heartbreak
- 'Don't Be A Wife to A Boyfriend': 10 Lessons I Learned When I Was Single
- My Parents Made Me Think I Was White My Whole Life
What We Don't Love
Who wore it best? Why you think men are trash? No thanks! xoNecole is not the place to get catty or spark argumentative narratives. We also do not publish prose, poetry or fictional works.
Not a Writer, But Have a Story to Tell?
xoNecole puts out weekly call-to-actions for stories from the community based on specific themes we're interested in exploring. If you are responding to a call to action, please send your full story in the email with as much detail as possible. If we are interested, one of our editors will reach out to work with you on publishing your story.
Call-to-action submissions are not paid.
If this is your first time submitting to xoNecole, please keep the following in mind:
- We prefer full drafts on the first pitch so we can get an idea of your writing style and ability to build a readable narrative.
- Keep it light! Even when the topic is heavy, we want to see the inspirational takeaway.
- A sweet spot for length is between 400-600 words for editorial pitches and 600-900 words for personal essays.
- We require the first piece from writers to be on a trial basis! We would love to see how well your writing does with our audience before we bring you on as a regular contributor.
- Send your submissions to submissions@xonecole.com
- Put your proposed title in the subject line - keep it snappy and eye catching. Check out our current content to get an idea of how we like to structure headlines.
- Include writing samples, if applicable! We would love to see your versatility.
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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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List, in partnership with Hyundai, is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy