Lisa Nichols & Queen Latifah Gave Us A Night To Remember With My Black Is Beautiful
On Friday, July 6, My Black Is Beautiful held a dinner to remember in the center of the black mecca that is ESSENCE Fest.
The My Black Is Beautiful dinner comprised of a three-course meal, an abundance of powerful women, and inspiration for days. And let's just say, it isn't hard to be seduced when you're surrounded by beautiful things and positive energy. For me personally, the My Black Is Beautiful dinner was a reminder of how good it feels to be acknowledged by peers that look like you and reflect your brilliance, your splendor, and your wonder. It was also a reminder of how amazing it is to be black and successful.
Hosted by motivational speaker extraordinaire Lisa Nichols, My Black Is Beautiful treated guests to a night to a remember and featured apperances from celebrity guests like Lil Rel, Jess Hilarious, Naturi Laughton, and Loni Love. And it wouldn't have been a night reflecting royalty without a word from the OG queen, Queen Latifah who graced the audience with a word. We also swooned as we were treated to the musical stylings of special performer Gallant.
Although ESSENCE Fest brings out women by the pound, I think as black women we are united in our shared unconditional love for our men. While motivational speaker extraordinaire breathed life into us with her affirmation speech and the subsequent exercise of telling someone next to you words that they might not have known they needed to hear, guests were also treated to a video presentation that honored the black men that protect and love us.
And that's exactly what the My Black Is Beautiful dinner was, acknowledgement, confirmation, validation, and beauty. It was about shining your light in all its splendor and glory, unafraid of who might be blinded by it because we are worthy of being seen and marveled. Most of all, it was love.
Check out some of our favorite moments by clicking through the gallery below:
Charreah Jackson, Gia Peppers, Lisa Nichols, Sylvia Obell, Necole Kane and Luvvie Ajayi
Patrick Neree
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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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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage