

Everything That's New & Black AF On Netflix This July
As we enter the latter half of 2020, it's safe to say that you made it, sis.
This year hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies but you've managed to block the bullshit with your head held high and if nobody has told you today, I'm proud of you. Amidst a pandemic and global protests, you're still standing––but every now and then, you need to sit your ass down on your favorite piece of lounge furniture and catch up on the all of the new Black AF titles on Netflix and xoNecole has you all the way covered.
For everything that's new and Black AF on Netflix this July, scroll below!
I Am Not Your Negro (July 1)
I Am Not Your Negro
I'ma let y'all finish, but James Baldwin was one of the greatest American orators of all time and in I Am Not Your Negro, director Raoul Peck takes an in-depth look at his last work before his death.
A Thousand Words (July 1)
A Thousand Words
We all have that friend who could stand to learn a thing or two about the solace that can be found in silence and if you don't, you're that friend. In this 2012 comedy co-starring Kerry Washington, we see Eddie Murphy as a new father, husband, and big-time industry exec who couldn't keep his mouth shut if his life depended on it.
Double Platinum (July 1)
Double Platinum
As an early's 90s baby, I can admit that I was today-years-old when I learned that Brandy and Diana Ross starred in a film together and now that it's made its way onto the streaming platform, I plan to get my entire life.
Ali (July 1)
Ali
Starring Jada Pinkett and Will Smith, this 2001 biopic about one of the greatest boxers to ever live is now streaming.
Shaft (July 1)
Shaft
This 1970s blaxploitation classic starring a young Richard Roundtree will give you all the nostalgia and then some.
This Christmas (July 1)
This Christmas
Netflix just gave us Christmas in July with a 2007 romantic comedy featuring an all-star cast including but not limited to Chris Brown, Lauren London, Regina King, and Idris Elba that will put you all the way in the holiday spirit.
Only (July 5)
Only
When a viral disease kills every woman on the planet, a couple isn't far along on their quest for survival before they are met with unforeseeable danger.
A Kid From Coney Island (July 6)
A Kid From Coney Island
I may not know much about sports, but I do know that Netflix does not come to play when it comes to their documentaries, and A Kid From Coney Island is no exception. Chronicling the rise and fall of former NBA hard-hitter, Stephon Marbury, this film is proof that men need mental self-care, too.
The Old Guard (July 10)
THE OLD GUARD (2020)
Current circumstances have us all ready to open up a can of whoop-ass, and thanks to the latest Netflix Original superhero film The Old Guard, you can live vicariously through Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne as they do exactly that.
Fatal Affair Starring (July 16)
Think Fatal Attraction. But Black. And in reverse. In a thriller featuring Nia Long and Stephen Bishop, Omar Epps gives us big stalker energy when a regrettable one night stand turns into a living nightmare.
Cursed (July 17)
Netflix
While this Netflix original series is only slightly melanated, the historical drama junkie in your life will live for this coming-of-age story starring Shalom Brune-Franklin and Devon Terrell (Barry) as a young King Arthur.
The Last Dance (July 19)
ESPN
The ESPN 10-part Michael Jordan-inspired documentary series that intimately detailed the ball player's professional journey and gave the internet memes for days is finally hitting the streaming service on July 19.
The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion (July 22)
The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion
In a documentary detailing the impact of fashion pioneers Misa Hylton and April Walker, The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion sheds light on the unsung story of how these women virtually created the art of streetwear and changed the industry forever.
Shameless: Season 10 (July 26)
Shameless
If you need a break from the real-life drama and are ready to dive into some on-screen mess, I'd strongly recommend that you pull up to the Gallagher household. Returning for its second-to-last season, this dysfunctional family TV drama is guaranteed to make you feel helluva lot better about your own life.
Seriously Single (July 31)
Seriously Single
Being alone doesn't mean you have to be lonely, just ask the South African stars of Netflix's latest comedy who, after a couple of rocky breakups, are seriously about that single life.
The Umbrella Academy: Season 2 (July 31)
Netflix
Last year, the Netflix Original sci-fi drama series The Umbrella Academy took the internet by storm, and at the end of this month, our weird and dysfunctional family of teenaged superheroes are returning for a second season.
Featured image by Double Platinum.
- What's New on Netflix in July 2020 | Vanity Fair ›
- What's New on Netflix and What's Leaving in July 2020 | Digital Trends ›
- New on Netflix in July 2020 | what's coming next - Radio Times ›
- What's Coming to Netflix in July 2020 - What's on Netflix ›
- New on Netflix July 2020: Movies, TV, Original Series ›
- What's Coming to Netflix in July 2020 - What's on Netflix ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
How Content Creators Hey Fran Hey And Shameless Maya Embraced The Pivot
This article is in partnership with Meta Elevate.
If you’ve been on the internet at all within the past decade, chances are the names Hey Fran Hey and Shameless Maya (aka Maya Washington) have come across your screen. These content creators have touched every platform on the web, spreading joy to help women everywhere live their best lives. From Fran’s healing natural remedies to Maya’s words of wisdom, both of these content creators have built a loyal following by sharing honest, useful, and vulnerable content. But in search of a life that lends to more creativity, freedom, and space, these digital mavens have moved from their bustling big cities (New York City and Los Angeles respectively) to more remote locations, taking their popular digital brands with them.
Content Creators Hey Fran Hey and Maya Washington Talk "Embracing The Pivot"www.youtube.com
In partnership with Meta Elevate — an online learning platform that provides Black, Hispanic, and Latinx-owned businesses access to 1:1 mentoring, digital skills training, and community — xoNecole teamed up with Franscheska Medina and Maya Washington on IG live recently for a candid conversation about how they’ve embraced the pivot by changing their surroundings to ultimately bring out the best in themselves and their work. Fran, a New York City native, moved from the Big Apple to Portland, Oregon a year ago. Feeling overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of city life, Fran headed to the Pacific Northwest in search of a more easeful life.
Her cross-country move is the backdrop for her new campaign with Meta Elevate— a perfectly-timed commercial that shows how you can level up from wherever you land with the support of free resources like Meta Elevate. Similarly, Maya packed up her life in Los Angeles and moved to Sweden, where she now resides with her husband and adorable daughter. Maya’s life is much more rural and farm-like than it had been in California, but she is thriving in this peaceful new setting while finding her groove as a new mom.
While Maya is steadily building and growing her digital brand as a self-proclaimed “mom coming out of early retirement,” Fran is redefining her own professional grind. “It’s been a year since I moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon,” says Fran. “I think the season I’m in is figuring out how to stay successful while also slowing down.” A slower-paced life has unlocked so many creative possibilities and opportunities for these ladies, and our conversation with them is a well-needed reminder that your success is not tied to your location…especially with the internet at your fingertips. Tapping into a community like Meta Elevate can help Black, Hispanic, and Latinx entrepreneurs and content creators stay connected to like minds and educated on new digital skills and tools that can help scale their businesses.
During a beautiful moment in the conversation, Fran gives Maya her flowers for being an innovator in the digital space. Back when “influencing” was in its infancy and creators were just trying to find their way, Fran says Maya was way ahead of her time. “I give Maya credit for being one of the pioneers in the digital space,” Fran said. “Maya is a one-person machine, and I always tell her she really changed the game on what ads, campaigns, and videos, in general, should look like.”
When asked what advice she’d give content creators, Maya says the key is having faith even when you don’t see the results just yet. “It’s so easy to look at what is, despite you pouring your heart into this thing that may not be giving you the returns that you thought,” she says. “Still operate from a place of love and authenticity. Have faith and do the work. A lot of people are positive thinkers, but that’s the thinking part. You also have to put your faith into work and do the work.”
Fran ultimately encourages content creators and budding entrepreneurs to take full advantage of Meta Elevate’s vast offerings to educate themselves on how to build and grow their businesses online. “It took me ten years to get to the point where I’m making ads at this level,” she says. “I didn’t have those resources in 2010. I love the partnership with Meta Elevate because they’re providing these resources for free. I just think of the people that wouldn’t be able to afford that education and information otherwise. So to amplify a company like this just feels right.”
Watch the full conversation with the link above, and join the Meta Elevate community to connect with fellow businesses and creatives that are #OnTheRiseTogether.
Featured image courtesy of Shameless Maya and Hey Fran Hey
[Video] How Cassandra Freeman's Personal Life Relates To Aunt Viv On 'Bel-Air'
If there is one thing that Bel-Air gets right about the reboot, it's their ability to capture the essence of our adoration for Aunt Viv. Played by Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid in the original series, and now Cassandra Freeman in the reboot, the fact that her character translates so beautifully is one of the best features of the show.
This is largely due in part to who Aunt Viv was when brought to life by Hubert or Maxwell Reid, just as much as it has to do with who she has evolved into as Freeman. All of which have been a joy to watch.
While preparing for the role, Freeman pulled inspiration for her character from personal experiences – in Freeman’s case, it was remembering how her aunt, who is a prominent art collector, and uncle remained grounded among their elite circle of friends. She also pulled inspiration for her role from other women in the industry who shared this same set of values, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Obama, and Pauletta Washington--all high-profile women and mothers navigating society as gatekeepers to their families.
“There are a lot of women I’ve met in my career who have that feeling … they’re very much grounded in where they’re from, even though they’re surrounded by such opulence."
The actress discussed all the above in an IG Live exclusive with xoNecole, ultimately dropping gems along the way, specifically how being a working mom influences her approach to her portrayal of Aunt Viv in the series. "I think we're in a time where feminine energy is rising all over the culture right now, and it's also penetrating men's energy as well. I think there's a battle happening in the culture right now and what do we do with this feminine rising energy?"
How Cassandra Freeman's Personal Life Relates to Aunt Viv on "Bel-Air"www.youtube.com
She continued, "It's so hard to be a woman today still because statistically, it still states that women, even if they are the breadwinner, even if they are making the most money, they are still doing the cooking and cleaning and washing and nurturing. It's a heavy load and burnout is a real thing. I always tell people when I get a moment of peace, I don't know in that peace if I should take a nap but if I take a nap then I might feel guilty that maybe I should be playing with my son but maybe I should go get a pedicure or maybe I should be planning my next doctor's visit...Like how am I supposed to get everything in alignment?"
"They're just now admitting that when women have a baby, their brains change and they become like a different person so I think because we don't have any traditions to help lead women into this new life because we don't have that, it's very easy to get lost in this being my only job. It's the highest calling to be a mother, but the greatest calling is to be able to do both."
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Featured image by Unique Nicole/WireImage