

Exclusive: Will Packer And Idris Elba On Putting Black Women First
Executive producer Will Packer’s new film Beast stars Idris Elba as a widowed dad caring for his two daughters (Iyana Halley and Leah Sava Jeffries) after his wife dies. While he’s trying to build a stronger bond with his daughters, the doctor encounters a ruthless lion in a South African game reserve and his daughters’ safety becomes his number one priority.
While Idris’ character is fighting to protect his daughters at all costs even if that means putting them before himself, that same thinking also translates into his personal life. Putting Black women first is a theme shared with xoNecole's new She Comes First podcast where we hear from our faves on Black women centering themselves, self-care, and self-love in their lives. In an exclusive interview with xoNecole, Idris and Will also share the importance of putting Black women first.
“My wife, she’s a priority just based on we’re married, and we’re a partnership,” Idris said. “She’s always someone I think about first."
xoNecole Asks Idris Elba & Will Packer: "How do you prioritize Black women in your life?"
He also mentioned his daughter. The Luther actor has two kids, a 20-year-old daughter named Isan Elba and an 8-year-old son named Winston Elba. “In this film, my character is prioritizing those two girls over himself and I worked really hard for a long time but I always think about my daughter, my kids, and my wife.”
Will echoed those same sentiments as he is married as well and has two daughters. “First of all, I love Black women and I try to show that love in my personal life. Married to a Black woman, two Black daughters, that is very important, son of a Black mom,” Will said. “I just realized that Black women don’t get enough appreciation for what they bring to this world to how talented and influential they are so I try to do my part and thank the women that I personally know and show them love but then also in my work.”
“If you look at projects that I’ve been a part of, there is either Black women right at the center or integral parts to the content that I make.”
Will has produced several films starring Black women such as Girls Trip, Little, Breaking In, and many more. “And that audience has shown their appreciation to me by going out and supporting my projects in a really major way and that is not lost on me. So I continue to always showcase my sisters in any chance that I get and they always show me love and I’m appreciative.”
Beast hits theaters on August 19.
xoNecole Asks The Cast Of Beast "How do you prioritize yourself?"
Idris Elba Explains Why Representation In Storytelling Is So Important
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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
Protect Your Peace & Your Energy With These Top-Notch Protection Crystals
You’ve seen them everywhere — from side tables and desks to dainty jewelry accents on earrings and necklaces. For centuries, crystals have been used as a tool for healing and spiritual practices, but in recent years have become essential assets to keep on hand for our self-care practices and spiritual toolboxes.
Let’s be honest: sometimes, in life, negativity seems to come at us in random and unavoidable ways. From road-raging drivers that cut you off in traffic to a nagging boss that just can’t seem to get off your back, in the face of this resistance, it’s always nice to have a little companion in your pocket that can help rid of any messy juju and allow you to remain grounded, balanced, and centered.
While these dazzling stones are beautiful to admire, they are known to carry powerful weight in spiritual protection, love, abundance, and healing. But no matter where these crystals fall in your self-care style, finding the right ones to offer protection from negative energies and promote positive energy flow can be a helpful step to shield yourself from negative vibes.
So if you’re on the hunt for the best bad vibes repellants, look no further because we've put together a list of the perfect crystals for protection.
Let’s get into it:
Black Tourmaline
This powerful crystal is said to be the boss of absorbing negative energy and creating a protective shield around the wearer. Black Tourmaline is a popular crystal that is often related to grounding and stabilizing, helping to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.
One way to use Black Tourmaline as a protection crystal is to carry it with you in your pocket or wear it as jewelry. You can also place it in your home or workplace to create a protective barrier against negative energies.
Smoky Quartz
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This trusty stone is thought to transmute negative energy into positive energy. It's said to absorb and transmute negative energies, making it an effective tool for creating a protective shield around yourself or your environment. It is also believed to help release negative thought patterns and emotions, promoting a sense of calm and balance. Because we all know when you think positively, positive things come right back to us, so keep the Smoky Quartz in your rotation.
Amethyst
Amethyst is special for its ability to promote a calm and peaceful environment. These calming effects are believed to affect the mind and emotions, which can help alleviate anxiety and stress. It is believed to promote spiritual awareness and enhance intuition, making it a popular choice among those who practice meditation and other spiritual practices.
Clear Quartz
When it comes to Clear Quartz, this powerful and versatile crystal is believed to be one of the most effective crystals for protection due to its ability to cleanse, purify, and amplify energy.
Clear Quartz is said to work by absorbing and neutralizing negative energy and environmental pollutants while also enhancing the positive energy around it. One of the ways in which Clear Quartz can be used as a protective crystal is by placing it in areas where negative energy is present, such as near electronic devices, your car, or in the workplace.
Citrine
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Citrine is believed by some to be a powerful crystal for protection, as well as for attracting abundance, enhancing creativity, and boosting self-confidence. It is said to have a bright and joyful energy that can help dispel negativity, clear the mind, and promote feelings of happiness and positivity.
For protection, citrine is thought to be effective at shielding the aura and deflecting negative energies, including electromagnetic radiation, from electronic devices. Some people also believe that it can help to protect against psychic attacks and negative thought forms — so if you feel those negative vibes, definitely stock up on citrine.
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Featured image by We Are/Getty Images