

Growing up I was a skinny minnie and an anemic. I vaguely remember the doctor prescribing this liquid form of iron and some Flintstone multivitamins so taking supplements were a crucial part of my childhood. It wasn't that I was a picky eater, though. I ate all of my meats, fruits and most vegetables – like what kid eats asparagus and brussels sprouts – and my family was all about that well-balanced meal life. But later, I assumed my food was lacking some nutrients because my folks' definition of "done" was deep-fried and overcooked.
As an adult living on my own, I made an effort to be more conscious of choosing and preparing foods that would maximize my nutrient intake so that I didn't have to rely on supplements. But somewhere in my 30s, I learned that sometimes our bodies still don't absorb enough nutrients due to age, limitations or certain health conditions that get a little selfish and consume what vitamins and nutrients we already have.
Take vitamin D, for example. According to Healthline, vitamin D is very difficult to get from diet alone, especially if you get infrequent sunlight and have dark skin. In fact, based on a 2011 study, 82.1% of African-Americans are vitamin D-deficient.
And do you know what else disproportionately affects African-Americans, specifically women? Fibroids. At age 38, I had an iron-deficiency so great from fibroids that I had to quickly increase my hemoglobin level before I underwent surgery if I wanted to avoid a blood transfusion midway through the procedure. Liver, spinach and all the medium-done steaks weren't going to do it.
Needless to say, my daily regimen during adulthood was tiny red iron tablets and Vitamin D gummies.
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I couldn't help but wonder a) how many Black women are taking at least vitamin D and iron supplements and b) what other vitamins do we lack and should be supplementing. I discovered that Black women may potentially be low on not only Vitamin D and iron but also vitamins A, B, C, E and K, calcium and folic acid. So I reached out to several women to inquire about their specific vitamin regimen, including two nutritionists, particularly to find out what vitamins Black women should absolutely have in their medicine cabinets.
I asked both Danielle Smiley-Daniel, a public health nutritionist and soon-to-be registered dietician nutritionist (RDN) based in the Hartford, CT, area, and plant-based public health specialist Chelsea Williams in Los Angeles for guidance. Danielle's immediate rule-of-thumb is food first and supplements second. Therefore, we shouldn't automatically turn to vitamins as an easy replacement.
"It would be ideal to get most of your vitamins and minerals from whole food sources but you cannot always do so," says Danielle. "I view supplements as a way to fill the gap with the nutrients your intake does not fulfill."
However, both women stress the importance of consulting with your primary care provider before implementing any vitamin and mineral supplement regimen. Popping a regular ole multivitamin or a sea moss capsule may seem harmless but they should be treated like any other prescribed medication that comes with a list of potential side effects, especially since some supplements can interfere with whatever you're already taking. It needs to be personalized to fit your current lifestyle and medical history.
"Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all supplement routine," Chelsea says. "This is due to individual health conditions – for example, pregnancy, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. Additionally, women [need] to be cognizant of any contraindications with any medications they may be taking, along with the proper dosage."
And even time of day. Some vitamins and supplements may need to be taken later in the day depending on what you're taking in the morning.
I chatted with six women – including Danielle the public health nutritionist – ranging in ages from 29 to 43 about what was in their vitamin cabinets. Their vitamins are mostly prescribed but some were added based on the women's own research. Here's what they take:
Disclaimer: xoNecole is in no way recommending adding any of the below mentioned vitamins. We are simply providing information as a way to enlighten and inform. Please consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Martinique, 29
Courtesy of Martinique Swan
"I take Vitamin D3 for deficiency, biotin for hair, skin and nails, iron for anemia, black seed oil for adult asthma symptoms and my immune system, ashwagandha and CBD for anxiety and chlorella as a multivitamin since it's a superfood and has a lot of nutrients. I also take elderberry, zinc and sea moss for my immune system."
Krystal, 30
Courtesy of Krystal Layne
"I take vitamins C, D and D3 as well as iron and zinc. I started taking vitamin C and zinc to support my immune system. I didn't start taking vitamin D or D3 because I was deficient but my doctor did recommend it. I take vitamin D because I have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Vitamin D is the sunlight vitamin that will increase my energy and mood. Vitamin D3 supports my immune system especially with COVID-19 and since I'm an essential worker. My doctor also recommended Vitamin D along with iron pills because I'm anemic. And I also take omega 3s for high cholesterol, oregano oil supplements for additional immune support and a Lydia Pinkham supplement for menstrual support."
Spencer, 33
Courtesy of Spencer St. Fleur
"I started taking vitamins to care for my overall health and wellness and provide the extra nutrition/nourishment that foods don't always provide since they're mostly overprocessed. I take multivitamins, vitamins C and D that my doctor prescribed, fish oil, black seed oil (three days per week since it's so terrible), sea moss gel, iron, zinc and probiotics for gut and feminine wellness."
Mia, 35
Courtesy of Mia Tatum
"I take supplements based on my own research and trial and error. I take ashwagandha for anxiety, astaxanthin for cognitive health, zinc for my immune system, a probiotic for gut health and B12 for energy. When I have PMS, I take Vitamin E because it helps a lot with breast tenderness. I also have a subscription to Care/of, which is convenient and offers a quiz you can take for recommendations."
Yemisi, 41
Courtesy of Yemisi Gisanrin
"My doctor recommended Vitamin D for bone health because my count was really low, folic acid for reproductive health and omega 3 for heart health and lower cholesterol."
Danielle, 43
Courtesy of Danielle Smiley-Daniel
"My supplement regimen includes Vitamin D to boost my immune system and maintain strong bones, probiotics to improve gut health and decrease gastrointestinal bloat and omega 3 to help prevent heart disease, stroke and cancer."
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I write about lifestyle and women's health and wellness. When I'm not in front of a computer screen crafting stories, I'm in a kitchen crafting cocktails. Follow me on the 'gram @teronda.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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10 Moms You Should Be Following Who Are Living, Loving & Mothering On Their Own Terms
Motherhood is looking different these days, and we must say, we love to see it. From digital creators to wellness entrepreneurs, today's moms are showing up online not just as caretakers, but as the multi-faceted, multi-layered women they are.
These moms are building businesses, creating art, prioritizing their rest, healing generational trauma, and redefining what it means to raise a child while staying rooted and true to their own identities.
Most importantly, these women aren't just sharing cute baby pics (although we live for those, too!), they're giving us the real about being mothers while also being themselves, creative expression, and the blueprint for what it means to embody themselves fully.
Whether they are documenting the beauty in the chaos of parenting or making space for their own passions, the following mamas serve as reminders that motherhood is not a monolith. Keep reading for some Black moms who deserve a spot on your TL if they aren't there already.
@brookedevard
Brooke DeVard is a beauty podcaster, content creator, and style muse who’s redefining what it means to do it all, with intention and grace. Whether she’s behind the mic as the host on Naked Beautyor holding both her babies in a quiet moment of joy, Brooke shows that you don’t have to choose between your passions and your presence. Sis is living proof that you can lead, nurture, and glow, all at once.
@yvettecorinne
Yvette Corinne is a digital creator and co-founder of Hair for the Girls, who’s showing us what it means to embrace the ups and downs of postpartum with honesty, humor, and heart. Through candid reflections and style-forward moments, she reminds fellow mamas that beauty, chaos, and grace can all coexist on one’s postpartum journey. And that joy can be found in the smallest wins.
@eliserpeterson
Elise R. Peterson is a visual artist, children’s book illustrator, and host of the Cool Moms podcast who uses storytelling as a form of liberation, for herself and for other creatives. Whether she’s nurturing her son, Sargent, or curating space for honest conversations on identity and artistry, Elise is a reminder that motherhood can be a portal for deeper self-expression as opposed to a limitation of it.
@loveoffering
Josefina is a mindful artist and writer whose work feels like a warm exhale in a world that often moves too fast. Through poetic captions on healing, tender family moments, and her Substack newsletter cuídate, she offers gentle reminders that in motherhood and in life, presence, grace, and emotional connection matter far more than perfection.
@jalisaevaughn
JaLisa E. Jefferson is a Dallas-based digital creator, wife, and mom of three whose motherhood journey is equal parts joy, faith, and full-blown toddler chaos. Through honest reflections and heartfelt storytelling, she reminds us that the little things, like bedtime bribes, belly laughs, and beautifully messy routines, are often life’s biggest blessings. Her love for her life runs deep, and her gratitude shows up in every frame she posts.
@theprettygirlsguide
DeAnna Bobbi is a DMV-based mom blogger whose content brings the laughs, the looks, and the real talk about motherhood, pregnancy, and everything in between. Whether she’s giving mom hacks or documenting her 25-week Brazilian wax with zero shame and all the humor, DeAnna reminds us that honesty (with a side of style) is a superpower in this season of life.
@elainewelteroth
Elaine Welteroth is a bestselling author, former Teen Vogue EIC, and founder of BirthFUND, using her platform to fight for maternal health equity while navigating the beauty and complexity of new motherhood. In her own words, every stage of parenting feels "slow," brutal, and beautiful all at once, which is why she chooses to romanticize the little moments, even as she pre-grieves how fleeting they’ll one day feel. Her motherhood journey is both a personal evolution and a public call to reimagine care, softness, and support for women everywhere.
@designaddictmom
Stacey-Ann Blake is a home decor creator whose vibrant aesthetic is matched only by the warmth she brings to motherhood. From backyard tents in the fall to colorful corners curated with love, she reminds us that home isn’t just a space you live in, it’s an atmosphere where creativity blooms, joy is intentional, and childhood gets to feel magical. Her content inspires mamas to embrace boldness, beauty, and play in their everyday lives.
@hautemommie
Leslie Antonoff, Hautemommie and all-around powerhouse, is on a mission to inspire women, especially Black women, to live magnificently. With honesty and elegance, she shares what it means to mother with vision: to lead with softness, to nurture with strength, and to reject every outdated expectation of what motherhood is "supposed" to look like. For Leslie, motherhood is legacy work, and she wears that responsibility with grace and pride.
@latonyayvette
LaTonya Yvette is an author, editor, and creative consultant whose storytelling around motherhood is lyrical, layered, and deeply lived-in. With over 14 years of parenting behind her, she captures the tenderness of raising a child in a rapidly shifting world, reminding us that motherhood isn’t just a personal journey, but a sacred thread in a much larger, collective story. Her words are a mirror, a balm, and a reminder that presence is its own kind of legacy. If you've never come across her account on IG, we think you should start here.
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Featured image by Elise R. Peterson/Instagram