

Last night’s election went a lot differently than most POC and Democratic voters could have hoped and Donald Trump was elected as the 45th President of The United States with a total of 276 electoral college votes. He is now the first elect without any prior political experience in history to snag a residency in The White House.
Although the clouds in today’s sky might be looking a little gray, there is still a silver lining.
Before we get too far in our feelings and start heading to the border with all our life’s treasures in tow, let’s step back to take a moment to reflect on the women of color who showed up and showed out last night. (Because man, did these women come through!)
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These phenomenal women are changing the dynamic of American politics, while making history at same time:
Kamala D. Harris
California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris won the state’s US Senate seat, making her the first black woman to do so. Harris was born in Oakland to an Indian-American mother and a Jamaican-American father, so she knows a thing or two about being a woman of color in white spaces. She’s lived it — also being California’s first black woman attorney general — and that’s what makes her win so inspiring. Harris will be the second black woman in history to fill a US Senate seat, and the first Indian-American woman in the US Senate overall.
Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar was elected as Minnesota’s first Somali-American state representative. Just her mere appearance will have Trump supporters shaking in their Dixie Outfitters and crying white tears. Not only is she a refugee, but Omar also proudly wears a hijab and identifies as a Muslim-American woman. In addition to her win, Omar now has a national platform to highlight her immigration story.
At the age of eight, Omar fled the Somali Civil War with her family, and after spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp, settled down in Minneapolis as a teenager. Omar has defeated the odds stacked against her, and hopes to inspire other young Muslim-Americans and immigrants to do the same. And as far as we’re concerned, she already has.
Lisa Rochester
After last night’s election, Lisa Rochester is slaying the game as Delaware’s first black congresswoman. An awesome victory for sure, however, the Philly native has a long list of “firsts” under her belt already. Rochester was Delaware's first black woman Secretary of Labor, and its first black Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and State Personnel Director.
Attica Scott
Although she didn’t have a Republican challenger to face for Kentucky US Representative seat, Attica Scott has become the first black woman to serve on the state’s legislature in 20 years. She defeated her Democratic opponents in May’s primary election, and has since been adamant about shaking things up in the state’s political structure.
Scott proudly represents a district that’s 50% white and 50% black, and is never silent when it comes to fighting for racial equality. And with Kentucky being notorious for having racial biases, it feels so good to have Scott in office as someone on our side.
Being the change we wish to see in the world is still possible. What are some accomplishments about last night's election you're proud to have witnessed? Let us know in the comments below!
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow