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Lee Daniels Is Giving Back and Moving Artists Forward With a New Creative Workshop
Mentorship is something that’s a rarity for many creatives. Too many people go through their respective fields making mistakes that could have been easily avoided if someone took the time to point them in the right direction. Now, before you start your thumb thuggery, I am not saying mentors do not exist; what I am…
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Angela Bassett to Receive Icon Award at 2019 Black Girls Rock! Ceremony
There are certain things we can always depend on being fact: Water will always be wet, fire will always be hot and the world would be lost without black women. Facts are facts, America.Knowing that black women make the world go ‘round, BET is once again gathering attendees to celebrate the blessings that these women…
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Billy Porter Has a Message for Those Who Were Told They Were ‘Too Much’
As an adult, I have struggled with words from my past. You see, I’m what you might call a little bit “extra,” and ever since I was a young tender I was told I was too much. Actually, the word “too” was always ever-present in my childhood. I was too extra, too feminine, too much…
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Queen Latifah to Play Ursula in ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live!
In a ‘90s kind of world, we were glad we had our girl Queen Latifah; and now, in 2019, she’s letting us tap into that old feeling by announcing she will play Ursula in ABC’s live concert version of The Little Mermaid. At this time, I would like to take a brief moment to stan…
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Steven Canals Was Told 'No' Over 100 Times, But One 'Yes' Led to 6 Pose Emmy Nominations
I’ve been gay as hell for some time now. I didn’t always have the language to articulate this, but I’ve had this affinity for a month of Sundays. Growing up, representation was lacking, so black women were what I turned to. I knew good and well I wasn’t a black woman—I wasn’t that blessed—but they…
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Tina ‘Knowles’ Black Excellence and Urges Us To Never Dim Our Light
As a people, we’ve been known to make it out on top in some of the most unfortunate circumstances. With all that we have been through, we still manage to find a way to celebrate the beauty that comes with being black. Even when you trod us down into the dirt, still we rise and…
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‘I Thought I Was Meeting a Nerd:’ Michelle Obama Shares Her First Time Meeting Barack Obama
Like I’ve said before, the America in which I reside is currently single and is using this time to rediscover itself after the Obamas’ departure from the blackest administration in history. We currently don’t have a president, so America is currently swiping right to find a love that’ll give it the treatment for which it…
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Missy Elliott Performed at Essence Fest and We Are All Better Because of It
Last night, my life was changed. I witnessed Melissa “Missy” Arnette Elliott perform and the quality of my existence has been upgraded for the better. I type this to you in lieu of voice because I spent a good 30-plus minutes screaming the hits that Missy was ever so kind enough to give us all…
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Halle Bailey of Chloe x Halle Will Play Ariel in Disney’s Live-Action Remake of The Little Mermaid
A wise crustacean once said that it’s better down where it’s wetter and I’m pretty sure he made this statement because he foresaw the melanin that was going to hit the Seven Seas! Thus, Disney has chosen to make blackness a part of their world by casting Halle Bailey of R&B singing duo Chloe x…
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Protecting Pride: Safe Spaces Are Crucial to the Existence of the LGBTQ Community
Pride Month is a time of celebration. A time where same-gender-loving men get together to celebrate love, liberty, and the occasional Beyoncé. During these celebrations, it is imperative for us to feel safe in the spaces we inhabit. Our mere existence can be viewed as a threat to some, and therefore, many of us have…