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The Music, the Myth, the Muse: Sade Turns 60
She’s gorgeous, talented, stylish and ever-elusive. And today, the woman we know simply as “Sade” turns 60. If that sounds unbelievable, consider this: After forming her eponymous band in the early ’80s, the Nigerian-born singer-songwriter and former model born Helen Folasade Adu first hit our radar with 1984’s Diamond Life, marking a rebirth of cool…
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Film Noir x 4: KiKi, Jenifer, Regina and Amandla Cover Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Issue
It’s awards season, and once again, Essence magazine is right in step with the moment by releasing its annual Black Women in Hollywood issue with four incredible cover stars—who also happen to be this year’s award honorees! Newcomer on the rise KiKi Layne, industry vet-turned leading lady Regina Hall, child star turned outspoken role model…
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Romper Room: Serena Williams Serves a New Spin on Her Famed Catsuit at the Australian Open
Feeling playful? Serena Williams sure looked as if she was, while shutting down Germany’s Tatjana Maria in straight sets during her first round match at the 2019 Australian Open. Memorably, after Williams’ black catsuit caused a small furor in the French Tennis Federation last year, the Women’s Tennis Association subsequently cleared the way for catsuits…
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#MuteRKelly: NYC Rally Planned to Pressure RCA to Drop 'The Pied Piper of R&B' [Updated]
Several powerful advocacy organizations are joining forces at the RCA Records headquarters in New York City on Wednesday morning in an ongoing effort to #MuteRKelly. Via the coalition’s social media, the “Rally to Protect Black Girls” is a joint effort between Color of Change, Girls for Gender Equity, the New York City chapter of the…
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Calling Foul: Virginia Referee Barred From Future Games After Complaining About 10-Year-Old Girl’s Hair
Another day, another person who has an issue with a black child’s hair. A youth basketball referee in Chesapeake, Va., has been barred from reffing future games in the city after making negative comments about a young black player’s hair. As local news team WAVY reports, the unnamed but veteran referee singled out the 10-year-old…
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Broadway Legend Carol Channing Dies at 97, ‘Proud as Can Be’ of Her Black Heritage
The beloved singer and actress enjoyed more than 70 years of success on stage and screen.
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The Best Men Can Be? Gillette Poses a New Challenge—but Can Men Accept It?
Hell hath no fury like a man who thinks he’s being held accountable. At least, that appears to be what’s happening for many men in response to a now-viral new ad by Gillette. The 30-second spot (also cut as a one-minute-and-48-second short film) raises questions of accountability, toxic vs. “traditional” masculinity, corporate influence, and pandering…
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Missing from the Immigration Discussion? How the U.S. Gov’t Has Failed to Prevent Child Marriages
In the midst of separate but simultaneously disturbing cultural conversations about both the United States’ immigration policies and the sexualization and victimization of underage girls by adult men, another startling report has emerged. According to the Associated Press, government data reveals that over the past decade, the United States government has approved the petitions of…
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Just Mary: For Her 48th Birthday, Mary J. Blige Let Us Know She's Even Better in a Bikini
This time last year, Mary J. Blige was paving the way for Lady Gaga’s current awards season as a two-time Oscar nominee in both the Supporting Actress and Best Song categories for her work in Mudbound—and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her 47th birthday. She was also celebrating her hard-won…
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Enough: Rwanda Becomes the 3rd African Nation to Ban Skin-Bleaching Ingredients
Rwanda just became the latest country to take aggressive action against the widespread practice of skin bleaching, now enforcing a ban on products that contain ingredients intended to lighten the skin—most commonly, hydroquinone. In December, Rwandan police told national outlet The New Times the move, in which officials are patrolling markets and seizing bleaching products…
