black girl magic
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Sisters in Style: In Tennis and Fashion, It Runs in the Family for the Williams Sisters
As the Williams sisters prepared to face off at the US Open on Sept. 1, there was much speculation over whether Serena or Venus—seeded 16th and 17th respectively (prior to the match), would take home the win. (It was baby sis Serena this round, proving that motherhood hasn’t slowed her down, after all.) But in…
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Out of the Box: Logan Browning Talks Identity, Colorism and the Problem of Privilege
Identity is no small issue for Dear White People’s Logan Browning. Aside from her leading role as the oft-confused but always outspoken biracial firebrand Samantha White, Browning tells Refinery29 she’s spent her entire life being asked: “What are you?” My first answer is: “My parents are Black.” Part of the reason I say that is…
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Pretty, Funny: Comedian Janelle James Ain’t No Joke
Fun fact: The first time I saw comedian Janelle James perform, while sitting in the audience of a 2015 taping of Wyatt Cenac’s comedy showcase, “Night Train,” I knew she was someone I wanted to know. The woman was strumming my pain and singing my life, hilariously lamenting the state of once-epic breasts and proposing…
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Making Miss Black America: As the Pageant Turns 50, an Early Contestant Looks Back
When Oprah Winfrey represented her home state of Tennessee in the Miss Black America pageant in 1971, she was part of a pioneering group of young women daring to define beauty on their own terms. In fact, the pageant, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was launched in protest of the Miss America pageant,…
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You've Been Served: Serena William's Ladylike—and Winning!—US Open Look Speaks Volumes
“Well, she always knows her place, she’s got style, she’s got grace, She’s a winner…” Sorry, I can’t seem to stop humming Tom Jones this morning, as I check out Serena Williams’ winning look and performance on Monday night at the US Open. ‘Cause she’s a lady—in every possible sense of the word. Wearing a…
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AfroPunk Brooklyn 2018 Was an Explosion of Style
Every year like clockwork, the ultimate young black reunion takes place on the lawns of Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, as all the stylish friends you wish you had come out stunting in their bright, bold, and very unapologetically black street style, ready to mosh and sway the hot evenings away. This year was no…
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'We Want H.E.R': R&B's Newest Star Talks Fame with Vogue, Takes Stage at AfroPunk
She may seem to hide behind sunglasses, but 21-year-old Gabi Wilson—better known as H.E.R.—has made it her mission to be at ease in the spotlight, as she told Vogue while prepping for last weekend’s AfroPunk festival in her home base of Brooklyn, NY. “[My style] is straight-up comfortable,” she said, confessing that she doesn’t really…
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Janet, Lena, Latifah and More: Black Girls Rock! Returns to the Red Carpet
The ceremony won’t be televised until Sept. 9, but on Sunday night at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J., black girl magic was on full display as an array of our established and future icons hit the red carpet for Black Girls Rock! 2018. Honorees Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Naomi Campbell,…
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Drinking Games: Issa Rae Plays 'Never Have I Ever' with Harper's Bazaar
You know we love a “Stars! They’re just like us!” moment here at The Glow Up, and this week’s comes from our favorite Insecure and adventurous yet Awkward Black Girl, Issa Rae. Sitting down with Harper’s Bazaar and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, Rae plays the classic “Never Have I Ever” game, running through a…
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Save Sundress Season! Rihanna Just Reminded Us of the Summer We're Not Having
If you’ve yet to hear the rumors, Rihanna and Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) are currently filming together in Cuba, as both are reportedly cast members of the upcoming Guava Island, directed by Atlanta and “This Is America” video director Hiro Murai. While we’ve yet to hear any details about a plot or release date,…