black girl magic
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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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The Glow Up Goes to NOLA: How Do You Dress for Essence Fest?
I’ve traveled the world and been to multiple parts of the Caribbean and Africa, but I don’t think I’ve never been on a plane as black as the one I boarded to attend Essence Fest. For our Big Beauty Tuesday regulars who were looking for their weekly installment this week, I have my best excuse…
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Marsai Martin’s Advice for Young Black Girls With Hollywood Dreams
Marsai Martin must be protected at all costs. The youngest executive producer in Hollywood and Black-ish star is not only making major moves for herself but wants to see other young black girls producing on the big screen, too. In the above clip, she shares some tips for getting into the business and why representation…
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How to Throw a 25-Year Party: Why Essence Festival Is Your Faves’ Favorite Event of the Year
What makes a great party? No, I mean a really great party; the kind people look forward to, year after year. This Fourth of July weekend, we’re going to find out; we’re traveling to New Orleans to join our play cousins at Essence for the 25th-anniversary celebration of their legendary festival. While it’s not The…
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Three Times a Lady: When I Grow Up, I Want to Be Like Iman (or Ciara, or Teyana, or…)
How do you celebrate 25 years of hosting the biggest celebration of black womanhood in the world? If you’re Essence magazine, you mark the spirit of the summer festival season by featuring three dynamically different beauties on your covers—all with a common gift for killing the game. Is the eternal slay of the iconic Iman…
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In More Than Enough, Elaine Welteroth Discusses the Double-Edged Sword of #SucceedingWhileBlack
Behind every black woman’s success story is generally a well-developed talent for code-switching and at least one person (often, far more than one) who questions her right to succeed. As Elaine Welteroth recounts in her new memoir, More Than Enough, she experienced plenty of both while building her reputation as one of the most influential…
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MTV Is Bringing Back Daria Character Jodie Landon—With Help From Tracee Ellis Ross
One of the unsung characters of ’90s animation is getting her own show. MTV Studios has just announced that the much-beloved “Daria universe” has birthed a new spinoff: Icon of black excellence Jodie Landon will be immortalized in Jodie, voiced and executive produced by Tracee Ellis Ross. As a statement from MTV suggests, the show…
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Taraji P. Henson Wants Us To Change How We Talk About Mental Health
Can we talk for a minute? And no, I’m not trying to know your name. I want to talk about mental health in the black community. Brothas, how y’all feeling? Sisters, y’all alright? In the black community discussing mental health is a privilege. We have a tendency to not call a thing a thing. We…
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Megan Thee Stallion Gathers Fans for a Day of Community Service
If you think we’re going to throw our asses in a circle while simultaneously doing community service, then you’re absolutely black-ass right. When Megan Thee Stallion said she was doing hoodrat shit with her friends, many thought that meant turning up and twerking on someone’s son/daughter, but, oh were you wrong! The self-proclaimed and rightfully…
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Blockbuster Talent: Aisha Hinds Is Poised for Major Impact in Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Anyone who had the pleasure of watching actress Aisha Hinds monologue her way through a series of breathtaking appearances as Harriet Tubman on the tragically underrated (and sadly canceled) series Underground knew they were witnessing someone wondrous. Her newest vehicle, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, may leave the wonder to the monster-creating effects of CGI,…