Have you ever had someone tell you, “Wow, you look pretty today,” only for you to respond with a gracious “thank you”? Then moments later ask yourself if that means you looked terrible yesterday? The truth is, compliments are very very tricky. These tiny gestures, which many of us crave by the way, seem innocuous and random. In actuality, compliments come from a socialized place internal to each of us and are driven by traditional ideals of beauty. Let’s break down to pitfalls of the common compliment for women of color and how getting one or not getting one is never a reflection on you. [Read more…]
My Adventures Through Black Woman Land: What’s in a Compliment?
May 25, 2013
Worthy Products: Coconut Oil
May 22, 2013
I have a minor infatuation with natural hair care products (as if you haven’t noticed that already). And oils, by far, top my list of useful, multi-purpose hair care items. One of the most flexible and accessible oils on the market is coconut oil. Some use it for cooking purposes and internal health. I use it for consistent hair and body moisture maintenance. Truthfully, it is an ingredient in every single body butter and hair oil I produce for my family. Because of its natural capabilities, coconut oil boasts many benefits for women of color in particular.
Here are a few reasons why I love it so much. [Read more…]
Frenemies? Women of Color & Corporate America
May 20, 2013
Corporate America is a very interesting place. In many respects, it represents opportunity, growth, and possibility. But, since it has always been an environment dominated by “good old boys” and mainstream American ideals, it has not necessarily been the most welcoming place for women of color. In many respects, the very crooked rooms that these women seek to escape in their daily lives are emboldened in the corporate realm, but opportunities for career growth still make mainstream industry very appealing for women of color.
In essence, corporate America has become the “frenemy” of women of color: sometimes friend, sometimes enemy. But, understanding oneself better, being uncompromising with one’s values and ideals, and understanding that every situation is not an always situation helps to mitigate some of these contradicting aspects of a central institution to America’s core capitalistic culture.
Worthy Products: Jojoba Oil
May 16, 2013
Okay, I know I said that I love castor oil. And, it is true. I really really do love castor oil. But, on my list of oils, jojoba oil has got to be right up there in the top 5. Another natural hair care and body product that I can’t live without, it imparts moisture while softening hair and skin.
Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the jojoba plant. It is one of very few natural oils with molecules small enough to enter the hair shaft. But, its waxy texture is so similar to the hair’s natural sebum, it helps to provide a thin film on the hair to keep the hair shaft moisturized. It is a natural emollient (hair moisturizer). This capability allows jojoba to moisturize the hair from the inside out rather than sitting on top of the hair as most primarily sealing oils do. [Read more…]
New Documentary ‘Imagine A Future: My Black Is Beautiful’ Promotes Self-Worth for Young Black Women
May 15, 2013
Recently, we learn
ed of a new documentary targeting young black women called “Imagine a Future: My Black Is Beautiful.” Sponsored by the big name consumer products company, Proctor & Gamble, the documentary seeks to investigate the issues young black women face with insecurities and self-worth. Working in concert with Beverly Bond and her nonprofit Black Girls Rock!, an organization dedicated to uplifting young black girls in the Brooklyn area, P&G’s My Black is Beautiful (MBIB) campaign has taken on the daunting task of reaching girls nationwide with their message of empowerment. [Read more…]
Who’s Shining? Melissa Harris-Perry is…
May 14, 2013
Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, acclaimed author, columnist, MSNBC host, and professor, is no stranger to The Worth Campaign. In fact, it was her book, Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America, that inspired our founder to create this organization. Her courage to deal with and make plain the issues facing black women and girls is one worth noting. Because of this, she is the newest addition to The Worth Campaign’s panel of “Shining” women of color. [Read more…]
