It’s graduation season. While many graduates took the traditional route – graduating high school, heading to a four-year college, then walking the stage to receive their undergraduate diplomas – some folks weren’t so lucky. Songstress and Philly native Jill Scott is one such person who never got a chance to finish her academic career at Temple University. But, the school recently awarded her an honorary doctorate anyway. Stories like these underscore how valuable it is to continue working toward one’s goals even after setbacks happen. [Read more…]
Jill Scott’s Honorary Doctorate Should be an Inspiration to Young Women
Lupita Nyong’o: “My One Prayer…Was That I would Wake Up Light Skinned”
Lupita Nyong’o is certainly shining. The Oscar nominated actress and red carpet stunner has grabbed attention far and wide since her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave. But, at Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, she admitted that she used to struggle with her physical appearance. So much so, she routinely prayed for her skin to become lighter overnight. This just goes to show that the evil seeds of colorism abound even for young women whom we would all deem extraordinarily gorgeous. [Read more…]
Queen Latifah Looks and Acts Like a Million Bucks
Was I the only one who noticed how fabulous Queen Latifah looked at this year’s Grammy Awards which aired this past Sunday? Not only are her efforts to get in great shape apparent, she looked happy, radiant, and positively stunning in her floor length black glittery gown. And, as her appearance displays, she has been winning in the industry for quite some time now.
Univ. of Alabama Jewish Sorority Elects First Black President
Race relations in this country have become increasingly hot-button in recent years. And, our issues discussing and addressing race have, in some cases, left us behind the goalpost for racial equality. Fraternities and sororities are not insulated from these problems. On the bright side, one historically Jewish sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, at the University of Alabama recently overcame a racial barrier electing the first black woman as president of their organization. Hannah Patterson, 22-year-old engineering major, is definitely shining. [Read more…]
Fresno State Debaters Are First Black Women to Win Big
Two awesome young women at Fresno State University (California) made history in October winning the Henry Clay Invitational Debates in 1st and 2nd place. The young women, Nadia Lewis and Jamila Ahmed, are definitely shining. [Read more…]
First Black Designer, Dom Streater, Wins ‘Project Runway’
Recently, there has been a lot of press covering the dearth of people of color in high fashion. High fashion and couture print models are predominantly white and the number of models of color has been decreasing in top fashion shows. In all, the outlook for people of color in the fashion industry seems to be a negative one. Yet, the outcome of this year’s Project Runway reality show, airing on Lifetime, is so significant because it challenges these barriers for people of color. For the first time in 12 seasons the show has its first black winner, Dom Streater. While seemingly way overdue, this is an accomplishment which highlights ongoing racial issues in the fashion industry. [Read more…]