Lifestyle Dreams, Ambitions, & White Priva-Latte: A Deep Dive into Janea West’s Grown: The Webseries “So often, Black women are expected to be perfect and polished…My series Grown allows Black women to be in their process, imperfect, messy, and all the while still worthy” – Janea West My sister and I grew up under the stern governance of Dr. Phil and Carl Winslow;our parents By Stone E. Mims • 3 min read
Lifestyle Creating Unforgettable Experiences: How Jayna Martin Is Building a Legacy Through Moments & Memories Party & Decor When people think about event planning, they often picture beautiful decorations and elegant venues. But behind every unforgettable celebration is a visionary who transforms ideas into experiences that leave lasting impressions. Since launching Moments & Memories Party & Decor in 2019, founder Jayna Martin has built a reputation for designing By King O’muni Lens • 5 min read
Lifestyle Global Economic Forum Elevates Black Women's Health Through Candid Conversation at Essence Festival of Culture 2026 and The Global Black Economic Forum The Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) convened a powerful discussion on Black women's health during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026 with the panel, "Sistas, Say It Louder: Reclaiming Power, Pleasure, and Protection in Black Women's Health." The panel featured GRAMMY-nominated singer and By Dr. Christal Jordan • 2 min read
Lifestyle Why You Should Read The Heartbreak Years If a man is your only problem, that’s an easy fix –Minda Honey, Author of The Heartbreak Years I spent the last four years as a high school English teacher at a small arts school in the Midwest. It was a humbling experience, being responsible for the education of By Stone E. Mims • 2 min read
Models: Therin Johnson (dark blue) and Gabrielle Howard (light blue) Lifestyle The Beauty of Black Summer There was a time when summer meant trying to hide from the sun instead of embracing it. For many Black girls, every extra shade of brown earned after a day outside came with an unsolicited comment. Hair was expected to be straightened before vacation photos. Afros were considered statements instead By Dr. Christal Jordan • 3 min read
Lifestyle From Skid Row to CEO: Pastor Troy Vaughn's Powerful Journey of Faith, Freedom, and Restoration There are stories that inspire, and then there are stories that redefine what is possible. Pastor Troy F. Vaughn's remarkable journey from the streets of Los Angeles' Skid Row to becoming a respected pastor, author, and nonprofit executive is one of those extraordinary testimonies. During my recent By Pamela Broussard • 3 min read
Lifestyle King Randall: The Young Man Carrying the Mantle of Leadership for the Next Generation Lenox & Parker celebrates Father's Day honoring our 2026 Man of the Year History has a way of making greatness seem inevitable. Looking back, we speak of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Fred Hampton as though the world immediately recognized the magnitude of who they By Dr. Christal Jordan • 10 min read
Lifestyle A Soft Life Requires Soft Skills Why Charm & Etiquette Coach Carol Rey believes confidence, civility, and social intelligence are still the ultimate power moves Everybody seems to want the soft life these days. Social media is filled with conversations about femininity, luxury, marriage, homemaking, emotional peace, and living well. Young women are studying the aesthetics By Dr. Christal Jordan • 6 min read
Music “I Want People to Feel Seen”: Amber Renee on Purpose, Pop Culture & Becoming the Full Package For Amber Renee, music has never been just about singing — it’s about creating moments people can feel forever. Inspired by legendary entertainers like Aaliyah, Brandy, Destiny's Child, and Britney Spears, Amber blends smooth R&B energy, pop influence, vulnerability, and star-quality ambition into music designed By King O’muni Lens • 3 min read
Lifestyle When Did Accountability Become Hate in Black Culture? Protecting Black Voices Has Become Synonymous with Enabling Bad Behavior Accountability has become one of the most uncomfortable conversations inside Black culture because somewhere along the way, many of us started confusing critique with betrayal. If a public figure misrepresents themselves, exploits their audience, behaves irresponsibly, or moves in ways By Dr. Christal Jordan • 5 min read
Lifestyle I Spent Mother’s Day Weekend Recommitting Myself to Being a Better Wife There is a strange silence that happens in modern culture whenever a woman openly says she wants to be a great wife. Not a successful woman. Not an independent woman. Not a boss. Not a woman who “has it all together", because all those attributes are celebrated ad nauseam. By Dr. Christal Jordan • 7 min read
Lifestyle The STEAM BAR Isn’t Just Haircare, It’s a Love Letter to Black Hair For generations, Black women have been sold transformation. Straighten it. Relax it. Lay it flatter. Make it longer. Make it silkier. Protect it with braids, wigs, weaves. Make it look “manageable.” The beauty industry has spent decades convincing women of color that healthy hair was something achieved through manipulation instead By Dr. Christal Jordan • 5 min read
