YARA SHAHIDI SECURES BLACK-ISH SPIN-OFF, GROWN-ISH
Black girl magic just got more magical for Zoey Johnson, played by Yara Shahidi, as she begins production on her Black-ish spin-off Grown-ish. (Which was previously titled College-ish) The 17-year-old actress and activist will star in the ABC spin-off that mirrors a new experience in her real life, both her and her character are going to college!
{ Shahidi has accepted admission to Harvard University, but due to filming she has decided to take a gap year and pursue her Harvard studies in Fall of 2018. She'll be joining the Ivy leagues class of 2022 students including, former first daughter Malia Obama. }
The new ABC show will follow Shahidi's Black-ish character Zoey as she begins college at Southern California University, and will focus on issues that students and administration face in higher education. The series will also follow Zoey as she tackles college, friendships, relationships, life, politics and much more.
Shahidi told Seventeen Magazine, “We want to explore and see where Zoey is going, because on a college campus — given the socio-political landscape of our society at the moment — we're not only dealing with race policy that we got from Black-ish, [but also] the intersectionality of race, gender, sexuality and political views and ideals." And so [filming on] a college campus and having Zoey experience life as an independent would a perfect place to discuss that."
The star-studded cast includes Trevor Jackson, sister singing duo Chloe x Halle, Black-ish castmate Deon Cole, and Chris Parnell to name a few. Zoey's classmates will also represent various social, cultural, and political backgrounds throughout the series to open conversation about some pretty serious global matters. This comes as no surprise due to the actress’s deep involvement in societal issues and her fearless vocal activism.
Black-ish and Grown-ish executive producer, Kenya Barris, told Deadline that “grown-ish reflects what we’ll be dealing with in the show – that in-between place where you’re not quite an adult but facing grown world problems for the first time,” said creator and executive producer Kenya Barris. “Where black-ish examines what it means to be black, grown-ish is an examination of what it is and what it means to be grown.”
Although, Yara will be filming Grown-ish and beginning her undergraduate studies at Harvard University she will still make occasional appearances on the original series Black-ish.
The 13-episode series will premiere in early 2018 on Freeform.
Originally posted on LeadingwithLeeMagazine.com
Blogged by: Shaa Ravine - Instagram: @ms.ravine
Instagram: @lwlmagazine
Facebook.com/leadingwithlee
FALL HAIR CHRONICLES: 5 HAIR OILS YOU SHOULD TRY!
With the seasons frequently changing, it’s as important to protect your hair as it is your skin. The sun not only provides melanin-rich tans and hot temperatures, but it also can cause serious damage to your hair. To all my dyed ladies - although the fall sun makes your red and copper colors POP and the fall breeze flows through your scalp, it can also make your color fade faster, and it may even damage your scalp! Don’t fret– here are some oils to help you protect your hair from the sun's harmful rays this fall.
1. Coconut Oil
A favorite among many because of its various uses, coconut oil naturally contains a sun protection factor, or SPF 10. If you’re planning to have a picnic or even a pool day, soak or spritz your curls with water and then coat your hair in some coconut oil before you head out. By soaking your hair at home, you are locking in much-needed moisture, which should help keep the chlorine and UV rays locked out of your hair strands - these things are prone to cause your hair to dry out. Coconut oil also has antifungal properties, cleansing the scalp of any germs or dermatological issues.
2. Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil contains a host of B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, and B6, which are readily absorbed through the skin. These vitamins help to increase circulation to your scalp and even help thicken your hair. It also packs some powerful vitamins like A, D, and E, as well as antioxidants. These vitamins help to strengthen, lock in moisture, add shine and luster, repair hair strands, and provide a protective shield over your strands. Wheat germ oil is an emollient which is the key to keeping natural hair moisturized. Be advised: A little goes a long way with this power protein packed oil!
3. Olive Oil
Not only great for cooking, this particular oil is rich in vitamins A, E, and antioxidants. Olive oil helps protect the keratin (the protein that protects your hair cells from damage and stress) in hair and seals in moisture. It’s great for nourishing dry brittle ends or frizzy curls on those hot, humid days. The olive oil coats the hair strand providing shine, moisture, and aids in strengthening and softening your hair.
4. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is great for moisturizing and sealing moisture in your hair strands, as well as helping the strands to repair themselves. The oil helps fight dandruff with its antifungal properties and it also nourishes the dryness in your scalp. Jojoba closely models human sebum, which is the body’s natural oil produced through the scalp. Before swimming, spray water and Jojoba oil all over your hair to help it fight the damaging chemicals found in pools such as chlorine. Jojoba is another oil that acts as an emollient that helps to coat the hair cuticle and repair damaged hair. For the colored hair ladies, this oil will not strip your color-treated hair and also helps to slow down the color fading process.
5. Sesame Seed Oil
Packed with Vitamin E and B complex, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and protein, sesame oil is the perfect treatment for your scalp and hair. These minerals deeply nourish and treat your hair from the root to the tip, giving the scalp a great balance of moisture that will restore the natural oils to your hair. 2-3 drops of sesame oil in your scalp/hair before a day in the sun can help you protect it from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Also by coating the ends of your hair in this rich oil, you can reduce split ends and promote hair growth. Sesame oil is a - high penetration oil, with great healing properties which will rejuvenate your hair and give it a youthful and shining appearance. It also increases the circulation in your scalp by helping rid you of dandruff as well.
-- All of these oils can be used separately or mixed together! You can also add some drops of oil in your favorite conditioner for added nutrients. As well as treating your strands to a hot oil treatment that benefits both your hair strands and your scalp. Best of all these oils will also work wonders on your skin as well as an opt-out for lotion, especially for the ladies with dry skin! Be advised to spot test any oils before use to check for allergies or reactions! Happy Moisturizing.
This article was originally published on and for leadingwithlee.com
Blogged by: Shaa Ravine - Instagram @ms.ravine
Instagram: @lwlmagazine
Facebook.com/leadingwihlee
Twitter: @lwlmagazine
REJECTION MADE ME FEARLESS
Personally, I've been told no numerous times in life and I've come to the conclusion that a "No" is not definite, but instead it simply means not right now. It could even mean that the opportunity that you want so badly is not for you because something better is out there waiting for you to apply your talents too it. All of those "no's" that I've heard have set me up for all of the life changing yeses I've been blessed with. Without hearing no I would not have the drive, resilience, and tenacity to chase my dreams.
Rejection made me fearless because I know that the worst thing anyone could say is simply no, which for me does not hurt as much as a mind constantly worrying about the "What if's?" I have personally robbed myself of opportunities and experiences because of fear, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown etc.
The mind and the thoughts that you feed it are very powerful - when you feed it fear and rejection you hinder yourself from growth and opportunity. I'm speaking from experience, but thankfully my dreams and goals know no bounds now. I have pushed myself way beyond my comfort zone to achieve the things that I have under my belt today and if I were to let rejection deter me from my dreams I would be doing the world a disservice - I would be doing myself a disservice - I would be doing my readers like you a disservice. The world deserves to know of your talents and passions because of the greater purpose that they serve.
That thing that you've been pushing off and moving down your to-do list - that idea that is burning deep down inside you asking for you to pay it some attention - that seed that you have planted but are to scared to water because you do not know what or if it will grow in to - GO AFTER IT!
I charge you to go feed that idea - water those seeds - take that meeting etc. There's nothing worse than living life hanging in the in between spaces and wondering what if...
- SRS
SVGE MAGAZINE FEATURE
Last month I had the esteemed pleasure of leading the "Millennival" section of SVGE Magazine. The section featured select millennials who are making major moves in their respective fields - spear headed by D'Shonda Brown and Chioma Nwana I excitedly sat down to discuss life after graduation, all things journalism and the creation of Resilient Rav Media - as well the major opportunities I was granted a couple months after graduating college: Check out the full transcript below or visit the link for the full spread: http://www.blurb.com/books/7975873-svge-magazine
SM: Who is Shaa Ravine and what is Resilient Rav Media?
SR: In short, I'm a young creative who loves to think outside of the box, create my own lane, and make my dreams my reality. I do what I love, and I love what I do. By trade, I'm a Multimedia Journalist and Communications professional. I'm also the founder and CEO of Resilient Rav Media: A positive media and communications company/outlet. We are here to change the face of the industry.
SM: Only months after graduating college, you've worked with millennial diva herself, KeKe Palmer, and even served as a media correspondent during New York Fashion Week. What's next on your agenda?
SR: I'm truly dedicated to creating my own lane in the media world and growing/expanding as a professional. I've yet to reveal this information so SVGE Magazine will be the first to know that I will be creating and directing a "talk show" by and for millennials. I can't reveal too much just yet, but I will be bringing new meaning to the term millennial by highlighting young people that are breaking barriers and kicking down doors. I will be covering every aspect of millennial life in order to educate and inspire the youth. I'm really excited to kick this off.
SM: I see you're a New York native turned Georgia Peach! How has your childhood experience in Queens and your college experience at Spelman College influenced your outlook on the media industry?
SR: Growing up in New York is so influential to every aspect of my life! Most importantly, it has instilled in me a very thick skin that is needed in this industry. It has also allowed me to appreciate my individuality and the individuality of others because the city is such a melting pot. I've learned to appreciate different cultures and to become a big advocate of diverse media. My college experience has pushed me to hone my voice and find my lane in the industry.
SM: Aside from being a media maven on the lookout for 2017, you're a natural hair care ambassador. How do you feel about the rebudding of the Natural Hair Movement in 2017? Do you feel as though it is a direct correlation to the Black Lives Matter Movement?
SR: I'm a huge advocate for raising women's self-esteem, body postivity, and natural hair. I believe that everyone should be comfortable in their skin and hair no matter what society deems acceptable. My hair has become a very large part of my personal and professional image and a lot of young women are inspired by that. I want to ensure that natural hair is present and accepted in the professional world as well. With all that is going on in the world, I love that we have natural hair communities and forums where women are loving, educating, and supporting others in their journey. This is much like the fellowship that happens within BLM groups. It's truly more than just a hair movement it's a full journey to discovering, finding, and loving yourself the way you are. BLM and natural hair supporters have a lot of commonalities like facing resistance and fighting for respect and acknowledgment. It's all one in the same.
SM: What is a key piece of advice you have for creatives such as yourself who wish to delve into the entertainment industry?
SR: There's so much I could say! I will stress that every opportunity is NOT your opportunity. It's so important to know that in this industry because of how hard it is to make it here. It is okay when you receive a no either find another way in or create your own lane. Do things because you love doing it not just for the opportunity itself. You'll waste valuable time and energy that you could be pouring into your craft. Do not feel compelled to chase every opportunity that arises, and please do not belittle yourself for a position. Young creatives know your self/ worth/ talents and stay persistent the opportunity will find you.
Again , Thank You SVGE for the opportunity!
#BLACKWOMENATWORK: SHONDA RHIMES EDITION
It’s almost impossible to not know who Shonda Rhimes is. Screenwriter, producer, author, and all around #blackgirlmagic enhancer, she is the creator of #TGIT’s ( Thank God It’s Thursday) hit line up of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder and more. However, Shonda Rhimes does much more than write multiple hit TV series that leave you on the edge of your seat; she’s a family woman and actively involved in the community. Previously having sat on the board ofPlanned Parenthood in Los Angeles, CA, Rhimes has now joined the national board of the organization– a trusted health care provider of sex education, reproductive health care, and information for women and men.
Rhimes was asked by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to consider the role. In a joint interview with ELLE, Rhimes says she didn’t hesitate to take the offer. “When someone you really admire…calls on you to serve, you say yes,” she explains. “The fact is that women’s health is under fire right now, and so to me, it feels like it’s important to help fight back.” Similarly, Richards admits to being equally impressed by Rhimes’s work and activism.
She told ELLE that she admires Rhimes storytelling abilities, “But what she brings not only to this board, but frankly to the world is her commitment to lift up the stories of people who don’t always get heard, whether it’s in the way she talks about LGBT issues or women’s reproductive health care or [the way she] centers people of color on television. To me, the most important work we can do now at Planned Parenthood is make sure that the voices of all those folks are heard, particularly in this political environment. And there’s just no one better at utilizing the power of storytelling than Shonda Rhimes.” As for what Rhimes will do in her new role, well, that is still being figured out. However, one thing she knows for sure is that she wants to be of service in any way that she can. Rhimes is ready to roll up her sleeves and make sure that proper healthcare is affordable for every woman.
That’s not all that Shonda Rhimes has done in between sets, scripts, and roundtable readings. She has partnered with Dove as Creative Director of their new project “True Beauty Productions,” which will launch as a digital studio platform to allow real women to tell their stories, their way. In an interview with ESSENCE Rhimes said, “I’ve never been interested in telling stories where all the women thought the same way. And Dove has done the same thing in many ways. They’re interested in not just showing women with different looks, but also letting them have a voice. To me, the idea of bringing women of all colors into the conversation about beauty is very important.”
The role seems to be the perfect fit for Rhimes, who is no stranger to telling stories that are often raw and untold, centered around women of color, and are usually deemed controversial. If you are interested in participating in the Dove campaign, you can share your beauty stories here for a chance to be featured. Rhimes stepping away from her widely known role in television and lending her talents to greater causes goes to show how black women are relentless in their pursuit to better their communities and themselves. Coming after the #blackwomenatwork hashtag that blew up on twitter where black women expressed their disdain for the way they’re treated at work, Shonda Rhimes embodies the real work that black women do in adding to the positive portrayal of black women in entertainment and media. When #blackgirlmagic meets #blackwomenatwork, major changes begin and continue to happen.
*This serves as a digital work sample and was originally Published On TheBlondeMistfit.com : http://theblondemisfit.com/black-women-at-work-shonda-rhimes-edition/
NIKE’S REDEFINING FASHION FOR ALL WITH PLUS-SIZE COLLECTION
Long gone are the days of throwing on any old thing to work out in simply because major brands do not cater to curvier body types. Nike, with their latest expansion into the plus-size market, will now be creating athleisure and high impact gear for women who fit into the 1x-3x size range. Including sports bras that go up to size 38E, the line will broaden the shopping options for women who are not necessarily a size 2.
“Strong is the keyword for us; size doesn’t matter,“ Helen Boucher, VP of women’s training apparel, said according to TODAY. “While strong looks different for everybody, what’s consistent in athletes today is that fitness is very much a part of her lifestyle. Our motivation is to ensure she has the solutions to achieve her full potential as an athlete.” The 200 new pieces, set to release this spring, include sports bras , leggings, shirts, hoodies and more for running, training, and sports. The line is not only inclusive to all body types but to stylistic palettes as well with bold prints/patterns as well as a black and white line for the more minimalistic ladies.
Representatives and designers at Nike seem to have the right idea about expansion into plus size territory as they keep in mind that no two curvy ladies are alike. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Helen Boucher also said, “When we design for plus size, we aren’t just proportionately making our products larger. That doesn’t work because as we know, everyone’s weight distribution is different.”
Nike is no stranger to leading the pack for diversity and inclusion with brand expansion. Their “Nike Pro Hijab,” slated for release in Spring 2018, will be a high performance Hijab specifically for Muslim women athletes. Nike has centered these new expansions and products around becoming aware of cultural shifts where more women are embracing sports.
The “Nike Pro Hijab” was inspired by Saudi Arabian runner Sarah Attar and Emirati weightlifting Olympian Amna Al Haddad. Al Haddad discussed issues she had with existing athletic hijabs with Nike exclusively, which led to the creation of a lightweight, airy, stretchy and opaque garment. It also includes an elongated back so that the top does not become untucked when athletes are in motion. It will come in neutral colors and have two sizes, XS/S and M/L, to fit different face sizes and shapes.
Plus-size women and women of other cultural backgrounds have had to fight assumptions that they don’t exercise, resulting in a struggle to find good and proper workout gear. Seriously overlooked by major brands, women’s needs have often been swept under the table. Thankfully, Nike has set the bar high for their competitors by catering to the needs of their customers from all shapes and backgrounds. More women can now feel cute and comfortable working out in clothing catered to and for them specifically. This also opens the door to a more socially acceptable society as we move towards body positivity and cultural/religious tolerance in fashion. It’s a win- win for fashion/ marketing/consumer industries, and a major step in the right direction.
* This post is a work sample of mine originally posted on TheBlondeMisfit.com : http://theblondemisfit.com/nikes-redefining-fashion-for-all-nike-plus-size-collection/ *
KEKE PALMER BARES ALL IN NEW BOOK “I DON’T BELONG TO YOU”
Keke Palmer, self-proclaimed “Millennial Diva” has added another title to her resume, author, that is. Palmer has released a book entitled “I Don’t Belong To You: Quiet the Noise and Find Your Voice”
Palmer’s book is not a memoir and she is quick to correct anyone who dubs it as such. Palmer is very candid by revealing some of her most private moments, battles with depression and anxiety, boy drama ( she ran away to live with a boyfriend at 18 years old), and much more. Keke Palmer’s book is nothing less than a page-turner that will make you laugh, gasp, and possibly feel like she is personally speaking to you. Palmer says she wrote the book to let people know she’s just like them, she’s been through the trials and tribulations and was able to overcome them.
She shares some funny anecdotes like the trick that she and her mother would play on casting directors at auditions. Auditions that her family drove four days and three nights to California from Chicago in a Doge Caravan for. Palmer before leaving the audition room would beg and plead with her mother to let her sing for the directors. Her mother would act like she was not in on the trick by telling Keke that singing is not what she was auditioning for. The two would go back and forth until the directors would tell Keke to sing for them, which prompted Keke to give them her best performance. “This is how we were being creative, how we bonded, and how we showed them that I was more than just a little black girl from Chicago,” Palmer writes in “I Don’t Belong To You.”
Most shocking to many are the chapters in which Palmer opens up about her childhood. Keke admits that finding out about her grandmother’s sexual assault incident, and the way her family avoided talking about sex led her to be afraid of “sexual parts and acts.” Her grandmother would constantly tell her not to let anyone touch her private parts, “I thought it normal for people to be hypersensitive and obsessed over female body parts,” Palmer writes. This also made Keke cautious about men, thus leading her to want to be in control in all of her relationships especially male relationships. Could you blame her?
Keke bares all when she tells the story about how at just five years old she was sexually abused by a female cousin not much older than her. Keke would go over to her cousins house to play “house”, but the innocent game would become sexual when the older cousin would take her off to another area away from everyone else. Palmer is very honest and tells readers she became “very okay with it” and may have even liked/ looked forward to it happening. These incidents were something that Palmer struggled with for a long time along with her views on sex, sexuality, and femininity.
The “Millennial Diva” brings full meaning to the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Citing how her parents abandoned their own dreams and careers in order for her to follow her dreams. Dreams that lead her family from living on Section 8 to the flashing lights in Hollywood. Dreams that made her the sole bread winner of her family. Which put a lot of pressure on Keke, self-inflicted she says. Could you imagine supporting your family at nine years old?
Overall, Palmer is incredibly raw, honest, and vulnerable in this book. She guides readers through the book with inspirational tidbits, self-love activities, and meditation tips. It’s refreshing and inspiring to see a young African- American woman find/share her voice with the world. Keke Palmer puts it all on the line to show others they don’t belong to their past because the future is so much brighter. So pick up a copy and see what “the gag is” for yourself.
* This is a sample of my work that is originally published on SweetCandorTV.com : http://www.sweetcandortv.com/entertainment/keke-palmer-bares-all-in-new-book/
6 REASONS WE RESPECT DJ KHALED
Dj Khaled named his 3-month old son Asahd Khaled the executive producer of this upcoming 10th studio album, Grateful. By doing this Asahd will collect royalties for the rest of his life.
His first single off of the upcoming album Grateful entitled “Shining” not only features Beyonce but it features Jay-Z as well. A Carter family collab?! #Goals. It has also reached #1 on Billboard.
3. He’s definitely a family man. Khaled loves being a new father and posts multiple pictures of his son playing the piano or chilling on the couch. He also gives heartfelt shout-outs to his fiance.
4. Some may say that he’s cocky but Khaled has a unique way of motivating and inspiring his fans #FanLuv and he makes sure they know that all of his success would not be possible without them! He tells his fans, “Stay away from they! They don’t want you to win. So were going to win MORE!” #BlessUp The SnapChat King is also prone to take your phone and upload a couple of his iconic snaps to your story if you catch him out and about.
5. Khaled’s work ethic is incredible. His hustle is the reason his SnapChat is so interesting, Khaled has penned deals with Apple Music and Ciroc, on top of running his record label. Day in and day out he works relentlessly to ‘secure the bag” and encourages his SnapChat viewers to do the same.
6. Khaled makes hit records, there’s no denying that! He’s produced Shinning, All I Do Is Win, I’m So Hood, I’m On One, For Free, Do You Mind, I Got The Keys, Don’t Mind, etc. We could go on for days but you get the point the man is talented!
We’re wishing Dj Khaled much more success throughout his journey
* This is a work sample originally published on SweetCandorTV.com : http://www.sweetcandortv.com/entertainment/6-reasons-why-we-respect-dj-khaled/