Is it really your responsibility/problem if your best friend is in love with you? Well, sort of. He can’t help the way he feels! But you can help to what degree you torture the poor guy. Well, once you realize he’s in love with you. Often we only see what we want to see. So, if you want a great male best friend who will do anything for you and miraculously remains single so he’s always available to hang out with you, then that is exactly what you will see. If that guy also happens to tell you he just wants to be friends and he talks about his Tinder adventures and crushes, it’s even easier to continue to see the big, jolly lie that you’re enjoying and that he is suffering in. But we’re here to tell you deep down, he’s in love with you. And here’s how we know.

The post Are You Blind To The Fact That Your Best Friend Is In Love With You? appeared first on MadameNoire.

As you may know, Lauren London quietly had a baby about six months ago. Then recently she and the father of her child/ rumored fiancé Nipsey Hussle were spotted courtside at a basketball game. In the picture, it looked like London had you know, just had a baby. And as the internet is known to do, they weren’t exactly kind about the weight gain. And London’s name started trending.

“Damn have y’all seen how fat Lauren London has become? To think she was half of y’all WCW” pic.twitter.com/miKt2ev2Y5

— X 🇳🇬 (@Sean_Hendrix1) February 28, 2017

Why MF’s Steady tom bout Lauren London happy no da bitch stressed out and fat

— OTF_REX2x (@REX_OTF4LIFE) February 28, 2017

Lauren london is fat as shit what the hell 😂😫😫😫😫

— Kristen Noel❤️ (@Kristendior__) February 28, 2017

Thankfully, there were more people who were celebrating her than there were those who were fat-shaming. And the responses were pretty hilarious.

Y’ALL THINK LAUREN LONDON LOOKS FAT BECAUSE Y’ALL DON’T REMEMBER WHAT NORMAL WOMEN LOOK LIKE ANYMORE!! #NewNew #SheStillGotIt #LaurenLondon pic.twitter.com/6d2X4mgKJz

— El-Roy Jetson (@OfficiallyJamo) February 28, 2017

The post Lauren London And A Couple Of Other Loyal Fans Respond To Fat-Shaming Comments appeared first on MadameNoire.

By Shahmar Beasley

It might strike some as odd that I, a 21-year-old-Black man, am grateful for President Donald Trump. After all, I was raised in a lower socioeconomic environment, I am a liberal, and every single one of my family members despises him. But not I, I see an unbelievable value in our president that he isn’t even able to see in himself. I see a man who could dramatically better race relations than anyone else by his mere presence.

For you see, Trump causes cognitive dissonance for most White folks. Here you have a man who is white in every meaning of the word, yet simultaneously fits every nonsensical, negative stereotype about Black men that one has been taught since childhood. He has had multiple “baby mamas.” He is hyper-aggressive, even to the point where he almost struck a protestor at one of his campaign rallies. He is hyper-sexual and has been on camera many a time bragging about his plethora of sexual escapades with women. He is too immature to properly handle criticism. He is so physically and socially uncouth that it is upsetting to various groups of people. Not to mention he is so far from an intellect that he almost always appears incompetent from his various incoherent rants. This is nonetheless the man who, for many, was the “Great White Hope” and the type of man that many expected former President Barack Obama to be.

Interesting enough, Barack Obama didn’t fit any of these stereotypes that people have come to know as “Black traits.” As President, he stood as another impetus of cognitive dissonance that one can only hope is perpetual. President Barack Obama, before even entering the White House, was strongly critiqued as being inadequate to be the leader of the free world. As is now 100 percent obvious, for hindsight is 20/20, said doubts were wholly racially charged. President Barack Obama was openly mocked for his vernacular, was said to have been entering the “White Heezy” by conservatives, and was even accused of having a “terrorist fist-bump” with his wife. Nonetheless, the President persevered and showed the world the skill and ability of a Black man. He was cunning, quick witted, and an absolutely stunning intellectual. It was wild — almost as if his skin color was not at all an indicator of his ability or his behavior (as we knew all along).

It is from the very bottom of my heart that I want to fully thank both of these men for who they are. For without this strong contrast between the racial expectations and the reality, people would still be grounded in their nonsensical way of thinking. But it is after Barack Obama’s legacy and the unsettling new reign of Donald Trump that we as a society should recognize the most basic of human truths that has existed for eons: Skin color is not an indicator of anything but people’s response to it. And so it is time that we move past these archaic, asinine racial stereotypes and respond to each other as the fellow loving, caring human beings we are. For the only race that is the most intelligent, the most generous, and the most beneficial to the world is the human race.

Shahmar Beasley is a Black 21-year-old political science student at Drexel University. He has founded the Drexel Black Action Committee, Drexel Rotaract club, serves as the president of the Drexel College Democrats and is the youngest ambassador to State Representative Margo Davidson of the 164th Legislative District.

The post Reader Submission: Black Men Should Forever Be Grateful For Donald Trump appeared first on MadameNoire.

If you actually find most weight-loss techniques quite easy, not-so-bad, and actually rather sustainable but you just won’t execute them, there could be something behind that extra weight you’re carrying other than your inability to lose it. Losing weight doesn’t only signify a change in your physical health and abilities; it also ushers in changes to your social life, to the way people treat you, and overall to the way that you experience your time on this earth. In your weight loss would be drastic, then having that new body can feel like moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. But just because change is scary doesn’t mean it’s bad. If you sense a subconscious reason you can’t or won’t lose weight, here are the emotional reasons that could be holding you back.

The post The Emotional Reasons You’re Holding On To Extra Weight appeared first on MadameNoire.

Meet Renée Johnson, the National Training Director for the United State of Women (USOW), whose goal is to get more women of color into politics.

Sounds like a formidable task, but Johnson seems to be up to it. USOW is an initiative started in 2016 by the White House Council on Women and Girls, and last June they held the first-ever “United State of Women Summit” with more than 5,000 experts, advocates, and business leaders. Still, even though women in general turned out in big numbers, the force of women of color was lacking.

Johnson, unfortunately, is used to being among the few women–and few Black women–in politics. When she started her career in government it was extremely male-dominated, to say the least. “I was 25 years old when I first joined a House office on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide,” she told Bossed Up. “I had already finished my BA and master’s degree, and was concurrently working on a third degree when I started this job. It wasn’t easy, and I honestly believe that because so many people of color have been told we need to be twice as prepared to get half as far, I pursued a ton of higher education — perhaps more than I needed.”

She wasn’t long into her career before Johnson realized there has a major void of Black women in government. “Soon after I started on the House side I was offered a position in the upper chamber (a Senate Office), and realized that I was the only woman of color in the office. I was constantly reminded of my minority status in a sea of faces that were not similar to my own in the capitol building…I worked diligently and always looked for opportunities to prove myself worthy, but I still felt like an outsider. It also broke my spirit when a senior staff member once told me I’d been hired especially because I was Black but ‘sounded white’ on the phone. They honestly believed they were giving me a compliment,” she revealed.

Now she wants to get more Black women in politics. “The USOW is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that emerged from the White House Council on Women and Girls 2016 United State of Women to serve as a megaphone for the gender equality movement,” she explained.” We’re focused on giving the next generation of women in politics the tools needed to get more involved in civic life and championing the causes they care about.”

The post Reneé Johnson Has One Major Goal: To Get More Women Of Color Into Politics appeared first on MadameNoire.

Couldn’t let the day go by without my #Tbt @therealtamikascott @iamlatocha @kandi & I changed the game of R&b 23yrs ago. Blessing to still be loved & musically wanted today. Thankful HE’S not thru with us yet. #StayWithIt #Xscape

A post shared by Majorgirl (@majorgirl) on Jan 20, 2017 at 7:56pm PST

Y’all know how it is, folks want that old, 90’s R&B feel back. So members of our favorite groups from back in the day are often bombarded with questions about reunions, tours and new albums. And the women of Xscape have answered the call.

Kandi, TIny, and sisters Tamika and Latocha Scott announced that the group is coming back together.

You may remember that all of the members weren’t always on the best of terms, specifically after Tamika spread some pretty nasty rumors about Kandi. The two women addressed all of it on V103 with Big Tigger along with Tiny and Tamika who called in for the interview.

Tamika said, “Ten years ago, Kandi and I had a little feud going on concerning something I said about Michael Mauldin (former President of Columbia Records and father to super-producer Jermaine Dupri.) It was something I said in my interview and it wasn’t true. And I apologized.”

(For those of you who don’t know, Scott said that Kandi slept with Mauldin with the intent to advance her career.)

Kandi interjects, “Say that one more time. You wasn’t close enough to the mic.”

Tamika continues, “Girl, bye. It was something I said about you and Michael Mauldin. She and I talked yesterday and it wasn’t true. And I apologize for that. And now, we grown and we’re going to let the bygones be bygones. This is the last time you will hear this. Everything after this is going to be our legacy and what we doing next.”

Kandi shared a bit more about the conversation.

“It was crazy cuz last night it was emotional but then, you know, obviously we had a real conversation which we haven’t had in a long time. And I was able to let it go after that.”

Tiny seems to be the one behind the reconciliation saying that she wanted Kandi and Tamika to talk.

Tamika said “We’ve got too much history not to be able to come together.”

Then Tocha chimed in, “For this to have happened, this is a great moment when it come down to sisterhood and just the things that we built. I’m actually happy that my sisters have come back together and we’re about to do some big things. Everybody’s been asking about it and now we’re here.”

If you look at Tiny’s Instagram feed, you might have noticed that she had been teasing the reconciliation and reunion for weeks now.

When your group was really dope live! No gimmicks just pure talent! @kandi @therealtamikascott @iamlatocha #Xscape #90sR&B #Understanding

A post shared by Majorgirl (@majorgirl) on Feb 18, 2017 at 1:04pm PST

When they/man say they don’t think of you as a singer….let me remind them!! “Tonight” Xscape real talent real R&B… @kandi @therealtamikascott @iamlatocha TRUTH!!! #NeverForGet

 A post shared by Majorgirl (@majorgirl) on Jan 17, 2017 at 3:06pm PST

The post After Years Of Tension, Xscape Announces That They’re Reuniting appeared first on MadameNoire.

Last March, social media lost its mind over Elise Neal. As she celebrated her 50th birthday, a major milestone, she dropped jaws with her incredibly fit body and youthful look. She literally didn’t appear a day over 35.

As her 51st birthday approaches this month, Neal has a lot to celebrate. With the following she’s amassed for health and fitness, she’s started a boot camp and will host a “Fit Trip” in Jamaica in November. Also, she’s starring in Logan alongside Hugh Jackman (which comes out on Friday), a sendoff to the popular X-Men character Wolverine. While promoting the project, Neal spoke with People about her fitness regimen, telling the publication that she keeps up a strict exercise schedule whether she’s preparing for a film or not. Fitness is life for the actress.

“I started dancing at 6 years old, so fitness is something I do regardless,” she said. “I train and work out really hard regardless of whether I’m in a film, or if I have to do something physical for a project or not. I’ve enjoyed being fit my whole life.”

To continue that tradition, the beauty makes the time to work out at least an hour a day, mixing up her workouts. She has an affinity for squats, yoga, dance cardio and running on a high incline in the gym.

“Working out an hour or an hour and a half every day is the norm for me unless it’s really, really hectic,” she said. “I just love it. I feel better, I sleep better, I don’t get angry with people so much. It helps me all the way around. I’d like that feeling to continue so I try my best to keep it up.”

She also tries her best to keep up with a clean diet. However, if she wants something meaty and greasy, she will have it every once in a while. The trick is to go hard following such indulgences.

“I’m still a girl that was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, so I do occasionally still eat meat and things like that,” she said. “If I’m craving a hamburger, I’m going to have a hamburger — I’m just going to work out really hard the next day. But I’m not going to have five bags of chips or a full plate covered in foods and sauces. I’ll have a small plate of the things I like to eat. I do love salad and I do eat a lot of fruits of vegetables.”

But the biggest trick to staying toned and tight at 50 going on 51 is to make time for strength training. The more weight training she does, the more her metabolism speeds up and the more likely she is to feel the burn.

“I believe that as you get older, you need to do more weight training,” Neal said. “My metabolism is just not the same. My body has the same issues that anyone who’s getting older has — I’m just more actively trying to fix it. Everything is attainable, you just have to be ready to do the work.”

The post “I’ve Enjoyed Being Fit My Whole Life”: Elise Neal On Keeping A Strict Fitness Regimen At 50 appeared first on MadameNoire.

We all know Lupita Nyong’o is the queen of the red carpet ball gown. She can pull off any dress in any shade in any cut with a versatile natural hairdo and perfect lipstick pout to match. But some of Lupita’s flyest looks weren’t worn to the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, or even the Oscars. It was to the smaller red carpet events that the Kenyan actress really showed off her personality, her heritage, and her diverse sense of style. In celebration of her 34th birthday today, we’re showing you 10 fabulous looks of the Academy Award Winner that were slept on.

The post 10 Fly Lupita Nyong’o Looks That Were Slept On appeared first on MadameNoire.

Sadly, we’ve left Atlanta. Hopefully we’ll see the Pattersons again soon, but in the meantime, we have to get back to all of the drama Mary Jane has to deal with at Great Day USA in New York. This week, though, the drama hits an all-time high. She finds herself in a bad position at her job and with an unlikely ally — Justin.

Mary Jane and Justin Team up — Again

As the episode begins, Mary Jane is back in New York. She sits in her bed in her hotel room, throwing around toys for Lee’s kids while speaking to Justin about her upcoming interview with Judge McAllister. The opportunity could propel her career or tank it, and while MJ is certain she’s prepped and ready to go, Justin, as always, is skeptical. Just when she gets comfortable, feeding back all that she dug up about the Supreme Court justice prospect, Justin catches her slipping. All of a sudden, she doesn’t feel so confident.

The post Being Mary Jane Ep 7: MJ Warms Up To Lee’s Kids — And Work Nemesis Justin appeared first on MadameNoire.

Mother nature has been teasing us a little bit with the weather over the past couple of weeks, but instead of being mad you still need your winter coat, be thankful for the reminder your spring skin regimen needs to start now.

We’re sure you’ve been keeping your skin decently moisturized due to the cold temperatures, but just like animals have to shed their fur for spring, you also need to shed all those clogged, dead skin cells to reveal the smooth, luminous skin just dying to be seen beneath maxi dresses and flowy skirts in a few weeks. As great as scrubs are at immediately eliminating dull, dry skin, depending on just how much you’ve neglected your skin this winter, you’re going to need to start scrubbing once or twice per week to be ready to bare all come March 20. Here are a few scrubs to tackle those scales.

Pooka Pure and Simple Basil & Grapefruit Sugar Body Polish ($20)

This scrub is made from Organic cane sugar, Coconut Oil, Cranberry Fruit, Strawberry Fruit Seed, and Essentials oils that deliver a crisp, clean scrubbing. And the company is founded and operated by four girlfriends.

Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub ($13)

This fruity scrub won’t leave your skin thirsty, in addition to cranberry, sugar, and pomegranate, it has shea butter to moisturize skin.

Ole Henriksen Rub n’ Buff Transforming Salt Scrub ($44)

A personal favorite of mine, this scrub is made with small salt granules so it isn’t harsh on the skin. It feels buttery smooth when applied and the blend of lemongrass and sweet almond oils is as refreshing to the senses as it is to the body.

Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Scrub ($36)

There’s no jumping in and out of the shower with this one. Massage this scrub on before you hop in the shower and hop out with smooth, supple skin.

Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher ($38)

This enzymatic scrub does more than remove dead skin. High in vitamin C, ellagic acid, polyphenols, manganese and potassium, this polisher is anti-aging and helps improve problem skin and provides a brighter complexion.

COVA  Body Polish – Coconut Vanilla ($18)

Coconut oil, almond, and coconut sugar are all it takes for this body polish to exfoliate, hydrate, clear pores, and remove early signs of aging.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hand and Body Scrub ($9.82)

A tried and true option, this hand and body scrub has never failed at sloughing away dead cells and nourishing skin.

The post 7 Body Scrubs That’ll Leave Your Skin Spring Time Fine appeared first on MadameNoire.

You don’t have to accept cravings as a part of life. If you often have cravings, then you know how powerful they can be—they’re like a little demon beckoning you to the fridge, to the pantry, to the corner store that has quite the selection of ice cream and candy. Cravings are usually impossible to ignore and the only way to get rid of them is to indulge them. Cravings may also be the one thing that’s been derailing your otherwise quite on-track diet. And that’s a shame because you’ve been working hard at that. But has it over occurred to you that your cravings are trying to tell you something? They’re a symptom of a larger issue –just like headaches can be a symptom of dehydration and gas can be a symptom of a food allergy. Here is what your cravings say about your diet.

The post What Your Cravings Say About Your Diet Downfalls appeared first on MadameNoire.

When you go through a really terrible breakup, it can feel like you’re free-spiraling into open space—you don’t know where the floor is, or even where the edge of your fingertips end and where total darkness begins. Yeah—dramatic stuff. It can take every fiber of your being not to get in the car and drive to you-don’t-know-where and get a job at a diner there and never call anybody in your old life again. The only thing that stops you from doing that is the fact that you won’t get out of bed. If your friends are worried about you and have been calling you every thirty minutes to make sure you’re eating, then you’re probably going through one of those breakups. Everybody goes through them, and everybody gets out of them. What’s their secret? These thoughts that can keep you sane during the worst breakup of your life.

The post Thoughts To Keep You Sane During The Worst Breakup appeared first on MadameNoire.

It finally broke. The handle on the side of the toilet had been hard to push down since we moved into our home a few months ago, and with one hard push, I managed to accidentally dismantle the little object that we all take for granted. From then on, what was supposed to be a simple task became a headache.

For six days, my husband and I had to flush the toilet by opening the top on the back, putting our hand in the water (apparently it’s “clean”) and lifting the lever. This is the sacrifice we made in lieu of using another bathroom in the house.

After my husband replaced all of the parts inside of the toilet, the new handle was easier to flush and things returned to normal. To say that I was ecstatic would be an understatement. I even told my husband that having a fully functioning toilet made my entire week. After the initial enthusiasm wore off, I pondered the reasons for my intense feelings about the white porcelain object.

It wasn’t just about the toilet being in working condition that made me happy, but also about my husband actually fixing it. I wasn’t surprised that he fixed it at as he has always been handy, but I admired that he did. I appreciated that he, as always, made time to go out of his way for his family.

The morning he did it, he was extremely tired from a lack of sleep the night before. He had a business trip to take, so I expected him to take a nap and relax before leaving for the airport. I could live with our new flushing technique for a few more days. But instead, my husband carved out two hours to fix the toilet since he wouldn’t be able to give it much attention until he returned from his trip the following weekend. He didn’t want to leave me alone to not only take care of our girls by myself, but to also have to deal with the faulty toilet. He inconvenienced himself to so that I wouldn’t be inconvenienced.

Thinking on it, I was reminded that it’s the little things that can keep a marriage strong. For us, this was the little thing.

Is it my age (mid-30s) that has me appreciating things that I never thought I would? Or is it the many years that I’ve been with my husband?

In my 20s, I had an unrealistic idea of what marriage entailed. I knew perfection was nonexistent, but I never knew how real the work was going to be. Even after observing the ups and downs of one of my best friend’s marriages, and having a better understanding of common situations, I never really got it until I married my husband. I soon came to realize that while gifts and fancy outings from time to time are what keep things interesting, it’s the simple gestures that really keep things going.

It’s easy to appreciate a certain thing your spouse does if they rarely, or never, do said action. But what if they always cook, clean, perform yard work, give the kids their daily bath and basically, step up when you need them and also when you don’t?

It’s easy to forget to show appreciation to your spouse when they routinely do something, so it’s important to try a different approach. Instead of simply thanking them, get excited. Show off a huge grin, give a hug and kiss and let them know how their efforts made you feel. From the giver to the receiver of such actions, it’s clear that a little goes a long way.

I can happily say that we have a great marriage, and I truly feel it’s because we celebrate the small things, which I call the small victories.

Images via Shutterstock 

The post It’s The Little Things: Why I Got Excited About My Husband Fixing The Toilet appeared first on MadameNoire.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil gets all the shine in the natural hair care industry, but Yve-Car Momperousse knows the wonders of Haitian Castor Oil, otherwise known as Lwil Maskriti. It’s the one product that’s gotten her through many a “haircatastrophe,” and not wanting to keep other women from the magic of this oil, Yve-Car created the brand Kreyol Essence. And now it can be found in more than 95 Whole Foods stores in the United States.

Kreyol Essence is “the first company to launch Haitian beauty products at Whole Foods Market and the first Haitian company to bring Haiti’s beauty treasure to the mainstream U.S. & Canadian market,” according to a news release. And the oil doesn’t just work wonders for hair, it’s also great for the skin and has medicinal purposes. As such, the Kreyol Essence line includes a shampoo, conditioner, hair milk, pomade, whipped body creme, and hair and body butter all infused with Haitian Castor Oil to promote hair growth and, strengthen, repair, and moisturize damaged hair.

There are also a variety of oils offered, all of which have Haitian Castor Oil as the base, but that also include other ingredients like moringa and coconut oil which can be used for moisture on the hair, face, or body; neem oil for softening, hydration, and elimination of dandruff; and vetiver which clarifies the scalp and can also clear scars.

You’ll also find special aromatic Haitian Castor Oils in this line such as Arôme Chokola, Arôme Lavend, Arôme Citron, and Arôme Mant, which contain essential oils that create a luxurious experience.

Sustainably harvested from farms in Haiti, a large part of the mission of Kreyol Essence is to create jobs on the island, which it plans to do by nature of its harvestation which, through its success, will help stimulate Haiti’s economy as well as its deforestation and soil erosion challenges.

Here are the Whole Foods location where you can pick up Kreyol Essence.

The post Haitian Beauty Line Kreyol Essence Now Available At Whole Foods appeared first on MadameNoire.

Like most people, I would assume, I have my prescribed list of shows that I love. That I’ll carve out time to watch, that I anxiously wonder if I’ve missed some new, interesting development. So a lot of new shows don’t make it onto my reader, unless through recommendation. So I had no idea that E! had launched a new reality show “So Cosmo.”

As the name suggests, it follows the ins and outs of life working for Cosmopolitan magazine. I don’t have to tell you that the magazine industry is not exactly known for diversity. In fact, it’s been an issue. This show is a reflection of that. And one of (perhaps) two Black women on the cast, Tiffany Reid, an African-American fashion editor for the team had to speak about a diversity in a recent episode.

In a meeting with her boss editor-in-chief Joanna Coales, Reid explained why she felt uncomfortable with designer Philip Plein’s Alice In Ghetto Land fashion show in Milan, Italy.

The show featured models dressed in denim, wearing gold chains and carrying boom boxes.

“There was some controversy with what he titled the show. It’s a beautiful show, very entertaining but he called it Alice In Ghetto Land.”

Her boss asks her if it made her feel uncomfortable.

Reid responds, “Yeah. I mean there’s a thin line between drawing from a certain culture and cultural appropriation. So it’s kind of conflicting for me where I need to be responsible for who I am as a Black woman in this industry but also understanding that they’re artists and so they have every right to express themselves the way they want to.”

Her boss’s response made me feel a bit uneasy at first speaking about art and intention and even the designer’s nationality. She mentioned that because he was German he might not have understood the nuance.

Tiffany responded perfectly.

“It’s just a matter of being more careful about it. As an artist, you can draw from whatever inspiration you want to but I think that you have to do it responsibly and in a way where you’re not perpetuating any damaging stereotypes.”

Finally, her boss acknowledges that words matter.

There you go, Joanna. Step into the light.

I’m well aware that this could have very well been entirely staged for the purpose of adding some type of racial conflict to a reality show. And that’s alright. That’s how these shows work. Still, I think it’s quite the lesson in how to address the daily racially tense issues that spring up often in our work places.

In this instance, her boss was willing to have a conversation regarding her feelings but even if that isn’t your story, we could all learn a lesson or two from Tiffany in the way she handled this interaction. She clearly described the issue, explained her feelings and whether or not the conversation penetrated her boss’s conversation or not, the fact that she spoke up and didn’t stay silent in the face of some foolishness is valuable especially when it’s a conversation shared on national television.

Image via E!

Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter @VDubShrug.

The post Working While Black: Cosmo Editor Tiffany Reid Addresses Alice In Ghetto Land Fashion Show appeared first on MadameNoire.

This morning, I stumbled across yesterday’s episode of “The Wendy Williams Show.” Notice I said stumbled across because I don’t normally tune in unless there’s a guest I really love. It’s nothing personal against Wendy; my time is very limited and I’m already a recovering procrastinator. The smallest distraction can make me relapse for a day or two. Anyway, Wendy opened up her infamous Hot Topics segment with the news of Lady Gaga replacing Beyoncé as the headliner for this year’s Coachella concert in April. According to Wendy, she likes to stay in tune with the millennial crowd via social media to see what’s on their minds in terms of pop culture, and she said she was surprised to find the Beehive pissed that Gaga would be performing instead of Blu Ivy’s mother. Wendy claimed Lady Gaga and Beyoncé generally have the same fanbase so she doesn’t understand why the hive is so upset… Well, Wendy, that’s because they don’t.

African-American women who are past 40 years old make up a huge population of  Beyoncé’s fans, such as my mama, my clients, my Facebook friends from all over the United States, and ladies I don’t know from a can of paint but have seen come out in droves to a Beyoncé’ concert. When the “Oh-Oh” dance hit the scene in 2002-2003, my mama wore it out! If the tickets were free you could not get most Black women to go see Lady Gaga. Beyoncé’s fans are not only racially diverse but diverse in age as well. Wendy referred to Coachella as a modern-day Woodstock and said that if you only bought Coachella tickets for Bey, you were “less than smart for that” because you’re supposed to get into all that the event has to offer. Honestly Wendy, when did a significant number of Black women spend their coins on Woodstock?

Wendy then moved on to her second Hot Topic of the day–reports of T.I and Tiny allegedly playing out their divorce on another season of their Vh1 reality show. Of course, this segued into a discussion about Tiny reuniting with the ladies of her ’90s R&B girl group Xscape. The daytime TV gossiper went on to say those who care about the group’s reunion are people with too many financial responsibilities to help the group “recover.” And just what are those responsibilities? Wendy said Xscape’s fans have to choose between cutting the grass for the week or sending their kids to college, so buying an album or concert tickets for Xscape is a no-go. Then, to add insult to injury,  she asked some random white lady in the audience if she remembers Xscape, and of course, the lady said she does not.

Wendy! What are you doing? I’ll tell you. For one, you are discouraging Black people from supporting a Black music group. You are also implying that all the people who are fans of Xscape are African-American women struggling to make ends meet like an episode of GoodTimes.  Make a choice between cutting the lawn or streaming a few songs for enjoyment? Girl, I pay my 16-year-old cousin 20 to 30 bucks to cut the grass; it’s not a financial decision that’s going to send me into bankruptcy or cancel out all my fun for the year. Go to a concert or send the kids to college? Concert tickets for a nosebleed seat are usually around $50. How would a $50 concert ticket completely blow my children’s hopes and dreams of attending college? I’m confused.

Wendy needs to get it together before Roland Martin makes another trip to the show to enlighten her about downplaying our culture. Matter of fact, I’m, willing to come if he can’t.

The post I’m Really Over Wendy Williams Downplaying Our Culture appeared first on MadameNoire.

Young people of color are making moves more than ever, especially in the area of science, technology, engineering and math. As STEM is becoming more popular among students, we are seeing steady growth in the field.  We’ve partnered with AT&T for Black History Month to celebrate 12 millennials in technology who are making waves in the space. They inspire us and will hopefully also inspire young people as they pick their careers. Visit att.com/28days to discover how these millennials dare to be the next generation of great visionaries by creating new apps, digital platforms, and content for people of color!

Head to the next page to see the #MillennialsMakingMoves #ATT28DAYS

The post #MillennialsMakingMoves 10 Millennials In Tech appeared first on MadameNoire.

FADE2FIT is officially LIVE! LINK IS IN BIO! I have tailored a 90-day Course to whip you into shape. We are going to have new exciting workouts for you every month in dope locations, with dope music, and dope choreography. Submit to get Fit and let’s go! @fade2fitness #Fade2Fit #F2F #TeyanaTaylor #Fitness #Dance

A post shared by Jimmy Neutch (@teyanataylor) on Feb 28, 2017 at 5:55pm PST

Teyana Taylor sure knows how to turn an opportunity into a business venture. After the music video for Kanye West’s “Fade” debuted at the 2016 MTV VMAs featuring Taylor working it with her “Flashdance”/”Do The Right Thing” provocative dance moves, everyone was talking about how fit and in shape she was.

A light bulb obviously went off in Taylor’s head because now the singer has just released her own online workout series aptly called Fade2Fit.

“Fade2Fit is a 90-day course, which also comes with tailored meal plans, a workout calendar, dance routines and seven workouts in seven minutes. Currently, the pricing options are three monthly payments of $49.99, for a total charge of $149.97, or a limited-time offer for a one-time payment of $99.79, which will also include added perks such as 10 percent off apparel and equipment and free access to all future Teyana workouts,” reported The Root.

The program was released March 1 and can be viewed on your phone, TV, computer, or tablet. “The body-sculpting workouts are focused solely on dance moves, many of which were seen in the Flashdance-inspired ‘Fade’ video, which racked up over 58 million views on YouTube,” reported Billboard.

FYI, the first day of summer is a little more than three months from now so don’t wait too long to get started.

The post Teyana Taylor’s Workout Course Is Officially Available For All Your Summer Body Goals appeared first on MadameNoire.

You can’t stay on the treadmill forever, sis. Strength training is an essential part of being physically fit. Not only does it help you tone up and gain some insane muscle (say goodbye to flabby arms and hello to a pair of Angela Bassett guns!), but being physically strong helps you to be able to do activities of daily living with ease. Weight training at 50 has helped actress Elise Neal stay in killer shape, and she attributes pumping iron in the gym to her boost in metabolism, which decreases as you age.

“I believe that as you get older, you need to do more weight training,” the actress said. “My metabolism is just not the same. My body has the same issues that anyone who’s getting older has — I’m just more actively trying to fix it. Everything is attainable, you just have to be ready to do the work.”

To help you do the work, we picked out seven essentials that you should have in your gym bag come strength training day, including a sturdy tote to carry everything in. Of course, what you obtain doesn’t have to be this fancy or cost nearly as much, but each product is extremely useful. From wireless headphones you won’t have to fumble with to resistance bands you can use when the free-weight rack has been raided and whey protein that is filling thanks to fiber, each item will help you reach your goals.

1. Memorex Wireless Bluetooth Headphones With Touch Control $35

2. SmartShake Slim 17 oz. in Neon Purple $10

3. GNC Total Lean Shake 25 in Rich Chocolate 30

4. Nike Women’s Perforated Wrap $25

5. Adidas Studio Hybrid Tote Bag $65

6. Nike Flex Trainer 6 $56

7. Black Mountain Products Stackable Resistance Band Set $40

The post Moving That Weight: 7 Gym Bag Essentials For Strength Training appeared first on MadameNoire.

I remember walking home one day as someone on the street was blasting French Montana’s “Aint Worried About Nothin’.” If you’ve heard the song, you know there’s not much to it. The song is basically the phrase “N*gga, I ain’t worried about nothin” repeated over and over again. And despite its simplicity, it was constantly being played. So, I heard it, blaring from cars, on more than one occasion. But I’ll always remember this particular time because an older woman was walking along the same street as me that day and expressed her distaste for it.

“I hate that stupid song!”

We were strangers to one another. Still, she said in such a way that I could tell that she was looking for my cosign. But she was out of luck. I wouldn’t be the one to give it to her. While I would never argue that the song was a masterpiece, I’m certainly trying to get to place where I can say, “N*gga I ain’t worried about nothin’’ and mean it. If nothing else, I could appreciate a song that spoke to my ideal mental state, no matter how unrealistic. With work, family, health, this crazy political culture, and all the social injustice, any conscious person will always be worried about something. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that such a state of carelessness might not exist “til we all get to heaven.” That, to me seems to be one of the most comforting things about dying. That the stuff that bogs us down on this side, just won’t matter anymore in the hereafter.

I was reminded of this sentiment when I read the news that Beau Biden’s widow is now dating his brother Hunter Biden. As you may remember, Beau passed away from brain cancer in May 2015. Months after, Hunter and his wife Kathleen separated. And in 2017, Hunter and Hallie, Beau’s widow, went public with their relationship.

Former Vice President, Joe Biden confirmed the news of the relationship with the New York Post’s Page Six,

“We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other as they were putting their lives together again after such sadness. They have mine and Jill’s all and complete support and we are happy for them.”

You may be wondering what the hell “N*gga I ain’t worried about nothin’” has to do with all of this. Well, I’m trying to put myself in Beau’s shoes. I’m wondering if my soul would be troubled by the fact that my sibling was now romantically involved with my spouse. A part of me thinks that I would be occupied with more pressing concerns, like how my parents and children were coping in the wake of my departure. I would like to think that I wouldn’t be tripping about the fact that two people who I loved dearly, fell in love with each other. Once you get past the salaciousness of the news, it makes sense. Hallie had just lost her husband. Hunter had just lost his brother and then left his wife. Their names both start with an H. You don’t have to think hard about how they might have ended up with one another.

But then, being that I’m still on earth, I have to wonder, ‘There was no one else you two could have found?!’ I believe that real love is not about ownership, especially not when a person is dead and gone,  but still, there’s a “ick” factor to your sibling and your husband or wife having sex. Because honestly, it’s not so much the fact that they fell in love, but the sex. Admittedly, we’re a little preoccupied with sex on this side of heaven. Maybe Beau’s spirit is happy that his wife is with someone he loves and can [hopefully] trust. Or maybe Beau’s spirit is like my earthly mind wondering whether these two got together for love or just convenience and shared grief.

With Hunter and Hallie though, it’s not just the sex that has people caught up. There’s also the bit about Hunter not being divorced yet. He and his wife are just separated, estranged. But not divorced. So not only is Hunter in what many would regard as a tricky relationship, he hasn’t fully ended his last one. That to me is more of an issue than the fact he’s with his sister-in-law.

What do you make of all this? Do you think your soul would be cool with your sibling getting with your spouse?

Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter @VDubShrug.

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