Last month we shared the news with you that Zoe Saldana, 38, and husband Marco Perego, 37, welcomed their third child, and third boy, Zen. He joins the couple’s twin boys Cy and Bowie, born in 2014. She shared the big news in an Instagram post:

The announcement was quite a shock to many, who hadn’t seen the star pregnant, and really, hadn’t seen much of her at all as she had been off filming and taking care of her twins. This week, though, she opened up about this next chapter of parenthood and how it came to be — well, sort of. While at an event that had to do with her new partnership with All Nippon Airways (it’s Japanese), she talked about the importance of keeping a good chunk of her private life as private as possible.

“Marco and I have a great deal of respect for the privacy of our kids, they’re dependent on us so they’re not in a position to make choices for themselves,” she told PEOPLE. “We have to choose for them and part of that is giving them the anonymity that they need so that they can feel safe and not aware of anything around them. When cameras are in their faces, it would probably be traumatizing for a child who has yet to understand what’s going on. This is the path that we’ve chosen, we have to wait for their choices to be heard so in the meantime, we need to protect their environment and we’re all about that.”

Speaking of privacy, when asked about arrival of baby Zen, Saldana shared that down the line she will be more forthcoming with information about the child’s birth. Right now, though, she’s trying to protect him and “the forces that helped us have him.”

“This is something we’re being very meticulous about because of the process of how we completed our family,” she said. “When we’re there, when the time comes and our third baby is a little older, and all the forces that helped us have him with us are comfortable then we will share it because we know it would be very positive and inspiring to many families that are looking to complete themselves and are not able to do it in the conventional way.”

It’s unclear if that means she had Zen via surrogate or adoption, but it’s very clear that she’s happy about the addition to her family, and soon enough, she will tell her full story.

“Seeking alternative ways to start a family should be encouraged, should be empowered and I think we should spread that education, that information out there, when the time is right.”

Image via WENN 

The post Zoe Saldana Discusses “Alternative Ways To Start A Family” After Welcoming Third Child, Zen appeared first on MadameNoire.

Earlier today, a teaser from the Mary J. Blige sit down with Angie Martinez hit the internet. From the clip, we could already tell that Mary was going to be her authentic self. And she was planning on telling the truth about the dissolution of her marriage to Kendu Isaacs. And after listening to the full thing, that’s exactly what she did. Check out some of the highlights and the entire sit down interview between two friends, below.

From the beginning of the interview, they jumped right into things. When Angie complimented Mary on her looking and seeming good, she said:

I got to keep loving myself regardless of who don’t love me no more.

Going on tour in the midst of the divorce.

Angie, I needed that. I needed to be somewhere other than home thinking about all this foolishness. These lawyers and this and that, just all this stupidity. I needed to be somewhere where I can vent and express myself and use my music as my own therapy and get some energy back from the fans. I needed that love and I was telling them every night.

And I’m still in it. It’s just getting worse. It really is not getting better. More b.s., more nonsense more lies, more denial, more stupidity. I can’t even believe it’s this bad. It should be over by now but, you know… the games that are being played. It’s because of everything that’s happening in court.

He has the power to make it all go away if he just would stop demanding what he’s demanding. And that’s not fair to me because he doesn’t deserve what he’s demanding. Why do I have to pay you? And why do you think you deserve this amount of money? Why do you think you deserve any money? You didn’t make me. You’re not God. So I have to pay you for being my husband and being my manager. You say you helped me. Yeah you helped but you didn’t build this career. I was Mary J. Blige before I even met you. So that’s no fair of you so this is the sickness.

Does she think he’s entitled to anything?

Why would he be entitled to something? Because he’s used to living the way he used to live? Why else would he think he was entitled to something? Because if you did what you did because you love me and you manage me because you love me and you rock with me as my husband because you love me, why should I have to pay you now?

His demands

I saw the list. The list that comes through is the list that comes from the lawyer. He signs it. Whatever he signs go to these courtrooms and you got TMZ and all these different reporters down there and once they see it, they get it and it’s out into the public. I saw this list and I was like, ‘I can’t believe this. I can’t believe you’re trying to stick me up.’ No disrespect to his family at all but I’m not responsible for them. I don’t have any children with you and I’m not responsible for anything else with you anymore.
I don’t owe you anything. It’s not fair. So this is very mean.

Are you talking to him?

I’m not really talking to him and when I did talk to him, he wasn’t talking sensibly.

Where she messed up. 

Unfortunately, he was my everything and you can’t make a person your everything, Because you giving em too much power. You giving him God’s power. And this is why things like this happen. I just gave him way to much but I gave him all of that so he can feel comfortable in the company of my peers and when he comes around he’s not just Mary J. Blige’s husband. That’s why I gave him everything I gave him. I made him my everything and I wanted people to know about it because he was somebody I liked and thought was my friend. I enjoyed being around him so I was like, I want the world to see this. I want the world to know who you are and know about you. When I love you I love you. I loved him. When I love you, I give like way too much. But I’ll never do that again. I won’t give that much every again. He f*cked it up for everybody.

Will she ever get married again?

Right now? No. I will never get married again.

Marriage not being for everybody

You lose yourself in it. You don’t even realize how much you lost yourself. You lose your identity. You start living to please this man and want to be everything he wants you to be. I was always desperate to be loved by a man that ‘Oh wow this is him.’

What was the moment you knew it was over?

The overwhelming disrespect. You’re disrespecting me and I can sense that I’m not what you want anymore. Because now you start throwing questions around like ‘Why you don’t cook?’ I haven’t been cooking. ‘Why you don’t wear your hair like this?’ I never wore my hair like this before. So what’s up with you. You start to realize this man doesn’t want you and he’s jsut gone all the time. And you’re by yourself in the relationship. And when you realize you’re by yourself in a relationship and you’re just suffering through it, now it’s time to do some investigating.
I was getting things here and there but I didn’t get the full proof and when I got the full proof I didn’t have to investigate it. It just showed up, it was revealed. ‘Bam. This is what he’s doing.’ I even gave him a warning.

Did you know before?

Of course, you know but you can’t prove it. He’s telling you all these lies so you can’t prove it.

Do you feel proud of yourself?

I definitely feel empowered because I have to handle my own business now. I have to do everything myself. And I just feel like I escaped something really bad, something that could have been worse than what it was. This is something else that I got to survive. This is hard because it’s just a lot. But it’s fine because I have the power and the strength to do it. I’m surviving it. It was just horrible to be in something when someone doesn’t want you and you know they don’t want you no more but you’re still trying to fight for it and save it. When I went into the studio to write my album the whole thing was based on fighting for my marriage and my marriage wasn’t fighting for me. So God had to reveal this because He was like, ‘I’m not going to step out there and lie to yourself and to people. This man is doing this. Boom.’

Do you put it in the music?

Absolutely. On the My Life album when I was going through everything I was going through and it was dark. It was the first time I ever really spoke personally. I was saying help me. Now, I’m saying ‘You know what I’m a little pissed right now and hurt but there’s light at the end of the tunnel but I’m human and this is hard.’ This album just embodies what I’m dealing with. Every five minutes there’s something going on that makes me want to choke somebody. And then there’s moments like when I hang out with you for our birthdays and it’s beautiful. And I remember that.

I hate this part of my life.

I would imagine sometimes you want to curl up.

I do curl up. I turn off my phone. I don’t want to talk to people but I just can’t stay hidden all the time. If I hide, I just might as well die. Because it’s more darker places than there are light places these days but I try to stay in the light because it’s hard.

Are people giving you advice on how to get through?

People are just loving me through it and I’m getting a lot of ‘I’m happy for you.’

Why didn’t you tell me that when we were together?

Because they could have ended up an enemy.

There’s no reconciliation that could ever happen?

Giggles. No!

Are you excited about the rest of your life?

Yes I feel very hopeful. I just wish this would go away. This is messing up my fun and messing up my hope. It’s too much going on. I pray that it’s over soon.

A lot of people say, ‘When Mary’s sad, we get the best music?’

That’s so unfortunate.
It sucks but it is what it is.
The music is good. “Love Yourself” is hardcore Hip Hop soul. Kanye’s on it. It’s me actually singing, like talking to myself when I was in it.

How did the Kanye collab come about?

I’m a fan of Kanye. I always loved Kanye. Always wanted to work with Kanye. So I reached out to his manager and got a number on him and began to text him. And I knew him. We speak when we see each other but never ‘Hey I need you to get on this record.’ But I knew I needed him on “Love Yourself.” He was like, ‘Why don’t you come over, we sit and talk’ and tell me what you want.

Who else is on the album?

Missy Elliot. Quavo from The Migos. I love the Migos. That song almost drove me crazy on my birthday. ‘Rain drop, drop top.’ This is what we did for our birthdays. And Khaled are all on “Glow Up.”

I’m glad, unfortunately in this situation, my fans will be happy. They’re going to be happy anyway. But it’s healing time and a lot of us need to get through some stuff that we don’t want to tell nobody about but I’ma tell. This is what I’m here for. We go through all this hell Angie, just to sit in the house and be by ourselves in it? No. You got to talk to somebody. It’s to help somebody. It’s to write a book to do something. It’s not to just die in it.

You going to write a book?

Of course.

When?

Soon.

The support from the people.

I’m so grateful for everybody’s love. I appreciate you and I send you love back.

Do you have women role models?

No. I talk to my sister and she helps me with how to handle stuff sometimes. But I don’t have a lot of women that I can call or say that I can call them so I try to handle it all on my own. You’re a mentor. You helped me through a lot and you show me how to handle a lot. When I least expect it, that teacher mom comes out of you. So you’re one of ’em but no.

That Hillary Clinton clip

Someone took a small piece of something that I was trying to express to Hillary because I’m an artist, not a journalist. And I was trying to express to her as my first time being a journalist. I was trying to express to her the words in that song and how every Black woman in America feels, sending their kid to school. I did a whole interview with her because I wanted people to see her as a woman, a grandmother. At the end of the day, she is a woman. And that’s how I like to get I like to get deep down to what it really is. She’s a politician, she’s hard she’s all those things but she’s a woman and she deserves to be treated like one. That’s what I wanted people to see. I wanted people to have a soft moment with her.

Then there was a montage of people imitating Mary J. Blige which you must watch.

The post “I Made Him My Everything” Mary J. Blige Talks Her Divorce, The Hillary Clinton Interview & More appeared first on MadameNoire.

Earlier this week, I wrote about my annoyance with TI. My annoyance could have stemmed from a variety of things. But on this particular day, it was for the fact that while he has literally made a living off of people watching his family, when folks ask questions about said-family, specifically his pending/potential divorce from wife Tiny, he wants that same audience to mind their business.

Some of y’all agreed with TI. I saw someone called me thirsty which gave me a good chuckle. Naturally, I don’t see myself as such, I merely want TI to stop being a hypocrite.

Either way, they say be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. And that’s exactly what happened this week. TI said something other than “it’s not your business.” And even seemed to cosign a pretty ridiculous statement about his wife.

The Shade Room captured it.

#TI is real active on social media today 👀

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Mar 30, 2017 at 8:14pm PDT

Well.

Two things going on here. One, for the first time TI is alluding to the fact that he and Tiny might actually be splitting. And before I read the second comment, I actually thought that it was some type of sign or symbol that he was going to take the high road with this possible divorce proceedings. But then came the cosign of the foolishness.  Someone alleged that Tiny was swinging from Floyd Mayweather’s nuts. Is that so? Because from what I saw Tiny took a picture with Floyd and then did a two step with him, in a public place. We can certainly argue that her intentions were petty. After all, the imaginary beef between Floyd Mayweather and TI is well documented. (I say imaginary because if there were a real issue and TI really stepped to Floyd Mayweather, TI would have likely been hospitalized.) Still, her indiscretions and perceived disloyalties are nothing compared to what Tiny herself has said about the nature of her marriage to TI. After all, Bernice is already online basically admitting that the two have been seeing one another. A fact TI himself has never denied.

Either way, I do wonder if now that he’s speaking about the matter on social media, he’ll be more inclined to answer questions during his interviews.

The post TI Offers A More Than A “Mind Your Business” For These Divorce Rumors appeared first on MadameNoire.

In last night’s episode of Braxton Family Values, it was revealed that Tamar recently had a miscarriage.

While catching up with Toni, Tamar shared the news.

“You know, I didn’t tell nobody because it was very very new,” she said. “Well, maybe, like, a week before I went to Atlanta, I found out that I was pregnant.”

Toni then went on to celebrate, thinking that Tamar was revealing that she is expecting. In response, Tamar said, “No,” so Toni sought clarification.

“You’re pregnant?” she asked, to which Tamar responded, “I was.”

Toni said that while she would have liked to have known sooner so that she could have been there for her sister immediately, she understood why Tamar and Vince felt it necessary to hold on to that information.

“I was really disappointed that she didn’t tell me, but I understood,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s between a husband and a wife. But I was glad that she finally told me, and I could be there and hold her hand because I’m sure that was a disappointing situation that happened for her.”

To make matters worse, Tamar then said that while dealing with the miscarriage situation, Trina questioned her parenting and said that Tamar pushes her son Logan on their mother, Ms. Evelyn.

“It was like a whole lot for Trina to throw out how horrible of a mother she thought I was,” Tamar said. “Sometimes you just want to not be nice, and that’s what that was. You don’t throw nobody’s motherhood in their face. I ain’t out here in these streets like that. Girl, I’m out here working.”

But even in that serious moment, Tamar managed to try and pull some humor out of it.

“Like stop! I ain’t turning tricks,” she said. “And even if I was, it don’t mean I’m a bad mama, it just means I’m a hoe.”

For the record, when speaking recently to PEOPLE Now about whether or not she wanted more children, Tamar said she was hopeful about it.

“I want to. But you know I’ve had infertility issues. But I’m hopeful. You never now. A girl, a boy, 13 of them — whatever.”

Check out the clip where Tamar opens up about her miscarriage and her parenting disagreements with Trina below:

The post Tamar Braxton Reveals Recent Miscarriage: “I Didn’t Tell Nobody Because It Was Very Very New” appeared first on MadameNoire.

Food gets all the attention when it comes to healthy eating, but there are also a number of drinks on the market that are packed with nutrients from a variety of sources designed to fuel your body and keep it operating in optimal condition. We know you may not like tea, plain water can get a little boring, and you have no business drinking soda. But you’re also probably missing out on some of today’s superfoods in your actual meals. That’s why we’re putting you on to these healthy supplemental beverages we swear by. You don’t necessarily need to down these every day — except for the last drink — but they’re a great, healthy treat every now and then, with benefits you won’t see coming.

Mamma Chia Organic Clean Energy

Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants, which fight the production of free radicals; fiber to keep you fuller longer; and high-quality protein, which is key for losing weight and building muscle; and they’re also high in heart-healthy Omega-3 acids. But, outside of blending them in a smoothie or sprinkling them on top of your oatmeal, it can be hard to figure out how to actually add chia seeds to your diet, which is where Mamma Chia comes in. The brand offers a number of drinks made from organic hydrated chia seeds, and one that’s currently my favorite is Cherry Charge which is naturally caffeinated to give you the energy boost you may normally turn to Starbucks. But what coffee can’t offer you are 4 grams of protein, 2500 mg of Omega-3s, and fiber.

REBBL Matcha Latte

If you haven’t heard of the benefits of Matcha, allow me to enlighten you. This powder is sourced from whole green tea leaf and aids in detoxifying the body, thanks to its chlorophyll. It also helps with alertness, memory, and cognition, while providing a calming effect, thanks to its inclusion of l-theanine. And while you can, of course, just drink matcha tea by itself, you can also enjoy it as a latte with this coconut-milk based beverage from Rebbl. It’s one of the tastiest lattes you’ll find for 120 calories and 15 grams of carbs.

GT’s Kombucha

By now you know probiotics are essential for a healthy gut and healthy vaginal flora, but for the longest time all women have been told about getting these good bacteria is yogurt, yogurt, yogurt. But you have other options besides the white stuff and even pills. One of my favorite alternatives is Kombucha, a fermented tea drink with 1 billion organisms of Bacillus coagulans — a good bacteria — and 1 billion organisms of S. Boulardii, a yeast that treats and prevents a number of stomach issues. At 35 calories per serving, with 8 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of sugar, it’s hard to pass up.

Naked Mighty Mango

If eating fruits and veggies isn’t on your list of favorite things to do and you simply don’t have time for juicing, Naked Juices are a healthy alternative. The smoothies are 100% juice and contain no added sugar, just whole fruits and vegetables, boosted with Vitamins A, E, and B12, B6, B5, B3, Zinc, whey protein, and other great ingredients.

Ícelandic Glacial Water

You didn’t think we’d have a whole list of healthy beverages and not include the healthiest of them all did you? There is no substitute for water in your diet, except water with lemon, which is a must as well. Your body needs water for your organs to function properly, and there are a host of benefits related to sleep, skin, and more that come from drinking more water. Why Ícelandic? Because it comes from a naturally replenished source, the bottles are BPA-free and 100% recyclable, and the taste is crisp, clean, and refreshing.

The post 5 Healthy Beverages We Can’t Stop Drinking appeared first on MadameNoire.

You hate weight talk

You dislike health magazines

You won't give advice

You know who has one

You treat yourself more

You love spontaneity

You don't like calories on menus

You like flexible clothes

You love new restaurants

You love happy people

You enjoy your body

You see bodies differently

You worry about having a daughter

Celebrity diets annoy you

Sometimes you revert

The post How Life Changes After An Eating Disorder appeared first on MadameNoire.

Chewing Gum - 4/4 (Netflix)

J. Cole 4 Your Eyez Only - 4/15 (HBO)

Let It Fall - 4/28 (ABC)

The Get Down - 4/7 (Netflix)

The Leftovers - 4/16 (HBO)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - 4/22 (HBO)

Fargo - 4/15 (FX)

Dear White People - 4/28 (Netflix)

Guerrilla - 4/16 (Showtime)

Prison Break - 4/4 (Fox)

The post April Showers Bring Good TV: 10 Must-See Programs Premiering In April appeared first on MadameNoire.

Tanya McDowell would go to jail again to ensure her son a great education, but she shouldn’t have to: https://t.co/fG14xdFkIa. #SchoolChoice

— Am Fed for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow) March 31, 2017

In 2012, we shared the story of Tanya McDowell. She was the Connecticut mother who was charged with first-degree larceny and conspiracy for “stealing her son’s education.” Prosecutors argued that McDowell stole money from taxpayers by sending her son to the wrong school district.

What was particularly interesting about McDowell’s case though was that she was homeless when she enrolled her son in kindergarten. So she used his babysitter’s address instead of the district where her last home was located. Later, McDowell was arrested at the Norwalk homeless shelter just as she finished her evening meal.

She was convicted and was sentenced to twelve years in prison.

As we reported, the twelve-year sentence included four counts of drug possession and sale charges. At the time of her arrest, people suspected that after the first five years, the remaining seven would be suspended.

Now, five years later, McDowell, 39, is a free woman. And she says she does not regret her decision.

In an interview with The Hour, McDowell said:

“I would still do it all over again because I haven’t been let down,” McDowell said Friday afternoon in one of her first interviews since being released from jail two years ago. “My son exceeded all of my expectations.”

During her incarceration, her son Andrew lived with his grandmother and attended Thomas Hooker Elementary School. There, he had perfect attendance and made the honor roll.

McDowell points to her mother as the catalyst behind her decision to fight to get Andrew properly schooling.

“That’s where I got it from. Education was big in my household. She picked up exactly where I left off. I couldn’t be more proud.”

McDowell says that she hopes the fight for her son has more wider reaching effects.

“I’m not only doing it for Andrew. I’m doing it for any other parent, any other child out there that has the potential to exceed and excel at a certain level and is just being deprived, period.”

She did just that. After McDowell’s case made national headlines, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy decriminalized the practice of sending your child to the wrong school district in 2013. But the change came too late for McDowell herself. At the time of her arrest, her actions were classified as a felony.

And though she was released from prison two years early, she still faces three years of probation and owes the city of Norwalk $6,500 in back tuition.

Today, McDowell works in the food industry as a chef. Her son attends Casimir Pulaski School and is still on the honor roll.

And McDowell says he’s appreciative of his mother’s sacrifice.

“My son’s… like ‘mommy you did all that for me?’” McDowell said. “Yeah,” she added, “but not only you … other people are going through the same thing … My kid got a lot of recognition because I stood for something. So I try to teach him: stand for something otherwise you’re going to fall for anything. If you see something that’s not right, you stand up and you stand behind that…

“A lot of people may think what I did was wrong,” she said, “but I don’t think it was wrong because not only did I stand up for you, but all of the other parents who never got arrested and aren’t paying restitution.”

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 Mom Arrested For Stealing Son’s Education Says She Doesn’t Regret It appeared first on MadameNoire.

They say a clear mark of a breakup on a woman — or man, as Wiz Kalifah showed us with his purple locs two years ago– is a new hairdo. And if that theory holds true, Kirk Frost is in trouble because Rasheeda has totally switched up her look. Many women have fawned over the gorgeous black strands of the reality star and manager’s wife Rasheeda, particularly after she rose to “Love & Hip-Hop” fame. But the rapper has traded her raven-haired mane in for a whole new ‘do: blonde and bold.

A couple of weeks ago, “Da Boss Chick” began playing with a lighter hue, debuting a dirty blonde, loose-wave look, courtesy of extensions.

A week after that, Rasheeda took the extensions shorter and lighter with this sharp bob with beach waves.

And now the rapper has gone nearly platinum with this long, banged look with dark roots.

Judging from the latest videos posted, Rasheeda seems to be feeling this length and lighter color the most. And with captions like, “Play by your own rules,” Kirk might want to tread lightly if he wants to keep his wife after all the stunts he’s pulled.

Are you feeling Rasheeda’s new look?

Photo: Splash

The post Rasheeda Is Stunting On Kirk With Blonde Revenge Hair appeared first on MadameNoire.

One of the ways Tamia and Grant Hill have been able to keep their marriage fresh for 17 years and counting is by making time and taking time to perform some of their favorite songs together in the privacy of what we’re sure is a sprawling home. We all know that Tamia is quite the talented singer, but how many of you remembered that Grant Hill isn’t too shabby on the keys?

He’s actually been saying since his early NBA days that he plays the piano. Hill revealed in the book Grant Hill: Superstar Forward that he started taking piano lessons when he was nine but let the instrument fall by the wayside once he got to high school. (According to him, “It wasn’t cool to take lessons. I had to be cool. But I wish I had stuck with it.”) But if you loved Living Single as much as we did, then you probably remember the episode where he played for Kadijah during a date on the basketball court, dusting off his skills.

With that being said, he’s spent his retirement years playing alongside his wife, and we forgot that he’s pretty good. The couple sang Rihanna’s “Stay” together, and not only was it adorable, but the video has a comical ending:

It’s not the first time the two have sung together in front of the cameras. While they haven’t jumped on anybody’s stage (just yet) they also filmed themselves doing a cover of Frank Ocean’s hit, “Thinkin Bout You” in 2013.

Moments like these are just one reason they’re one of our absolute favorite couples. #LifeGoals

Image via WENN 

The post Tamia Singing Rihanna’s “Stay” While Grant Hill Plays Piano Will Give You All The Feels appeared first on MadameNoire.

Today marks the twenty-second anniversary of the death of Selena Quintanilla. The Tejano singer was murdered by her fan club president march 31, 1995, five days after rapper Easy-E died of AIDS. Today, many took to Twitter to remember Selena and we took to the Internet to search how Black stars have paid homage to the young starlet over the years. That’s when we discovered videos of Solange and Keke Palmer singing two of the Corpus Christi native’s biggest hits.

During a live performance at Nouveau Casino in Paris in 2013, Solange sang the English language crossover hit “I could Fall in Love with You” while Keke, during an interview in 2012, sang “Amor Prohibido” after discussing her former relationship with a first-generation Guateleman. Keke has also covered “I Could Fall in Love with You” during one of her famous singing vlogs which you can check out below. What do you think?

The post Flashback Friday: Solange And Keke Palmer Cover Selena appeared first on MadameNoire.

If your feminism does not respect trans women in their full womanhood, then it's truly not intersectional: https://t.co/4bn3foPTvO #TDOV pic.twitter.com/Fs1fuBlbSP

— The Root (@TheRoot) March 31, 2017

On #TDOV respect me by using pronouns (he/him), the fact I'm biological female doesn't mean y'all can call me by wht makes y'all comfortable

— #DarkSkinSupremacy (@stfuwhenmetweet) March 31, 2017

On Pronouns

"As there are many kinds of women, there are many kinds of men&many men desire many kinds of women, trans women are among these women" #TDoV pic.twitter.com/D3qZJyb9Yi

— prince jasmine (@backofftrack) March 31, 2017

Worthy of Love

On Protecting Sex Workers and Black Trans Women

fight back to claim #TDOV by making visible that which power tries to hide:

protecting trans women means protecting sex workers — jess (@l1quidcryst4l) March 31, 2017

the intersection between trans women and sex work is high. this is a part of our legacy and on #TDOV we must make it visible and be proud.

— jess (@l1quidcryst4l) March 31, 2017

on #TDOV we must make violence against trans sex workers visible, and remind people that this intersection is at a high risk for violence.

— jess (@l1quidcryst4l) March 31, 2017

fight back to claim #TDOV by making visible that which power tries to hide:

most violence against trans women is against black trans women — jess (@l1quidcryst4l) March 31, 2017

even in trans communities, power is centralized in whiteness. white trans women, on #TDOV it our duty to make this visible and fight it.

— jess (@l1quidcryst4l) March 31, 2017

On Protecting Sex Workers and Black Trans Women

#transvisibility #tdov pic.twitter.com/e59SGldjeP

— Emery Shriver (@meshrive) March 31, 2017

Why do trans people need more visibility.

Okay, why #tdov? Visibility MATTERS: If I’d seen as a kid that folks like me *existed* maybe I'd have found a comfortable ID at 8, not 32.

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

Maybe if we could see survival and success in our futures, they wouldn't be so terrifying. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

Maybe if cis folks saw us (properly, genuinely) as people, not as threats or fetishes or freaks, we'd have less to be afraid of. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

Maybe if being visible wasn't such a risk, vulnerable people could more readily find the support/help they need to survive & flourish. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

#tdov It's not just *visibility* though; the lens through which we're projected makes a difference... the language used to talk about us-

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

-gets into people's heads. Misgendering, confusion, fear, fetishizing, all come from what you do/don't see of us. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

I’m sick of being othered, of being your inspiration porn or pity object. Sick of looking over my shoulder, waiting for abuse- #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

-I’m sick of the repercussion-free (for cis folks) ‘what’s in their pants’ line/scene in almost every single story about us. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

-I’m angry that the first question 99% of trans teens ask me is ‘how could anyone ever love me?’ Because all they see is hate & fear. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

All of that and far, far worse comes from people’s reactions to who they think we are. The stories they hear. #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

What we need is positive, respectful representation. For cis folks to shut up & listen & for OUR voices to be heard.We need visibility #tdov

— Fox Benwell (@ThisFoxWrites) March 31, 2017

Representation Matters

This is NOT up for debate #TransWomenAreWomen #TDOV17 #TDOV Fighting for women's rights means fighting for #trans rights. https://t.co/bnbqHYEbNa

— Danielle Muscato (@DanielleMuscato) March 31, 2017

Women's Rights

We celebrate Afrika Lockett, a formerly incarcerated, Black, trans elder in Chicago! We love you, Afrika! https://t.co/6LuLN6MDZT #TDOV pic.twitter.com/7d6t7t4KVU

— GetEQUAL (@GetEQUAL) March 31, 2017

A woman you should know: Ms. Afrika Queen Lockett

The post 10 Tweets In Honor Of Trans Day Of Visibility appeared first on MadameNoire.

If you haven’t completely tuned out of the Trump administration and the reality TV/political shenanigans going down at the White House (or wherever Mr. Trump happens to be vacationing), you might know that Vice President Pence faced some controversy this past week regarding some bold statements he made about maintaining his marriage. For the sake of transparency, it should be noted that the comments were made in 2002, but recently highlighted in a profile piece that was published about his wife, Karen Pence.

According to the piece published in the Washington Post, when it comes to protecting your marriage against the infidelity, Pence feels like limiting the amount of contact he has with other women is a good start. The profile states:

“In 2002, Mike Pence told the Hill that he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and that he won’t attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side, either.”

In the original interview, Pence revealed to the reporter of The Hill:

“If there’s alcohol being served and people are being loose, I want to have the best-looking brunette in the room standing next to me.”

“It’s about building a zone around your marriage … I don’t think it’s a predatory town, but I think you can inadvertently send the wrong message by being in [certain] situations.”

When asked if the comments were still relevant today, Pence’s press secretary, Mike Lotter explained that perhaps Pence’s statements were being taken out of context:

“I think you are taking this entirely out of context. He set a standard to ensure a strong marriage when he first came to DC as a congressman, clearly that worked.”

It’s no secret that the Pences are highly religious being married in a Roman Catholic church in 1985 before later becoming evangelical Christians. The Washington Post highlights that Karen is the family’s unofficial “prayer warrior”. Supporters and critics cite her as the force behind her husband’s socially conservative stance against same sex marriage. When it comes to the Pence union and how they approach daily decisions, Ken Blackwell, senior fellow at the Family Research Council and a senior domestic policy adviser on the Trump transition team remarked:

“You can’t get a dime between them. It is not him seeking her approval, but his doing a sort of gut check with what they have learned together and come up through together in terms of their shared Christianity.”

So do the Pences have a point?  Do you have to build a force field around your marriage against members of the opposite sex if you hope to save it from infidelity?

A few people may know that as happy as I am to be married, for me it involved the struggle of giving up a bit of independence and control. Marriage and building a family with someone is about having someone to depend on and allowing yourself the freedom to not have to “do it all”. But the one thing I appreciate about my spouse is the fact that, like I always say, “We were whole grown ass people before we met one another.” Given that we married in our thirties, there was a lot we had already gotten out of our systems when it came to traveling, dating and doing adult things. That combined with the fact that we took time to build trust are the reason that I feel that infidelity is not something we necessarily need to pro-actively protect our union from.

Don’t get me wrong, on some level (and this might be the only time I say this) I get where Pence is coming from. I remember my husband saying that wearing a wedding band didn’t mean much as far as communicating to folks that you’re in a committed relationship (i.e. “No, sir, I actually don’t need a friend.”). In fact, I feel like when I was seven months pregnant and waddling to work with an engagement on my finger, men actually tried harder when it came to asking me out. There isn’t a day when my husband doesn’t come home telling me about how a customer came downstairs half-dressed while he’s working under her sink just to say how lucky his wife is. Unfortunately, the reality is that some people just have no respect for marriage and view it as just another obstacle to overcome when it comes to snagging the person they want.

Pence is right when he says infidelity is real and there are folks out here with an agenda looking for happy homes to break up. You don’t believe ALL these basketball players and rappers are just out here being reckless without women who give zero damns about the wife/child’s mother he’s leaving her for. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that marriage is about what the people who made vows make them and that you can’t go blaming the other woman for making your man fall into bed with her. But I believe it’s naïve to think there aren’t folks out here plotting and planning on others’ happiness, and like Pence said sometimes it’s best to duck and dodge situations which might place you in an awkward position.

On the same token, I wouldn’t think my husband was doing me any favors by purposely avoiding situations where he has to interact with the opposite sex. I would never want him to be that guy who walks by my side looking at his two feet because he knows if he waves at a woman the wrong way I’m going to get offended. There’s something comforting about knowing that my spouse can have lunch with a female co-worker, give my best friend a ride from the bus stop because he was in the area and even think Ciara has the sexiest navel without him having to fight any sexual tension or it turning to a whole insecure argument between the two of us. I think there’s something healthy and honest about acknowledging that just because you’re married doesn’t mean your hormones shut down shop the moment your spouse isn’t up under you. I always say, “Just because you’re attracted to someone doesn’t mean you want to start a life with them.

Some feminists also remarked that Pence’s comments insinuates a view that all woman are “sexual temptresses” and that it’s impossible for women and men to have platonic relationships. Given the context of when these statements were made, I would like to think Pence was more so trying to avoid a Clinton/Lewinsky fiasco more than he was worried about landing in bed with a member of his staff after talking world relations over antipasto. But if Pence really has concerns when it comes to his judgement and his willingness to risk it all in a situation where there are cocktails and pretty women, he may have bigger concerns in his marriage than infidelity. At the end of the day it shouldn’t matter if Gigi Hadid is sitting on his lap butt naked after a couple of beers, if a marriage is built on trust then a man will make the right move and walk away. We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control how we react and that doesn’t mean you have to walk around in a bubble to avoid the opposite sex.

So as much as this administration loves the idea of building walls for protection not just around this country but around marriage itself I must say I’d rather have a picket fence around my union. I don’t think limiting interactions with the opposite sex make a relationship stronger. I think making peace with the fact that there will always be someone sexier, richer, and maybe even more romantic but you’ll still be in love with your partner anyway is what truly defines a marriage. Because deep down I know that no matter if Drake himself inboxed me with a request to have all his babies and he still wouldn’t “get me” like my husband does. Being faithful in a marriage is about growing and living in the world together despite what your union faces, because the moments when someone or something attempts to break it are when you’re truly reminded of what it’s made of.

Should married folks avoid interactions with the opposite sex?

Toya Sharee is a Health Resource Specialist who has a  passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about  everything from beauty to love and relationships. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.

The post Does Mike Pence Have a Point? Should You “Build A Zone” Around Your Marriage? appeared first on MadameNoire.

Besides their great soap, we love the fact that Dove is always aiming to inspire. The popular personal care brand has had many different campaigns over the years, focused on real beauty sketches that shows beauty as a source of confidence, not anxiety.

Continuing their mission of ensuring the next generation grow up  enjoying a positive relationship with the way they look – helping girls to raise their self-esteem and realise their full potential, the brand has launched Real Beauty Productions company.

This time around, their goal is to give a voice and representation to women who don’t see themselves reflected in today’s media. Bringing out the heavy-hitters of the industry, television producer Shonda Rhimes was tapped to serve as creative director for Dove’s new production house. In this role, Rhimes will assist in showcasing real stories from real women that expand the definition of beauty.

“Together we’ll challenge unrealistic ideas of beauty, inspire women to be themselves and help all some and girls love the bodies they were born in,” Rhimes said in a promotional video for Real Beauty Productions. “That feels important to me.”

Ladies, love this idea and want to know how you can be a part? If you want your personal story told, you can head over to DoveRealBeauty.com and share for a chance to work with Rhimes and have your #RealBeauty story featured in one of the production house’s first films.

The post Shonda Rhimes Is Celebrating #RealBeauty With Dove appeared first on MadameNoire.

When it comes to actress Keke Palmer, there’s one thing everyone should know: she’s not a little girl anymore. Seriously, get over it. For the past few years, the 23-year-old has been experimenting with her style and turning heads and garnering some side eyes for some of her choices. From thigh high splits to a pixie cuts and blonde highlights, she seems to be having fun trying it all and is unbothered by the haters.

In an Essence Live interview, Palmer shared her thoughts on the love, hate and criticism towards her new and unforgiving style. “People know what I’m about at this point; what type of young lady I am; and I am and am not going for,” she explained.

When asked about how her mom reacts and feels when she wears something like a see-through bra, Palmer excitedly imitated her mom, saying, “YAS, GIRL! YAS! Because if my titties were like that…”

“My mom is a real Chicago mom,” she continued. “My mom’s whole feeling is be true to you. My mom is one of those people where if it’s coming from me and it’s genuine to me, then she’ll be cool with it. When she feels like it’s not genuine that’s when she doesn’t like it.”

Well, we heard that. You really can’t help but to praise a chick that’s comfortable in her skin. Ladies, what are your thoughts about Keke’s latest style choices? Scroll down to check out a few that have been catching the attention of many.

Culo tan gordo, necesito un baile de regazo. 💀

A post shared by Laurennnn Palmer (@keke) on Jan 8, 2017 at 12:49pm PST

💸💸💸💸

A post shared by Laurennnn Palmer (@keke) on Jan 27, 2017 at 9:23am PST

👑

A post shared by Laurennnn Palmer (@keke) on Feb 9, 2017 at 11:45am PST

@nataliafedner @styledbygiigii thank you for this creation! I felt so beautiful tonight! @shannonpezzetta you killed this makeup and my hair is always safe in @ann_joneshair’s hands. I love you all, @lizzybott special thanks. 👑

A post shared by Laurennnn Palmer (@keke) on Nov 20, 2016 at 10:15pm PST

The post Keke Palmer Shares Her Mom’s Thoughts On Her Risqué Style Choices appeared first on MadameNoire.

This summer will make it an entire year that Tamar Braxton was fired from The Real. After the news surfaced, Braxton bounced back with bigger and better news that she landed her own talk show to be produced by Steve Harvey.

We’re proud to announce that my production company has just signed Tamar Braxton to produce a talk show, TV series with Tamar Braxton. We’ve signed her to East 112th Street Productions for a new show,” the comedian and talk show host announced back in June of 2015. “We saw the opportunity of what people may recognize as the end, but it’s not. It’s such a beginning. She has such a bright future. She is such a star. She has so much to offer.”

To date, there had been no additional details about the show, but in a recent sit-down with Essence Braxton shared a few words. “It’s going to be amazing, and we’re still working out a lot of the details about what it’s going to be about and what’s going to happen,” she said. “But it’s definitely going to happen.”

Well, Tamar has definitely been light-lipped about the show but we know things like this take some time to pull together. We’re just excited to see what comes of it.

The post So, Here Are The Details On TheWhereabouts Of Tamar Braxton’s Talk Show appeared first on MadameNoire.

WNo card? No worries! You can use any of our ATMs by entering a one-time code from our mobile app. Learn more https://t.co/qVAWvzwha2 pic.twitter.com/IKTwJi1Kue

— Wells Fargo (@WellsFargo) March 31, 2017

Just when we thought technology would take a chill pill, it throws yet another curve ball. According to USA Today, Wells Fargo Bank has introduced a new technology that will allow customers with smartphones (basically everyone except some senior citizens) to withdraw money at every single one of it’s 13,000 ATMs without inserting their debit card.

Those that use the service will be sent a one-time code from their mobile app. Customers will then input the code and enter their ATM pin number in order to access ATM options.

“We believe the future is cardless,” says Brett Pitts, the company’s head of digital for virtual channels.

There are already nearly 20 million Wells Fargo customers who use their app, the company says, so implementing this feature is sure to draw attention and be worth people’s while.

Wells Fargo also has its eyes on introducing more technology-driven banking later on this year with a ““tap and pay” ATM access service that uses “near-field communication” (NFC) technology. In this instance, owners of NFC-equipped smartphones can simply sign on to one of their several mobile wallet apps – Wells Fargo Wallet, Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay – and hold the phone near an NFC-enabled ATM terminal before inputting their ATM PIN number.

What are your thoughts? Would you use these services?

The post Are Cardless ATMs The Next Big Wave In Technology? appeared first on MadameNoire.

If you all can jog your memory for a moment and rewind to September, you’ll remember when everyone was going crazy over Rihanna’s second collaboration with Puma during  Paris Fashion Week. During the show, the Fenty x Puma line offered a cute and flirty sense of style fused with Rihanna’s own tomboy flare.

Marie Antoinette-inspired, there’s everything from bustier tops to corset-inspired chokers and laser-cut track jackets in a more muted palette boasting of pink, army green, periwinkle, vanilla and black.

The entire collection is now available with prices ranging anywhere from $30 for a frilly choker to $450 for a sneaker-inspired high heel.

“I’m very thrilled to finally see the collection out there,” Rihanna said in a statement. “It was such a fun and rewarding experience to create the collection and seeing it come alive on the runway and in our campaign.”

Shop the collection here before it sells out. Continue scrolling to see some of our favorites.

The post You Can Now Shop Rihanna’sMarie Antoinette-Inspired Fenty x Puma Line appeared first on MadameNoire.

#blasties will y’all be rocking these braids and beads this summer? #iob #naturalhair 💕

A post shared by The Industry On Blast (@theindustryonblast) on Mar 31, 2017 at 6:47pm PDT

Braids are certainly one our favorite and most versatile protective styles to rock. So, it’s no wonder that now that the weather is warming up a bit and summertime continues to inch closer, ladies are ditching their natural hair or weaves to rock cool braided styles. Just a few years ago, every girl was rocking the same full, individual braids Janet Jackson wore Poetic Justice, and then it was the fun remix of cornrows with varying sizes.

Now, an older style one of our favorite R&B divas once rocked is being recycled and praised by all. Braids and beads, anyone? Yes, this style is certainly a throwback to our younger days but ladies are loving the style and giving them a test run. And remember when it was Alicia Keys signature style?

While Keys told PEOPLE earlier this year that she didn’t think “wearing braids was something revolutionary or iconic; that was just how I loved wearing my hair,” her look that created a empowering statement for women of color has inspired many, including us.

We noticed a few ladies on Instagram rocking the braided style and doing it justice, and it’s got us thinking about trying it out for old times sake. What do you think ladies? Would you still rock this style? Continue scrolling to see some fly ladies who have tried it out for themselves.

She would rather be the boldest and brightest version of herself, than to be a dull watered down version of someone else.

A post shared by Owner of @GStarTheSalon (@hairbygstar) on Feb 25, 2017 at 7:11am PST

• Everything these days is textual 📱 …. •

A post shared by Steezy✨ (@leauxsteez) on Mar 31, 2017 at 7:02pm PDT

Latex party 🎉 shot by @rickrosephoto snatched in @syrenlatex | face @mugopus

A post shared by illy (@indialove) on Mar 29, 2017 at 7:49pm PDT

💞

A post shared by Owner of @GStarTheSalon (@hairbygstar) on Mar 22, 2017 at 2:57pm PDT

Tried something different 😍Neat Freak #brooklynbraider #feedinbraids #neatfreak #cornrows #smallfeedinbraids #braidedupdo #braidedponytail #braidstyles #braidsnyc #nycbraider #bookme #beaded

A post shared by Stacee Flood (@handsnheartss) on Feb 25, 2017 at 11:38am PST

The post This Braided Style Alicia Keys Used To Rock Is Now Trending appeared first on MadameNoire.

Just in case you weren’t clear that maybe our country isn’t as on board with feminism and equal rights as we may have previously thought, a recent survey is confirming that millennials are just as hesitant about women in the workplace as voters were about having Hilary in the Oval Office. The New York Times recently highlighted a survey conducted by sociologists Joanna Pepin and David Cotter over the past 40 years that monitored the attitudes of high school students. The study revealed that the most recently surveyed group of high school seniors were the least likeliest to support egalitarian relationships in which both the husband and wife do equal amounts of work outside the home. In fact, in 2014 58 percent agreed “the best family was one where the man was the main income winner and the woman took care of the home” and 40 percent said that “”the husband should make all the important decisions in the family”.

But where in the patriarchal hell is all this “stay-at-home” shade stemming from? Political scientist Dan Cassino has a theory that 18-25 year old males’ support of male leadership “may reflect an attempt to compensate for men’s loss of dominance in the work world.” In other words in addition to domestic violence, rape culture and infidelity a.k.a “Becky With The Good Hair”, now men have found a way to blame the recession, job loss and their inability to climb the corporate ladder on their female counterparts. Furthermore, a 2015 poll commissioned by MTV found that 27 percent of male ages 14-24 felt women’s gains had come at the expense of men.

The feelings revealed by the survey may also be a result of decreased support in non-traditional family arrangements stemming from millennials witnessing the hardships that can result from two-earner families. Coming from someone who graduated from undergrad at the height of the recession, I witnessed first-hand friends who came from households where mothers previously had the option of staying home without having to sacrifice financial comfort and luxuries like yearly vacations and even satellite television. The recession burst that bubble all the way open and women with no formal schooling or work experience blindly navigated the workplace, some for the first time ever in their children’s lives. For these families the sudden transitions sent a ripple in the family structure.  Resentment built, insecurities surfaced and parents began to blame each other while turning a blind eye to the banks who were directly responsible for the mortgage crises they were facing as they sat in homes they really couldn’t afford.

I was raised in an dual-earner household, but even when my father found himself facing a layoff and questioning his place in the household, him and my mother were able to recover pretty quickly. Mostly because they were secure with their situation, didn’t live beyond their means and never based their self-worth on a job title anyway. What some millennials may not realize about the recession is that women returning to work wasn’t the reason behind the breakdown of marriages and family structure. It was financial stress (on families AND the government combined) and possibly folks abandoning their sense of self (and one another) long before Wall Street came crashing down on their American dream.

In other words, being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you stop growing, learning or even working. Just because you’re not reporting to an office outside of the home doesn’t mean you become completely unprepared to provide financially if possible or lose touch with the financial management of your household. Most importantly, I think many stay-at-home mom’s would agree that choosing to run your household full time doesn’t mean you lose you toss your sense of identity in with the dirty laundry. In fact, according to an Slate magazine article many stay-at-home moms aren’t exactly sitting around popping Pringles or stationed at a local Starbucks with a stroller. Most mom’s who aren’t reporting to a 9-5 are actually volunteering, home-schooling their kids or starting small businesses. Millennials may be missing the mark if they’re blaming the breakdown of their parents’ marriages on their mother’s return to the workplace. That blame should probably be placed on folks who found themselves facing the harsh truth that money doesn’t equal happiness and that there’s more to life than what’s in your account.

Unfortunately, the reality is that the economy is still not the best and even though we’re approaching our mid-30’s and employed, me and most of my friends still can’t afford to even consider being stay-at-home moms because the way “our accounts are set up”. Having a dual earner household makes or breaks my ability to afford decent housing, a car note and the annual family trip to the Jersey shore every summer. The difference is most days, I like making my own living and the hustle and bustle of being in the workforce. I think the relationship problems come when women feel forced into positions they simply don’t want to be in (whether it’s the kitchen or the corner office) specifically by partners who vowed to support them, not just financially, but emotionally and mentally as well. Actually, the equally outdated but otherwise true saying “happy wife, happy life” may be a better fit when it comes to the success of the modern marriage. The decision to enter or opt-out the workforce shouldn’t be based on anyone’s anatomy but more so what work’s best for each couple’s household and sense of happiness.

Toya Sharee is a Health Resource Specialist who has a  passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about  everything from beauty to love and relationships. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.

The post New Study Suggests Millennials Are Blaming the Breakdown of the Family on Working Moms appeared first on MadameNoire.