Nick Cannon is really taking it back with his recent #tbt ("Throwback Thursday") pictures on Instagram. Just last Thursday he shared photos from his days of canoodling with Kim Kardashian (in case you missed the memo, they dated around 2006): https://www.instagram.com/p/BPdVqhigJto/?taken-by=nickcannon&hl=en   He even joked about Kanye's presence at the same party the picture was from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPdV7OOgOzU/?taken-by=nickcannon&hl=en   But this week, Cannon shared an image from one of the, it seems, many times he tried to make his move on Beyoncé Knowles when they were both teens (she is 35, he's 36). In the '90s, Cannon was doing music in a rap group called Da G4 Dope Bomb Squad, and eventually got on when he was given the chance to be a sketch comic for the Nickelodeon series <em>All That</em>. That experience would help him land <em>The Nick Cannon Show </em>on the network. As for Knowles, she was with Destiny's Child, and according to reports, dating a guy named <a href="http://madamenoire.com/299768/beyonces/" target="_blank">Lyndell Locke</a> whom she was supposed to have been in a relationship with for nine years. (At least, that's what <em>he</em> claims...) At some point, Cannon was able to meet Destiny's Child, and the funnyman was crushing hard on the lead singer. According to him, Mathew Knowles was not here for his advances -- and as it turned out, neither was Beyoncé: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPul9VKDqvB/?taken-by=nickcannon&hl=en   Cannon is known for being given the time of day by quite a few beauties, including Kardashian, Selita Ebanks, Christina Milian, Jessica White, and, of course, Mariah Carey. But I guess his game wasn't good enough for Queen Bey. You can't blame a guy for trying to shoot his shot! It just seems Jay must have shot his much better...   <em>Images via WENN and Instagram </em>

[caption id="attachment_783774" align="aligncenter" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ezgif.com-2916145a76.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ezgif.com-2916145a76.jpg" alt="Trump Wall" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-783774" /></a> Credit: WENN.com<br /><br />[/caption] Each day disturbing news breaks out over President Trump and his determination to put provisions in place against immigration, planned parenthood, healthcare, and the environment (hence, the Dakota/Keystone pipelines), and it's only the first week of his presidency. Just yesterday, Trump's plans to implement a wall to prevent illegal immigration shocked many Americans, as the divisive rhetoric spewed during election season became a reality. According to the<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/25/us/politics/refugees-immigrants-wall-trump.html"> NewYork Times</a>, Trump's "crackdown" on illegal immigration begins with the immediate construction of a wall across the borders of Mexico and a significant decrease in legal immigration from countries where Islam is most prevalent. Refugees from Syria will also be barred from entering the United States -- a complete opposite of the diplomatic and bipartisan sanctions put in place during the Obama administration. What makes matters worse is Trump plans to fund the wall on the backing of American citizens (i.e. tax increases) and then be reimbursed by the Mexican government. As this should come as no surprise, even the President of Mexico has rejected this proposal. https://twitter.com/VicenteFoxQue/status/824360005554044932 But the most important question is how feasible is building a wall across an entire country? Short answer--not very. Historically, the resistance to illegal immigration in the US is nothing new. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/why-trump-cant-simply-build-a-wall-along-the-us-mexico-border-with-an-executive-order/2017/01/25/6b49de32-e319-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63_story.html?utm_term=.a8d6912a92f6">According to the Washington Post</a>, our government spent $7 billion to build fences across the Southwest border during George Bush's administration. The project being proposed by this administration is significantly more massive and will cost even more. So how will the President get funding to build the wall, and from where? Trump would need congressional support in order to pass the order and gain access to billions in funding...let's see how that goes. Geographically, the project is also impractical due to the environmental concerns, both terrestrially and civically. There are not only desserts, mountains, and rivers to consider, but also tribal lands. The person in charge of constructing the wall needs to be one heck of an engineer! Land owner's rights also need to be considered and litigations against the construction of the wall will prolong it. Despite the unlikelihood of the construction of a physical wall, the sentiment behind the idea will continue to stand. We, as American citizens, need to focus on decreasing the divisive sentiments and actions the new president and his administration have already use to infiltrate our nation. Now is not the time to give up or give in to fear. #StayWoke <em>Quindara Lazenbury is the definition of #bosslady with the woes of adulthood to keep the ball rolling. Writer and aspiring techie by profession. Follow her @wholefully_q</em>  

You can talk about it or you can be about it. And author Roxane Gay is serious about the issue of normalizing hate. In case you were confused, she’s not about that life. And she literally put her money where her mouth is. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Author Roxane Gay parts ways with publisher over Milo Yiannopoulos book deal <a href="https://t.co/GlD8miBauJ">https://t.co/GlD8miBauJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/3ww46lIZu1">pic.twitter.com/3ww46lIZu1</a></p> — Hollywood Reporter (@THR) <a href="https://twitter.com/THR/status/824416564774449152">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> When she learned that her publisher Simon & Schuster had offered alt-righter Milo Yiannopoulous a book deal with a $250,000 advance, she ended her relationship with the company. For those of you who don’t know, Yiannopoulous is a blogger for <em>Breitbart</em>, known for his racist, anti-Muslim, sexist opinions. He designed a <a href="http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2016/7/20/milo-kicked-twitter">scholarship </a><a href="http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2016/7/20/milo-kicked-twitter">specifically for White males</a>, and he gave speech where he explained why the Black Lives Matter movement was a sham to get more money, arguing that Black Lives don’t matter to BLM at all. I could link you to the video but after watching more than half of it, I would hate to be responsible for giving his YouTube page another hit. <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/charliewarzel/twitter-just-permanently-suspended-conservative-writer-milo?utm_term=.waNAODl3l#.pxEyjA7D7">And finally, he was banned from Twitter</a> after he launched a full out attack against “Saturday Night Live” and Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones. But weeks after he was kicked off of Twitter, Simon & Schuster offered him the book deal. There were quite a few people who questioned the decision. So much so that Simon & Schuster had to release a statement. <blockquote>“We have always published books by a wide range of authors with greatly varying and frequently controversial opinions," Simon & Schuster said. It asked readers to "withhold judgment until they have had a chance to read the actual contents of the book."</blockquote> I’m tired of folks asking us to give these racist, hateful people a chance. Just today, I saw a quote from Nikki Giovanni that read, “My heart breaks for the next generation with these fools in the white house. Asking us to give Trump a chance is like asking Jews to give Hitler a chance.” She went on to say <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nikki-giovanni-trump-should-crash-and-burn_us_58882eb4e4b0a53ed60c6a79">even more fiery things</a>, but this quote, in isolation, is spot on. Anyway, back to Gay. She was disappointed in Simon & Schuster and said of them offering Yiannopoulous a book deal, “I’m not interested in doing business with a publisher willing to grant him that privilege.” She told <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/author-roxane-gay-parts-ways-publisher-milo-yiannopoulos-book-deal-968722"><em>The Associated Press</em></a>, that she will not be releasing her book <em>How to Be Heard</em>, scheduled to come out in 2018, through the company’s TED imprint. Gay said that Yiannopoulous had every right to express his ideas and opinions but that did not mean that he deserved a book deal with a major publisher. She told <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/jarrylee/roxane-gay-pulls-book-from-simon-schuster-in-response-to-mil?utm_term=.aa6mokzbz#.ewQzJBDLD"><em>BuzzFeed</em></a>, “I can’t in good conscience let them publish it while they also publish Milo. So I told my agent over the weekend to pull the project.” You can read her full statement below. <blockquote><em>When the announcement about Milo’s book first came out, I was relieved because I thought I didn’t have a book with Simon & Schuster and tweeted something to that effect. Then I remembered my TED Book and that TED is an imprint of Simon & Schuster. I was supposed to turn the book in this month and I kept thinking about how egregious it is to give someone like Milo a platform for his blunt, inelegant hate and provocation. I just couldn’t bring myself to turn the book in. My editor emailed me last week and I kept staring at that email in my inbox and finally over the weekend I asked my agent to pull the book.</em> <em>Though TED Books and Threshold are vastly different imprints, they both reside within Simon & Schuster and so I guess I’m putting my money where my mouth is. And to be clear, this isn’t about censorship. Milo has every right to say what he wants to say, however distasteful I and many others find it to be. He doesn’t have a right to have a book published by a major publisher but he has, in some bizarre twist of fate, been afforded that privilege. So be it. I’m not interested in doing business with a publisher willing to grant him that privilege. I am also fortunate enough to be in a position to make this decision. I recognize that other writers aren’t and understand that completely.</em> <em>The editor of TED Books is Michelle Quint. I don’t think Michelle is an employee of Simon & Schuster. She works for TED. She is, from my experience thus far, smart, kind, patient, and committed to putting good books into the world.</em></blockquote> But Gay is not alone. More than 100 Simon & Schuster writers have denounced the deal. While the publisher didn’t respond to Gay’s comments, <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/author-roxane-gay-parts-ways-publisher-milo-yiannopoulos-book-deal-968722">CEO Carolyn Reidy sent a letter</a> to Simon & Schuster authors saying that the publisher does not condone and would not release hate speech. Gay noted that since the book is not coming out through S&S, she hopes that it will be published someday. We’re sure she won’t have a problem with that. <span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1485535825090000&usg=AFQjCNEUIi8ZNWUVMQ33UQJxawJ81CFx5Q">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1485535825090000&usg=AFQjCNF8ieiaJ2DxSzhXZK93xhl2falN_w">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1485535825090000&usg=AFQjCNGhIh69M2p-dpxd7xNtMBary8GrPA"> @VDubShrug.</a></i> </span>

I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I have a pretty mean jab. I'm not saying I could go all Chuck Norris on anybody in a fight (don't try me, though), but weekly kickboxing classes have made a sistah feel pretty confident. Still, I've always wanted to have a go at real boxing. I didn't see myself going around a ring practicing my footwork, bobbing and weaving and all of that jazz, but I did want to have a go at a punching bag. So how does a gal like me get into boxing when I'm such a novice to it all? The trick is to ease into it while doing so in an environment that is both comfortable and relaxing at the same time. It's about yin and yang. With that being said, get to know <a href="https://www.boxandflow.com/" target="_blank">Box + Flow</a>. <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Box-Flow.jpg" alt="Box + Flow " width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783813" /> I checked out a class earlier this week in downtown New York's NOHO neighborhood where the small Box + Flow studio stands on a quiet cobblestone street. On the stairs leading up to the space are inspiring words meant to get you motivated, and once you enter, it's time to get down to business. On the ground lay multiple yoga mats, while against a wall hang a bevvy of heavy Everlast punching bags. On the wall reads more encouraging messages, including "Flow thru the fight" and "Fight thru the flow." After removing your shoes and socks, you're given a pair of wraps and boxing gloves, and before you know it, it's on. We started the 50-minute class with shadowboxing. Soon after, we landed a flurry of punches on the bags, and after a rough commute, I was more than happy to pretend I was Muhammad Ali for a little while to unpack the day's hostility. But little did I know that being asked to land hard punches for 30 seconds, as well as fast ones and even teaming up with partners would leave me drenched in sweat so soon. It took no time for my heart rate to jump and for me to feel like I was overexerting myself, but that's where the flow part comes in to help you cool off. <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Box-Flow-2.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783814" /> After 30 minutes of going hard on the bag, you eventually get down on the floor and change your focus to yoga. You literally move into a whole host of poses, including downward dog, child's pose, boat, bow and other Ashtanga essentials in an effort to cool the body down and relax yourself. The contrast between intense cardio mixed with yoga, which helps you to gain strength and tone, is a dream come true for fitness enthusiasts. Not to mention that the music contrast is also pretty awesome. One minute you hear Rick Ross while going at the bag, and the next you're listening to folks singing over acoustic guitar while trying to hold the wheel pose. It's everything you never knew your mind and body needed. But the best part of the entire class is the support you get from not just the instructor, but also from other participants. At one point I was told "You killed that!" after doing the absolute most on a punching bag from a fellow newbie, and later I found myself feeling very special after the instructor gave me a mini shoulder massage when I came down from a plank into chaturanga. Talk about perks! <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Box-Flow-1.jpg" alt="Box + Flow" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783815" /> If you're interested in trying your hand at this one-of-a-kind workout, a single class goes for $33. There is currently a <a href="https://boxandflow.zingfitstudio.com/reserve/index.cfm?action=Reserve.viewSeries" target="_blank">one-class intro deal for $20</a>, a three-class intro deal available for $84, and a pack of five classes for $145. There are even options where you can rent the space and do private sessions if you're really trying to train to get your Laila Ali on. Packages include a pretty sweet Box + Flow tank if it takes a T-shirt to sway you. All in all, the class is worth a shot, especially if you want to diversify your workouts in unique ways -- or if you simply like the feeling of waking up with your entire body sore. Feel the burn, sis.

Charlesetta Williams, a 75-year-old woman living in Texas, is blessed and highly favored. Williams was watching television on Saturday in her home, near the border of Louisiana, when she saw a tornado headed straight for her home. Moving quickly, she and her son raced from her bathroom and hid under a blanket in her bathtub. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="de">Die fantastische Reise der Charlesetta Williams! <a href="https://t.co/eqtbSckehE">https://t.co/eqtbSckehE</a></p> — Stefan Pan (@likeitis93) <a href="https://twitter.com/likeitis93/status/824321180060549130">January 25, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Once Williams and her son were in the tub, the tornado lifted the two up into the air, with them still in it, spun it around in the air and put it back down in the woods, without injury. Afterward, the tornado continued on in the northeast direction. removing the roof and the back of her home. The story caught the attention of several news outlets as people are amazed by the events. Jason Hansford, a senior meteorologist, said that except for some cuts and bruises, the woman was unharmed. But he did say that she was emotionally shaken. As for Williams, she didn’t have much to say about it. “I wasn’t looking. I was under that quilty. I’ma tell you I don’t wanna ride now through another one.”   <span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1485535825090000&usg=AFQjCNEUIi8ZNWUVMQ33UQJxawJ81CFx5Q">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1485535825090000&usg=AFQjCNF8ieiaJ2DxSzhXZK93xhl2falN_w">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1485535825090000&usg=AFQjCNGhIh69M2p-dpxd7xNtMBary8GrPA"> @VDubShrug.</a></i> </span>

Remember what you were doing back in 1994? Were you a kid? Were you a middle schooler? Were you a full-fledged adult? Whatever was going on during that time for you, you might find it interesting to note that one of the young men on this list of evening eye candy just so happened to be born that year. And before you start thinking that you're rocking the cradle in your mind, you should know that these men, who've caught the eye of women of all ages, are indeed legal. And while you might say that you would never give a 22, 23, 24 or 25-year-old man the time of day at a certain age, you might have a change of heart after checking out these handsome hunks. I can't say whether or not they're as mature as you would like, but hey, that's neither here nor there. They may be young, but these tenderonis are quite easy on the eyes. Don't sleep! https://www.instagram.com/p/BO2pzlaAhiw/?taken-by=keithpowers&hl=en <h2>Keith Powers, 24; <em>New Edition Story</em>, <em>Straight Outta Compton </em></h2> https://www.instagram.com/p/BPqQ2odAaRH/?taken-by=keithpowers&hl=en

<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/new-edition-feat-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783890" width="1068" height="600" /> To be honest, we were so sad that the New Edition Story is over and want to hang on to the feeling of love and pride we experienced for the past three nights watching the group's story on BET. So in an effort to hold on just a bit longer, here is a bit of behind the scenes information about what we’ve seen for the past few days. <h2>The Inspiration Behind “Can You Stand the Rain”</h2> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I interviewed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewEdition?src=hash">#NewEdition</a> they told me "Can You Stand The Rain" was about, them, a love song to the group, their brotherhood <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewEditionBET?src=hash">#NewEditionBET</a></p> — MichaelaAngela Davis (@MichaelaAngelaD) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelaAngelaD/status/824465244051435521">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Beautiful!

While running across relationship threads earlier today, I saw that a common dating issue, thanks to technology, is women who won't text first. <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/phone.jpg" alt="refuse to text first " width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter wp-image-783913 size-full" /> You're probably thinking that I'm talking about women who meet a guy, exchange information, and wait for him to make the first move by following up. That doesn't sound like a problem considering that many women are still into doing things the old-fashioned way. By that I mean, they don't want to be the one chasing down anybody. But what about women who have been seeing someone for a while, have feelings for them, but still don't like the idea of being the one to initiate conversation? A guy on Reddit asked for advice on how to deal with this, as according to him, a few women he's tried to court have refused to text first. He said that such behavior, after a while, makes him weary of even trying to foster conversations with a person who wouldn't put in the effort to do so, causing him to lose interest. To him, it comes off as arrogant, but he was open to other opinions to explain what such behavior is all about. There were varying thoughts. I read responses like "I know I hate texting so I just wait until I have time to call." There was also the classic, "Some women still believe that men are supposed to make the first move." One woman even said that some people aren't the phone type and don't know what to say, so they wait for the other person to get things going. All of those responses made sense, especially the first one. Not everyone is crazy about text culture and actually like the effort put into a phone call. However, I believe the real rationale behind not texting first is not only a desire to feel pursued, but also a worry about coming off as a nuisance. I get the worry of appearing to be bothersome. If you've ever been excited to talk to a guy you're getting to know or have been dating for a short while, you know how awkward it can feel when you text first and don't get a response back for hours -- or at all. I also know what it's like to not want to seem too eager or feel like you're burdening someone with your conversation. If they aren't as into whatever you're saying, it can cause you to withdraw. So, yes, you might want to know someone is really thinking about you and likes you by allowing them to be the one to reach out. Some do this even if it means waiting days for the person to respond and even if they have the actual desire to speak to that person. They don't want to come off as weak or easily played. But who really has time for that? I do think if someone rarely messages you but does seem very much interested in you when you're face to face, then they may just not be phone people. But if they rarely contact you <em>and</em> come off as less than thrilled to deal with you in person, you're not just a nuisance to them on the phone, but in general. Still, in all things that have to do with dating, I've learned that it's best not to assume anything. If you wonder why a person isn't contacting you, when <em>you</em> contact <em>them </em>(it won't kill you), you can always ask straight out what the issue is. But I'm a firm believer that if you want to talk to someone, you should just go ahead and hit them up.  It becomes clear pretty easy and pretty fast whether or not the person is interested in hearing from you and if they want to carry on an actual conversation. But all these games of "He/She hasn't text me so I'm damn sure not going to text them!" is tired -- and not to mention, a waste of time... <em>But as always, that's just my opinion. What say you? Is it petty to not want to be the one to initiate conversation with a person you're getting to know or already seeing regularly? </em>   <em>Image via Shutterstock </em>

We'd all love to get weekly spa treatments, daily professional makeup applications, and regular teeth cleanings to keep us looking our best 24/7 but that's not realistic -- or financially feasible. Thanks to technology, however, it has become possible to achieve those same professional-quality results right at home with your own two hands, well, and a gadget or two. <a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/glam-gadgets.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/glam-gadgets.jpg" alt="" width="1068" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-783936 aligncenter" /></a> We've rounded up a bunch of beauty tech tools that will treat your skin, beat your face, and take care of all of your pretty little needs like any licensed professional would without making you go broke (unless you decide to buy everything in one day). Check out some of the coolest and most useful glam gadgets on the market right now.

A couple of weeks ago, when we reported about the <a href="http://madamenoire.com/782261/another-white-girl-who-feels-entitled-to-the-affections-of-black-men-and-lies-when-she-doesnt-get-them/">White girl who lied on “Saturday Night Live” comedian Michael Che</a>, a few people wondered how home girl’s actions could be construed racist. I said then and I’ll say again White privilege has given White women the benefit of the doubt. History has shown that her lies will be believed over a Black man’s truth. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Carolyn Bryant Woman Who Caused Emmett Till’s Death Admits to Lying emmitt till <a href="https://t.co/NCk9icpKpf">https://t.co/NCk9icpKpf</a> <a href="https://t.co/78nzLBMcbj">pic.twitter.com/78nzLBMcbj</a></p> — L.I.T of S.S Deadass (@Loud_plug) <a href="https://twitter.com/Loud_plug/status/825041926810382336">January 27, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This history of White women lying on Black men and getting away with it, is the reason why I, for the first time in my life, sided with Kim Kardashian when she exposed <a href="http://madamenoire.com/706978/taylor-swift-kanye-west-and-the-perpetuation-of-the-intimidating-black-man-myth/">Taylor Swift’s play-the-victim, sweet-innocent-helpless-lying-White-girl ass</a>. Her decision to lie on a Black man, calling him "intimidating" was not only morally sus, it was unoriginal. The South was decorated with the lynched bodies of Black men as a result of White women’s lies. In this country centered around myths of Black male hypersexuality and White women’s innocence and superiority, a White woman’s word holds more weight than it should.  And if you don’t believe me, you need look no further than the facts recorded in the new book <em>The Blood of Emmett Till</em>. <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/how-author-timothy-tyson-found-the-woman-at-the-center-of-the-emmett-till-case">According to <em>Vanity Fair</em>, the author Timothy Tyson sat down with Carolyn Bryant.</a> You know Emmett Till’s name but may not have heard Bryant’s. And that is intentional. Bryant and Till’s paths crossed when he entered the grocery store her husband owned, to buy two cents worth of bubble gum. Allegedly, as Till was leaving the store, he whistled at 21-year-old Carolyn. (There are those who believe he never whistled at all but that he had a lisp.) Later, Bryant’s husband Roy and his half-brother J.W. Milam were arrested and would stand trial for murdering Till, disfiguring him beyond recognition in the process. During the trial, one of the most effective testimonies for the defense came from Carolyn Bryant. When she took the stand she said: <blockquote><em> “Till had grabbed her and verbally threatened her. She said that while she was unable to utter the “unprintable” word he had used (as one of the defense lawyers put it), “he said [he had]’”—done something – “with white women before.’” Then she added, “I was just scared to death.” A version of her damning allegation was also made by the defendant’s lawyers to reporters. (The jury did not hear Carolyn’s words because the judge had dismissed them from the courtroom while she spoke, ruling that her testimony was not relevant to the actual murder. But the court spectators heard her, and her testimony was put on the record because the defense wanted her words as evidence in a possible appeal in the event that the defendants were convicted.)”</em></blockquote> Though the NAACP banded together to produce witnesses and compelling evidence for the prosecution, an all-White jury in Mississippi found the two men "not guilty" in just over an hour. In the years since Till’s death in 1955 and the trial that same year, Carolyn Bryant, now Bryant-Donham, would divorce her husband, marry two more times and live life as a recluse. Until, Timothy Tyson, a Duke University senior research scholar, found her 10 years ago. In her conversations with Tyson, Bryant-Donham confessed that she fabricated the most damning part of her testimony. When Tyson asked her about her claim that Emmett Till made verbal advances on her, she said, <blockquote><em>“That part’s not true.” </em></blockquote> As for the rest of the incident, Bryant, who is now 82, said she couldn’t remember. Tyson said of his meetings with Bryant Donham that she had a “confessional spirit.” In fact, it was Bryant Donham who approached Tyson ten years ago to tell her story because she was writing her memoirs. Tyson said that Bryant Donham has been “altered by the social and legal advances that had overtaken the South in the intervening half century.” He remarked that she was glad things had changed, that the old system of White supremacy was wrong, though she took it as normal at the time. Still, she wasn't willing to go as far as joining any racial reconciliation organizations or visiting the <a href="http://www.emmett-till.org/">Emmett Till Interpretive Center. </a> While she didn’t go so far as to repent, Tyson says Bryant Donham told him, <blockquote><em>“Nothing that boy did could ever justify what happened to him.” </em></blockquote> She also said she felt “tender sorrow” for Till’s mother Mamie Till-Mobley. Carolyn lost one of her sons later and she thought about the grief Mamie Till must have felt and grieved all the more. You can read the full article about Tyson's book and his sit down with Bryant-Donham over at <em><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/how-author-timothy-tyson-found-the-woman-at-the-center-of-the-emmett-till-case">Vanity Fair. </a></em> <div dir="ltr"> <div class="adL"><span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNEw-NIXxqb3e3YHEC7AzMDhimcWbQ">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNEV-wr_HOpuwoAjsLP38HrlBO7cxw">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNG90TmCVHNutyKpE7WqhFpeulmWZw"> @VDubShrug.</a></i> <br clear="all" /></span></div> </div> <div class="HOEnZb adL"></div>

Earlier in the week, we told you that in a profile for <em>Rolling Stone </em>for the mag's cover story, 18-year-old <a href="http://madamenoire.com/783605/paris-jackson-mj-identity/" target="_blank">Paris Jackson revealed that she identifies as a Black woman</a>. She said this, despite people's questions of whether or not Michael Jackson was her biological father: <blockquote>"I consider myself black," she says, adding later that her dad "would look me in the eyes and he’d point his finger at me and he’d be like, ‘You’re black. Be proud of your roots.’ And I’d be like, ‘OK, he’s my dad, why would he lie to me?’ So I just believe what he told me. ‘Cause, to my knowledge, he’s never lied to me. Most people that don’t know me call me white," Paris concedes. "I’ve got light skin and, especially since I’ve had my hair blond, I look like I was born in Finland or something." She points out that it’s far from unheard of for mixed-race kids to look like her – accurately noting that her complexion and eye color are similar to the TV actor Wentworth Miller’s, who has a black dad and a white mom.</blockquote> One person who finds her choice to identify as Black as a questionable one is, of course, Wendy Williams. <blockquote><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Wendy-Williams-Paris-Jackson.jpg" alt="Wendy Williams Paris Jackson" width="1068" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783922" /></blockquote> While discussing the "Hot Topics" on her show, Williams brought up Jackson's appearance on the cover of the magazine, initially questioning why she was on it. "She's Paris. She's beautiful. She's been through a lot. But can we talk?" she said. "I mean real talk, she has not made her mark on her own. You can not be on the cover of one of the most prestigious entertainment and influential magazines in the world and just be 'the daughter of' and tell your story inside. She hasn't made any music we know of. She's done the modeling...but she's not on her way." Williams then went on to address Jackson's comments on her blackness, taking a serious turn and bringing up police brutality. This happened after she initially joked about Jackson being the first Black woman in a year (since Nicki Minaj) to cover <em>Rolling Stone</em>. "I get that she considers herself Black and everything, but I'm just talking about the visual," she said. "Because you know, Black is not what you call yourself, it's what the cops see you as when they've got steel to your neck on the [New Jersey] Turnpike, okay? It's what <em>they</em> see. But that's cute. And good for her." Jackson caught wind of Williams's thoughts on her decision to identify as Black. In response she reportedly said, "Well she didn't birth me so." on Twitter -- according to <a href="http://thejasminebrand.com/2017/01/27/wendy-williams-doesnt-consider-paris-jackson-black/" target="_blank">TheJasmineBrand.com</a>. She also had this to say when someone on Twitter told her not to pay the talk show host any mind:   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/Ren_Thompson">@Ren_Thompson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PerezHilton">@PerezHilton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WendyWilliams">@WendyWilliams</a> she seems to think about the family a lot considering she makes all these claims about us. why are we on her mind so often</p> — Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/824735566755307520">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> But according to Jackson, she's not addressing any more questions or issues the press might have that deal with the things she said in the interview. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">will not be answering any press regarding the rolling stone article whatsoever. if you have questions then read it, it's crystal clear.</p> — Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/824027031486664704">January 24, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> As for Wendy's thoughts, if you're interested in her two cents, they begin at the 3:55 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ6D4uLlXSg <em>Images via WENN and Splash </em>

[dotstudio id="588b8cef97f815dc47ab36ff"] Before every woman walked around proclaiming to be a bad you know what, there was only one who was <em>the</em> baddest, and her name was Trina. Having already given us more singles and independent woman anthems than a little bit, Miami's finest is gearing up to impart another musical blessing upon our ears with the release of a new album. When Trina stopped by the office, we asked her about the new album, which has features from K. Michelle and Kelly Price; and we also got a little nosy, peering into her public personal life and getting the details on the new special man who's currently making her happy. And we couldn't bypass the opportunity to ask her about former Slip-n-Slide labelmate Trick Daddy's advice for Black women to step their game up a few months back. And just like us, Trina definitely feels a way. Check out all she had to say in the video.

We all know that a new pair of shoes or a new colorful workout ensemble can get us excited about being more active and taking our health and wellness seriously. But what about health and fitness products? A new fitness watch that tracks your stress levels. A high-tech scale that counts more than your pounds. Or what about an app that shows you how to order takeout meals but finds the healthiest options at restaurants in your neighborhood? All of these things, in our opinion, can keep you motivated as you go after your health and wellness goals with ferocity this year. And more importantly, the products do more than tell you how many steps you took or how much weight you lost. These gadgets are multifaceted. Here are seven must-have products, at a wide range of prices (including free), that will make your wellness experience all the more rewarding. <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Wise-Wear.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783947" /> <h2>WiseWear Socialite Bracelet</h2> Who says a fitness bracelet can't be cute? While many of the watches on the market are made strictly for function, the <a href="https://www.wisewear.com/collections/socialite" target="_blank">WiseWear Socialite watch</a> is about function and fashion. The smart bracelet not only tracks your steps, calories burned, active minutes and miles covered, but it also helps you stay safe while being active. Put a few emergency contacts in the app that the bracelet comes with, and if you're ever feeling like your safety is at risk or you find yourself hurt, you can flip your wrist over to tap twice on a sensor. It sends a distress message (via text) with a drop pin showing your GPS location to your emergency contacts. You also get light vibrations that tell you when someone is calling, if you have new messages and more. The Socialite Collection ranges in price from $295 to $345. Check out the watch in action <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uDw2Qw7_9g" target="_blank">here</a>.   <h2><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Gym-Bottle.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="931" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783952" /></h2> <h2>Fifty Strong Gym Bottles</h2> For the fitness enthusiast who can't stand taking anything but the bare essentials with her to the gym as opposed to a massive gym bag, you could greatly benefit from the <a href="https://be50strong.com/collections/fitness-must-haves/products/gym-bottle-chug" target="_blank">Gym Bottle by Fifty Strong</a>. This particular style from the brand is a 30-ounce option that not only keeps you hydrated but holds your goods. The pink or green rubber sleeve on the bottles comes with a small pocket that stretches to fit a few dollars (or credit cards), your keys and your gym ID. You can get the bottle with either the simple sip nozzle or a wider chug cap. They're available for $12.99.   <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/WellBe-watch.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="685" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783954" /> <h2>WellBe Stress Bracelet</h2> While many fitness trackers are made of rubber, the <a href="https://thewellbe.com/" target="_blank">WellBe</a> is crafted from cork. That makes this bracelet a pretty lightweight yet durable piece of equipment. But what makes it even more unique is the fact that it actually tracks your stress levels. Everyone says they're stressed, but what are you actually trying to do about it? If you try the WellBe, you can figure out what it is that may be putting your health and happiness at risk the most. The WellBe, with the help of its app, tracks where you are at certain times of the day, your calendar, along with your stress levels at each hour. I found while wearing it that I get the most stressed in preparation for work in the morning and when I'm finishing up and trying to figure out how and when I'll make dinner for my husband at home. But aside from just cluing you in to what's stressing you out, the WellBe offers ways in the app, including meditation, for you to relax depending on how much time you have to focus on getting your "woosah" on. It's quite the innovative bracelet, and <a href="https://thewellbe.com/#home-product" target="_blank">you can check it out for $149</a> in three different color options.     <h2><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/FITS.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="794" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783956" />FITS Women's Medium Hiker</h2> I've worn regular crew socks to the gym, and then I've worn <a href="https://www.fitssock.com/" target="_blank">FITS socks</a>. Trust me when I tell you that there is no comparison -- FITS are a must-have for active individuals. I tried a pair both in the gym on a rainy day and on the track on a cold day. Both times, the socks felt like they were hugging my feet. And while my body may have felt cold, my feet stayed warm without feeling like they were suffocating. The medium hiker crew length sock has just the right amount of cushioning, they don't slip (thanks to the brand's patented Full Contact Fit technology), and there's no friction between your foot and the fabric. Also, the merino wool material is just the softest thing your feet will touch in a day. <a href="https://www.fitssock.com/collections/women/products/medium-hiker-striped-crew?variant=30955555911" target="_blank">Check out a pair of these babies in a wide variety of colors for $21.99</a>.   <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Aria.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="678" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783957" /> <h2>Fitbit Scale</h2> If you already own a Fitbit, then you should know that the scale you bought from that one department store won't compare to the <a href="https://www.fitbit.com/aria" target="_blank">Fitbit Aria Smart Scale</a>. Operating off of both Wi-Fi and AA batteries, the scale does a lot more than just track your weight. It measures your body fat and body mass index, otherwise known as your dreaded BMI. It wirelessly uploads your fitness data based on your FitBit watch and the data stored on the app. And not only can you get a comprehensive look at your health, but so can seven other people in your family (or those roommates of yours). Check out this scale, made of only the finest tempered glass (and available in black or white), for <a href="https://www.fitbit.com/shop/aria" target="_blank">$129.95</a>.   <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Order-Healthy.jpg" alt="" width="530" height="793" class="aligncenter wp-image-783958" /> <div class="feature"></div> <div class="feature"></div> <h2>Order Healthy App</h2> Now if you need something that will help you eat better when taking on cooking duties just won't cut it, you should check out the new app Order Healthy. The app was created to help people who order takeout or delivery meals. With it, you can figure out what options restaurants near you offer and what level of healthy said options are. So when you're on the go, you will finally have an opportunity to eat light and right. The app shows you the foods at restaurants and then labels each option with either a green dot for "Healthiest," yellow for "Moderate," or red for "Unhealthiest." Plus, you can pay and tip for your food in the app! <a href="https://www.orderhealthy.com/#launchlist" target="_blank">The app is free</a>, but right now, it's only available on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/order-healthy/id1136349857?ls=1&mt=8" target="_blank">iOS</a>. If you're interested in checking it out when it's available for android phones, join the Order Healthy mailing list to stay updated.  

<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/my-lit-box-feat.jpg" alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783970" width="1068" height="600" /> When I was a little girl, I had the great fortune of living across the street from the public library. During the summer when I wasn’t burdened with homework and mandatory reading, I would stock up on books, often going once a week as I plowed through the pages. The act of selecting a book and bringing it home was so special, an activity I wouldn’t fully appreciate until I left home for college and realized that all libraries aren’t located down the street. The process of getting a book became either a bit more tedious or expensive when you factored in those Amazon shipping costs. But you know what they say, the best way to launch a successful business is to create something that fulfills a need. And that’s what Sanura Williams has done with <a href="http://mylitbox.com/"><strong>My Lit Box</strong></a>. Instead of going to the bookstore, waiting for new titles to make it to the library, or paying more for shipping than you do for the book, you can get a couple, written by writers of color, delivered to your door every single month. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIFbPQqBkId/" target="_blank">Like what you see? For the first time we've made a past box available for order so get yours while they last! Use the link in the bio! 😆</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by My Lit Box (@mylitbox) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2016-07-20T13:21:37+00:00">Jul 20, 2016 at 6:21am PDT</time></p> </div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> Recently, we had a chance to chat with My Lit Box founder Sanura Wiliams about how the idea for the subscription service came about, the challenges of starting her own business and why you too should pursue your own dream of entrepreneurship. <strong>How did the idea for My Lit Box first come about?</strong> I just kind of wanted to give entrepreneurship a try. I had grown disenchanted for working in Corporate America and just wanted to have a little more freedom. So the idea of going into business for myself came first. But then when I was thinking about what it is I wanted to do, focusing on literature just kind of came naturally to me because I’ve just been a lifelong reader. It was just something I enjoyed. I don’t have this specific background in literature or English or writing or anything. It was just pure interest and passion. And once I knew that I was going to focus on books, the idea for a subscription box model came to me as a package idea. <strong>What about Corporate America left you feeling disenchanted?</strong> I started feeling this way once I traveled out of the country. I was kind of a late bloomer when it came to traveling. I took my first trip out the country in 2015. When I came home, I was like, ‘I want to do this more often.’ But of course when you work that Monday-Friday 9-5 life, you have two weeks of vacation a year. And like, ‘No, this will not do. I need more. I need more freedom.’ So that’s pretty much what triggered the disenchantment with working in Corporate America because I knew that no matter where I worked, no matter what organization I worked with, that structure would still be in place. So I knew the answer wasn’t just finding another job, I knew the kind of freedom that I had in mind, entrepreneurship seemed like the only answer. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-version="7"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 39.800995024875625% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPHb0vsr4h/" target="_blank">A photo posted by My Lit Box (@mylitbox)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2016-06-04T14:38:11+00:00">Jun 4, 2016 at 7:38am PDT</time></p> </div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <strong>After you had the idea for My Lit Box did you have doubts? </strong><strong> A lot of times after we have a brilliant idea, the doubts start coming in. How did it happen for you?</strong> I definitely had doubts. And I mean, even with the business less than a year old, sometimes I still have— I don’t want to call them doubts-- but I wonder how far I can take this. But then every time I get a new subscriber, it’s just a bit of an affirmation that I’m moving in the right direction. So definitely before I put up a website, I was nervous because I knew that there were subscription boxes out there that focused on books but I didn’t see any out there that focused on writers of color. So I was definitely concerned about whether or not there was even an interest. The thing that gave me the most pause was wondering if there was an audience for it. But I felt that I didn’t have anything to lose. Putting up the website was minimal financial obligation. I felt I had more to lose if I didn’t try than if I did and it didn’t work out. So I just went for it anyway. <strong>What would you say were some challenges or obstacles that you faced in creating My Lit Box?</strong> I would say that the biggest challenge I had was time. I was still working—and still am working the same job I had when I started the business. I think that’s the biggest challenge is just trying to carve out the time to devote to it. I wanted to give it my all but I didn’t have my all to give because I still had my regular job. So I think that’s still the biggest challenge is making sure I have the time to make it a quality product. I didn’t want to half-ass it. I didn’t want to throw some stuff in a box to give it to people who gave me their hard-earned money. I wanted them to feel like they were making an investment and I wanted it to look like it was what they were expecting. I’m a one-woman show. I have my friends and family but as far as buying and advertising and social media, I do that all myself so that’s really the biggest struggle is just trying to carve out the time to get everything done. <strong>How do you go about picking the books that you feature every month?</strong> There’s actually a process. One thing I’ve had to learn so far is I’m not just curating the boxes for myself. So even if I’m not necessarily feeling a title, if I think the writer is delivering a message, whether or not it resonates with me as an individual, I’ll still include it. So I have to find a balance between my personal preferences and what I think my audience will like. I follow a lot of publications like <em>Publisher’s Weekly</em>, tons of book blogs, just anything that keeps me in the know about upcoming titles. And then I take it from there. I’ll read summaries online. If the summary grabs me, then I’ll reach out to the publisher and ask for an advanced copy. That’s my one rule: I have to read a book before I put it in the box. I never just blindly select a title and say it sounds good or the cover looks interesting. I have to read it front to back, cover to cover. Also to make sure it’s appropriate. I never want to include anything in the box that’s offensive or that uses homophobic language or racist language if it doesn’t tie into the storytelling all together. And once I’ve read through the novel, I’ll pull a theme from it and curate a box around it. <strong>How did the idea of creating a theme every month come to you?</strong> I just wanted the boxes to make sense. That’s my biggest thing. I never just wanted it — and I say this a lot—  to be about putting stuff in a box. I wanted it to feel homemade I wanted everything to make sense and everything to tie into one another. Because I think that conveys what I, as the owner, feel about the product. I want that to come through to our subscribers that this wasn’t just a random, rag tag thing I threw together. This is something I’m passionate about. So that’s where the theme came from because I knew having a theme would give me some focus so I wasn’t so overwhelmed trying to figure out what to include. <strong>You said you don’t include anything you haven’t read. So I imagine you’re reading a lot more. How many books are you reading at a time, generally?</strong> I only read one book at a time. There are people who read multiple books at a time but I can’t do it. I just have to devote myself solely to one book. I’m a slow reader so I average about a book a week. That’s another thing I’ve been kind of struggling with, I need to read so many books, so much faster. So I average about a book a week. So far, I’ve been pretty lucky. I can use 2-3 books and I know that I can select a title. I never have to run through like 10 books before I know I’ve found a good one. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEWlAs8Mr0O/" target="_blank">9 times out of 10, anything I'm reading is for entertainment but lately I've developed an interest in books about personal development and inspiration. I'm FINALLY getting around to picking up Shonda Rhimes' Year of Yes and I am ready to be inspired. I have been a long time fan of her work on screen so I can only imagine what awaits me between the pages of this book. What inspiring reads are you #currentlyreading?</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by My Lit Box (@mylitbox) on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2016-04-18T19:08:31+00:00">Apr 18, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT</time></p> </div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> <strong>What would you say to other women who are also tired of the corporate structure but are concerned they won’t be able to make it or won’t be able to make enough money?</strong> I have a friend who also had a subscription box service and she and I were talking when we both began and she asked me if I was still working my job. And I told her I was. I remember she asked me why I was still at my job and I remember telling her ‘I didn’t want to put the pressure on the box to be the thing that sustains me.’ I didn’t want to say 'Ok I’m starting a business today and I’m quitting my job two weeks from now.’ Because that would have put so much pressure on the business to be successful from jump to not only make enough money to sustain the business as a business but make enough to sustain me as a person who has rent and a car note and all those things. So I would tell someone who has a full-time job and wants to start a business to not so much think about when they’ll be able to quit their job but think more about just getting their business off the ground. Because as the business is up and running and as you become successful, you’ll be able to develop a roadmap for when you’ll actually be able to step away from your job. I mean, everything will happen in due time. So I wouldn’t put that unnecessary pressure on your business, especially while you’re still trying to figure it out. When we start businesses and become business people, we’re still learning. It’s not like you open a business and you all of a sudden have this knowledge. There’s a learning curve to it. And I think you would be doing yourself a disservice if while you’re trying to learn how to be a businesswoman, to also be trying to step away from a job. You’re just taking on more than you need to. I would just say just take everything in bite sizes. Take on what you can handle and just to do it. You can talk yourself out of pursuing something you’re passionate about but I assure you, even if that fails, you will feel even more disappointment if you never try at all. <strong>What are the goals for My Lit Box going forward?</strong> Just to continue to be in business. I just want to continue to sustain what we’ve been able to build so far and build upon it. Right now, we only have one box a month but I would like to break that box down into separate boxes. Let’s say you wanted to focus on books by women writers of color or books by writers of the African Diaspora or young adult novels. I would love to be able to offer multiple boxes in the future. So that’s definitely a goal I want to work towards. And hopefully, I’ll be able to do that sooner than later. But right now, curating one box is enough of a challenge but that’s definitely the goal, give our subscribers a little more variety. <strong>What would you say has been the most rewarding or most pleasant thing you’ve found since you started My Lit Box?</strong> I think it’s been the response. Like I said, I was concerned before I started whether or not people would even be interested in this. But every month our number of subscribers grow and I’m just always amazed that I managed to create something that appeals to people and that they’re actually willing to invest the money that they work hard for. I think that’s been the most surprising thing. And it always gives me so much joy when I get an email or a tweet or something that they got their box and that it came right on time. I remember shortly after the election in November, there was a box that included a coloring book in it. And someone had sent me a tweet saying that they were so overwhelmed and stressed out over the election, that this was the perfect thing they needed to relax. In a nutshell, that’s really what I hope my response is every month, that reprieve, that relief from whatever it is that may be weighing on you. You can subscribe to receive next month’s box by visiting <a href="http://mylitbox.com/"><strong>MyLitBox.com</strong></a>. And be sure to follow the company on all social platforms <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mylitbox/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mylitbox">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mylitbox/">Instagram</a>. <span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNEw-NIXxqb3e3YHEC7AzMDhimcWbQ">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNEV-wr_HOpuwoAjsLP38HrlBO7cxw">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNG90TmCVHNutyKpE7WqhFpeulmWZw"> @VDubShrug.</a></i> </span>

Are you a woman who loves a good bag? Do you own more than you can handle but always keep your eye out for a chic find? You're not alone. But sometimes it's nice to change things up when it comes to your choice of accessory. Give your totes, hobos, clutches and satchels a rest and take it back. Remember the days when your purse of choice as a young'n was a small backpack? It's never too late in life to go retro! And this is a good time to give a cute backpack a try, as designers and brands are really playing with textures and colors. If you need recommendations for cute ones or just need some inspiration on what to look out for, here are 11 very cute and very fly bags. They are perfect for when regular purses just won't do and when you want Barney bag-inspired space to take everything you own with you. <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="957" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783980" /> <h2><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/topshop-bryan-puffer-quilted-leather-backpack/4525748?cm_mmc=Linkshare-_-partner-_-10-_-1&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-9J__gu06qi6LxbhXApJUkw" target="_blank">Topshop Leather Bag</a> - $74.99</h2>

Often times when we think of Rosa Parks, we can only image her in one setting. Sitting on the bus, refusing to give up her seat. But she lived a long life and recent pictures from her personal life, now in the possession of the Library of Congress. And from the looks of the images it was a full one. Check out some of our favorites below <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The intimate personal snapshots of Rosa Parks, published for the first time <a href="https://t.co/wz8QByXTvt">https://t.co/wz8QByXTvt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Black?src=hash">#Black</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/History?src=hash">#History</a> <a href="https://t.co/9txQ1YZjQh">pic.twitter.com/9txQ1YZjQh</a></p> — Keisha N. Blain (@KeishaBlain) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeishaBlain/status/822620886377394178">January 21, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This is Rosa getting her hair done at a beauty shop in Miami. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Never before seen photos of late activist Rosa Parks provides a glimpse into what her everyday life was like: <a href="https://t.co/rTZauImavs">https://t.co/rTZauImavs</a> <a href="https://t.co/mL4vWgvyPy">pic.twitter.com/mL4vWgvyPy</a></p> — SAINT HERON (@SaintHeron) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaintHeron/status/824633009127071746">January 26, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">These are the personal snapshots of Rosa Parks after her act of defiance spurred the Montgomery Bus Boycott<a href="https://t.co/J7A68g1yaH">https://t.co/J7A68g1yaH</a> <a href="https://t.co/pizZrKNc5m">pic.twitter.com/pizZrKNc5m</a></p> — Timeline (@Timeline_Now) <a href="https://twitter.com/Timeline_Now/status/821055984487448576">January 16, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here is an inside look at never-before-seen photographs of Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks: <a href="https://t.co/rTZauI4zDU">https://t.co/rTZauI4zDU</a> <a href="https://t.co/0Je7CHFwuL">pic.twitter.com/0Je7CHFwuL</a></p> — SAINT HERON (@SaintHeron) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaintHeron/status/824272048453193728">January 25, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> And our favorite one of this one with her hair down. It's not just that her hair is longer than we ever saw, it's the reasoning behind her decision to wear it up all the time. <img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-27-at-6.18.46-PM.png" alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-783994" width="589" height="795" /> In an 2013 article <em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeanne-theoharis/rosa-parks-100th-birthday_b_2614678.html">Huffington Post</a>, </em>Jeanne Theoharis, author of <em>The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks</em> explained why we always saw Rosa's hair in a braided updo. <blockquote><em>“Many of Parks’ ancestors were Indians. She noted this to a friend who was surprised when in private Parks removed her hairpins and revealed thick braids of wavy hair that fell below her waist. Her husband, she said, liked her hair long and she kept it that way for many years after his death, although she never wore it down in public. Aware of the racial politics of hair and appearance, she tucked it away in a series of braids and buns — maintaining a clear division between her public presentation and private person.”</em></blockquote> <span class="im"><i>Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Bettah-Days-Veronica-R-Wells/dp/1535549866&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNEw-NIXxqb3e3YHEC7AzMDhimcWbQ">“Bettah Days.”</a> You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/veronicarwells&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNEV-wr_HOpuwoAjsLP38HrlBO7cxw">Facebook</a> and Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/VDubShrug" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/VDubShrug&source=gmail&ust=1485619623879000&usg=AFQjCNG90TmCVHNutyKpE7WqhFpeulmWZw"> @VDubShrug.</a></i> </span>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-version="7"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPu2TpYjJ_f/" target="_blank">A photo posted by torridfashion (@torridfashion)</a> on <time style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;" datetime="2017-01-26T15:06:46+00:00">Jan 26, 2017 at 7:06am PST</time></p> </div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> The talk of plus-size fashion in the fashion industry still has some growing to do, one of our favorite women's retail chains to find plus-size styles, is actually communicating in a catchy and compassionate way that real women have curves, point blank. While other companies claim they use "real" women in their advertisements but usually stick to conventional, aesthetically pleasing gals that are on the smaller end of the plus-size spectrum, Torrid did the total opposite for their latest campaign, #TheseCurves. Flipping the problematic phrase of "real women," they did just that: feature real women in their campaign instead of professional models. The <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/thesecurves/">#TheseCurves campaign</a> features a diverse cast of women—from everyday customers to <a href="http://www.allure.com/story/-nadia-aboulhosn-launches-her-first-ever-fashion-line">curvy social media stars</a>—modeling the brand’s new lingerie styles, which is available in sizes 10 to 30. [caption id="attachment_784005" align="aligncenter" width="570"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/intimates_social_collage_thesecurves1.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/intimates_social_collage_thesecurves1.jpg" width="570" height="760" class="wp-image-784005 size-full" /></a> Photo Credit: Couresty of Torrid[/caption] To find the lucky ladies that would flaunt their curves on camera, Torrid held a social media sweepstakes, because duh. Fans were asked to share a sexy selfie and explain in the caption “what makes #TheseCurves all yours” for a chance to appear in the campaign. But this campaign is more than just sexy photos. “Launching this hashtag with our intimates campaign felt right because finding the right bras and panties for a plus size woman has its challenges," explained the brand's Vice President of Design, Liz Munoz. "Oftentimes, plus-size women [are] been left with bland options...[Plus-size women] should have sexy options just like straight-size women."

[caption id="attachment_744510" align="aligncenter" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/skin-health.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/skin-health.jpg" width="1068" height="600" class="wp-image-744510 size-full" /></a> Photo Credit: Shutterstock[/caption] When it comes to Target, all ladies know that more than a discount retailer to buy clothes, food and home decor, the beauty aisles are a serious destination. With brands shifting to green and natural products, Target has also decided to make an effort to do the same and be transparent about their stock. In a statement released by a company, they explained that their goal is “to achieve transparency to all ingredients, including generics such as fragrance, in beauty, baby care, personal care and household cleaning products by 2020.” Therefore, they will be increasing consumer awareness of ingredients such as phtalates, parabens and formaldehyde, while also bringing awareness to the brands and products who have gotten rid of those chemicals. “Making informed choices should be simple for guests, shared Dawn Block, Target beauty’s senior vice president. "This framework is designed to take the complications out of finding better-for-you product options.” In addition, Target will require textile suppliers to remove perfluorinated chemicals and flame retardants from fabric by 2022.

[caption id="attachment_784013" align="aligncenter" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/missy-elliott.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/missy-elliott.jpg" width="1068" height="600" class="wp-image-784013 size-full" /></a> Photo Credit: YouTube Screenshot[/caption] When Missy Elliott dropped "WTF (Where They From)" back in November 2015, many thought an album would follow it in the forthcoming year. However, Missy has been quite quiet on whether or not she's been cooking up more innovative tunes for the times. But now, as an opener to 2017, the rapper and record producer ha returned with a new song titled "I'm Better" featuring a new artist named Lamb. The song boasts of today's trap music vibe but with a more subtle flow. Of course, Elliott sprinkled her genius bars on the bassline that makes the song undeniably intoxicating. And while the song is replay-worthy, the video, which was directed by Missy and Dave Meyers, reminds us of the days when music videos actually told a story. Transporting audiences into Elliott's uncanny world, the creativity portrayed in the video is next level. There's even an underwater scene where Elliott and her dancers slay like no other. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TwyPsUd9LAk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> While the debut of the song and video haven't transpired into talk of a possible album, Elliott did tease an upcoming documentary about her legacy. Coming soon, the trailer features interviews from music's elite that have worked with Elliott, like Pharrell Williams, who said that when she first stepped onto the scene, she “completely blew people away.” <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BmZ_Vt1Lbuc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

[caption id="attachment_784018" align="alignnone" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/destinyschild.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/destinyschild.jpg" width="1068" height="600" class="wp-image-784018 size-full" /></a> Photo Credit: Instagram[/caption] With the recent success of BET's three-night miniseries <em>The</em> <em>New Edition Story</em>, many music fans are dreaming of some of their favorite acts' story being told on the small screen, too. In particular, die-hard Destiny's Child fans are craving for an in-depth dive into one of the best girl groups of all time. However, don't hold your breathe because alumna Kelly Rowland has some news. In an interview with <a href="http://www.essence.com/video/kelly-rowland-thinking-about-producing-destinys-child-biopic" target="_blank"><em>Essence</em></a>, the "Motivation" singer shared her thoughts on seeing Destiny's Child career play out on screen. “It’s not just my story. It’s other characters that are connected to it,” she began. “I respect everyone that’s involved in our story, so it depends on how it’s told.” <iframe src="http://players.brightcove.net/716147494/default_default/index.html?videoId=5298903972001" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Rowland went on to say that the while the ladies have an incredible story to tell the world, right now isn't really the time to do so. “Right now, it’s just not something I don’t think we’re thinking about.” And with <em>The</em> <em>New Edition Story</em> taking nearly ten years to perfect for fans and audiences alike, we totally understand that come things take time. But we've still got our fingers crossed!