Category: African-American

Essence Magazine:

Jaime Harrison is in it to win it, and the South Carolina Democrat is not holding back on shining a light on the inadequacies of his Republican opponent. On Monday Harrison, who is looking to unseat Lindsey Graham in the United States Senate, capitalized on National Best Friends Day, taking to Twitter to mock the three-term incumbent who has, in recent years, done a complete 180 on his stance toward new BFF Donald Trump. 

“Thinking about @LindseyGrahamSC on #NationalBestFriendsDay… Must be hard when your BFF doesn’t feel the same way,” Harrison wrote in a post accompanied by a video of Trump speaking unfavorably about Graham. In the clip, Trump says that Graham is “one of the dumbest human beings I’ve ever seen.” He also goes on to say, “He went crazy. The guy is a nut job. I think Lindsey Graham is a disgrace and I think you have one of the worst representatives of any representative in the United States. I don’t think he could run for dog catcher in this state and win again. I really don’t.” 

Harrison’s ad then splices in a comment from Graham where the longtime politician says of Trump, “I like the President. He’s been a friend to me.”

Thinking about @LindseyGrahamSC on #NationalBestFriendsDay… Must be hard when your BFF doesn’t feel the same way pic.twitter.com/zaghxAkynp

— Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) June 8, 2020

Throughout the campaign season, Harrison has offered up Graham’s newfound affection for Trump as a reason why South Carolinians can not trust him to fight for them in D.C. According to Harrison, Graham in recent years has spent less time advocating on behalf of the interests of the people in the Palmetto State and more time “rolling over to do whatever Donald Trump wants.”

In an interview with ESSENCE, Harrison contended that Graham “doesn’t give a damn” about the fact that rural hospitals are closing, and that people in the state lack access to adequate medical care. He also shared that last year when the International African American Museum broke ground in Charleston, Graham’s name was included in the program, but his friendship with Trump took precedent over the ceremonious affair.

“We know how important that museum is to the state of South Carolina, to the story of African-Americans,” Harrison asserted. “[Lindsey Graham] was flying down from Washington, D.C. on Air Force One to come to South Carolina for a rally with President Trump… Anytime there’s a photo op with the president, he shows up. It’s sad. It is beyond sad. And that’s why it’s time to give him what he wants. Give him all the time he wants to golf with the president. They can go to Mar-a-Lago and do their thing. Just the two of them while we get the work done for the people.”

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 14:(AFP OUT) Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), left, carries one of his golf clubs as he leaves the presidential limo at the White House on October 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump is seen at right talking on the phone. The two “BFFs” are returning after playing a round of golf. (Photo by Ron Sachs – Pool/Getty Images)

Though Trump endorsed his “BFF” one day before state elections, Graham’s close ties to Trump seems to be a sticking point for many in The Palmetto State. On Tuesday, the politician, who has spent 17 years in the U.S. Senate, is facing off against three Republican challengers in the South Carolina primaries.

All have cited his relationship to the commander-in-chief as the reason new leadership is needed in Washington. It’s also why a number of former Graham backers have shifted their support and have chosen, instead, to donate to Harrison’s campaign this election cycle. For the last two quarters, FEC filings have also shown that Harrison has outraised his Republican opponent. A May poll put Harrison in a tie with Graham for the U.S. Senate seat.  

The post Jaime Harrison Mocks Lindsey Graham And ‘BFF’ Donald Trump appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

The truth is, many Black people have been experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for decades, many most likely even undiagnosed.

The traumatizing role that slavery, racial oppression and violent hatred toward Black people has been embedded in our minds, making it difficult for us to mentally manage additional mental stressors. But still we do it — day after day. While many people associate post-traumatic stress disorder solely with being the result of experiencing war, it’s actually a chronic psychiatric disorder that occurs in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event — such as a global pandemic and racial injustice.

But what happens when they both occur at the same time? How do we compartmentalize the pain and trauma we’ve been experiencing since birth? Case-after-case of violence against Black Americans at the hands of police officers has led to national daily protests, yet simultaneously, Black people are still dealing with a global virus that is disproportionately impacting and killing our community?

Seems unbearable doesn’t it?

One study of racial discrimination and psycho>experience significantly more instances of discrimination than either Asian or Hispanic Americans — though if we’re keeping it real, we don’t need a study to tell us that.

Furthermore, those Black people who experienced the most racism were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of PTSD as well. Nyasha Chikowore, M.S., a clinical psychology doctoral extern at Capital Center for Psychotherapy & Wellness in Washington, D.C. and author of children’s book Giraffe Asks For Help explores the long-term effects that our current climate will have on our psyche — so it’s important to take care of yourself sooner, rather than later.

An increase in mental health issues.

It almost goes without saying that we will see an increase in individuals who are not only struggling with their mental health, but also those who are actually seeking out help. The important thing is to do something about it as soon as you recognize it. “For individuals who were already dealing with mental health concerns, the pandemic has exacerbated those issues,” says Chikowore. “For others, new issues are surfacing as many are dealing with unemployment, financial concerns, grief and loss, illness, a lack of motivation and productivity. The added stress of the continued injustices against Black people only adds to the numbers we’ll see. After offering a free support group for Black people recently, my inbox has been inundated with emails from individuals wanting to join and seeking affordable therapy.”

Increased need for culturally sensitive mental health services.

The good news? Once life returns to normal — more people than ever will seek out therapy. The bad news? More people than ever week out therapy. “With this increase in mental health issues, more individuals will be seeking therapy,” Chikowore. “Everyone should have access to mental health services, however, depending on where you live, it may be difficult to locate a therapist who looks like you, or one who can understand your experience as a Black person in this country. Many of us may have to visit multiple therapists to find the right fit, and also contend with waitlists and insurance coverage.” 

Increased risky behavior.

Many of us are itchy for the day when “outside will open back up.” But while states are currently going through phased re-openings, the new normal will be a lot different from life as we previously know it. But despite the urge to make risky choices, it’s important to consider against it. “Feeling isolated for so long can take a toll on anyone, as there have been individuals quarantined without a significant other, family, or roommates,” says Chikowore. “Isolation, paired with the triggers of racial trauma in the news and on our timelines, makes it possible that many will adopt the ‘you only live once’ attitude. I have seen that with Black men in particular, putting themselves in dangerous situations (e.g. fighting, reckless driving), is a more socially acceptable reaction than being sad or showing various emotions.”

Increased intentional self care.

As poet and activist Audre Lorde once said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” “With the increased exhaustion from fighting for justice and maintaining a sense of normalcy during the pandemic, we will see more intention around self-care,” says Chikowore. “Black people are doing yoga, meditating, going to therapy, gardening, utilizing acupuncture, reiki, and other alternative methods of care more than before. Many of my clients are also detaching from their phones, walking, cycling, and spending time in nature to get a breather from reality.”

The post The Long-Term Mental Health Effects For Black People Living Through Coronavirus and Racial Trauma appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

Whether he’s a #girldad or simply an all-around superhero in your eyes, the man (or men) in your life need some self-care moments just like you do. And with the journey that we’ve all been on for 2020 so far, health, wellness and beauty is a must.

Our fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, sons and father-figures deserve the best of the best. So give it to them while keeping your coins in the community. While Bevel, Plant Apothecary and several other favorite Black-owned brands remain our go-tos for quality products, we’re adding a few more to the list.

Check out the gallery below for some Black-owned brands you can shop to elevate his grooming experience. From fancy washing accessories to all the beard balm he can stand, these gifts will really make dad happy.

The post 16 Dope Black-Owned Grooming Brands To Shop This Father’s Day appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

In New York, police use of chokeholds has already banned since 1993, but now the state is one step closer to actually criminally punishing the use of chokeholds that result in injury or death, WABC reports.

According to the news station, the New York State Senate and State Assembly passed a law criminalizing the use of chokeholds on Monday in a landslide vote of 140 to 3. The bill is named after Eric Garner, who died after being placed in a banned chokehold in 2014.

The Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act dictates that an officer who injures or kills someone using “a chokehold or similar restraint” can be charged with a class C felony, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, CBS News reports.

“Almost six years ago, we heard Eric Garner tell police ‘I can’t breathe’ as he was put into a chokehold by an NYPD officer,” Assemblymember Walter T. Mosley, the sponsor of the bill, said in a statement, according to CBS. “His words now speak from the grave as we deal with the police killing of George Floyd under nearly identical circumstances.”

The New York State Assembly released a statement noting that some 996 people have accused NYPD officers of putting them in chokeholds since Garner’s death.

“I have worked with my Assembly colleagues to reform our state’s broken criminal justice system. Holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions is a necessary part of that,” Speaker Carl Heastie added. “The NYPD ban on chokeholds was not enough to protect Eric Garner, and it is not enough today. This legislation will put an end to the practice across the state.”

Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who put Garner in the banned chokehold was fired from the NYPD but was never criminally prosecuted in the case.

The post New York Legislature Passes Bill Criminalizing Use Of Chokehold appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

After days of reflection at memorial services in Minneapolis, North Carolina, and Houston, George Floyd will be laid to rest on Tuesday in his hometown. The homegoing will be broadcasted on C-Span at noon, allowing mourners to pay their last respects to the 46-year-old father who lost his life at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Floyd’s body will be interned at Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland where his mother’s body is also buried. The family will host a private funeral to remember their loved one whose last moments were caught on camera by bystanders and went viral around the world. Those in Houston are able to view the funeral procession from streets and sidewalks along the route.

Supporters at home can also tune into CBSN and CBS News Radio starting at 12:20 p.m. for coverage of the events. 

Floyd’s funeral comes two weeks after his death and the commencement of ensuing national protests calling for justice in his case. Since that time all four officers responsible for his murder have been arrested and charged. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was originally faced with third-degree murder. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced last week that those charges were being upgraded to second-degree murder. Kiernan Lane, Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao were all charged with second-degree aiding and abetting felony murder and second-degree aiding and abetting manslaughter in Floyd’s death. On Monday, Chauvin’s bond was set at $1.25 million.

TOPSHOT – A woman wears a mask reading “I can’t breathe” in Madrid, on June 7, 2020, during a demonstration against racism and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

In Floyd’s final moments he screamed out “I can’t breathe” and also called out for his mother. Both have become a rallying cry for protesters denouncing police brutality across the country and the world.

Rev. Al Sharpton is expected to deliver the eulogy at Tuesday’s memorial service, prior to Floyd being laid to rest in Houston. Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for the President of the United States is also said to be on hand in Texas to support the family. 

The post George Floyd To Be Laid To Rest In Houston appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

Breonna Taylor, a Louisville EMT worker and aspiring nurse who was working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, was shot and killed in her home by three white police officers on March 13. None of the officers have been charged in connection to her case, but new details are beginning to emerge about the men responsible for taking her life. 

One officer in particular, Brett Hankinson, is accused of being a “dirty cop” and more than one woman has come forward to say he sexually assaulted them. The accusations which were originally made on social media, have,  according to People, caught the attention of the Louisville Metro Police, who plan to initiate an investigation into the matter. 

Hankinson is currently on administrative leave, along with Louisville officers, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Officer Myles Cosgrove who are also culprits in Taylor’s death. Last October Hankinson was placed at the center of an ongoing federal lawsuit by plaintiff Kendrick Wilson, who alleged that the part-time security guard arrested him three times since 2016 and has a vendetta against him stemming from a relationship he had with a woman they both dated.

Hankinson’s work doing bar security seems to have made him familiar to women in the St. Matthews area which is located less than 10 miles from downtown Louisville. One of those women, Margo Borders, said in a Facebook post that she went out with friends and as she was going to call an uber home, Hankisnon offered her a ride home in his marked police car. When he got to Borders’ home, he invited himself in and sexually assaulted her.

In April of 2018 I went out to a bar with some friends. I went to call an uber home and a police officer who I had…

Posted by Margo Borders on Thursday, June 4, 2020

“Brett Hankison has a history of violence, sexual assault, and planting drug evidence on people,” Borders continued. “There have been multiple allegations against this man and reports but all cases dropped and no disciplinary action taken. He is currently on paid leave in Florida on the beach.

I implore all of you to demand justice for all of his victims, but mostly demand justice for Breonna Taylor.”

Protesters hold up signs on June 3, 2020, during a “Breonna Taylor and Black Lives Matter” protest in New York City. Brett Hankinson, along with Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Officer Myles Cosgrove are responsible for Taylor’s death.(Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Another woman, Emily Terry, shared a similar experience with Hankinson on Instagram. Like Borders, Terry claims that Hankinson offered her a ride home when leaving a bar intoxicated one night. She took the invitation as a kind gesture and was appalled after he started making sexual advances. The assault was reported the next day, but Terry says, “of course nothing came from it.” 

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This is Brett Hankison. In early fall, I began walking home from a bar intoxicated. A police officer pulled up next to me and offered me a ride home. I thought to myself, “Wow. That is so nice of him.” And willingly got in. He began making sexual advances towards me; rubbing my thigh, kissing my forehead, and calling me “baby”. Mortified, I did not move. I continued to talk about my grad school experiences and ignored him. As soon as he pulled up to my apartment building, I got out of the car and ran to the back. My friend reported this the next day, and of course nothing came from it. Flash forward, I see his face. This face. Involved with the shooting of Breonna Taylor. I then find out he has a history of corrupt behavior. He has had multiple sexual assault allegations, and was in a federal lawsuit over planting narcotics on a black man to arrest him.Not all cops are bad, but this one is. Right now, Mr. Hankison is walking free. Reading this, I hope you know this is not about me, but the reform that needs to take place. Please use your voices to speak up of the injustice occurring throughout our community. #silenceisviolence #sayhername #breonnataylor

A post shared by Emily Terry (@emily_terry1) on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:26am PDT

Last month Terry was reminded of the incident when she found out Hankinson was involved in Breonna Taylor’s tragic death. “Not all cops are bad, but this one is,” she wrote.  

Taylor would have turned 27 last week. Her family, activists, and protesters continue to demand justice in her case.

The post Officer Involved In Breonna Taylor’s Murder Has Alleged History With Sexual Assault appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

North Carolina natives Marjorie Alston, 23, and Xavier Young, 26, never expected that their engagement would happen at a Black Lives Matter protest, but the spirit of what’s happening inspired Xavier to pop the question earlier than expected.

ESSENCE chatted with the couple, whose engagement at a Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Raleigh has since gone viral. Alston and Young first met while working for a laser tag facility and dated for two years. Young had his heart set on popping the question, but didn’t plan for it to be at the protest. In fact, he didn’t even know they were going until Alston suggested so earlier that day.

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You deserve to be happy. You deserve to live a life you are excited about Happy Sunday & Happy second day of black history month !!!!

A post shared by Marjorie (@sweet.mj_) on Feb 2, 2020 at 9:46am PST

“I knew a proposal was coming because I picked out my ring a week before,” says Alston. “But I didn’t think he would propose so soon and I most definitely didn’t think he would do it at the protest.”

Before they masked up and headed to be on the front lines, Young snuck the ring in his bag as a “just in case” precaution. Inspired by the cause and led by his heart, he decided to go for it. He told Alston he needed to stop walking to grab some water from his backpack, got down on one knee, and asked her to be his wife. The proposal video was captured by onlookers and has racked up millions of views. Not bad for a spur of the moment proposal!

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Making history while witnessing history #blacklivesmatter #blacklovematters #raleighnc

A post shared by Xavier Young (@xaviermyoung) on May 30, 2020 at 8:20pm PDT

Photographer Charles Crouch just happened to be passing by when the proposal was happening and captured the most honest and illuminating photos from their big moment.

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Went downtown to the protest against police brutality. I was blessed to capture this proposal in the midst of what would become chaos. #georgefloyd #protests #blacklove @sony @sigmaphoto #sonya7s #sigmaartlens @sonyalpha

A post shared by Charles x 2 (@popandsock) on May 30, 2020 at 7:36pm PDT

“I can’t wait to tell our kids, nieces and nephews,” says Alson. “With the way 2020 is going, it will be nice to have something positive to look back on.”

Speaking of kids, the couple is expecting their first child in November. They hope that through making their voice heard, their child will get to grow up in a world where “we as a people will be treated with the same respect as everyone else.”

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I’m a pro and you are looking like the prototype

A post shared by Marjorie (@sweet.mj_) on Jun 5, 2020 at 7:15pm PDT

“As a father, I look forward to doing activities with and for my kid like joining the PTA and coaching,” says Young. “As a husband. I look forward to building a family and coming home to Marjorie every day.”

Marjorie says that she ultimately wants to instill a sense of Black pride in their child. “I want to show our child that being Black, you must be proud and can’t let the world tear you down. Being black comes in many shades and personalities, and [you should never] let anyone tell you how to be a Black person in America.”

The post Meet The Sweet North Carolina Couple That Got Engaged At A Black Lives Matter Protest appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

It’s no doubt that the entire world is going through something that we have never experienced before. However throughout this uncertain time, it is important to note the influencers coming forward during this pandemic and using their platforms to find relief to those in need. At first, the aura of uncertainty quickly hugged us as a community but after a few days of quarantine life settling in with the content creation community, affirmative action resulted shortly after.

It wasn’t too far after that I saw fellow influencers and designers curating social efforts to help the victims of Covid-19. What stood out to me the most is the distance within all of these influencers which was from Paris to Los Angeles to New York. We are all dealing with the outcome of this pandemic, but as social issues arise everyday, I want to put focus on a few influencers utilizing their voice and following.

Magne Ndiaye

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worldwide we stand together!June.2.2020 #justicepouradama #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforbreonnataylor #justiceforahmaudarbery #justiceforall

A post shared by magné (@magnendiaye) on Jun 2, 2020 at 3:11pm PDT

Essence: What specifically drove you to begin this charitable efforts to help Covid-19 victims?

Ndiaye: I am a model and creative from Dakar, Senegal mainly based in  New York City. I wanted to start this project as a way to show love to the children of my country and  implement a plan to give back to the people who deserve it most. Currently with the COVID-19 virus affecting millions of people around the world, Senegal has decided to shut down the majority of its school systems and businesses. With Senegal already being a country filled with low income families, this makes it much harder for children who want to be able to continue their education at home.”

What exactly is your project doing to help?

The goal for this project was to fundraise money using my platform to buy enough art supplies and help at least 150 kids. We were able to buy art supplies from local businesses, thus helping to pour money back into the Senegalese economy. Handmade toys were purchased from Alyfa Toys, which is a West African educational toy company in Dakar. Custom reusable tote bags were made by ATS events, who also donated a bottle of hand sanitizer per child. We partnered with the following children’s organizations in Dakar to help us distribute these kits to their students; Ker Imagination Afrika, Sunu Thiossane, Village S.O.S des Enfants, Empire des Enfants and Alpha Dia Fondation. Together we helped make this current situation a little bit easier for some kids and put a lot of smiles on faces. 

Has this pandemic affected you in any way, if so, as a creative what have you done to overcome it? 

I feel like it has definitely affected everyone in some way. No one was expecting this to happen, and  a lot of people especially in my generation who feel so free and unstoppable all the time, realized how quickly things can change. I think the uncertainty of how long it will last and what the world will be like when it’s over makes everyone a little on edge. I used the time to work on the Art Relief Fund project and to reflect on what I will be doing in the future after this is all over. Having something to keep you busy is very important. I changed my eating habits and exercise habitjust so I can come out of this feeling my best. I have my days of course where I  complain and feel down, but I just try to keep my mind and body healthy overall.

Cleopatra Lee

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Koral tights always fit the just right! I’ll be doing a live Boxing Cardio workout on @koral’s IG live Wednesday at 3:00PM(est), make sure you tune in! #CleopatrasArmy #KoralBabe —— Speaking of the , click the link in my bio for exercises to plump up that .

A post shared by Cleopatra Lee (@thecleopatralee) on May 4, 2020 at 3:17pm PDT

Essence: What specifically drove you to begin this charitable efforts to help Covid-19 victims?

Lee: My friend Paul Bamba had this idea to complete a running challenge and he was looking for a way to figure out how to make it charitable. He decided he would run 72 miles in 72 hours, raising $72,000 and I came up with the execution plan. I also logged some miles as well). We knew we needed to work with a charity that donates 100% of proceeds so that we’d know exactly where the funds would go. We chose the RobinHood Foundation.

What exactly is your project doing to help?

Our project helped by inspiring people to get active while also helping those greatly affected by this deadly virus. You could’ve donated as little as 1 cent, it still meant something

Has this pandemic affected you in any way, if so, as a creative what have you done to overcome it? 

This pandemic made me lose a few sources of income and and has forced me to hustle harder. My days seem busier now than they were before. I spend more time content creating and focusing on the digital aspect of things. I’ve even taken up graphic design and video editing.

Jarline Almonte

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Goodmorning from me and my @fashionnova cozy set Fashionnovapartner

A post shared by The ‘Hood Fairy じゃりん (@jarline) on Apr 29, 2020 at 7:11am PDT

Essence: What specifically drove you to begin this charitable efforts to help Covid-19 victims?

Almonte: What drove me to want to donate is the fact that I feel a desire to contribute something, whatever I could to any capacity. I don’t like to feel as if I’m just sitting there, not being of use. My debut single “Potion” was scheduled to be released and I felt like it was the perfect opportunity to use it as a driving force to allow me to help others. 100% of the money earned from those purchasing the single on iTunes are growing towards 2 different organizations — one to help women in quarantine who are in domestic abuse relationships seek haven and aid and the other to help fund the creation of new ventilators. 

What exactly is your project doing to help?

All earnings from the single will be donated. The song a fun, female-empowering track. It’s about owning our bodies, knowing our worth, and recognizing who and who not to involve ourselves with. I want everyone to feel good during this time, and even party tracks can be healing if you think about it.

Has this pandemic affected you in any way, if so, as a creative what have you done to overcome it? 

The pandemic has affected me in a few ways, definitely. I’m a very social person who enjoys traveling and flying for work. And although I’ve had upcoming jobs, video shoots and recording sessions canceled or postponed, I don’t feel like it’s the end of the world for me. It’s all for good reason. My main concern is the health and safety of everyone. This is causing us all to be very creative and learn to work together for the sake of public health. Work life has adjusted by having shoots and castings be done through zoom, and I’m learning to make demos in the comfort of my own home. I’m keeping myself occupied through creating content for brands on my instagram, learning Japanese, painting, and trying out photography. Through this experience I’ve learned to not take breathing fresh air, and being able to experience the outdoors for granted.

Tizita Balemlay

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Being silent is choosing a side. Help us end police brutality #blacklivesmatter Praying for everyone’s safety. Yesterday i witnessed people protesting peacefully and still getting attacked by police, for their voice!! Shit is not OK!

A post shared by Tizita Balemlay (@theplugsdaughterr) on May 31, 2020 at 4:15pm PDT

Essence: What specifically drove you to begin this charitable efforts to help Covid-19 victims?

Balemlay: As a small business we understand how this pandemic is effecting small businesses and how discouraging it can be to young entrepreneurs. We wanted to uplift the spirits of young business owners.

What exactly is your project doing to help? 

PLUGGEDNYC is teaming up with Target Style, CVS & Pizza HUT to give away $10,000 to a small owned women company. We have chosen a women owned company because 36% of business are ran by women, which mean 64% is ran by men. Out of the 36% of companies ran by women 99.9% are SMALL OWNED business. We want to empower women like us during this time.

Has this pandemic affected you in any way, if so, as a creative what have you done to overcome it?

Our in-house factory PLUGGEDSTUDIO, has had to close during this pandemic due to the safety of our staff. This has made it hard to launch our new collection. We are still conducting small in-house shoots during this time to prepare for the launch of our new collection and our team has daily zoom meetings to stay on task.

Shannon and Shannade Clermont

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STAY SIX FEET AWAY PERIOD @farrellfigure #clermonttwins

A post shared by Shannon and Shannade Clermont (@clermonttwins) on Mar 31, 2020 at 8:52pm PDT

Essence: What specifically drove you to begin this charitable efforts to help Covid-19 victims?

Clermont Twins: So currently we are pairing up with Reform, which is a nonprofit organization, to help change the US probation system and to keep the prison community safe from coronavirus. It’s our platform and any way we can to spread awareness is really important. There are inmates dying and they’re not getting the help which they need. Me and my sister started The Clermont Foundation a couple of years ago and we want to really spread awareness to everything that’s going on. When I was in jail, just being there, you feel helpless. Not much you can do while you’re there. It’s not like you have any control the outside world so I could only imagine just being exposed to the coronavirus and not being able to do anything. There’s inmates slowly dying. They’re not getting the treatment that they need. And it’s really scary. Our focus has always been mental health issues, but just what we have experienced this past year, I feel like it’s important to speak about what’s going on now.

What exactly is your project doing to help? 

This petition, specifically, the purpose is to facilitate the population of non-confinement offenders to home confinement. Why not us? We all have to be home, right? So why not allow inmates to have not much time left on their sentence to go home. I think if we want to talk about keeping everyone safe, we need to keep everyone safe. Everyone has made mistakes in their life and we’re all living and growing from it. I think during this time, we shouldn’t judge people on things that they’ve done and figure out how to keep everyone alive. We are talking about people who are nonviolent offenders. It just wouldn’t feel right to have experienced this past year, and me coming out now, to not use our platform in any other way than using it for good. It just makes sense.

Has this pandemic affected you in any way, if so, as a creative what have you done to overcome it? 

As far as the pandemic affecting us in any way, thankfully we’re able to work from home, so it hasn’t really changed much for us. But it has really allowed us to be creative and just use this time for self love. The most this pandemic has affected us is really being away from our family. I’m really more worried about our parents at the moment. We’ve been really just using this time to just plan out our next five years. Everything that we’ve wanted to do, we’re making it happen.

The post 6 Creatives Using Their Platform To Create Covid-19 Relief appeared first on Essence.

Essence Magazine:

The nationwide call to end systemic racism has forced the beauty community to do some much-needed introspection. Making the industry a space that’s inclusive for all not only requires brands to extend their shade range in cosmetics, but it also requires companies to hire more people of color—from executives to creatives.

Platforms like YouTube and Instagram are flowing with Black beauty talent, and few get an opportunity to work closely with brands, and even fewer of them are men.

As brands strategize on how to make more seats at the table for people of color, we also hope they’re reserving spots for the talented male creatives who teach us how to slay.

To help draw visibility to the community of male makeup artists and beauty bloggers, here’s a list of a few Black beauty boys you should be following on Instagram.

The post 9 Black Male Beauty Influencers To Follow appeared first on Essence.