Interviews
Alesia Pullins
A Conversation on Beauty

Alesia spoke with makeup enthusiasts Fanta Sylla and Kyrell Grant about their definitions of beauty, their favorite products, and idols.

A Conversation on Beauty
Alesia Pullins
#BEAUTYCHAT - Pores: Not That Big of a Deal
I come from a flock of deeply pigmented folks with a natural glow and few wrinkles. I lucked out, I’m aware. I’ve always had pretty good skin, but of course, I’m still a living, breathing human with visible pores on my face. And I’m susceptible to sun damage and period breakouts, which lead to hyperpigmentation. Shit happens, and sometimes the effects show up on your face.
#BEAUTYCHAT - Pores: Not That Big of a Deal
Essays
Aurelia Belfield
My Depression is Like.

My depression and anxiety has manifested itself in a number of self-hating and harmful ways and it becomes easy to convince myself that my appearance is what’s wrong. I recognize that at the root it is often about me not being enough and a desire to somehow become someone other than who I am. It’s easier to believe that my thighs or my skin or my stomach or my hair is what’s causing me so much grief than to confront the fact that something real is wrong and that something is beyond my control.

My Depression is Like.
Interviews
fanta sylla
Filling the gaps with "Strolling": an interview ...

In an interview for Film Comment, French director Axelle Ropert said that as a director she made films that she felt were missing as a spectator- that she was filling gaps. Though Ropert wasn't talking about racial representation (or the lack thereof), it is the same impulse that prompted UK-based visual artist Cecile Emeke to create Strolling, a series of short documentaries in which the director herself goes on a walk with beautiful black Londoners to talk about various issues ranging from free tampons to European colonization. She took some of her time to answer our questions about this brilliant series and her upcoming short "Ackee & Saltfish." — interviewed by Fanta

Filling the gaps with "Strolling": an interview with Cecile Emeke

Aurelia Belfield

Episode 61: Lisa & Amy & Ramou Are Black

In this episode, Ramou is joined by comedy writers  and Amy Aniobi, the hilarious minds behind the web series Lisa And Amy Are Black and writers from blackish (Lisa) and the long-anticipated Issa Rae HBO show,Insecure (Amy). Listen in as Ramou lies back on the therapy couch while Lisa and Amy talk having the confidence to release your inner creative, quickly transition into why Kraft services is heaven on earth, and end with the quest for hardwood floors. 

Episode 60: 2 Fast Car 2 Furious: Aurelia Chats with Jenn Mundia

In this episode Aurelia chats with her friend; NYC based singer-songwriter and self proclaimed Tinder queen, Jenn Mundia. They run down topics like: making it in the music business, Kenyan home cooking, and what its like as a Black girl acoustic artist in a post Tracy Chapman world.

You can check out Jenn's new album "Heads or Tails" as well as the rest of her discography and schedule of live performances at: www.facebook.com/jennmundiamusic/

Bonus Episode #16: Writer's Roundtable With Stacia Brown & Jessica Tholmer

Cozy on up to the Writer’s Roundtable in this episode as Ramou is joined by Stacia Brown (The Washington Post, Vulture) and Jessica Tholmer (HelloGiggles, Wisdom Times). The three talk balancing a writing schedule with those pesky things called DAY JOBS and CHILDREN and LIFE, the phenomenon of the response piece, and how to push through writer’s fatigue.

Bonus Episode #15: Hold On To Your Dreams: Aurelia Chats With Yolanda Rabun

Get ready to get "Inside The #Blacktor's Studio" again as Aurelia chats with Actor's Equity member, recording artist, corporate lawyer, mom and general renaissance woman: Yolanda Rabun (www.yolandarabun.com/). They talk about what it means to be successful, the very un-glamorous life of a performing artist, and how to rise to the top without falling off a cliff.

 

BGT EPISODE 59: Wellness is the Wave

We’re talking wellness: ways we’re taking care of ourselves and ways we want to take care of ourselves - including floating in tanks full of salt water and yoga with pop stars who have questionable hair. We also imagine our dream wellness retreat and discuss why alternative medicine is poppin.

References:

BGT EPISODE #58: LIVE FROM AUSTIN ft Austin While Black

BGT EPISODE 58: LIVE FROM AUSTIN ft Austin While Black

We had our first live show during SXSW and were super excited to be joined by Evelyn and Doyin from Austin While Black. We had a very spirited and inspiring conversation on everything from dating to building community. Endless hugs and gratitude to everyone who shared this space with us!

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