Black Girl Magic
#MoxieFriday is a series of interviews showcasing twentysomething millennial women. These women live with MOXIE through their professional and personal lives. They show up for others, impact the womanhood they see around them, and through social media. I showcase women in local communities but realized I want to recognize women who we see and admire on a larger scale.
This month, I am highlighting the empowering women + moments we’ve already seen in 2018 as a way to encourage and increase our faith.
From blackish to grownish
First on the list is Yara Shahidi and the premiere of her television show, grown-ish. I love her character on black-ish and was elated when they announced the spinoff. grown-ish gives a true representation of what college is, well for me at least. There were a lot of late nights with procrastinating on assignments (no pill-popping though), hanging out with friends almost every single weeknight and weekend during my first year, registering for unwanted classes, and receiving unwanted texts. I relate to it a lot; it makes me miss college, but I digress.
If you haven’t seen grown-ish yet, don’t worry – we’re only four episodes in and they are renewed for season two.
From her standout talent to her activist, philanthropic efforts, Yara is a sweetheart and one of my many favorites in the entertainment industry. She’s dedicated to spreading knowledge about politics, current news, and empowering women. If you have a minute, watch her Glamour-styled TED Talk. It was amazing!
“Black girl magic for me, one, is just a way of expressing how fabulous women of color are.”
Teen Vogue’s First Visionary Editor-in-Chief
We have powerhouse Elaine Welteroth, who recently put in her notice of leaving Teen Vogue. She became the first black editor-in-chief in April 2017 and gave the magazine a new voice, social outlook, and launched the Teen Vogue Summit. According to Fashionista, she was both the youngest person and only the second person of color to ever hold that title at any Condé Nast publication.
Since the beginning of her start there, I’ve read articles + admired her style and work ethic. In pursuing more of a television writing career, she signed a deal with CAA, the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency. I am excited to see where it takes her. She already co-wrote this week’s episode of grown-ish, which was hilarious, so the sky’s the limit.
“Be true to your convictions, and do not settle. You may take some detours and encounter some roadblocks along the way, but never give up on the pursuit of excellence—
however, you may define that for yourself.”
Motha O
Lastly, we have Oprah, Oprah, Oprah! Now, I am not a huge Oprah fan or stan, by the sighest. I especially enjoyed her Golden Globes’ Cecil B. DeMille Award acceptance speech. Unceasingly authentic and real, I loved the message and stories she told to the audience. Her advice is forever on point and on target of what is currently happening. She consistently supports and encourages multiple communities in this world to inspire, and I couldn’t be happier to feature her.
“In my career, what I’ve always tried my best to do, whether on television or through film, is to say something about how men and women really behave. To say how we experience shame, how we love and how we rage, how we fail, how we retreat, persevere and how we overcome. I’ve interviewed and portrayed people who’ve withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights.” – Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes Speech 2018 excerpt
Who are your favorite celebrities + philanthropists? Let me know in the comments below.
Nominate a Woman
Do you want to be featured in #MoxieFriday series? Shoot me an email with your information + how you impact your community.
xo,
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