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Michelle Obama Talks Skipping Trump’s Inauguration And The Power Of Saying No

News Apr 25, 2025

Michelle Obama Talks Skipping Trump’s Inauguration And The Power Of Saying No

“People can handle ‘no.’ The world doesn’t stop because I said no to your event,” said the former First Lady.

Defaulted On Your Student Loans? Education Department To Resume Seizing Wages—Here’s What You Need To Know

News Apr 23, 2025

Defaulted On Your Student Loans? Education Department To Resume Seizing Wages—Here’s What You Need To Know

Millions of borrowers in default could see their wages, tax refunds or Social Security benefits withheld when collections resume on May 5.

News Apr 24, 2025

“We Are In A Fight Of A Lifetime”: Houston Native And Former City Council Member Runs To Represent Historic Texas District In Congress

Amanda K. Edwards says the stakes are high as she campaigns to represent Texas District-18, with a special election set for November 4th following the deaths of the last two leaders.

“We Can’t Shrink From The Fight”: Black Maternal Health Advocates On The Crisis—And The Hope—Driving Change

Health and Wellness Apr 16, 2025

“We Can’t Shrink From The Fight”: Black Maternal Health Advocates On The Crisis—And The Hope—Driving Change

Black women are speaking up, organizing and demanding a future where every mother is seen, heard and safe.

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WATCH | Aisha Bowe Shares Her Journey From Community College to Rocket Scientist—Now She’s Headed to Space and Set to Make History

WATCH | Aisha Bowe Shares Her Journey From Community College to Rocket Scientist—Now She’s Headed to Space and Set to Make History

On Equal Pay Day, Here’s What 3 Black Women Want You To Remember

On Equal Pay Day, Here’s What 3 Black Women Want You To Remember

WATCH | 2025: A Year to Redirect, Not Rest – ESSENCE Black Futures Honorees Speak Candidly About Why We Need Collective Action Now More Than Ever

WATCH | 2025: A Year to Redirect, Not Rest – ESSENCE Black Futures Honorees Speak Candidly About Why We Need Collective Action Now More Than Ever

Championing Change: Inside The ESSENCE Black Women In Business Dinner

Championing Change: Inside The ESSENCE Black Women In Business Dinner

Kamala Harris' Rise And Black Voters' Power Shift The Dynamics Of The 2024 Presidential Election

Kamala Harris’ Rise And Black Voters’ Power Shift The Dynamics Of The 2024 Presidential Election

'No Empire Lasts Forever': Here's What Gives These ESSENCE 'Black Futures Now' Honorees Hope For Our Future

‘No Empire Lasts Forever’: Here’s What Gives These ESSENCE ‘Black Futures Now’ Honorees Hope For Our Future

Michelle Ngonmo On Dismantling Italy's Diversity Issues: “Giving Up Is Not An Option"

Fashion Apr 26, 2025

Michelle Ngonmo On Dismantling Italy's Diversity Issues: “Giving Up Is Not An Option"

The founder utilizes her longstanding passion for activism to create opportunities for designers who aren’t getting a fair chance in Italy’s fashion industry.

Bibliotherapy Is The Wellness Practice You Didn’t Know You Needed

Lifestyle Apr 26, 2025

Bibliotherapy Is The Wellness Practice You Didn’t Know You Needed

The right piece of literature can help you heal. Bibliotherapy is finding new relevance through Emely Rumble’s work—and her powerful new book.

Destin Conrad On Connecting With Fans And Taking It Back To The 2000s With New Album, ‘Love On Digital’

Entertainment Apr 25, 2025

Destin Conrad On Connecting With Fans And Taking It Back To The 2000s With New Album, ‘Love On Digital’

The up-and-coming R&B star spoke to ESSENCE about his debut release, pop-up flower shops, and what it takes to make the best music possible.

Illinois Lt. Govenor Juliana Stratton Makes U.S. Senate Run Official, Slams Trump 'Crisis And Chaos' In Launch Video

News Apr 25, 2025

Illinois Lt. Govenor Juliana Stratton Makes U.S. Senate Run Official, Slams Trump 'Crisis And Chaos' In Launch Video

Illinois Lt. Govenor Juliana Stratton Makes U.S. Senate Run Official, Slams Trump ‘Crisis And Chaos’ In Launch Video

Expert-Approved Looks To Try For Beyoncé's ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour

Beauty Apr 25, 2025

Expert-Approved Looks To Try For Beyoncé's ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour

From Wild West ponytails to rustic eye makeup and denim manicures, beauty experts break down the best beauty looks to wear on tour.

Essence Fashion Digest: Lori Harvey At Jacquemus LA Boutique Opening, Louis Vuitton Men's Pre-Fall 2025, And More

Fashion Apr 25, 2025

Essence Fashion Digest: Lori Harvey At Jacquemus LA Boutique Opening, Louis Vuitton Men's Pre-Fall 2025, And More

In our weekly fashion catch-up, we like to update the girls on what’s going on in all the corners of the fashion world.

NAACP Sues Department Of Education Over DEI Rollbacks: Here's What To Know

News Apr 19, 2025

NAACP Sues Department Of Education Over DEI Rollbacks: Here's What To Know

The nation’s oldest civil rights group says the Trump administration’s rollback of diversity and inclusion programs is unconstitutional and disproportionately harms Black students.

"I’m Not Here To Say I Told You So": Kamala Harris Urges Courage, Sisterhood At Women’s Summit

News Apr 4, 2025

"I’m Not Here To Say I Told You So": Kamala Harris Urges Courage, Sisterhood At Women’s Summit

At the Leading Women Defined Summit in Californa, the former Vice President called for unity and resilience in the face of uncertain times.

Cory Booker Makes History With 25-Hour Speech, Breaks Senate Record Held By Segregationist Who Opposed Civil Rights

News Apr 2, 2025

Cory Booker Makes History With 25-Hour Speech, Breaks Senate Record Held By Segregationist Who Opposed Civil Rights

Nearly 70 years after Strom Thurmond filibustered against Black civil rights, Booker’s marathon speech called out threats to democracy and the harm of Trump-era policies.

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Op-Ed: The Women Of Real Housewives Of Atlanta Have Always Done 'Too Much'

Op-Ed Apr 7, 2025

Op-Ed: The Women Of Real Housewives Of Atlanta Have Always Done 'Too Much'

Kenya Moore probably thought her conduct would be approved of, considering producers have given the thumbs up to questionable behavior for years.

Op-Ed: Linguistic Gaslighting – How Language Is Being Weaponized To Rewrite Reality, Shape Policy And Dismantle Democracy

Op-Ed Apr 1, 2025

Op-Ed: Linguistic Gaslighting – How Language Is Being Weaponized To Rewrite Reality, Shape Policy And Dismantle Democracy

For decades, Republicans have rebranded harmful policies with misleading language to justify regressive laws. Democrats must take control of the narrative, says Jameelah Nasheed.

Op-Ed:Trump Is Giving Schools An Ultimatum On DEI. For Black Youth, This Game Has Real Consequences

Op-Ed Mar 27, 2025

Op-Ed:Trump Is Giving Schools An Ultimatum On DEI. For Black Youth, This Game Has Real Consequences

Children are always paying attention and they see what the DEI debate is doing to them, says clinical and community psychologist, Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson.

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Why More Black Women Should Look Into Fractional Leadership

Money & Career Apr 8, 2025

Why More Black Women Should Look Into Fractional Leadership

From flexibility to financial freedom, fractional leadership offers a powerful new lane for Black women rewriting the rules of success.

From Big Chop To Big Impact

Hometown Hero Apr 7, 2025

From Big Chop To Big Impact

Dermatologist Camille Howard-Verović’s Girl + Hair line helps Black women embrace their tresses in all their glory—and features products designed with natural strands in mind.

On The Radar: References To Harriet Tubman Removed From National Park Service Webpage, Protests Against Trump’s Policies, Deadly Southern Storms & More

News Apr 7, 2025

On The Radar: References To Harriet Tubman Removed From National Park Service Webpage, Protests Against Trump’s Policies, Deadly Southern Storms & More

From the controversy over Harriet Tubman’s removal from the Underground Railroad webpage to nationwide pushback against federal policies, deadly storms and more, here's what on the radar this week.

NBA Star Jayson Tatum Is Investing in His Hometown Of St. Louis With $2M Homeownership Initiative

Sports Apr 7, 2025

NBA Star Jayson Tatum Is Investing in His Hometown Of St. Louis With $2M Homeownership Initiative

Through a partnership with SoFi, the Celtics star is helping nearly 100 St. Louis families move from renting to owning.

EXCLUSIVE: Topicals Founder Tells All About New Holding Company & Bread Beauty Supply Acquisition

Beauty Apr 4, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Topicals Founder Tells All About New Holding Company & Bread Beauty Supply Acquisition

Topicals Founder Olamide Olowe, President Sochi Mbadugha, and Bread Founder Maeva Heim open up exclusively to ESSENCE about this exciting new chapter.

The New Rules Of Investing: Why Real Estate Might Not Be The Move Anymore

Money & Career Apr 3, 2025

The New Rules Of Investing: Why Real Estate Might Not Be The Move Anymore

Despite it long being a wealth-building tool, the real estate landscape has changed.

Design Revolutionary: How Jimmie Drummond Is Reshaping DC's Cultural Landscape Through Spaces That Belong To Us

Entrepreneurship Apr 3, 2025

Design Revolutionary: How Jimmie Drummond Is Reshaping DC's Cultural Landscape Through Spaces That Belong To Us

The 34-year-old Howard alum has quietly designed some of the District's most vibrant Black-owned establishments, from Elmina to Bronze DC and Grounded. Now he's stepping into the spotlight.

Barack Obama Photobombs A Family’s Cherry Blossom Shoot: "It Was Perfect"

News Apr 2, 2025

Barack Obama Photobombs A Family’s Cherry Blossom Shoot: "It Was Perfect"

"Preston and Belle, I hope you enjoyed peak bloom! My bad for stepping into the shot," Obama said on Instagram in response to the photo.

“I Was Not Smart”: RHOA’s Kelli Ferrell On Nearly Losing Her Business After Estranged Ex-Husband Took All Of The Money From It

Money & Career Apr 2, 2025

“I Was Not Smart”: RHOA’s Kelli Ferrell On Nearly Losing Her Business After Estranged Ex-Husband Took All Of The Money From It

The chef, serial entrepreneur and reality star opens up about the financial betrayal that almost cost her everything—and the money lessons she learned that every woman should know.