Since meeting on the set of Soul Food in the early 2000s, Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe have built one of Hollywood’s most enduring romances. The couple officially said “I do” on May 21, 2005, in Gudelfingen, Germany, where Kodjoe grew up. He’s revealed that he knew Parker would be his wife immediately after meeting her.

More than two decades later, they’re still giving butterfly vibes like the day they met.

The couple, who have two children, Sophie and Nicolas, shared with EBONY the numerous ways they keep their love intact. In a candid 2015 cover story, the couple spoke honestly about navigating life with a child with special needs and how the difficult moments in their marriage strengthened their bond and deepened their partnership.

Committed to still choosing each other and continuously evolving their relationship, they keep those fires fanning by doing things together and with their family. “Boris is from the Black Forest region of Germany, and it’s beautiful here,” Parker gushed in this 2023 interview about their summer in the country. “We’ve been coming here for a while …In Germany, you eat the best food you’ve ever had in your life.”

The two consistently emphasize that Black love can be glamorous and grounded, sexy and playful, and deeply intentional, all at once. Whether finishing each other’s sentences on red carpets or praising each other’s accomplishments, as Kodjoe did at a recent New York City dinner at Tatiana celebrating Parker’s feature in A Few Good WMN, their love for one another has become the blueprint we’d all like to experience.

Today, as they celebrate 21 years of marriage, here are seven shots of Parker and Kodjoe that continue to remind us that a love story can last.

‘Soul Food’ Premiere, 1997

At the premiere of Soul Food at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles, the chemistry between Parker and Kodjoe was already undeniable.

‘King’s Ransom’ Los Angeles Premiere, 2005

Just a few weeks before their wedding ceremony, Parker and Kodjoe hit the carpet for the King’s Ransom Los Angeles Premiere at Arrivals at ArcLight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California. Parker stars in the film, and Kodjoe was there to show his support.

Segantini Museum, 2009

A renewal celebration? No, but Parker and Kodjoe were definitely wedding-attire-ready for the nuptials of tennis great Boris Becker and Sharlely Kerssenberg at the Segantini Museum on June 12, 2009, in St Moritz, Switzerland.

BET Awards, 2015

Ten years in, and the love is strong! During their tenth anniversary year, Parker and Kodjoe celebrated their love at the BET & Make-A-Wish Foundation Recipients BET Experience on June 28, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)

‘And Just Like That’ Series Premiere, 2021

Kodjoe was right by his wife’s side for the New York premiere of her new series, And Just Like That… A New Chapter of Sex and the City” at MOMA on December 8, 2021.

Boris Kodjoe’s 50th Birthday, 2023

It was a family affair for Kodjoe’s 50th birthday celebration at Hotel Bel-Air on March 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. With their children, Sophie and Nicolas, in attendance, it was a radiant night.

Turks And Caicos, 2026

The family that vacations together… The couple and daughter Sophie attended the regatta-inspired welcome party for the opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa on May 14 in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Sun and sand keep love alive.

A home will tell on you before you even open your mouth. The books on the table, the scent in the air, the art on the walls and the playlist floating through the kitchen all quietly reveal who you are, what you value and how you want the people you love to feel inside your space. When it comes to making a house a home, it can be hard to figure out what you want your space to say and, more importantly, how it inspires you and makes you feel. For this edition of House to Home, we sat down with Obio Jones and Jermelle Simon-Jones to discuss their journey as a married couple and parents, and how they have brought all of their interests and creativity into their home.

For Obio and Jermelle, home was never meant to simply be a backdrop. They treat their space like a living organism, meant to be rearranged, reimagined and reborn as they evolve. What started as a house with good bones and great light has become a vibrant sanctuary layered with Black and queer art, intentional design and a refusal to feel stagnant in a place that’s supposed to bring spark. “I grew up with parents who didn’t really care about decor,” Simon told EBONY. “I think deep down I always wanted to be inspired by my home, but I didn’t have that experience to set up a home that made you feel good, so now living in a home I feel really inspired by, it helped because as a kid it wasn’t there.” 

As adults, the two see their own home as a chance to honor and complete a vision their parents lacked the resources to fulfill. “I’m able to kind of take what I believe [my parents] vision would have been and put it into my home as an adult,” Jones told EBONY. For the process the two were in search of the house they would put roots down in. The space itself sold them slowly, then all at once. On their first tour, it was the windows, hardwood floors, and openness that caught their attention. Then they reached the primary bedroom. 

“We went to the primary bedroom, saw that it was two stories, and we were sold,” Jones said. “We hadn’t seen a two story bedroom before. “It was big, and we wanted a lot of space, and we have children, so it was just one of those spaces that we thought could really get a comfortable environment for everybody involved and everybody in our home.” 

In an era where many creatives are simultaneously building their careers and homes, lighting is everything and not just for the content and photo ops, but to really stimulate the mind and wellness. “I had moved from a home where the walls were really dark, and there just wasn’t a lot of light coming in, so I felt lighter walking into this home,” Simon said.  

By the time Obio and Jermelle fully committed to the home they knew it wouldn’t just a pretty space, but a revolving door of kids, friends and family energy that make their home a solidified vibe and fun house. “Our oldest always has a friend over,” Simon said. “Our middle child, every now and then, she will, and our son is just chill, he’s a Virgo and wants to be by himself [laughs], but we host game nights and could host more, and the kids have people over often.” 

When it came to the decorating process, Jermelle let Obio take the reins, which helped in the end by allowing the two to let the space’s feeling take control rather than the aesthetic. “He was a trooper because he really is more about how it felt right, and so if it felt good for him, then he was good. Now we do have a cream couch in our living room, and he was kind of like… [laughs],” Jones said.  

“I did say I don’t think the cream College is a good idea, but I think it looks great, but it’ll last, like three months before it’s a black couch,” Simon said. He confirms his role with a smile: “I do just let go and let Obio do what he wants to do… My attention to detail is not as strong as his.” 

What the two do come together on is that the color and detail are central to their shared design philosophy. “Color, texture, art is a big part of our home,” Jones said. Their walls carry the work of Black and queer artists like Juan Veloz and others, bringing the intention to turn the house into a gallery of representation and possibility. 

“Subconsciously, it gives you somewhere to go and I think a lot of us are in search of where we’re going, especially when you get older,” Jones said. “I think when you’re surrounded by creativity and people who are being who they want to be, out loud, especially on Canvas, I think it just subconsciously sends this message that the sky’s the limit.” 

Even as they maneuver their day-to-day in the home, they’ve made it clear that trend-chasing has no place here. Instead, the couple treats their home as something that should literally move with them. “The bedroom has changed 14 times [laughs],” Simon said.  

The home has gone through several phases and evolutions, but represents a symbol of allowing the space to flow through whatever season you’re in. “I was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year, and that has changed our energy, so we both have been open to our home, evolving and evolving with us because it’s metaphoric to who we are as individuals and give our home movement and grace,” Jones said. 

As the two have navigated their home life, one piece of advice the couple has is to make sure you both have your own individual sanctuaries, if you have access. “It gives us an opportunity to move things freely without any ask,” Jones said. 

For Obio, his home office, full of color and texture, is his personal space to create and fully concentrate on his thoughts, and Jermelle has a gym area that gives him space to release and relax. “It was fun not worrying about what goes where, but I had been inspired by what Obio was doing in the home, where I kind of want to jazz up the gym a little bit so it wouldn’t be as boring,” Simon said.

This balance allows both of them to thrive creatively and emotionally, reminding us that a true home nurtures not just togetherness, but also individuality. With this in mind, they offer valuable insights into creating a living environment that honors both personal and collective journeys. “We can tell when we’re in a creative funk and not being inspired, which will also be a cue that maybe something needs to be moved and maybe something needs to happen in our space,” Jones said. 

The couple exemplifies the beauty of crafting a living space that reflects personal growth, creativity, and familial warmth. Their home is not just a backdrop for life’s moments but a dynamic entity that evolves alongside them, embracing change and celebrating individuality. “I never realized how much your home can inspire you, how much it affects your creativity, how much it affects your choices in your career and life, and so just how inspirational your home could be,” Simon said. “A home is a place you go, you rest, you go out to be inspired.”

Their journey serves as a reminder that a home should be a space of inspiration where each family member can thrive, express themselves and find solace amid life’s uncertainties. Ultimately, it is this intentionality and openness to evolution that transform a house into a true home—a safe haven that nourishes the spirit and sparks joy.

Shop Obio & Jermelle’s Home Decor

Poly & Bark

Orbit Bed – Performance Chenille

Price: $1,686

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NFusion

SorenContemporary Glam Faux Wool Bench

Price: $314.32 $223.32

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AllModern

Orin 47″ Woven Leather Bench

Price: $449 $329

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Living Spaces

Modern Blue 24″ Curved Back Office Desk Chair With Wheels

Price: $155

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AllModern

Alem Writing Desk

Price: $410 $360

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Peloton

Tread

Price: $3,295 $2,695

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Joss & Main

Edmonia Metal Wall Mirror

Price: $399 $349

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George Oliver

55” Upholstered Loveseat

Price: $296.99

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Everly Quinn

Leeven Upholstered 76” Loveseat

Price: $1,749.99 $1,439.99

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West Elm

Zigzag Table Lamp (24″)

Price: $129

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Memorial Day weekend has quietly become one of the only shopping holidays we have left that still feels worth the hype. In an era where brands throw around the word “sale” every other Tuesday only for the discount to be a humble 10% off, Memorial Day still delivers the kind of markdowns that make you feel like you’re actually getting your money’s worth. It’s the one weekend where buying the expensive sheets, the designer bag lingering in your saved items or the beauty tool TikTok convinced you to try suddenly feels… responsible.

But the smartest shoppers know Memorial Day shopping isn’t about panic buying. It’s about preparation. Summer is essentially an entire personality shift. We start dressing lighter, going outside more, hosting friends, booking trips and romanticizing our routines again. This is the weekend to stock up on the pieces that will carry you through all of it looking expensive, moisturized and emotionally together.

Fashion Sales

• SSENSE is offering up to 70% off designer fashion and accessories. No promo code required. The sale is live now for Memorial Day weekend.
• Nordstrom is offering up to 60% off fashion, shoes and beauty products. No promo code required. The sale is live now through Memorial Day weekend.
• Saks Fifth Avenue is offering up to 60% off luxury fashion and handbags. No promo code required. The sale is available for a limited time.
• J.Crew is offering up to 50% off summer styles and linen essentials. Promo code: SUMMER. The sale is live now through Memorial Day.
• Madewell is offering up to 40% off select denim and warm-weather staples. No promo code required. The sale is available now.
• Coach Outlet is offering up to 70% off. No promo code required. The sale is live now.
• Anthropologie is offering an extra 40% off sale items. No promo code required. The sale is running through Memorial Day weekend.

Beauty Sales

• Sephora is offering up to 50% off select beauty products and value sets. No promo code required. The sale is live now.
• Ulta Beauty is offering up to 40% off makeup, hair tools and skin care. No promo code required. The sale is available through Memorial Day weekend.
• Fenty Beauty is offering up to 60% off select products. No promo code required. The sale is live now.
• MAC Cosmetics is offering up to 30% off select makeup products. No promo code required. The sale is available for a limited time.
• Dermstore is offering up to 25% off luxury skin care and beauty products. Promo code: SUN. The sale is running now.
• Bluemercury is offering up to 25% off prestige beauty and fragrance products. No promo code required. The sale is available now.

Home Sales

• West Elm is offering up to 60% off furniture and home décor. No promo code required. The sale is live now through Memorial Day.
• Serena & Lily is offering up to 40% off furniture and bedding. No promo code required. The sale is running now.
• Wayfair is offering up to 70% off furniture, mattresses and outdoor essentials. No promo code required. The sale is available now.
• CB2 is offering up to 20% off modern furniture and décor. No promo code required. The sale is running for Memorial Day weekend.
• Parachute is offering up to 25% off bedding and bath essentials. No promo code required. The sale is live now.
• Crate & Barrel is offering up to 60% off entertaining and outdoor pieces. No promo code required. The sale is available through Memorial Day weekend.
• Article is offering up to up to 40% off more than 600 items, with additional clearance discounts of up to 60% on select items.

The group chat ignited after meeting Branford Frady on the season 4 finale of Power Book III: Raising Kanan as he calmly introduced himself: “Call me Breeze.” And just like that, one of the most mythologized figures in the Power universe had finally stepped out into the light.

Breeze is the mentor who molded Kanan into the man he’d become in the original Power series, who also shaped James “Ghost” St. Patrick and Tommy Eagan. (Their worlds will be revisited in the upcoming Power: Origins.)

But here’s the twist: fans have been “casting” an actor for Breeze long before the series made it official.

On Reddit threads, fan pages and in Power Universe groups, Shameik Moore’s name was brought up numerous times as the perfect actor to play the elusive kingpin. Viewers of the series felt he had an old-soul energy the role required. And now, with the drop of Power Book III: Raising Kanan’s Season 5 trailer, Breeze is about to become the emotional and psychological thread of the show’s final chapter.

Moore has already spent much of his career immersed in theatrical decades before his. He captured 1970s hip-hop culture in the TV series The Get Down and New York rap history, circa 1990s, in the drama series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. He’s also done due diligence in coming-of-age storylines, like in Dope. 

As we learned in his June 2023 EBONY feature, Moore knows how to move with skill and ease. Inspired by the spectacular dance sequences in the 2004 film, You Got Served, he became a dance-battle sensation in Atlanta as a teen, which landed him in music videos and other TV projects, like Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. Fans often described Breeze as someone who could control a room just through his stance.

Music has always played an integral part in the Power canon, and as the son of reggae musician Errol Moore, the younger Moore practically grew up in a recording studio. He has also followed in his father’s tracks when it comes to a love of music. He recorded several tracks for the film Dope alongside Pharrell Williams and has directed music videos and released several singles & EPs, including “Ride The Beat” (2017) and “Bounce” (2018).

Given his resume and background, Moore’s casting was inevitable, and the internet knew it well before it became a reality.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan, The Final Season, premieres June 12 on Starz.

​In response to the Supreme Court striking down the Voting Rights Act and Republican legislators seeking to redraw the maps of Black districts, the NAACP has officially launched its “Out of Bounds” campaign. The new initiative’s unprecedented directive is calling on Black athletes, recruits, families, and fans to completely boycott public university athletic programs in states moving to restrict or erase Black voting representation. Blood programs at schools across the SEC and ACC, including Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Florida, are being targeted by the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. The goal is to leverage the massive economic and cultural power of Black athletic talent to fight back against state-level gerrymandering.​

In a statement, NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson claimed that states are attempting to deny Black contributions their political equity while recruiting Black athletes for their athletic programs.

“What these states have done is not a policy disagreement. It is a sprint to erase Black political power,” said Johnson. “These actions happened in days, in some cases in hours, of a Supreme Court ruling that gives extremist lawmakers a playbook to erode Black representation. The NAACP will not watch the same institutions that depend on Black athletic prowess to fill their stadiums and their bank accounts remain silent while their states strip Black communities of their voice.

“’Out of Bounds’ is our answer: we are naming the contradiction, and we are calling on Black athletes, families, fans, and consumers to act on it. The same power that built these programs can be redirected. And it will be,” Johnson continued.

“This generation of Black athletes understands something that those who came before them were never afforded the chance to say so plainly: your talent is yours, and so is your community’s political power,” added Tylik McMillan, National Director, Youth and College Division, NAACP.

“These are not separate issues. The state that is working to erase your grandmother’s congressional district is the same state whose governor will stand on the field and celebrate your touchdown or game-winning shot,” McMillian. “We are asking young people — recruits, current athletes, fans — to see that connection clearly and to act on it. The Out of Bounds campaign is about redirecting what has always been ours, power and perseverance.”

The campaign is calling on current college athletes to leverage their platforms and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reach to champion voting rights. Also, “Out of Bounds” urges athletes to use their influence to press university leadership to make public statements against racial voter suppression, while also encouraging them to consider using the transfer portal to align their talents with institutions that respect Black political representation.

​Along with students, athletes, the campaign is also urging fans, alumni, donors, and consumers to boycott targeted athletic programs by halting purchases of tickets, merchandise, and licensed apparel. Instead, the campaign asks them to redirect their financial support to HBCUs by contributing to their athletic programs, scholarship funds, NIL collectives, bands, and alumni foundations.

Ultimately, the NAACP’s “Out of Bounds” campaign puts a spotlight on the undeniable intersection of sports, economics, and civil rights. With Black people losing their voting rights that the ancestors gave their lives for, the NAACP is fighting for political representation by forcing a choice between celebrating Black talent on the field and protecting the rights of Black voters at the ballot box.

Over the past decade, the tunnel has quietly transformed into one of fashion’s most influential runways. What was once a quick walk from the team bus to the locker room has become a carefully documented display of personal branding, luxury fashion, and cultural influence. In the Women’s National Basketball Association, especially, tunnel style is no longer treated like an accessory to the game. In many ways, it has become part of the spectacle itself.

Long before luxury fashion houses were rushing to partner with athletes, Black players understood the power of presentation. Wilt Chamberlain moved through the world with a polished swagger rooted in sharp tailoring and old-school sophistication. Allen Iverson transformed the NBA tunnel into a reflection of hip-hop’s growing dominance with oversized jerseys, baggy denim, fitted caps, and diamond jewelry that felt authentic to the communities many players came from. The league responded with a dress code in 2005, a moment many still view as a direct response to the visibility of Black style and self-expression.

Athletes today are no longer expected to simply perform on the court. They are brands, image-makers and cultural tastemakers. And behind many of these polished public images are Black stylists and creative directors who helped fashion houses recognize the influence athletes carry. Figures like stylist Kesha McLeod and stylist-designer Rachel Johnson were instrumental in helping luxury brands understand the marketing power athletes possessed long before it became standard industry practice. Their relationships with houses like Thom Browne helped create pathways for athletes like LeBron James to be viewed as fashion fixtures, not just sports stars.

A pivotal moment arrived during the 2018 NBA Playoffs when James, J.R. Smith, and Jordan Clarkson arrived in coordinated Thom Browne suits, turning a pregame arrival into a full-fledged fashion moment. But the groundwork had already been laid years earlier by players like James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Carmelo Anthony, all of whom understood that personal style could expand their influence far beyond basketball.

The WNBA eventually took that blueprint and made it entirely its own. “In some instances, the tunnel walk and the tunnel fits are more exciting than the games,” former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes once told me in a previous interview for ESSENCE. During her era, a T-shirt and basketball shorts were enough before tipoff. Today, tunnel arrivals feel closer to a moving editorial campaign. Players walk into arenas dressed in custom tailoring, archival runway pieces, emerging Black designers, and luxury handbags that immediately ignite conversation across Instagram and TikTok.

The numbers explain why fashion finally started paying attention. The WNBA saw a reported surge in viewership between 2024 and 2025, and brands quickly realized women’s basketball was no longer niche. Partnerships followed just as fast. Skims announced a multiyear partnership with the WNBA in 2023. Mielle Organics followed with its own league partnership the next year. Most recently, Coach became the WNBA’s official luxury handbag partner, a collaboration prominently displayed during this year’s WNBA Draft when Azzi Fudd arrived in a custom Coach look styled alongside Sydnee Paige.

But these partnerships are about more than clothes and accessories. They represent visibility, financial opportunity, and long overdue investment in women athletes, particularly Black women athletes who have historically shaped culture without receiving the same level of compensation or recognition.

That shift is especially visible through players like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese. Wilson’s partnership with stylist Amadi Brooks helped position her as one of the league’s most fashion-forward stars through custom Sergio Hudson suiting and elevated luxury looks that reflected both power and femininity. Reese, meanwhile, has become one of the most talked-about style personalities in professional sports altogether. Whether she’s attending the Met Gala in custom designer looks or assembling tunnel outfits herself, Reese understands what many modern athletes now recognize: the tunnel is no longer just an entrance. It’s a media opportunity.

Accounts like @hertunnel, created by Velissa Vaughn, have also helped turn WNBA arrivals into fully documented fashion archives, giving players and stylists a dedicated platform that treats their looks with the same seriousness traditionally reserved for celebrities and runway models. The result is an ecosystem where athletes are no longer forced to separate performance from personality. They can exist as competitors, fashion muses, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures all at once.

Fashion in the W works because it feels personal. One player may lean toward sharp tailoring while another gravitates toward streetwear, archival luxury, or emerging Black designers. That individuality is precisely what makes the tunnel compelling. It reflects the larger evolution happening across sports, where athletes are reclaiming ownership over how they present themselves to the world.

And maybe that’s the real story here. The tunnel was never just about the clothes. It became proof that Black athletes, especially Black women athletes, were always worthy of luxury attention, campaign dollars, and cultural reverence. Fashion is simply finally catching up.

“When someone makes a drama and the drama is not like real life, it’s because they’re taking all the humor out of what happens in real life.”

Boots Riley, who has just made this statement, is animatedly gesturing with his ’70s- style shaven sideburns in Beverly Hills, California. When we meet, he is wearing a striking cartoon-like hat paired with square-brimmed glasses fit for a mad scientist with the wired brain of a genius. He wears this unconventional getup while he is leading a set.

The visceral auteur with an infinite vision is about to bring forth I Love Boosters, his second feature film. The Oakland-raised artist has always reconstructed the scenery of the life that surrounded him, which has grown into imaginative, emotional punch lines in his work. His latest film welcomes comedic commentary on the globalization of fashion.

Boosting is shoplifting that is not so ill-intentioned as Corvette (Keke Palmer) and Mariah (Taylour Paige) cement it into their brand messaging for their group tagline: “Fashion. Forward. Philanthropy” (with an F). Alongside Sade (Naomi Ackie), they all aim to give back to their community by planning a coup d’état against an elite conglomerate that Corvette secretly aspires to join. Born of necessity as an anti-capitalist activist group, the “Velvet Gang” steals and stunts wearing the bold outfits within the monochromatic imagination of Riley’s doll-like in-store sets.

I Love Boosters was shot all over the San Francisco Bay Area, from Hayward to Oakland. “The stories that the media tells us about what’s going on in the Bay Area are often devoid of the class struggle that’s happening,” Riley said. “Maybe they might show a protest, but it’s isolated and not connected to this other thing that’s happening. Or, somebody was boosting here, but they won’t talk about it in terms of the poverty that exists.”

I Love Boosters is wonky and audacious; when Riley is up on the plate, he most certainly swings. An homage to his hometown and the cultural diversity of the cities that surround Oakland and the far corners of the Bay Area. I Love Boosters criticizes commercial fashion brands for committing robbery by subjecting their overseas manufacturers to poor conditions and tagging high prices on eco-deadly garments. The makeshift Velvet Gang’s onscreen chemistry is eccentrically magnetic, and their indistinct antagonists, played by Demi Moore and Don Cheadle, are fragments of Riley’s inventive, hallucinatory mind.

Palmer serves as an executive producer of the offbeat film produced by Neon. Riley and actor LaKeith Stanfield are reunited onscreen; they worked together on Riley’s 2018 film, Sorry To Bother You, another examination of corporate extensionalism.

Riley’s storytelling proclivities for a workplace satire match his affinity for otherworldly fashion. “Oftentimes, I’m at vintage places and just looking for weird stuff. Usually, if an old lady would like it, I might be able to rock it really well.”

The filmmaker’s expansive narrative landscape is an offshoot product of the Black and fantastical media he consumed within his early life. He pays his respects to Toni Morrison for her literary prowess and the way she depicted vivid characters, and to Spike Lee for the way he painted human life in a Black Brooklyn neighborhood in Do the Right Thing.

“One movie that had a big effect on me was this movie with Don Knotts. It’s an animated movie where he turns into a fish called The Incredible Mr. Limpet. He falls into the water, and then they just show his silhouette in the water spinning around, turning into a fish,” Riley shared. “As a kid, I watched a lot of Jerry Lewis movies, but as I got older, I liked Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Emir Kusturica, Gaspar Noé, and Leos Carax.”

All of the inner workings of Riley’s wild imagination align with the auteur’s psychedelic, dreamscapes approach to world-building and relationship with evocative cinema.

“If you fall in love, all of a sudden, the colors look different. They look brighter. You see things, you think about things that you hadn’t thought about before,” concluded the I Love Booster’s director-writer.

“The world seems different. In my films, I want the audience to have that same experience. I want them to discover not only what is going on and what’s going to happen, but also what the story is about. I want them to feel that sense of discovery.”

I Love Boosters premieres in theaters on May 22.

In conversations around Black wellness, we often center mental health, fitness, and nutrition, but I’d dare to say that sexual health is just as critical, even if it’s less openly discussed, and when it comes to oral sex, misinformation runs deep.

From outdated assumptions to flat-out myths, many of us are navigating intimacy with half-truths that can shape how we show up in our bodies, our relationships, and our understanding of pleasure. So let’s clear the air because wellness isn’t just about what we avoid—it’s also about what we understand.

Myth #1: Oral Sex Is “Safer,” So You Don’t Have to Think About Protection

There’s a common belief that oral sex carries little to no risk, and that’s not entirely true. While it’s often considered lower risk than penetrative sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can still be passed through oral contact. “Most, if not all, types of sex carry some level of risk,” said renowned Sex Educator Tara Jones. “Making decisions about what level of risk you’re comfortable with should be an individual decision—one that might change across different circumstances.”

The issue isn’t just a lack of awareness; it’s a lack of conversation. Protection methods like dental dams or condoms are seldom normalized in discussions about oral sex, especially within Black communities, where sexual health education can already feel limited or stigmatized. The taboo nature of sex talk in the Black community has never been conducive to our well-being, and it should be spoken about more often and as early as possible. 

“We do not often consider dental hygiene and its role in safe oral sex, nor do we consider the sensitivity of the vaginal/penile area and how susceptible it can be to all kinds of bacteria,” said Dr. Hareder McDowell, a cultural educator and community psychologist. “The mouth holds so much bacteria, and those who bite their lips, tongue, and jaw often have small cuts that bleed in their mouths, and if they are infected, this could transfer orally. Of course, it is recommended that condoms and dental dams be used for oral sex, but few adhere, so the safest method is testing and asking questions.”

Myth #2: It’s All About Performance, Not Communication

For many people, oral sex is framed as something to “be good at,” rather than something to experience and communicate through. That mindset can create pressure, anxiety, and ultimately disconnect. “The pressure to please or be pleased is one of the biggest deterrents to healthy sexual functioning,” Jones said. “You don’t have to emulate what you see in porn in order to be sexy.”

The truth is, pleasure isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one partner may not work for another, and that’s where communication comes in. Being able to express what feels good (and what doesn’t) is a form of intimacy in itself. “Oral sex is in its own category for a reason; it’s a gift and a separate orgasm that can be obtained by receiving or performing oral sex if it is practiced as a joint venture,” Dr. McDowell said. “Our mindset impacts everything that we do and can enhance every sexual experience that we have. I encourage allowing moments to talk about oral sex be the foreplay. “How slow should I go? Is that hard enough? Every question should really be a turn on.”

“Humility is required to receive feedback from your partner on how you perform oral sex and should be welcomed because you want to satisfy and be satisfied,” Dr. McDowell said. “The good news about oral sex is that the more you communicate with your partner the better the experience becomes and that should always be the goal, complete satisfaction. Couples that have open conversations about oral sex are emotionally mature and committed to their partners’ satisfaction and not their ego. Each person is different, and what worked on the last person may not work on the next person, and we all have to be open to learning the details of our partners’ because once we master the class, everyone is happier and lighter.”

Myth #3: Hygiene Equals Judgment

Another lingering myth is that conversations about hygiene are inherently offensive. In reality, they’re part of mutual respect. “Open dialogue around cleanliness, comfort, and boundaries should be normalized, not avoided,” Dr. McDowell said. “When approached with care, these conversations can actually build trust rather than break it. Communication about these things should start in childhood, but unfortunately, shame and guilt surrounding them are instilled in us as children.”

At its core, debunking these myths isn’t just about sex; it’s about agency. “A great sex life is built by the couple involved; it doesn’t’ just happen and hygiene is a part of that build out; we must be able to discuss any hygiene issue without fear of retaliation via the silent treatment, tears or anger that may close the door to truth,” Dr. McDowell said. “If someone trusts you enough to have sex with you, they should be free to tell you something stinks. The average asymptomatic person only knows that they have an infection if a partner catches the smell. Of course it is awkward, but it’s real, we have to be comfortable with real conversations that lead to real intimacy and authenticity which should always be the goal. Do I really love you if I don’t tell you?”

Sexual wellness and pleasure, at the core, are about unlearning shame, embracing clarity, and creating space for healthier, more honest experiences. Black wellness deserves to be holistic. That includes how we navigate pleasure, protection, and partnership. Because when we’re informed, we’re empowered and that changes everything.

Atlanta Mayor to Run for Georgia Governor

Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the Democratic primary nomination to run for the governor of Georgia this November. The former Atlanta mayor earned 57.7% of the vote in the Georgia Democratic gubernatorial primary on May 18, which means she will not have to participate in a runoff. said her platform will support Georgians across the political spectrum.

Speaking after her win, Bottoms promised to be a governor for all Georgians if elected. “We are going to fight for every single vote in every county, in every corner of this state,” she stated. “We are going to knock on doors and have conversations with people across the communities of the state, and we are going to build a Georgia that works for all of us.” The 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election will take place on November 3.  

Alabama Family Seeks Answers After Teen Found Shot, Dismembered And Set On Fire

Police in Eufaula, Alabama, are investigating the death of 18-year-old MarKavious “Mark” Rumph after his family said they discovered his dismembered and burned remains following a five-day search. Rumph was reported missing after he was last seen on May 6 at a gas station, according to police and local reports. Rumph’s mother, Yolanda Wynn, said relatives searched wooded areas through rain on Mother’s Day before finding remains authorities later connected to the case. Investigators are awaiting DNA confirmation because of the condition of the body. Officials also said they have identified suspects but have not announced arrests. Rumph had recently earned his GED and planned to attend welding school, according to family members.

The Bigger Picture: The case has renewed criticism from some community members who say Black families in the South are too often left feeling unheard when violence occurs. Advocates and residents have argued that the lack of urgency shown in some missing persons and homicide cases involving Black victims reflects deeper inequalities in policing and public attention. Rumph’s family publicly questioned why they felt forced to lead the search for their loved one themselves. 

Three Killed In Mass Shooting At San Diego Mosque

Three people were killed Monday when two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, the city’s largest mosque, in an attack authorities are investigating as a hate crime. Police said the suspects, ages 17 and 18, later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds nearby after the May 18 shooting, which occurred shortly before midday prayers. A mosque security guard was among those killed and is being credited with helping prevent additional deaths. Authorities have not publicly confirmed a clear motive, but investigators are reviewing evidence of possible anti-Muslim bias.

The Catholic Diocese of San Diego said it is “united in solidarity” with the Muslim community following the shooting, expressing grief for the victims and support for local families affected. Church leaders emphasized that places of worship should remain safe spaces free from fear or violence. The statement added that the diocese stands with interfaith partners in condemning hatred and promoting peace across religious communities.

The Catholic Diocese of San Diego said it is “united in solidarity” with the Muslim community following the shooting, expressing grief for the victims and support for local families affected. Church leaders emphasized that places of worship should remain safe spaces free from fear or violence. The statement added that the diocese stands with interfaith partners in condemning hatred and promoting peace across religious communities.

The Word ‘Black’ Disappears From Bills That Address Black Maternal Health

Federal legislation aimed at addressing the nation’s maternal health crisis has drawn criticism after the word “Black” was largely removed from the latest version of the Momnibus Act, a package of bills originally created to combat disproportionately high maternal death rates among Black women. The legislation was previously introduced as the “Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act” in 2020, 2021 and 2023. However, advocates noted that references to Black women and Black pregnant people have steadily disappeared from the bill text in recent versions.

Why It Matters: Black women in the United States continue to face maternal mortality rates significantly higher than those of white women. Advocates said removing the word “Black” from legislation specifically created to address Black maternal mortality amounts to erasure of the crisis itself. Several organizations argued that failing to directly name Black women weakens accountability and obscures the racial disparities driving the legislation. Supporters of the legislation, including Rep. Lauren Underwood, said the measure still focuses on maternal health disparities and investments in community-based care. Critics argue the language changes come amid political backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Waffle House Workers In Atlanta Rally For Better Pay Ahead Of FIFA World Cup 

Waffle House workers in Atlanta rallied this week to demand a $25 hourly wage and safer working conditions ahead of the FIFA World Cup events expected to bring thousands of visitors to the city in June, according to local reports. Workers gathered with the Union of Southern Service Workers outside a downtown restaurant Friday, calling for higher pay, free employee meals and 24-hour security at locations they say have become increasingly unsafe. 

Deep Dive: Employees and labor advocates said workers regularly face harassment, violence and late-night safety concerns while earning low wages. Organizers also criticized mandatory meal deductions and tipping practices, saying they reduce workers’ take-home pay. Supporters argued that Atlanta businesses, including Waffle House, are preparing to profit from increased tourism tied to the World Cup, while many service workers continue to struggle to afford basic living expenses. Waffle House had not publicly responded to the workers’ demands as of Friday, May 15.

Tennessee School District Removes Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’ From Shelves Under State Law

A Tennessee school district has removed Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots from school library shelves, citing compliance with the state’s 2022 Age-Appropriate Materials Act, according to district officials. Knox County Schools said it pulled the 1976 book after a review committee flagged a passage in the novel’s 84th chapter as not “age appropriate” under state guidelines. The district emphasized that the decision followed state law requirements that direct schools to evaluate specific passages rather than the overall literary or historical significance of a work. Roots, which chronicles multiple generations of an African American family from enslavement through emancipation, has been widely taught for its depiction of slavery and its impact on American history.

The Bigger Picture: Black literature scholars and civil rights advocates have long warned that repeated removals of Black-authored texts from curricula and libraries can function as a form of cultural erasure. They argue this pattern reduces visibility of Black experiences in education systems and weakens students’ understanding of racial history in the United States. Advocates for free expression argue that removing widely studied works like Roots limits students’ access to foundational narratives about American slavery and Black history. Critics say such bans disproportionately affect books by Black authors and narrow the range of historical perspectives in schools.

Black Census Project Aims To Record Black American Population Amid Political Unjust 

A national survey initiative focused on gathering data about the experiences and priorities of Black Americans, known as the Black Census Project, is expanding its outreach efforts with a goal of collecting 300,000 responses in 2026. Organizers said the initiative aims to shape public policy, strengthen community organizing and amplify the voices of Black communities often excluded from political decision-making. The project first launched in 2018 with more than 30,000 participants and later expanded to include more than 200,000 responses nationwide. 

The Impact: Programs like the Black Census Project can give Black communities a stronger role in shaping policies that directly affect their lives. Supporters argue that data collected directly from Black residents helps counter historic underrepresentation in political polling and public policy discussions. Black Futures Lab said the census examines issues including health care, economic opportunity, housing, public safety and voting rights. The organization plans to share findings with lawmakers, advocacy groups and community leaders to help guide legislation and political priorities.