Cooking therapy takes something we all need, which is food, and uses it as a way to boost mental health and address certain psychological challenges. Participants benefit from the heightened sensory engagement combined with mindfulness and repetitive motions.

Enjoy a sense of accomplishment when creating a new dish from scratch or connect ancestrally with others through culturally rich dishes from sweet potato pie to gumbo.

A 2018 study by Farmer, Touchton-Leonard, and Ross in Health Education Behavior cited a link between decreased mortality and frequent cooking among elderly women in Taiwan. This approach can help Black Americans desiring a healthy and creative outlet to build family, friendship, and community bonds.

Households and individuals can easily adapt community-based nutrition initiatives, exchange recipes, and encourage other healthier behaviors.

RELATED CONTENT: New Soul Kitchen’ — Chef Jernard Wells Turns Mac & Cheese Into A Full-On Fantasy With Crispy Pork Belly

The post Cooking Therapy Is Real And Recipes Like These Are Why appeared first on MadameNoire.

The best hair salon experience doesn’t start in the chair; it starts with knowing what to ask for, what to avoid, and how to walk in well prepared. To Black women, a salon appointment carries real weight. It’s time, money, and trust all in one.

According to a survey by All Things Hair, African American women spend nearly four times more on hair care than white women, with 36% spending more than $100 per salon visit, more than the consumer average. That kind of investment deserves a real return, and getting it requires more than just showing up and hoping for the best.

Getting the most out of every appointment comes down to preparation, communication, and knowing which services actually serve your specific hair needs. Walking in without that groundwork wastes your money and your stylist’s time in equal measure.

How Do I Get the Best Results at a Hair Salon?

The single most important thing you can do before sitting in any stylist’s chair is to communicate clearly. A hair salon professional can only work with the information you give them, so don’t hold back.

Bring reference photos, describe your hair’s full history, such as heat damage, color treatments, relaxers, recent transitions, and tell them what you’ve been using at home, as stylists make better decisions when they understand the full picture rather than guessing based on a quick visual inspection at the sink.

RELATED CONTENT: Vogue Called The Afro A ‘Cloud Bob’ And Black Women Are DONE With The Blatant Cultural Appropriation

The post Top Hair Salon Tips You Need To Know appeared first on MadameNoire.

It is Teacher Appreciation Week and we are not about to let it pass without giving flowers to the Black educators who have taken their talents from the classroom to TikTok. They have built communities that are equal parts funny, real, educational and deeply necessary. Check out 15 Black teachers you should be following on TikTok inside. 

These are the teachers who clock in every single day, deal with things no job description could ever fully prepare you for, and then somehow find the time and the energy to show up on social media and make the rest of us feel seen while they are at it.

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As Bored Teachers has pointed out, teachers are using TikTok to connect with students, network with other professionals, share tips and hacks, be part of a community of educators, stay in the know about what is popular with students and vent and celebrate the joys and challenges of teaching. And nobody is doing it with more flavor, more honesty and more culture than the Black educators who have made the #BlackTeachersOnTikTok corner of the internet a whole destination. 

If you have spent any time on the Black teachers on TikTok side of the app, you already know what we are talking about. These creators are not just posting for likes. They are showing the world what it looks like to be a Black professional navigating a system that was not always built for them while still showing up for their students with their whole hearts every single day. They are documenting the microaggressions, the underfunding, the impossible parent emails and the moments that make every single hard day worth it. They are building a community for educators who might otherwise feel completely alone in their buildings. And they are doing all of it with a level of relatability and humor that has the rest of us in a chokehold.

The data backs it up, too. One in three U.S. adults uses TikTok, most of whom are under 30, and TikTok has become a way for teachers to educate, inspire, and entertain audiences interested in joining the education profession. Black teachers on the platform are especially important because they provide representation that matters—not just for aspiring educators but for students who need to see themselves reflected in the people shaping the next generation. 

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we are spotlighting 15 Black educators who are doing it right on TikTok. Whether you are a teacher looking for community, a parent who wants to better understand what teachers actually go through every day, or just someone who wants their For You Page to include more substance and more soul, these are the accounts you need to follow immediately. Check out our list of Black teachers you should be following on TikTok.

The post Teacher Appreciation Week — 15 Black Teachers You Should Be Following On TikTok Right Now appeared first on MadameNoire.

ArtTech Playground is officially live. Last month (April 2026), the brand new platform welcomed hundreds of Bay Area creatives and builders to ring in its launch—kicking off with a celebration of art and innovation. Built from a desire to bridge art and technology, ArtTech is moving the culture forward through connection and bold ideas. 

“ArtTech Playground was created to highlight the people building beyond traditional boundaries,” said cofounder Nora Dockery. “As technology continues to evolve, it’s important that we don’t lose our individual creativity in the process. This is about showing that we can build alongside these tools while still holding onto our own vision.” 

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Where can Black innovators connect in the Bay Area?

Engineers and creatives mingled with investors and founders at the AWS Builder Loft in San Francisco. This eclectic mix of creative and tech talent showed out for a night of curated programming with artwork, dialogue, and activations.

The evening of April 17—produced in partnership with NSBE Bay Area Professionals—featured a digital art exhibition spanning photography, animation, graphic design, and short film. 

The post ArtTech Playground Is Where Black Creatives And Coders Finally Meet To Build Something Bigger appeared first on MadameNoire.

The gift of music has officially been passed on in the Kardashian-West family! On May 1st, the 12-year-old creative North West officially stepped out from the shadow of her iconic parents to release her debut project, a six-track EP titled N0rth4evr. The project serves as North’s introduction to the world as a producer and artist.

Despite having access to the best songwriters and producers in the music industry, North West’s debut EP is a project solely created by the young star herself. North reportedly produced every single track on the project, experimenting with a sound that blends elements of rage-rap, hyperpop, and gothic emo.

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The tracklist for N0rth4evr includes:

1. H0w Sh0uld ! f33l
2. D!e
3. #N0rth4evr
4. Th!s t!m3
5. W0ah
6. Aishite (愛して)

This release follows her February single, “PIERCING ON MY HAND,” which she famously performed during a surprise appearance at Ye’s sold-out SoFi concert. According to her label, Gamma, North’s credibility in the production space has been growing steadily behind the scenes, with recent credits on FKA Twigs’ Grammy-winning album Eusexua and production for hyperpop stars like skaiwater and Lil Novi.

Accompanying the EP is a music video for the title track, “#N0rth4evr,” directed by Ty Akimoto and Mack Ishida. The video is a dark, aesthetic departure from traditional kid-friendly content, featuring North in a full gothic ensemble: fingerless striped gloves, spiked metal jewelry, combat boots, and a blue wig styled with sharp spikes.

The post North West Drops ‘N0rth4evr’ — A Dark, Self-Produced Debut EP That Signals A New Kardashian-West Era appeared first on MadameNoire.

There are pre–Met Gala parties, and then there’s Teyana Taylor’s The Dirty Rose.

The recent Golden Globe winner has turned this into a Met Gala weekend staple, blending burlesque, fashion, and live performance into one FOMO-worthy night. The guest list stays small, the location is locked in, and we hear phones are banned.

The only things left behind are a few details, gag-worthy insider pics, and the gossip chats that make it out after.

This year’s event, held at Paradise Club inside The Times Square EDITION, was like others before: all about the cabaret. According to multiple sources, guests showed up in slinky dresses, embossed suits, fur coats, sexy black fits, and statement hats. It was clear that they were partying with Teyana Taylor—a fashion icon—and understood the assignment.

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Inside Teyana Taylor’s Dirty Rose: Live Performances, Sultry Looks, and Late-Night Eats

The night moved like a full production. Vanity Fair reports that dancers—including Teyana—moved between the stage and the crowd, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged.

Teyana opened in a crystal- and pearl-embellished bodysuit layered with an ivory fringed coat and gloves. Later, she returned in a red crystal look with a sharp cutout and heart detail at the hip. Fringe and embellishment gave her main character energy all night. She also brought back her “Fade” choreography.

Niecy Nash kicked the show off, wearing a red sequin romper and a feather headdress. Her look brought full cabaret energy, with sparkle, feathers, and a stage-ready silhouette that matched the Dirty Rose theme.

Danielle Brooks also had her stage moment. Vanity Fair reported that she MCed the evening and performed a song-and-dance number. In photos, Danielle wore a red-orange embellished dress with beading, feather accents, and a corset-style shape, giving the event another strong dose of burlesque glamour.

As the night closed, Vanity Fair notes that bellhops rolled out suitcases filled with silver flasks, followed by trays of Raising Cane’s chicken and fries moving through the room. Guests also left with custom Dirty Rose keychains featuring a gold key, a red tassel, and a charm of Teyana in character.

The guest list was just as popping as the performance. Cameras spotted Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Cedric the Entertainer, and Savannah James.

La La Anthony also stepped out for the event. The Power actress rocked a shimmering silver two-piece set that gave glamour and body. She posed in pics alongside Nia Long and Gabrielle Union. Nia kept it clean in a black look with a blazer and a low neckline. Gabrielle wore a yellow floral baroque suit that added structure, color, and print to the room.

Met Gala Weekend Is Already Giving Us What We Need

With the Met Gala around the corner and events like Teyana’s filling our timelines, the fashion girls are in their element right now. We want the swanky party pictures, the gag-worthy outfits, the beauty details, and the behind-the-scenes clips that let us know who was really outside.

And of course, we’re looking forward to the main event: the Met Gala. We’ll be on the red carpet for every celebrity, fashion-filled viral moment.

RELATED CONTENT: From Barbiecore To Bad B—ch Energy, These 6 Girlies Owned Coachella’s Hottest Celebrity Looks

The post Inside Teyana Taylor’s ‘Dirty Rose’ Pre-Met Gala Party — The No-Phones, All-Fantasy Party That Was The Hottest Ticket In Town! appeared first on MadameNoire.

MadameNoire was on the scene for the Season 2 launch luncheon party of the action-packed thriller Criminal Record on Apple TV, held at Harlem’s beloved Red Rooster on April 22. Managing editor Danica Daniel caught up with series star Cush Jumbo, who returns as the fierce and “ballsy” Detective June Lenker, only this time, she’s taking things to an entirely new level.

Season 2 follows Lenker as she navigates a powerful, character-driven story set in contemporary London, where truth feels increasingly slippery. When a young man is stabbed to death at a political rally, Lenker and her rival, Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi), are forced into an uneasy alliance. What begins as a murder investigation quickly spirals into an undercover operation aimed at stopping a far-right bomb plot in the heart of the city.

Season 2 of Criminal Record tackles real life issues.

The timing of the show feels relevant, tackling themes like today’s political climate, misinformation in the digital age, and the rise of extremist networks, issues that mirror real-world headlines. 

For Jumbo, the story hits close to home. Growing up in South London in the ’90s, she remembers it as “the best place to grow up,” but also recalls more difficult realities.

“Our dads would regularly be stopped and searched,” she said, reflecting on her family and friends.

Jumbo and Capaldi, who previously worked together on Torchwood, had frequent conversations about London and infused those lived experiences into their performances this season.

“London is such a big character. We tried really hard to accurately reflect it because Peter and I both feel it’s the most beautiful place, even in its most grimace parts.”

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That authenticity extended behind the scenes as well. Jumbo praised the writers behind Season 2 of Criminal Record for their diverse perspectives that brought power and conviction to the story.

“We had an amazing room of people who represented London. Which already added this additional element to it.”

Cush Jumbo says fans will get to see June as she fights through “messy” heroism.

When shaping June for Season 2, Jumbo wanted to push beyond a traditional portrayal, leaning into the complexity of the character’s moral compass and the darkness surrounding her. She became particularly interested in exploring the idea of “messy” heroism.

“Both seasons have very dark elements to them and we’re living in a very dark world. But I really got a bit fixated on the idea that June could be, almost at her own detriment, one of the last remaining people fighting for the right things, almost like a unicorn,” she explained. “Like, someone who’s actually still fixated on having an iron moral compass to the point where her life is unraveling.”

She continued, “I wasn’t really interested in playing a goodie. I used to love The Wire. I was addicted to that show because the heroes were messy and the baddies were complicated. I found myself charmed by them. I wanted to be their friend sometimes, and then I would go well, ‘Why are you doing that?!’ People aren’t neat.”

A major question this season is why June would choose to work with Hegarty again. The answer unfolds as her career advances, she’s rising in the ranks and performing well, until the shocking murder at the rally changes everything.

“June being June feels completely responsible for it,” shared Jumbo, and that will send viewers on a rollercoaster this season as the weight drives her relentless pursuit of justice, even as she teeters on the edge of burnout, struggling to balance her demanding career with life at home with her son.

The emotional weight of tackling this season’s heavier themes pushed Jumbo to stay grounded, making a point to check in with herself throughout the show, while also leaning on steady support from the show’s producers.

“Our nervous systems don’t understand all the time that were pretending so I mean any actor has to be careful of their nervous system, but I think Black actors particularly have to be careful of their nervous systems because we have within our bodies generational trauma,” she said. “You have to look after yourself when you do these kinds of things. If somebody is going to hold you down and strangle you, and you got to do that nine times in the day, it has to be planned really well.”

She added, “The show has been amazing at making sure our crews and our casts are supported, making a sensitive show in a sensitive way, where as sometimes in the business we lean towards making sensitive shows in I think quite irresponsible ways. It matters because these are our bodies and our minds. I felt the most looked after I’ve ever felt on a show.”

When she’s not on screen, Jumbo finds joy in music, naming Donna Summer and the late, great D’Angelo among her favorites. She’s also a fan of The Real Housewives franchise, and even has a tagline ready if she ever joined the cast:

“You might like the parts I play, but you’re never going to play me,” she said.

Season 2 of Criminal Record is out now on Apple TV. Will you be watching?

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The post ‘Criminal Record’ Star Cush Jumbo On Challenging How Black Women Are Seen On Season 2 Of The Hit Apple TV Thriller [Exclusive] appeared first on MadameNoire.

Authorities have charged 50-year-old Jerome Morris in connection with the fatal stabbing of 51-year-old Monica Morris on April 29, according to a statement from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

Police say that on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at approximately 2:25 a.m., officers from the Gloucester Township Police Department responded to a home on the 100 block of Freedom Way for a reported stabbing. When officers arrived, they entered the residence and encountered a man, later identified as Jerome Morris, holding a knife and covered in blood. He was taken into custody at the scene. NJ.com reported that Jerome Morris was the victim’s husband.

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Officers then located Monica Morris in a third-floor bedroom on fire, suffering from multiple stab wounds. The room was also heavily impacted by fire and smoke. Emergency crews from the Erial Fire Department, Gloucester Township Fire District 88, Pine Hill Fire Department, and Winslow Fire Department responded to the scene. Firefighters were able to remove Monica Morris from the home and extinguish the fire, but she was pronounced dead at approximately 2:50 a.m.

Two other adult residents in the home were able to escape without injury.

The post She Tried To Leave Him — Police Say Her Husband Stabbed Her, Then Set Their Bedroom On Fire appeared first on MadameNoire.

Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson went from looking like one of the internet’s most random but fun celebrity couples to becoming the latest public breakup everybody has an opinion on. Over the weekend, Megan seemingly aired out the split on Instagram, accusing Klay of cheating and suggesting that trust, respect, and fidelity had been broken. She later confirmed the breakup in a statement, making it clear that once those things are compromised, there’s no moving forward for her.

And because this is Megan Thee Stallion we’re talking about, the timeline did what the timeline always does: picked sides, started investigating, dragged old clips back up, and turned the whole thing into a think-piece Olympics. Some people focused on Meg’s post and what she seemed to be saying about Klay. Some people started pulling up his past relationships. Others started speculating about whom he may have cheated with, which got messy enough that WNBA player Lexie Brown had to deny the rumors tying her to the situation publicly.

The breakup also hit different because Megan and Klay had been very visible. They were first publicly linked in the summer of 2025, made their red-carpet debut at her Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala, popped up together online, and even led fans to believe things were getting serious. Megan had spoken highly of him during the relationship, and the duo shared moments like trips, birthday gestures and luxury gifts before everything came crashing down publicly in April 2026.

But the wild part is that public relationship drama is not exactly new territory for either of them. Megan has had past romances play out in front of fans, too, including her relationship with Moneybagg Yo and her highly publicized split from Pardison Fontaine, whom she dated from 2021 to 2023. Pardi even became part of the chatter again after posting a cryptic video following the Klay news.

Klay, meanwhile, had been one of those athletes whose dating life had always had just enough celebrity names attached to it to keep people curious. Some of the stories are confirmed, some are reported, and some are better described as “linked to” situations. Either way, from influencers to actresses to singers to one of the biggest rappers on earth, Klay’s relationship résumé has been a topic long before this Megan breakup. So let’s get into the timeline.

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‘Golden Retriever… But Still A Dog’ — The Hotties Torch Klay Thompson After Megan Thee Stallion Split

The post From Coco Jones To Megan Thee Stallion — Klay Thompson’s Dating History Sparks Serial Cheater Chatter appeared first on MadameNoire.

New man, who dis? That’s what Halle Bailey is saying after making things red carpet official with the man we once labeled her “mystery morsel,” who’s now been identified as producer Scott Bridgeway.

The songstress/actress attended the ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Los Angeles on April 30, looking like a beauty in black while celebrating her man’s big night.

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Another post circulating on X showed the couple side by side, with people noting how refreshingly low-key and genuinely happy Halle looks these days. And honestly? We see it too.

Now, for those who missed the origin story, allow us to catch you up. As BOSSIP previously reported, Halle was first spotted getting cozy with a mystery man on a yacht in Positano, Italy, last summer while filming her latest film, You, Me & Tuscany. 

In photos obtained by TheShadeRoom, Halle was seen living it up with a man with long locs, identified by fans as Scott Bridgeway, one of Kendrick Lamar’s producers. He was all smiles in every picture, sharing a smooch with the actress and happily lathering her up with sunscreen.

So who exactly is Scott Bridgeway?

The post DD-Who? Halle Bailey Debuts New Boo Music Producer Scott Bridgeway On ASCAP Awards Red Carpet appeared first on MadameNoire.

Welp, frequent flyers, travelers on a budget, airport fighters, future “no-fly” listers, and people who don’t mind paying for Dasani bottled water are going to have to find a new airline to frequent, because Spirit Airlines shut down after negotiations for a bailout by the Trump administration fell through.

According to the New York Times, high fuel prices, competition from larger airlines, the Covid-19 pandemic and an engine defect have caused the airline to go on life support, filing bankruptcy twice in less than a year, and announcing plans in March to emerge from the financial turmoil stronger than ever.

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Yeah — that doesn’t appear to be going too well.

From the Times:

In recent weeks, the airline had been negotiating a $500 million lifeline from the Trump administration. Some of the investors that Spirit owed money to opposed the terms of the bailout, under which the government could have ended up owning 90 percent of Spirit, because it would have left them in a worse financial position if the airline eventually failed. Some Republican lawmakers were also opposed to a government bailout of Spirit.

To be fair, the federal government suddenly owning 90% of Spirit under this ghetto-ass administration would be fitting.

According to the Washington Post, President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines. Sure, he wants funding for a bulletproof ballroom-slash-bunker in the White House, but we have to foot the bill for an airline that charges us to breathe the cabin air and may or may not provide an in-flight fist fight for pre-board entertainment.

By 3 a.m. On Saturday morning, Spirit had canceled all its flights and announced it would begin processing refunds for passengers who had purchased tickets directly through the airline. Those who purchased through travel agents were advised to contact the agent for the refund.

Spirit definitely earned a reputation for being the cage match in the sky (or at the airport).

1.

The post Where Will Folks Fight Now That Spirit Airlines Has Shut Down? 7 Of The Worst Brawls In The Not-So-Friendly Skies: Watch! [Op-Ed] appeared first on MadameNoire.

Lizzo’s “weight release” approach is a practical framework for body autonomy, built on functional health goals, deliberate language, and self-determined motivation. Since early 2024, she has documented her body-fat reduction through training, dietary shifts, and medical support defined entirely on her own terms.

Dove’s 2024 Real State of Beauty report found that almost nine in 10 women and girls have been exposed to harmful beauty content online, with one in three feeling pressure to alter their appearance based on what they see, even knowing it’s fake or AI-generated.

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Lizzo has navigated that pressure publicly for years. Her 2026 approach shows, with unusual clarity, how to reclaim the terms of your own health story and why that model extends well beyond the spotlight.

What Does “Weight Release” Actually Mean?

Lizzo’s weight release goal centers on how her body functions.

She tracks progress through energy levels, breath capacity, and physical endurance, not through a target dress size or a specific number on the scale. That kind of focus represents a fairly meaningful shift from how most people frame weight-related change.

She has spoken openly about working with medical professionals to address what experts call GLP-1 food noise. That’s the persistent mental pull toward cravings that can, seemingly, make healthy eating feel unsustainable over time. The result was a two-year process grounded in consistency and real behavioral change.

Saying you are “releasing” something frames the body as a site of personal choice, and that framing is more or less what separates this from a standard weight-loss narrative.

The post Lizzo’s Empowering ‘Weight Release’ Journey Is Redefining Body Autonomy For Black Women appeared first on MadameNoire.

At a time when some weaponize faith for political gain, Rev. Stephen A. Green offers a compelling vision of community, accountability, and radical love through the liberating gospel of Jesus. Serving as senior pastor of The Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral of New York, Rev. Green unpacked what it means to bring “the Bible and the newspaper together.” 

During our conversation, Rev. Green merged spiritual conviction with social action in ways that honor the Black church’s 200+ year legacy of resistance and resilience.

Rev. Green’s journey to the pulpit began as a child in Orlando, Fla., where his father served as a pastor before being elected a bishop in the A.M.E. Church. By the age of 17, Rev. Green accepted his call to preach—but that calling extended beyond Sunday sermons.

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“I felt God calling me not just to preach, but also to minister as an activist,” Rev. Green shared. “The calling has been larger than just the pulpit, but also to the public square.”

From Morehouse College to the University of Chicago Divinity School to serving as the NAACP’s National Youth Director, Rev. Green said his faith and activism were “part of the same source.”

The post Rev. Stephen Green Talks Faith, Justice, The Black Church’s Legacy, & The Liberating Gospel Of Jesus appeared first on MadameNoire.

On May 16, 2025, 10 incarcerated people escaped from a city jail in New Orleans, resulting in a multistate manhunt that didn’t end until October, when the last escapee was re-apprehended. On Wednesday, the sheriff and the chief financial officer overseeing the jail were indicted on crimes related to the escape, and they’re facing 30 and 20 criminal counts of misconduct in office, respectively.

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According to Fox 8 New Orleans, Sheriff Susan Hutson of Orleans Parish was indicted on 14 counts of malfeasance in office, four counts of conspiracy to commit malfeasance in office, three counts of filing or maintaining false public records, three counts of conspiracy to commit filing or maintaining false public records, three counts of obstruction of justice, and three counts of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.

Hutson’s term as sheriff was set to expire in the coming days. She reportedly received only 17% of the vote during her bid for reelection last October, losing out on what would have been her second term. In a farewell address to staff on Tuesday, Hutson declared that the notorious jail escape was “not going to define me.” She said the escape had “completely overshadowed the hard work” her office had done, including the provision of quality medical care and nutrition.

“Folks don’t get their medication on the street. They don’t eat on the street,” Hutson said. “We get people in here, and we give that care that you need to help people break the cycle of crime. And so I couldn’t get that out there because of that, but it’s not going to define me.”

Still, according to the New York Times, Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement that, “While Sheriff Hutson did not personally open the doors of the jail for the escapees, her refusal to comply with basic legal requirements and to take even minimal precautions in the discharge of her duties directly contributed to and enabled the escape.” 

From the Times:

The escape and its aftermath prompted a debate in New Orleans, including among officials overseeing the jail, about the facility, with accounts of faulty locks, a camera system plagued by problems and insufficient staffing. A jail maintenance worker was accused of turning off the water supply to the toilet so that inmates could pull it from the wall.

“We are operating with outdated surveillance, aging infrastructure, blind spots in supervision and critical staffing shortages,” Sheriff Hutson said at a City Council hearing not long after the escape. “These vulnerabilities have been raised repeatedly in our funding requests, and now, the consequences are undeniable.”

Bianka Brown, the jail’s chief financial officer, was also indicted on 20 counts related to criminal misconduct. Her bond was set at $200,000, while Hutson’s was set at $300,000. Both women were required to surrender their passports and are prohibited from leaving the state.

Meanwhile, Former interim New Orleans police Supt. Michelle Woodfork, who was elected to serve as the new sheriff with 53% of the vote, is set to be sworn in on Monday.

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The post New Orleans Sheriff Susan Hutson Hit With 30 Charges After Wild Jailbreak Left 10 Inmates On The Run appeared first on MadameNoire.

The 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards were held on April 29, and the red carpet gave us plenty to talk about. Some of our favorite it girls arrived serving major style—color, texture, and sexy silhouettes.

When it came to trends, a few notes kept showing up. We clocked fringe, warm neutral shades, skin-baring fashion, and bold choices that we loved.

Tyla, Teyana Taylor, Keke Palmer, and Mariah the Scientist gave some of our favorite looks of the night. Each stepped out with details we took note of—and yes, we’re already thinking about how to bring them into our own closets.

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Neutrals To Nude Looks: These Women Stunned At The 2026 Billboard Women In Music Awards

Let’s start with color.

Tan. Gold. Champagne. Warm brown. These shades took over the carpet, and on melanin? They looked right. Pulling out every undertone and glow.

Tyla gave us texture and movement in a feathered look that made a statement. Keke stepped out in a rhinestone fringe moment that hit every angle of the light. Teyana brought structure in Ashi Studio couture, pairing a sculpted corset with a flowing skirt. Mariah kept it tight and minimal in a gold mini with matching boots.

Different silhouettes. Same energy.

Tyla, Keke, Mariah, and Teyana also showed skin in different ways. The Billboard Women in Music red carpet was not about playing it safe.

Whether with a nude panel like Keke, strategic cutouts like Tyla, a deep cowl neck like Mariah, or an open corset look like Teyana, these didn’t hold back.

What does this mean for our closets? Wear the corset. Play with sculpted shapes. And lean into statement details like feathers, fringe, rhinestones, and tulle.

Gallery: Top Celebrity Looks From The 2026 Billboard Women In Music Awards

In addition to these leading ladies, more starlets turned heads and oozed style inspiration. We’re talking Coco Jones, Victoria Monét, Kehlani, Serena Page, and more. The annual awards are all about recognizing the influence of women in music, culture, and entertainment.

So it’s only right that we be inspired by their fashion, too. Swipe and see our full gallery of looks from the 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards.

The post Barely There & Doing the Most — Billboard Women In Music Awards 2026 Red Carpet Looks That Ate (And Left No Crumbs) appeared first on MadameNoire.

Maturing Black women can effortlessly look younger with sunscreen, gentle cleansing, and targeted treatments to show that 40 is the new 20. Be consistent with products that fit your skin at this phase of your life, so check for antioxidant-rich serums that promote firming or retinol to boost collagen. Targeting professional services from non-ablative lasers to microneedling can also address spots and prevent sagging.

According to AARP, women over 50 are spending $22 billion annually on beauty and grooming products. Clearly, looking good continues to matter as women age, but many survey respondents also cite feeling ignored by this industry as they age, especially when addressing menopausal skin concerns.

RELATED CONTENT: Why Skincare Still Fails Black Women — And How To Fix It

What Is an Essential Cleansing Skin Routine to Look Younger?

Start your younger beauty daily routine with gentle cleansing that protects your skin barrier and keeps its natural oils in place. Always read labels and avoid any cleanser that comes with sulfates; look for ones with hydrating elements from hyaluronic acid to jojoba oil. 

Get into the habit of washing your face twice a day. The morning part can be faster with a gentle cleanser. However, the evening may need two steps; first, remove make-up and sunscreen with a good oil-based cleanser, and follow it up with a foaming or a cream cleanser.

Your technique is also essential during the cleansing process as your skin layer becomes thinner with age.  Avoid being abrasive and gently massage any product into your skin with gentle upward motions for about a minute to get into your pores. 

The post Best Skin Care Routine For Women Over 40 Who Want To Look Younger appeared first on MadameNoire.

When caring for your skin, the key is consistent, gentle cleansing, extra hydration, and responsible time in the sun. Wash your face daily to remove dirt and other impurities. Advances in skin care have targeted treatments for darker skin needs, like hyperpigmentation and lasers that can avoid melanin.

According to Grand View Research, the skin care product market in the United States had a $35.6 billion worth in 2025, set to reach $62.8 billion by 2033. While moisturizers accounted for almost half of this market share, other aspects of skin health, such as cleansing and sun protection, are as important. 

RELATED CONTENT: Meet Vanessa Marc —The Fab Facialist Behind Justine Skye, Zendaya And Cardi B’s Flawless Skin

What Is a Black Woman-Friendly Skincare Routine?

Take care of your largest organ with gentle cleansing, hydration, and appropriate exfoliation. Don’t forget to be mindful of sun time.

Get It Clean

Proper cleansing avoids using anything with harsh sulfates, which can create an ashy appearance on Black skin. Focus on gentle cleansers that hydrate while maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

Stay Hydrated

Just like with coily hair, Melanated-rich skin can also lose moisture very quickly, so consider moisturizing in layers. The right serum can supply deep moisturizing and essential nutrients, so look for ingredients like:

• Hydraulic acid: Hydrates
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Reduces hyperpigmentation
• Vitamin C: Brightens
• Azelaic acid: Fades dark spots

Lock these serums in with emollient products like shea or cocoa butter. Using Vaseline at this layer can also prevent dryness and provide a layer of protection from the elements, especially in the wintertime. Beeswax-based balms also fortify the skin without creating clogged pores.

The post Caring For Your Skin — Tips For All Skin Types Revealed appeared first on MadameNoire.

Mother’s Day doesn’t need to be extravagant and over the top to be meaningful. In fact, it’s simple gestures that resonate most, ones that are rooted in attention, memory, and intention. When you take the time to make something feel specific to her, it stands out in a way no generic gift ever could. Here are 25 Mother’s Day gift ideas that go deeper and feel genuinely thoughtful. 

The post Skip The Flowers — 25 Mother’s Day Gifts That Feel Personal, Intentional And Real appeared first on MadameNoire.

A wise Housewife once said, “You can’t tell black is cheap.” And if there’s one thing Black folks know how to do, it’s fake it ’til you make it. On a new episode of her Humble Brag podcast, former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey opened up about how her ex-husband Peter Thomas‘ financial woes impacted how she dressed for reality TV cameras.

“It’s a very hard situation to be a Housewife. I think people don’t realize the pressure there is to keep up with the Joneses, to give a good show. People don’t want to watch broke people; they want to see wealth,” said her co-host, Crystal Minkoff, who appeared on three seasons of the Beverly Hills franchise. This prompted Bailey to share how she used to budget when she was on RHOA.

“Life happens, even if you are on a reality show,” said the 59-year-old former model. “If my financial situation changed for whatever reason, I would have to pivot, modify, and adjust.”

RELATED CONTENT: Where’s The Beef? Maury Pulls Up To ‘RHOA’ — Pinky Cole Gets Lie Detector Test Over Secret Meat-Eating Rumor

“When I was going through my struggles with Peter, you better believe I was recycling whatever little designer stuff I had going in. You better believe my butt was at TJ Maxx and Marshalls trying to put together [an outfit].”

“That season, I pretty much wore black the whole time because in my mind, you can’t tell black is cheap,” she candidly confessed.

Bailey made her debut on RHOA in 2010 and remained a peach-holder until exiting the show in 2021, and then returning as a “friend of” in recent seasons. The TV personality and Thomas were featured on the early seasons of the show. The now-exes married in 2011 in an extravagant and drama-filled ceremony that was featured on the show. Incidentally, on the podcast, she also touched on how their money problems affected their nuptials.

“My ex-ex [Thomas] and I, when we first started the show, we were having lots of financial issues,” said Bailey. “We did a bankruptcy thing. There was just a lot that I didn’t know and understand. You know, even to the point that, like, my wedding. Girl, we was, I couldn’t even finish paying the wedding planner. The money was gone!”

The post ‘I Couldn’t Finish Paying The Wedding Planner. The Money Was Gone!’ — Cynthia Bailey Spills On Financial Woes With Peter Thomas appeared first on MadameNoire.

After months of cold weather, it’s the first really nice day in NYC. The kind that brings out short shorts and flowy dresses and reunites your skin with a kiss from the sun. Inside a studio in Chelsea, that warmth carries through the room.

At first glance, it may seem like a typical cover shoot. It isn’t. The women at the center of it are usually the ones preparing others for the spotlight—shaping faces, building looks, and working just out of frame. Today, they’re the ones in front of the camera, a position each of them has had to grow into.

Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens, and Ashunta Sheriff all arrive with their own glam teams—though Danessa and Ashunta do their own makeup. “I know my face best,” Myricks says with a bright, easy confidence, Sheriff nodding in agreement. Across the room, Janell tracks the movement with a quiet focus as her hairstylist finishes pinning her curls into place.

On the table is a scattering of Danessa’s Universal Blurring Balms. The makeup artist assigned to my face already has a full-size in her kit—a quiet signal of her reach. I lean toward Ashunta to tell her how much I love her UV Vegan Mascara—“a must-have for festival season,” I say. She smiles. Her approach to beauty is expressive but grounded—high pigment, high impact, but always designed to work across real skin.

Later, I open Instagram and see Kim Kardashian styling her daughter, Chicago’s hair using Camille Rose’s Curl Love Moisture Milk and Curl Maker. Soft, defined curls are pulled into a half-up, half-down style. Kim mentions it’s one of her favorite parts of the morning before school. It’s a reminder that what Janell built at home for her own children now lives far beyond it.

The post Women To Know 2026 ‘Founding Mothers’ — Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens And Ashunta Sheriff On Building Brands And Navigating Motherhood appeared first on MadameNoire.

CAMILLE ROSE

Janell Stephens considers her grandmother the patron saint of her now multimillion-dollar company, Camille Rose Naturals. The CEO, who was born in Morgan City, Louisiana (a small, predominantly Catholic town about 80 miles East of New Orleans), said she was raised right next door to her “second mom.” Stephens describes her matriarch as a calm and laid-back nurturer who conjured up lotions and products from foraged herbs because “she couldn’t afford a lot.”

The plants and vegetables found in the fields and forests of the Bayou helped her grandmother, who was a mother of seven, nourish and cook for her entire family. Stephens credits her grandmother’s natural living to the health and longevity she enjoyed well into her 90s. “It really starts there,” Stephens said, “with what you’re putting inside your body.” That holistic spirit is a generational gift now blossoming through the Camille Rose core business ethos that encourages a beauty that emanates from inside. Stephens recalls sitting in the living room with her grandmother and admiring her smooth legs and glowing complexion. “I was like, ‘That is amazing. The only way you would know that my grandmother is 99 is because she started losing memory, but as far as her look and her complexion, you know, it was still there,” she said, “Barely any wrinkles.” Her grandmother’s roots and rituals carried with Stephens into her own kitchen alchemy when she started Camille Rose in 2011 in her own home. From the brand’s homegrown origins to the massive, full-scale, international operation it is today, Southern hospitality and care remain core pillars of the Camille Rose lifestyle brand.

When I caught up with the jet-setting mom of five over the phone in mid-April, Stephens was in Orlando – her third U.S. city stop in just one week. After back-to-back meetings with retailers in both Dallas and Ft. Lauderdale, Stephens landed at Ulta Beauty World 2026, a conference the brand has been a key part of since Camille Rose launched in Ulta Beauty stores in 2021. The sold-out, immersive event is a chance for brands to meet and interact with Ulta Beauty salespeople, managers, and customers, and the self-made master mixer told HelloBeautiful that she was hyped to let attendees know that she’s been “in the lab.” The brand’s new “Pink Coat” YouTube series (inspired by the CEOs girlie-pop pastel pink lab coat), invites viewers inside the Camille Rose research facilities to learn the science behind the line’s health-conscious formulas. “You can come into the laboratory with me and our head chemist and see how the process works,” she said. An herbalist by trade, Stephens said ingredients like flaxseed and marshmallow root are some of her favorite herbs to work with because of the slip and moisturizing penetration they provide to each hair follicle. Her scientific formulas, which smell good enough to eat, are more like home-cooked recipes — inspired by the southern roots that raised her. She said in the early days of her business, a repairman came into her home one day and saw her making these big, huge pots of product and assumed she was baking a cake because “my whole house would just smell good,” she said. 

As a CEO with a natural inclination toward nurturing others, Stephens said she carves out time in her hectic schedule to send that love and attention inward. “I give myself one hour a day to pour into my body and to make sure I’m physically fit, feeling good, and my energy is upbeat,” Stephens said. The hour spent moving her body, whether it’s through lifting heavy or sculpting through CTR Pilates classes, is an investment not only into herself, but also into the people she serves, like her team, her husband, or her kids, she said. Her self-care also includes juicing with natural ingredients like sea moss, and keeping her diet as clean and low sugar as possible, a practice that helped her children who once struggled with chronic eczema, she said. “I tried everything, everything on the shelf, but I do want to tell people who are struggling with it that it starts internally. You have to really make sure you’re label-reading everything. You have to take out a lot of the junk. You have to stay away from sugars,” she said.

As Camille Rose deepens its haircare offerings (Stephens tells us she is now a certified trichologist) and branches into the skincare, soap treatment bars, and collagen hair powder categories this year, the line’s 360 lifestyle and wellness approach is being built out to help customers make healthy, daily choices that impact gut, hair, and skin health. “We are tackling hair growth internally,” she said, and helping women “bear your beautiful” through education and research that explores how food, chemicals, and hormonal changes impact how we show up externally. “I think that we should take care of our core without needing anything, you know?” Stephens said. “So just bearing your beautiful on the outside is very important to me.”A legacy of beauty that shines as her ancestors’ (grandma’s) wildest dreams, indeed.

RETURN TO WOMEN TO KNOW: OUR FOUNDING MOTHERS

DANESSA MYRICKS

DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY

READ MORE

ASHUNTA SHERIFF

ASHUNTA SHERIFF BEAUTY

READ MORE

Inside the Work: Three Beauty Founders on Building Brands and Navigating Motherhood

A day on set with Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens, and Ashunta Sheriff reveals how they’re building brands rooted in community, discipline, and lived experience.

READ MORE

Meet the Women to Know from previous years

2023 2024 2025

The post JANELL STEPHENS appeared first on MadameNoire.

DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY

Danessa Myricks is the queen of making something from nothing. Like the miraculous, daily act of sun breaking through dawn, Myricks, too, wills her own world of light and beauty from a supernatural source — imagination. “I grew up really poor. We didn’t have the Barbies, the cars, and the things that everybody else had,” the Queens native told HelloBeautiful.

“Anything that we had, was essentially something that we made.” Myricks said her creative process has served her both professionally and personally as a survival tool and a gift. She recalls moments in her youth roaming the wide halls of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in her hometown of New York City (on selected, resident free days) and being captivated by colored origami crane art she saw on display. “Seeing people take a square and turn it into a giraffe, a dragon — I was just so fascinated by that. And the paper itself was so fascinating because there were so many bold colors and metallic finishes. Just a square piece of paper with a little color and texture can turn into something magical.” 

Myricks said this thread of creative, abstract beauty shows up in the design and product line deliverables of the Danessa Myricks Beauty (DMB) empire. The Yummy Skin Flushed Essential Kit, for example, provides pretty pink balm pigment in varied shades for both cheeks and lips — which is just as much about beauty as it is about economic sensitivity. Myricks said back in her early start-up days as an amateur make-up artist, she could only afford to buy a few items for her kit, so sometimes her eyeliner would be crushed into a shadow and a smudged lipstick would moonlight as a blush. “It’s like the same things that I’ve learned in my childhood: take what you have, what’s in front of you, dream up something special,” she said.

“Anything that we had, was essentially something that we made.” Myricks said her creative process has served her both professionally and personally as a survival tool and a gift. She recalls moments in her youth roaming the wide halls of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in her hometown of New York City (on selected, resident free days) and being captivated by colored origami crane art she saw on display. “Seeing people take a square and turn it into a giraffe, a dragon — I was just so fascinated by that. And the paper itself was so fascinating because there were so many bold colors and metallic finishes. Just a square piece of paper with a little color and texture can turn into something magical.” 

Myrick’s phone conversation with HB comes fresh off the heels of her European “innovation tour” that flew her and her DMB team to cities in both France and Italy. “We search the world looking for beautiful textures, new technology, and new ingredients,” she said. This practice of curiosity and exploration is how the brand stays on the cutting edge of what’s next in beauty, Myricks said. One beauty ingredient the TikTok science girlies have been eating up lately is upsalite, a derived mineral known for its ability to absorb oil and sweat without compromising moisture, and a staple in DMB’s Yummy Skin Blurring Balm. “It’s important to stay deep in the science,” Myricks said. “It’s important to stay close to the customer trends and to understand what they’re going to be looking for, future-forward.” She describes each Danessa Myricks Beauty product as its own special pot of “beauty gumbo,” which makes Myricks as much of a chemist as she is a boss.

DMB’s formulas and diverse product offerings are a generational prayer answered for Myricks, who said the beauty industry of yesteryears historically excluded shades for darker skin women, so her mom and grandma relied on the basics. “When it came to skincare, it was like, do you have a warm rag and water? That’s your skincare, and you may throw in a little Ponds’ cold cream.” she said. Her mom’s make-up go-to? A big powder puff pat and a bright red lip that was also used to flush her cheeks. Myricks said figuring out her own beauty rituals growing up wasn’t easy. The media didn’t feature Black girls that looked like her on screen, and she also suffered from cystic acne and rocked a drippy, greasy jerry curl. She said despite her insecurities, her mom encouraged her to just focus on what she could control. “You have the most beautiful brown eyes,” Myricks said her mom told her. “And she was like, ‘You know, the trick is, if you use blue eyeliner, then everyone’s just going to focus on your eyes because the blue is going to bring out the brown in your eyes, and nobody’s going to even notice anything else on your face.” Myrick’s mom’s advice encouraged her to see beauty everywhere, a meditation she is now passing on to her own two children. “I have a daughter who’s 25, and a son who’s 32, and I just think about how I want them to feel,” she said. “What I’m doing right now is not just building a makeup company, I’m telling the story of what I feel beauty is.” 

Myricks’ story is an inclusive one where each character feels “comfortable in their own skin” and where “people see the beauty in everything and everyone.” The CEO is clearly painting the world she wants to live in; Danessa Myricks Beauty is her business canvas, and the world right in front of her nose serves as muse.When asked what in nature inspires her the most, Myricks mentions the green of forests, the sound of running water, and sunrises and sunsets. But don’t ask her to pick a favorite spot on Earth to watch the day end or begin. Her answer is expansive: everywhere. “A sunset and a sunrise looks different wherever you are in the world. So I think it’s just beautiful watching that transition,” she said. “I live in New York, and I’ve been driving to work and seeing so many beautiful sunrises. I’m like, where am I?” Myricks is surely alive in a dream she manifested with her own heart and hands, and we get the pleasure of enjoying it with her.

RETURN TO WOMEN TO KNOW: OUR FOUNDING MOTHERS

JANELL STEPHENS

CAMILLE ROSE

READ MORE

ASHUNTA SHERIFF

ASHUNTA SHERIFF BEAUTY

READ MORE

Inside the Work: Three Beauty Founders on Building Brands and Navigating Motherhood

A day on set with Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens, and Ashunta Sheriff reveals how they’re building brands rooted in community, discipline, and lived experience.

READ MORE

Meet the Women to Know from previous years

2023 2024 2025

The post DANESSA MYRICKS appeared first on MadameNoire.

ASHUNTA SHERIFF BEAUTY

Ashunta Sheriff’s beauty empire feels like a New York City metropolis magically nestled in the thick brush of the deep south. The brand’s UV Glow collection was inspired by the neon graffiti Sheriff saw scribbled on Spanish Harlem apartment buildings on the corner of 110th and 5th Avenue where she grew up, and the dramatic, jet-black mascara is aptly titled “Fat & Juicy” as an ode to Sheriff’s thick Mississippi heritage.

The CEO and two-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist recalls a childhood spent strutting down the city streets with her mom, who was decked out in a summer top, short-shorts, and heels to go to the laundromat. Sheriff remembers watching the lurking eyes of the street follow close behind her. “She was a killer,” Sheriff said. “She’s up in age now, but she couldn’t walk this neighborhood without people harassing her.” 

Sheriff’s mom was in her late teens when she migrated up to the Bronx from the rural south in the ’60s. While Sheriff was very much raised as a city girl, she said she found her peace under the cool canopies of  Central Park. “I am a literal tree hugger,” Sheriff said. After her dad passed when she was just 8 years old, the self-described “latch-key kid” would walk home from school with a group of friends and cut through the park to 110th street (which they were advised not to do, due to the prevalence of crack use in that area in the ’80s). But she would risk it and enter the urban paradise with her crew, where she would sneak off and hug trees. “I knew I wasn’t strong enough to hold what I was experiencing,” she said. “What I learned about tree hugging is these are sentient beings; they don’t say anything, but they’re living, and they’re breathing, and they’re growing, still, continuously. When you’re hugging this tree, in your lowest moment, it’s feeling you, and it’s taking and drawing it out of you, like literally.”

Sheriff brings that sacred connection between woman and nature into her natural skin care non-toxic, vegan beauty brand. Ashunta Sheriff Beauty touts makeup that both looks good and is good for you, a conscious choice Sheriff made as a founder to protect Black and brown women from chemicals that disrupt our hormones. Sheriff credits the women in her life, (some who died in their 30s and 40s from cancers stemming from exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals found in makeup and household cleaners, like parabens and phthalates), as the spirit team championing her work. “They have been the inspiration to help really guide me with formulation,” she said, explaining that hair, makeup, and fragrance companies that target women of color often cut corners and use cheap, toxic chemicals in their products. “If I can change that, if I can create a product line that’s cleaner, that has better ingredients, that’s not harmful, that’s what I wanna do,” she said. 

Before Sheriff dawned her beauty CEO’s crown, she was working behind the scenes of Hollywood TV and movie sets as a makeup artist for the stars. Her work on Taraji P. Henson’s iconic character  “Cookie” on Empire racked up two Best Contemporary Makeup Emmy nods for Sheriff, who said the moodboard for Cookie’s evolving beat was gleaned from an amalgamation of famous Black women she admires and loves, like Oprah’s classic, ’90s TV bob/lob or Mary J. Blige’s colorful, hip-hop eyeshadow palette. “We had to have that Mary influence in [Cookie’s] makeup,” Sheriff said. “So you see those influences where she wore wigs that were super long, and then she’s coming with a cat wing liner and smoky eyes, and giving you that nude pouty lip with a chestnut liner.” The devil is certainly in the details when it comes to beauty for Sheriff — and that’s the art and heart of it all for the mom of four who keeps her own beauty regimen intentional and simple: coconut oil, for literally everything (makeup removal, body and feet moisturizer), intermittent fasting — a generational practice passed down by the cotton sharecroppers in her bloodline who were forced to fast due to their strenuous farming schedules (turns out, the practice is still a good regulatory one for Sheriff), and dancing to African or Jazz music with a glass of wine close by. But the boss admits she could be better with one key beauty regimen: sleep. 

Between calls to Dubai-based makeup stores at 4 a.m. and meetings with international manufacturers and VCs, Sheriff says “living the dream,” often means missing out on dreaming, but she’s working on it, allegedly. “My mom is laughing as she hears this because she’s probably like, ‘I’ve been with you all week, girl. Change where?’” she joked. But Sheriff said when health issues that could have become chronic started popping up, she was reminded to slow down. “I know the lack of sleep is definitely not favored and not good, but it is a part of the founder’s journey. It really is,” she said. “I just love what I do.”

RETURN TO WOMEN TO KNOW: OUR FOUNDING MOTHERS

JANELL STEPHENS

CAMILLE ROSE

READ MORE

DANESSA MYRICKS

DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY

READ MORE

Inside the Work: Three Beauty Founders on Building Brands and Navigating Motherhood

A day on set with Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens, and Ashunta Sheriff reveals how they’re building brands rooted in community, discipline, and lived experience.

READ MORE

Meet the Women to Know from previous years

2023 2024 2025

The post ASHUNTA SHERIFF appeared first on MadameNoire.

This year, Women to Know feels different. It feels deeper. More sacred. More… intentional.

For when we say Our Founding Mothers, we’re not just talking about women who built brands, we’re talking about women who built worlds. Women who are shaping culture in real time while raising the next generation inside of it. Black women beauty founders who are doing the audacious, exhausting, divine work of nurturing both business and family at the same time, often without applause, but always with intention. 

At MadameNoire, we’ve always celebrated Black women who move the needle. But this year, we leaned into something even more layered: the brilliance that exists at the intersection of beauty and motherhood. The truth is, being a founder is one full-time calling. Being a mother is another. Doing both? Well, that requires something divine.

And that’s exactly what we found in Danessa Myricks, Janell Stephens, and Ashunta Sheriff.

These women are not just building businesses. Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about lipstick and leave-ins. It’s about lineage. 

Ashunta told us bluntly, “Beauty to me is resilience.” And you feel that in every part of her journey from a little girl watching her mother fall in love with makeup, to becoming a powerhouse artist and founder with a vision rooted in culture and history. When she says, “Makeup was my ministry,” you understand that this work is bigger than products. It’s purpose. It’s making sure we never forget that Black women have, and always will be the blueprint.

Danessa’s story reminds us that becoming is a process and sometimes, the most powerful brands are born out of healing. “It is hard to love the beauty industry because it wasn’t loving me,” she shared. And yet, she stayed. She built. She transformed that pain into possibility. Today, her brand stands as a reflection of freedom, of self-acceptance, of what it looks like to finally show up fully. As she put it, “Beauty to me is absolute freedom… allowing the world to see every single part of you just as you are.”

And then there’s Janell—who started in her kitchen, as so many of us do, just trying to take care of her babies. “I wanted to solve a problem and a need for me and my family,” she said. What began as necessity became a movement. What began as motherhood became a multimillion-dollar brand rooted in wellness, intention, and love. But even in all her success, she reminds us to pause: “Stop and see what you really done. Pat yourself on the back.” A word, if we’ve ever heard one.

What connects these women, beyond their brilliance, is their clarity. They know why they started. They know who they’re doing it for. And they understand that legacy isn’t accidental, it’s built with intention, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in what’s possible.

These are the women who are teaching us that you can nurture a child and a company. That you can be soft and powerful. That you can rewrite the rules and then teach your daughters (and sons) how to do the same.

So as you move through this year’s Women to Know, I invite you to do more than just read. I want you to witness. To reflect. To see yourself in these stories.

Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or simply trying to honor the vision inside of you, remember that not only did you come from a founding mother, you have the beautiful ability to be a “Founding Mother” too.

So ask yourself, what will you birth into this world?

—Danica Daniel
Managing Editor, MadameNoire

The post Editor’s Note: Women To Know 2026 — Honoring The ‘Founding Mothers’ Building A Brand And A Legacy appeared first on MadameNoire.

The theme for this week is serve since that’s what many celebrities decided to do this week.

We got Michaela Coel, Larenz Tate, and Khadijah and Malika Haqq giving us face. Yung Miami, Dreezy, and Aijona Alexus flaunting body and even more bringing us fashion. We can’t skip the fact that, some of these Fine AF picks are in their 50s looking decades younger! We want to know what the secret is.

But for now here is Volume 24!

RELATED CONTENT: Fine AF Fridays, Vol 23: Birthdays Got The Baddies In Formation And De’Arra Taylor Brought Cake

1. Janet Jackson, 59

Ms. Jackson was looking fine and polished in her brown pants look. We’re loving this auburn colored hair on her too!

The post Fine AF Fridays — Larenz Tate, Janet Jackson, Kandi Buruss & More Stars Got Us Zooming In… And Staying There, Vol. 24 appeared first on MadameNoire.

The Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson breakup barely had time to go viral before Slim Thug pulled out his phone to do a livestream, sharing his two cents.

“I can’t deal with that. I’mma be in trouble. I like a regular life, I don’t want motherf***kers watching me everywhere I go,” said 45-year-old Big Slim.

And here’s the twist: after monthssssss of very publicly thirsting over the Houston Hottie, this man now wants everybody to know he is not interested in dating a woman of her stature. Sir, the internet has receipts, and we will be reviewing them today.

Let’s set the scene. Megan Thee Stallion publicly ended her relationship with NBA star Klay Thompson on Instagram, accusing him of cheating. It was later confirmed to TMZ that “trust, fidelity, and respect” were non-negotiables for her.

As soon as that post went live, the entire internet lost its mind, and Slim Thug was apparently no exception, except his reaction was a little different from everyone else’s.

RELATED CONTENT: This Isn’t A Mistake — It’s A Pattern: Klay Thompson And The Cost Of Playing In Megan Thee Stallion’s Face [Op-Ed]

Slim Thug Thinks Megan Thee Stallion Wants Him — The Internet Said, ‘It’s Giving Delulu’

During a recent livestream, Slim used the breakup moment to explain his thoughts on marriage and why he would never date Megan or someone of her stature. 

“I hate to see that. I’m not never rooting for that,” he said. “That’s why I can’t be in that situation because if you get in a situation like that, look what happens when it don’t work out. I won’t even be able to be myself, no, I know what that is. I can’t deal with that. I’mma be in trouble. I like a regular life, I don’t want motherf***kers watching me everywhere I go.”

He continued,

“I know who I am, I’m 45 at this point, and I don’t even trust myself in a lot of situations. The situations I don’t trust myself in, I don’t sign up for,” the Houston rapper said. “I’m good, but God bless everybody.”

Now that is a pivot we did not see coming from a man who, just last year, was on Instagram Live claiming Megan was sending him signals. 

Because let us not forget the history here. As VIBE, reported, Megan played his songs at Coachella and publicly shut down his advances on stage. 

The post The AUDACITY — Slim Thug Says He’d ‘Never’ Date Megan Thee Stallion Post-Klay Thompson Split (After Shooting His Shot On Repeat) appeared first on MadameNoire.

While The Devil Wears Prada sequel chatter has been heating up across timelines, Lady Gaga and Doechii just pushed things into overdrive. Their new track “Runway,” created for the upcoming film, has taken the buzz to another level—and that level is dripping in designer labels.

Literally.

The visuals are everything. Bright, high-gloss, and unapologetically fashion-first, the video pulls from the kind of looks you usually only see at Fashion Week, private previews, and invite-only presentations. Every frame feels expensive, theatrical, and just a little too much.

But what really hits is not just the over-the-top lineup of designer labels—it’s how the looks are delivered. Bold. In your face. Daring. A little c-nty. The kind of styling that makes you pause, rewind, and screenshot for later.

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The sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is literally everywhere — on our timelines, in our group chats, and everywhere in between. The multi-city red carpet premiere tour has people talking, with looks that are just as good as what we anticipate seeing in the movie. Big-screen icons like Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, along with stars like Ciara, are also creating buzz for the film.

The fashion girls are ready to head back into a world where fashion is power and perception is everything. The film officially hits theaters May 1, and if “Runway” is any indication, the wardrobe should carry just as much weight as the storyline itself.

The post Doechii In That Sheer Corset?! ‘Runway’ Has Lady Gaga & ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Girls Going Full Couture Chaos appeared first on MadameNoire.

The Full Flower Moon arrives on May 1, 2026, peaking at 1:23 p.m. ET (10:23 a.m. PT), and it’s not here to keep things light and breezy. This year’s Full Flower Moon in Scorpio is a potent, transformative micromoon, small in the sky, but anything but subtle in impact. Think of it as a cosmic spotlight shining straight into the corners you’ve been avoiding, illuminating hidden truths, deep emotions, and the kind of personal evolution you can’t ignore.

What is the Full Flower Moon and when in Scorpio, how will it impact us?

At its core, the Full Flower Moon in Scorpio is about intensity and honesty. Scorpio, a fixed water sign, doesn’t do surface-level anything; it digs, probes, and insists on the truth. If something has been simmering under the surface, unspoken feelings, complicated dynamics, or personal fears, this lunation may bring it to a boiling point. It’s not here to punish you; it’s here to reveal what’s real.

“This upcoming Full Moon in Scorpio carries a very instinctual, body-led energy,” says Mikaela MacLean, who is an Aesthetician, Human Design guide, and Energy Healer at LILFOX, told Vice in an interview published April 30. “From a Human Design perspective, it’s activating themes of intuition, pattern awareness, and even cellular memory.”

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The post The Full Flower Moon in Scorpio Is Here—And It’s Dragging Your Secrets Into The Light appeared first on MadameNoire.

Ray J is once again making headlines. This time it’s for an eye-popping claim about his personal life. During a recent appearance on Funky Friday podcast hosted by former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, the singer said he has slept with as many as 12,500 women over the course of his life.

The conversation began with Ray J recalling a milestone he says he celebrated years ago. According to him, reaching 10,000 partners was such a significant moment that he threw a party to mark the occasion.

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“We did a celebration, celebrated my 10,000th,” he said, adding that hundreds of women he had been involved with attended the event. He described it as a “massive parade,” with roughly 400 to 500 people showing up in support.

Newton pressed him for clarity, asking whether that number referred to different individuals. Ray J doubled down, insisting that the figure represented unique partners before later increasing his estimate to 12,500. The claim quickly raised eyebrows, prompting Newton to do some quick math during the interview. Based on Ray J’s age, he pointed out that such a number would require an average of more than one new partner per day for three decades.

Ray J responded by suggesting the numbers fluctuate depending on his lifestyle, particularly while touring. “The math is different,” he said. “When we’re on tour, we’re thinking five to 10 a day.”

Beyond his claims, Ray J’s romantic history has long been in the public eye. He was married for years to Princess Love, with whom he shares two children, though their relationship has been marked by multiple divorce filings, most recently in 2024. He also famously dated Kim Kardashian in the early 2000s and has spoken about a close bond with Whitney Houston.

The singer, known for hits like “Sexy Can I,” also sparked concern earlier this year after making troubling comments about his health, leaving fans worried about his well-being.

Of course, the good people on X had something to say about all of this. Here are TK reactions:

1.

The post ‘A Public Health Threat’ — Ray J Claims He’s Slept With 12,500 Women Sparking Uproar: 14 Scathing Reactions appeared first on MadameNoire.

Fans seem to think that Beyoncé is gearing up to drop her third album as part of her epic multi-year trilogy, but when will it hit the shelves? Only time will tell. But here’s what the streets are saying. After blessing us with the electrifying dance vibes of Act I: Renaissance and the Grammy-winning country flavor of Act II: Cowboy Carter, fans are buzzing that Act III could bring us a Beyoncé rock album. A rock album from Queen Bey? Count us in. 

Is The Queen Releasing A New Album Soon? Well, fans think Act III will drop this year.

While there’s no official release date just yet, some industry whispers and BeyHive theories are hinting that Act III could arrive sometime this year. Interestingly, rumors suggested that the project would drop as early as May 4, but a “reliable” source told TODAY hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones that it wouldn’t be coming out next month.

“It doesn’t mean it’s not coming. It’s coming,” Bush Hager clarified. “We’re better now. We’ve had some time to sit with this news. We hope you guys at home can sit with this news.”

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Jones added during the show, “I think it’s good though. Because that way, no one is disappointed. You know what I mean? Because she’s such a lovely human. I don’t think she wants anyone to wait around and then it doesn’t happen.”

The post From ‘Renaissance’ To Rock?! Beyoncé Fans Say Her Next Album ‘Act III’ Is Giving Prince Energy appeared first on MadameNoire.