Keke Palmer Is the New Face of Olay

Multifaceted performer Keke Palmer has been named official spokesperson for the new Olay Body skincare line, according to Essence.

She had previously partnered with Olay Body last year for its New York Fashion Week campaign. She walked in her first runway show at the event. Palmer has signed on to be a spokesperson for a new skincare-inspired collection of body care products packed with ingredients such as collagen, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.

Palmer says in an Instagram video, “I used to watch these kinds of commercials on television when I was a little girl and very rarely, if ever, did I see a girl in them that looked like me. I always thought there was a special kind of beauty, or hair texture or complexion that you had to have to be considered for an actual beauty ad. Not to be melodramatic or whatever, but REPRESENTATION MATTERS. It truly does!!” 

 

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I used to watch these kinds of commercials on television when I was a little girl and very rarely, if ever, did I see a girl in them that looked like me. I always thought there was a special kind of beauty, or hair texture or complexion that you had to have to be considered for an actual beauty ad. Not to be mellow dramatic or whatever, but REPRESENTATION MATTERS. It truly does!!! I am just an American black girl, both my parents are extremely normal, I’m from a small and what would be considered “a nothing town”. Till this day, my best accomplishment will always be showing all the girls like me that there is NOTHING THEY CAN’T DO. NOTHING THAT CAN’T BE. NOTHING THEY CAN’T ACHIEVE!!! Whatever I have done, you can double. If you come from nothing and think there is something you’re missing, I’m here to tell you you’re not. The only thing you ever could be missing, is the belief that what God has for you IS ALREADY YOURS! Take it. Love you #OmgImInABeautyCampaign #OLAYBODY

A post shared by BIG BOSS (@keke) on Feb 4, 2020 at 12:30pm PST

“This year-long partnership with Olay Body means so much to me because for a long time, women like me weren’t represented in the beauty industry, and representation is so important,” Palmer told ESSENCE. “We are beautiful, confident and fearless—all the things that Olay Body represents.”

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Light One Up for Progress: Boston Opens Its First Recreational Cannabis Shop and Its Black Owned

As more and more states legalize the recreational use of marijuana, there exists a bit of conflict within the black community. On one had, it’s good to know that partaking of the sticky-icky will no longer result in us being locked up and trapped in the probation racket. On the other hand, knowing how many black…

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Save Your Toes From Rogue Shampoo Bottles With This $16 Dispenser

Better Living Duo Shower Liquid Dispenser | $16 | Amazon

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Cynthia Erivo transforms into Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s upcoming film ‘Genius’

Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo embodies late singer Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s Genius TV anthology series, and we have your first look at her transformation!

In a teaser trailer released on Friday, Erivo, 33, as the Queen of Soul, is heard saying, “You want to take it from the top,” as a myriad of dramatic moments from Franklin’s life flashes across the screen.

“What kind of music to do you really want to make, Miss Franklin?” asks a voice off-screen, with Franklin replying, “I want to make hits, Mr. Wexler.”

Read More: Aretha Franklin’s niece steps down as executor of estate to ‘calm the rift’ in the family

The eight-part Genius: Aretha series will premiere over four consecutive nights, beginning Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, and will explore Franklin’s artistry and musical career.

The series also stars Courtney B. Vance as civil rights activist C.L. Franklin, Malcolm Barrett portrays Franklin’s first husband Ted White, Patrice Covington is Erma Franklin, Kimberly Hébert Gregory plays talent agent Ruth Bowen, Rebecca Naomi Jones is Carolyn Franklin and Sanai Victoria stars as Little Re, per PEOPLE.

Erivo previously spoke about taking on the Franklin role amid a wave a criticism over a non-Black American playing an icon of culture. The Nigerian-born actress was reportedly raised in the U.K., and many foundational Black Americans have objected to her casting.

Read More: Cynthia Erivo tells BAFTA that ‘it’s time to change’ after announcement of all-white nominees in each major category

In a statement last December, the Harriet star said, “Over the last few months, I’ve been preparing myself to embody the Queen of Soul, from relistening to her music to discovering her rare interviews and reading some amazing books on her — all to really capture Aretha’s attitude and spirit.”

She added, “I’m truly humbled to be working alongside a very talented and musical team. Together, we’ll serve the Queen and create something special.”

In an interview with NME in November, Erivo said Franklin is “part of the tapestry of the voice I have.”

“The music I’ve learned and the performances I’ve done, she inspired a lot of it. She’s one of my heroes and I hope I can do justice to her achievements,” she added.

Genius: Aretha will premiere on May 25, 2020 at 9/8c on National Geographic.

Franklin died from advanced pancreatic cancer on Aug. 16, 2018, at age 76.

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GM African American employee Network celebrates 14 years with Black History Month Awards

In celebration of Black History month, General Motors’ African American network (GMAAN) hosted its 14th annual awards dinner in downtown Detroit honoring men and women who are making a difference in the lives of Detroiters and African Americans across the nation.

The theme of this year’s event was “Driven By Culture, Defined By Innovation,” which recognized African Americans’ love of culture and innovation, highlighted the historical achievements of African Americans in science, technology, and design, while also shining a spotlight on current innovators.

Read More: Penn students protest barring of dining hall from commemorating Black History Month

The keynote speaker and recipient of the Trailblazer award was American inventor, Lonnie Johnson, Founder & CEO Johnson Research and Development. Johnson holds more than 120 patents and is known as the inventor of the Super Soaker water gun, which has been among the world’s bestselling toys every year since its release.

In his speech, Johnson recalls being very innovative and curious as a child, some of this curiosity coming at the expense of his family’s possessions. “I almost burned down his own house while making rocket fuel because I wanted to build a rocket. I was obsessed with it,” says Johnson. “At the time, I was the only black student in the school science fair at a time when African Americans did not have much presence in science. I created a robot and named “Linex”, which was a compressed-air powered robot and took home first prize. It was the beginning of my career in being an inventor.” Johnson then went on to attend college at Tuskegee University on a math scholarship. When he finished, he earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering at Tuskegee University. 

Read More: Joe Biden kicks off new HBCU voter initiative

In speaking of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, GM’s Chevrolet team sponsors the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship which is headed into its fifth year. The fellowship awards six students attending HBCU’s a $10,000 scholarship, a $5,000 stipend and an opportunity to intern at African American-owned community newspapers. HBCU students have received nearly a half-million dollars in scholarships and stipends since the program’s inception in 2016. 

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