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Thursday, April 30, 2020

2019 Finding Ashley Stewart Winner, Addlia Edwards, Uses Positivity & Resilience to Empower Her Community

Finding Ashley Stewart

The Finding Ashley Stewart finale on Sept. 14, 2019, was the day that changed Addlia Edwards’ life forever. As a loving mother and hairstylist from Rex, Georgia, Edwards had always dreamed of sharing her story to help others in her community and empower fellow women.

After being crowned as the 2019 brand ambassador for Ashley Stewart, Edwards has been doing just that — spending her year-long reign by giving back to the community and meeting young girls and women all around the nation (both in-person, and now virtually) to inspire them to follow their dreams, stay true to who they are, and strive for success just as she did.

From the life struggles that shaped her can-do attitude to receiving her crown, Edwards’ inspiring journey is representative of all that Ashley Stewart stands for — confidence, female empowerment, body positivity, and so much more. Black Enterprise connected with Edwards to discuss how her boundless resilience and positive mindset led her to win the crown at the Finding Ashley Stewart finale last September and what she plans to do next.

What prompted you to enter the 2019 Finding Ashley Stewart search?

Each year, Ashley Stewart, the leading inclusive lifestyle, fashion, and social commerce brand, hosts its annual nationwide Finding Ashley Stewart tour in search of the brand’s next ambassador—a woman who effortlessly embodies what Ashley Stewart stands for: kindness, resilience, confidence, leadership and, of course, fashion.

I’ve always supported the empowering movement, but never imagined that things would turn out as they did. After trying to get some of my other friends to enter, I joked with a friend and told her that I might enter. She said, ‘You really should.’ I told her, ‘There’s no way I would be chosen out of all those thousands of beautiful women.’ And she asked a great question, ‘What do you have to lose?’ I had absolutely nothing to lose! I had already lost it all! I had been praying for something new and exciting to happen in my life and I decided to take a leap of faith to see if this was the answer to my prayer.

How has your background influenced how you carried out your role as Ashley Stewart’s brand ambassador?

I’m no stranger to struggle and hardships. Throughout my life, I had no one to rely on other than myself. My strength and my self-confidence are what I fell back on time and time again to overcome my fair share of adversities, including homelessness and chronic illness. I am a fighter, but through it all, it has always been my passion to lift others up that continues to drive me to seize the next day ahead, and ultimately help and encourage others to fight and to embrace each and every day.

I think my positive outlook and effervescent personality always persevered and gave me the unwavering strength to keep moving forward. I am naturally hospitable. It was embedded in me to treat people kindly, the way I would want people to treat me, and to always be a positive influence no matter the circumstance.

How do you give back to your community? How has your platform helped you empower women across the country?

I’ve always been passionate about helping others and giving back to women who come from similar backgrounds. As a hairstylist, I provide hair services in women’s shelters and to underprivileged young girls.
I try to use the skills and life lessons I’ve learned through the years to spread positivity and confidence to fellow women and spread the message that they, too, can accomplish anything.

I speak to women in homeless shelters. I feed the homeless. I volunteer at my high school alma mater. I speak at different conferences and events, whether it be a mental health conference or women’s empowerment conference. I share my story with other single moms and future hairstylists!

As a part of my winnings, I get an allowance every month to shop at Ashley Stewart. I just recently started taking a portion of that allowance to randomly be a blessing to someone else. While in the Ashley Stewart Stonecrest location one day, there was a customer who was shopping for her birthday and another who had come in[to] the store for the very first time. I secretly took care of both of their purchases. It wasn’t what I did for them that was memorable, but it was their reaction that will forever stay with me.

I have big plans for the future and what I would like to accomplish as Ashley Stewart’s brand ambassador and beyond. I am working on a book and a women’s empowerment brunch. COVID-19 has made its entrance, but I will continue to be a light during this uncertain time. And I will continue to empower others, speak life into others, serve others, and do it fashionably while leaving a little sparkle wherever I go!



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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The Game releases animated tribute to Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles native The Game is mourning two of the city’s lost sons in a new animated video.

Born Jayceon Taylor, The Game openly mourned Nipsey Hussle with multiple posts on his Instagram when the rapper was gunned down last March. A year later, he posted how much he still misses his friend.

View this post on Instagram

Hu$$le man….. can’t believe it’s been one year since you departed from this krazy world. “Time flies” has an entire different meaning these days. I know you’re proud of what your life’s mission has accomplished in the past 12 months. You have truly touched the hearts of people all around the world. Your face is everywhere… your music is timeless & your words are heard loud & clear. There are newborns named “Ermias” & I can’t get on anything and not see someone quoting you. A true KING to his people with a heart of gold. A pure soul who knew exactly what the world needed for motivation. My only wish is that you could’ve been here to see it all unfold yourself. Here for times like now when people need to be uplifted the most. The ultimate sacrifice: surrendering your life to God so that others would learn that there is much more to life than to care only for ones self. The world is about to hard reset & I’d like to think that you were one of the reasons for what’s to come in the future. A world where we have to think before we act. Care for those around us. Remember the importance of the everyday essentials, clean food, water, herbs & taking care of the most important thing on earth…. HUMANITY. Being forced to stay inside & with those closest to you is not a bad thing in my eyes. Yes, the pandemic is claiming lives & my loves goes out to the families of those lost…. But, I see this as a peaceful time that we will never see again in our lifetime. A time to reflect, empower, strategize & focus on how to make a true impact to what will soon be the new world. Things will never be the same after this & it is on all of us to adapt efficiently & contribute positively for all of us so that we can live in a world as ONE. The earth as we know it is sick… We are all home waiting for what’s next. While we’re waiting, let’s not add to the problem but prepare to be apart of the solution. We all need US. Especially now…. my love is with every single person on this earth during these times. This is the mark of a NEW BEGINNING. I’m ready enough for all of us. #TheMarathonContinues #LongLiveNipseyHussle 🏁 [@madsteez thank you for this piece, can’t wait to hang it]

A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential) on

“Time flies” has an entire different meaning these days. I know you’re proud of what your life’s mission has accomplished in the past 12 months. You have truly touched the hearts of people all around the world. Your face is everywhere… your music is timeless & your words are heard loud & clear,’” he posted in tribute to Hussle.

“There are newborns named “Ermias” & I can’t get on anything and not see someone quoting you. A true KING to his people with a heart of gold.”

The rapper also made mention of the COVID-19 global pandemic. He said it was a time to come together in spite of all the death and circumstances.

“Yes, the pandemic is claiming lives & my loves goes out to the families of those lost…. But, I see this as a peaceful time that we will never see again in our lifetime. A time to reflect, empower, strategize & focus on how to make a true impact to what will soon be the new world,” he wrote.

“Things will never be the same after this & it is on all of us to adapt efficiently & contribute positively for all of us so that we can live in a world as ONE. The earth as we know it is sick… We are all home waiting for what’s next. While we’re waiting, let’s not add to the problem but prepare to be apart of the solution. We all need US.”

Kobe and Gianna Bryant theGrio.com
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Western Conference warms up with daughter Gianna Bryant during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

This January brought another tragic blow to the city of Los Angeles when former Lakers star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash with 8 others including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The song that inspired the video is “Welcome Home” is from The Game’s 2019 Born 2 Rap album, which Game has said will be his last. Hussle has a posthumous guest feature on the track.

Stefano Bertelli directed the video featuring the animated likenesses of The Game, Hussle, and Bryant.

Watch below: (NSFW, explicit lyrics)

 

Hussle, who had just released his debut major-label album Victory Lap, was gunned down in front of his Marathon Clothing store on March 31, 2019. He won a posthumous Grammy for the song “Higher” with DJ Khaled and John Legend this year.

The Game was on the Born 2 Rap tour overseas before it was called off by the coronavirus epidemic.

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s new podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!

 

The post The Game releases animated tribute to Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant appeared first on TheGrio.



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The Minna Limon Vibrator Is Small and Quiet (And Fun for Couples)

Minna Limon | $79 | Minna | Promo code “INVENTORY

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Kelly Rowland opens up about being viewed as ‘second-best’ to Beyoncé

As one-third of one of the most homaged girl groups — Destiny’s ChildKelly Rowland appeared on Red Bull Music Studios Sessions as she gave fans an exclusive look into the creative process behind her latest project, ‘The Kelly Rowland Edition.’ 

Destiny's Child
Singers Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Beyonce Knowles pose with their manager Matthew Knowles at the “Beyonce: Beyond the Red Carpet auction presented by Beyonce and her mother Tina Knowles along with the House of Dereon to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation June 23, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

The session showed Kelly working with talented songwriters and producers, such as pineappleCiti, Alex Saad, P. Wright, Jordan Douglas, TWhy Xclusive, Lord Quest, and Fabian Mazur at Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles.

Read more: Kelly Rowland speaks on hair discrimination and finding her own beauty

As an impartial conversation developed, Kelly opened up about her perceived “second best” position while a member of Destiny’s Child with Beyoncé and Michelle Williams.

“The elephant in the room for me has always been second best,” Rowland shared with the collective group. “That’s actually the first time I said it out loud.”

As Beyoncé was the breakout star from the group, it can be assumed that she is the “shadow” that Rowland always felt that she walked in, according to MadameNoire.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 21: Singers Kelly Rowland and Beyonce Knowles attend Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions And Canelo Promotions Present Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez At The Mandalay Bay Events Center Live On HBO Pay-Per-View at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 21, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation Sports)

This isn’t the first time that the “Motivation” singer expressed her innermost feelings about being a member of the group. In 2013, Rowland released a controversial single, “Dirty Laundry,” addressing this issue.

While my sister was on stage, killing it like a motherfucker/I was enraged, feeling it like a motherfucker/Bird in a cage, you would never know what I was dealing with/Went our separate ways, but I was happy she was killing it/Bittersweet, she was up, I was down/No lie, I feel good for her, but what do I do now?/Forget the records, off the record, I was going through some bullshit/Post Survivor, she on fire, who wanna hear my bullshit?

In the same year, rapper 2 Chainz ruffled some feathers as he used Rowland as a punchline on DJ Khaled’s 2013 song “You Don’t Want These Problems.”

We the best / Khaled tried to told yah /Truuu/ You just second best /Kelly Rowland [haha I’m just playin’ babe]

Read more: Kelly Rowland is not here for your Beyoncé Lemonade questions

The “good vibes” felt amongst the collective groups during the creative sessions are what enabled Rowland to open up and speak on her disposition. “I think what kind of took me back was how comfortable I felt in the room to be so transparent,” Rowland shared with MadameNoire. “It’s got to feel right, and everybody feels like that in here.”

Rowland mentioned that despite being seen as the second-best to her best friend, and it causing her to check out of their friendship for a short while, their sisterhood has only grown stronger because of the support and love they have for each other.

“I think the people wanted those stories for years, and that’s just so sad on them because it’s not like that,” Rowland said. “It’s so crazy, and I just think it’s so sad that we live in a world where people don’t want to see women get along, and encourage and empower each other, and that’s what we do for each other.”

Check out Rowland’s brief thoughts at the 2:00 mark above.

The post Kelly Rowland opens up about being viewed as ‘second-best’ to Beyoncé appeared first on TheGrio.



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Beyoncé crowned ‘Queen of Rap’ after dropping bars on ‘Savage’ remix

Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion nearly broke the internet on Wednesday after the surprise release of their collaboration on the remix to Stallion’s hit song “Savage.”

As if the rap song — which is a smash thanks to its accompanying #SavageChallenge on social media — couldn’t get any more streaming spins, Queen Bey’s royal touch gave the record new life and quickly became the number one trending topic on Twitter.

READ MORE: Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD foundation giving $6M to COVID-19 relief efforts

Beyoncé dropped notable bars on the record like, “If you don’t jump to put jeans on, baby, you don’t feel my pain” and “Hips tik tok when I dance.”

Her delivery on the “Savage (Remix)” was so impressive that it led to countless memes and hilarious takes from music listeners — including some who crowned her the “Queen of rap.”

“Imagine being Jay-Z and realizing you’re the second best rapper in your household,” tweeted “All Boys Aren’t Blue” author George M. Johnson. “Beyonce a Savage.”

Michael Arceneaux, author of “I Don’t Want to Die Poor,” put it more plainly: “Beyoncé, Queen of Rap.”

Calls for people to put some respect on Beyoncé’s rap skills continued to pour through on timelines. “Beyoncé IS a rapper. Debate ya mama,” tweeted @talented_TIMMY

READ MORE: Beyoncé makes surprise appearance on Disney singalong: ‘Don’t give up’

Twitter user @AcesOnSpades wrote, “Beyoncé destroyed my edges in verse 1 and I was typing up a dissertation about how y’all sleep on her as a rapper not knowing she was going to go ahead and outrap herself in a final verse.”

This isn’t the first time fans have lost their minds over how good of of rap-singer Beyoncé is. The superstar has dropped bars on several songs including “Apesh*t” with husband Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj‘s “Feeling Myself,” and probably the earliest trace of Beyoncé rapping on her 2008 hit “Diva.”

Rumors of Beyoncé and Megan — who are both Houston natives — teaming up for the remix have been swirling for about a week. But like every project involving the 24-time Grammy winner, all parties involved remained mum.

“I’m literally crying,” Megan wrote on Instagram after the song’s release. “Being from HOUSTON MF TEXAS this shit means EVERYTHING to me !!!! SAVAGE REMIX FT THE QUEEN @BEYONCE OUT NOW!”

What’s more, the ladies will be giving proceeds of the song to Bread of Life, a disaster relief organization, to support Houston during the coronavirus pandemic.

Now that’s savage.

The post Beyoncé crowned ‘Queen of Rap’ after dropping bars on ‘Savage’ remix appeared first on TheGrio.



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