When the history of women's suffrage and civil rights is told, the spotlight often shines on a handful of familiar names. Yet long before the modern Civil Rights Movement and decades before women secured the right to vote, Black women were laying the foundation for social justice, racial equality, and political empowerment. Among the most influential were Mary Church Terrell, Anna Julia Cooper, and Ida Gibbs Hunt.

I was told to straighten my sway to quiet the pull in my belly to hide the red river as if it were something to be ashamed of but I have watched the moon, yes, I have watched her how she leans full and glowing round with her own knowing then slips away unapologetic into her dark and not once not once does she beg the sky for permission and the waters oh, the waters still answer her call so I stood still long enough to hear myself and my body said, hush now listen close you a

College is more than lectures, football games, and late-night memories—it's one of the greatest opportunities you'll ever have to position yourself for the life you want. From building a dorm business and protecting your peace to networking with professors and taking advantage of free campus resources, these 13 lessons go beyond surviving college. They offer practical wisdom to help you graduate with more than a degree—and remind you that while college may be some of the best

I wasn't passed down riches, no gold, no silver spoon I was given something softer, A quiet knowing How to walk without slamming doors, How to leave with grace Understanding that peace moves smoother than pride How to stand alone without feeling lonely To learn wisdom from heart break and to choose softness even when the world is tough, To always protect yourself and love who you are... Now remembering her voice, When I speak upon self ... About the Writer Ena-Alese is

My hope is that through Love & Legacy, we can explore marriage as more than a status, more than a piece of paper, and more than a wedding day—it’s a conscious, creative space where love, growth, and heritage meet. Together, we’ll honor the Motherland wisdom that guides us, while embracing the very human, very real moments of partnership, intimacy, and legacy-building in our modern lives.

Lift your eyes toward the sky and smile. Exhale. Tell yourself: I am worthy. I am holy. A being of light made whole.

Her origin is not marked by geography, but by a woman. Through quiet strength, sacrifice, and unwavering love, a mother becomes the first home—shaping identity long before the world defines it. In her presence, womanhood is learned as resilience, patience, and power, leaving a legacy that lives on in every step, every choice, and every becoming.

Detail on some of the most popular herbal remedies and treatments used by Black women throughout history, including now

Black women rise, and the ground rises with us, remembering every step, every joy, every wound we carry.

What many reduce to pleasure alone is also the sacred source of life, power, and womanhood.

Community gardens, cooperative farms, and culturally grounded agricultural education are restoring more than soil—they are restoring legacy. By reclaiming ancestral wisdom, communities are strengthening health, resilience, and autonomy.

During Essence Festival Weekend, the 3rd Annual Big Easy Retreat returns to New Orleans with a renewed focus on healing, sisterhood, and purpose. Led by Dr. Toscha L. Dickerson and Kaleigh Dickerson, the experience centers “The Power of Restoration,” offering wellness sessions, honest conversations on mental health and grief, and spaces for both women and teen girls to reconnect, grow, and rise in wholeness.

LJ Walker transforms real-life trials into powerful storytelling, reclaiming her voice after setbacks in publishing. From early influences shaped by hardship and resilience to building a thriving network for Black authors, her journey reflects growth, ownership, and creative freedom. Today, she writes with intention—uplifting community, honoring truth, and creating space for authentic Black stories to be seen and heard.

Jackie looked me in the eyes. “You’re going to write a book. Don’t forget me, now!” Her certainty lives on in women like Cyntoia and Alice — whose survival speaks louder than any sentence. Cyntoia emerged not hardened, but purposeful. Alice walked free with forgiveness, not bitterness. Jackie, still behind bars, carried something just as powerful: hope that refused to die. Sometimes the last don’t rise loudly. They rise changed, stronger. And in their rising, history catche

At the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum, Congresswoman Alma Adams and maternal health advocate Danette McLaurin Glass call for urgent reforms to address one of America’s most preventable public health crises.

When a mother becomes her daughter’s competition, the wound doesn’t always scream — sometimes it whispers. It looks like canceled plans when a man calls. It sounds like, “You’re too sensitive.” It feels like warmth one week and withdrawal the next. In this week’s Ask The Aunties, a 16-year-old girl questions whether she’s wrong for feeling unsafe in a home where love seems conditional. The Aunties respond with honesty, wisdom, and one powerful reminder: recognizing instabilit

A love letter to the importance of sisterhood love, often overshadowed by the culture of comparison and exhaustion.

This poem chronicles a profound internal shift: from shielding oneself for mere "survival" to embracing authentic, self-designed happiness. The simple act of her smile transforms from a source of discomfort into a declaration of the inherent power she always possessed. It serves as a potent reminder that true strength lies not in enduring, but in choosing to fully live and breathe, starting with self-acceptance and love. The smile is the first, essential step toward a reawake

February often celebrates romantic love, but self-love is the soil that romance grows from. This affirmation acknowledges that growth may stretch us, disrupt comfort, and require release — yet none of that diminishes peace. It refines it. When we choose ourselves with intention, we become better partners, better friends, and better stewards of love.

He traveled two and a half hours to take me on our first date. I was having a terrible hair day and felt anxious, unsure of what to expect. Yet somehow, in his presence, there was calm. An innocence. No pressure. No expectations. Just two people with genuine hearts, desiring to be seen.