Jekalyn Carr believes in well-rounded self-care, which includes caring for and enhancing our God-given beauty. With that belief in mind, the inspirational powerhouse will release JEKALYN BEAUTY SKINCARE this Friday, February 18, followed by the release of JEKALYN BEAUTY HAIRCARE by the end of the month. Products can be purchased at www.JEKALYNBEAUTY.com

Featuring natural ingredients that Carr uses herself, JEKALYN BEAUTY’s haircare and skincare lines are for women who want a streamlined system of effective products to meet their beauty needs.

“JEKALYN BEAUTY is a lifelong dream of mine,” says Carr. “We started out with fragrances, and are now releasing haircare and skincare products that complement each other and make it simple to take care of our God-given features.”

Taking deeper care of her own hair and skin was Carr’s personal “pandemic project.” She used the time away from constant travel to work on her own natural beauty – something that she was influenced to do since she was a little girl. “I grew up watching my mother and grandmother fixing themselves up before they left the house, and I became that same kind of woman.

I always want to present my best self to the world when I walk out the door. Beauty begins with healthy skin and hair. During the pandemic, I discovered some products and rituals that helped me achieve glowing skin and healthier natural hair. Those recipes and discoveries are the foundation for the JEKALYN BEAUTY Hair and Skincare lines.”

JEKALYN BEAUTY HAIR CARE features four complementary products focused on moisture and conditioning to stimulate healthy growth. In addition to shampoo and conditioner, the line includes a growth serum as well as an edge control that keeps styles in place throughout the day.  

“I sweat a lot when I am on stage. I need a product that can withstand heat and moisture,” says Carr. “This edge control is for people like me who are active, may sweat a lot and need their edges to stay put! I really love this product. It is effective while being gentle and healthy on the hair.” The growth serum features eucalyptus, grape seed oil and other ingredients that Carr uses to help her natural hair achieve healthy length and thickness.

JEKALYN BEAUTY SKIN CARE features five products that have an emphasis on clearing and brightening the skin. Key ingredients include turmeric, chamomile and Vitamin C – all which fight the effects of aging, clear the skin of acne and dark spots and help the skin maintain a healthy glow.  After researching the best natural ingredients for skincare, and experimenting on her own before developing, Carr used these products for four months before approving them for market. “I would never sell anything that I wouldn’t use myself,” she says.

Independently marketed and distributed, JEKALYN BEAUTY was developed with chemists who Carr worked with to perfect the formulas that she had found were effective.  

About JEKALYN BEAUTY: JEKALYN BEAUTY is the lifestyle and beauty brand created by inspirational artist and entrepreneur Jekalyn Carr. Established in 2021, its first two products were his and her fragrances that sold out within 24 hours. 

About Jekalyn Carr: Jekalyn Carr began singing and ministering professionally when she was only 15 years old. Less than a decade later, she is one of the top-selling independent recording artists in Gospel music, with nine Billboard No.1’s – including five No.1 radio singles, two No.1 albums and two No.1 digital singles. In her career, she has had seven Top-10 songs, four GRAMMY® Award nominations, two Billboard Music Award nominations, over 75 million lifetime global streams, and on YouTube, she has surpassed a total of 95 million views.

Carr is the recipient of five Stellar Gospel Music Awards and two Dove Awards. In 2021 she was inducted into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame. She was named one of EBONY Magazine’s ‘Power 100’ as one of the Most Influential People in the World and ranked No. 23 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Artist of the 2010s according to the All Decade-end Charts. Carr is also a speaker, author, entrepreneur and radio show host.

Caress Dreams to Reality Fund Applications Are Now Live and Seeking To Provide Diverse Founders With the Education and Resources Needed To Take Their Dreams to the Next Level

As the founding partner of IFundWomen of Color, Caress invested $1,000,000 over the past two years to fund, support, and elevate women of color entrepreneurs and small business owners, giving them access to the education, tools, resources, and funding they need to take their dreams to the next level. Women aren’t stopping on their paths to turning their dreams to reality, and Caress isn’t stopping their support either. This year, Caress has recommitted an additional $750,000 to IFundWomen of Color with the 2022 Dreams to Reality Fund.

Caress knows there is even more work to be done to support these diverse women entrepreneurs in 2022, knowing the funding gap for women of color founders and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic and racial injustice on diverse small business owners. We’ve also seen millions of American women exit the workforce during the Great Resignation due to pandemic-induced constraints like lack of appropriate childcare and inflexible working conditions. The decline in female employment across the country, dubbed the She-cession, has encouraged many women, especially women of color, to take their entrepreneurial aspirations to the next level. However, according to research from Caress and IFundWomen of Color, a majority 76 percent of women of color small business owners say they need more fundraising guidance overall, and struggle to think of ways to raise and leverage capital for their businesses.

As part of their renewed commitment, the 2022 Caress Dreams to Reality Fund will bring 60 founders through crowdfunding accelerator programs culminating in a $5,000 grant for each business, opportunities to pitch, plus the coaching and creative services needed to execute successful fundraising campaigns. Applications for the first cohort, which will support 30 diverse founders, are open now through March 4, 2022.

Additionally, as presenting sponsor, Caress will fund honorees of IFundWomen of Color’s annual Women’s History Month Pitch Competition, where the grand prize winner and first runner up will receive $20,000 and $10,000 business grants, respectively, along with annual coaching memberships. Two additional runner ups will also receive annual coaching memberships to provide them with education and access to resources from the IFundWomen of Color platform to expand their business acumen.

Research from Caress and IFundWomen of Color also shows that self-care is seen as the key to maintaining the strong mind and body needed to run a business, with 95 percent of those surveyed agreeing that they feel more empowered when they take time to care for themselves, and one-in-three entrepreneurs say they find creativity in the shower. “Caress believes that sensorial experiences spark creativity. This is what inspires our belief that no good idea should ever go down the drain. We’re proud of our ongoing support and funding of women of color entrepreneurs, and together with IFundWomen of Color, we’re committed to fighting systems of inequity to ensure these diverse entrepreneurs have a strong foundation to turn their dreams to reality, and are set up for long-term success,” said Karen Laker, Marketing Director of Elida Beauty.

Women, especially women of color are more likely to launch new ventures and pursue their passion projects. Of the 1,800 new businesses started by women in this country every single day, 89% are founded by a woman of color. Unfortunately, less than 1% of women of color receive venture funding for new ventures, and over 70% of female founders cite lack of access to capital as the number one barrier to starting a business.

“It’s no secret that these past couple of years have been challenging, especially for diverse female founders. Many women have exited the traditional workforce, and the She-cession – exacerbated by the strains of the pandemic – has encouraged women, especially women of color, to pivot and embark on their own entrepreneurial journey. Since launching IFundWomen of Color in January 2020, our founding partner Caress has supported women of color small business owners to pursue their dreams with confidence by providing the necessary capital to pay off business debt, develop new products, market to new customers, and more,” said Olivia Owens, Creator and General Manager of IFundWomen of Color, the leading platform for diverse entrepreneurs to raise capital.

For more information on the Caress and IFundWomen of Color partnership, and to apply for the Caress Dream to Reality Fund, please visit ifundwomen.com/woc. 

Meet the Black and Latinx Company, EquityCoin, Using Blockchain to House Homeless Families

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Founded as a public benefit corporation, EquityCoin, Inc. created the first digital token on the blockchain backed by affordable housing. The company provides apartments for those in danger of becoming homeless while helping community-members build generational wealth through fractional real estate ownership. 

According to EquityCoin founder and CEO Vernon J., “on any given night in America, there are over 500,000 people sleeping on the streets even though studies show that increasing access to permanent housing has the potential to reduce homelessness by 50%. This is the crisis of our time, and we need more public and private programs that can directly address this basic necessity.”

Vernon, a commercial real estate professional and investor with over 16 years of experience, and over $150 million in transactions, launched EquityCoin in January of 2021 after renting out one of his units in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, to a mother and son who were living in a shelter. 

“I saw tears of joy in her eyes when I handed her the keys to her new unit. Never before that moment had I felt such fulfillment. From that point on, my purpose was clear – to help thousands of families in need of affordable housing,” says Vernon. “When landlords step up to provide housing to the underserved, everyone wins. The tenant receives essential permanent housing, the city keeps families off the streets, and property owners guarantee their cash flow through government rent vouchers.”

According to statistics from the Urban Institute, real estate is the single investment type that has created more wealth than any other asset class, while minorities in America often get excluded from this wealth-generating asset class. 

“By marrying blockchain technology and affordable housing, we will revitalize urban areas from coast to coast, building a more healthy, livable, and sustainable society. It’s not only important to do the work, but also to have the cultural empathy to provide a holistic approach to community-building,” states Beatriz Durant, EquityCoin, Inc.’s Director of Property Management.

“It was essential that we build a company with executives and board directors that actually represent the communities we serve”, Vernon declared. According to Deloitte’s Board Diversity Census Report, appointing women and minority directors provides benefits beyond just demographics. Diverse directors are “more likely than White men to bring experience with corporate sustainability and socially responsible investing, government, sales and marketing, and technology in the workplace to their boards. These skills are on the forefront of growth in a post pandemic economy and less than 55% of board members in the Fortune 500 report having any one of these skills.”

Other core members of EquityCoin’s team include Akil Ash, a Venmo alumni who has helped develop some of the world’s most popular apps; Beatriz Durant, a leader in Energy and Environmental Design with 14 years as a property manager; Michael McConnell, a community developer with 15 years of experience building social networks; and finally, Jey Van Sharp, a corporate strategy veteran, via MyÜberLife Consulting, who has helped grow brands like Diesel, Cartier, Pepsi, Neuehouse, and UNIQLO.

“As an Afro-Nativo Venezuelan who grew up in Brooklyn, I understand the severe disenfranchisement of Black and brown people with regards to investing and homeownership. Ownership and freedom go hand in hand. More specifically, EquityCoin knows we will have no equality without equity. EquityCoin is excited to have an investment vehicle that provides a path for Black and brown people to own and have equity into the most fundamental asset in America: the home,” says board member Jey Van-Sharp.

To help streamline the tokenization process for other real estate operators, EquityCoin is also developing a secondary market called EquityShare that logically processes the terms and conditions of real estate equity contracts for execution on the Ethereum blockchain. Currently, the average exchange period of real estate is 30 days, although EquityCoin aims to reduce that to 30 seconds.

For more information about EquityCoin’s mission, go to EquityCoin.org.

The BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs and event-based networking, announces its BOSS Impact Fund. 

It has been reported that the single greatest barrier to success for new businesses and startups is access to capital—and minorities make up less than 1% of founders that receive that investment. The BOSS Impact Fund will focus on investing in Black women led businesses and preparing these entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies. Its goal is to raise investment funding for 500+ Black women entrepreneurs, over the next three years. 

As part of its efforts, The BOSS Network is partnering with Sage, the global market leader for technology that provides small and medium businesses with the visibility, flexibility and efficiency to manage finances, operations and people, for the launch of theSage “Invest in Progress” Grant Program, a $1.5MM commitment over three years. Sage and The BOSS Network are working together to remove the barriers that many entrepreneurs face by providing funding to support Black women entrepreneurs in the first five years of their business. 

Through the Sage “Invest in Progress” Grant Program, 25 Black women entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to receive a capital investment of $10,000 toward successfully starting and growing their business in addition to an entrepreneurial mentor program in support of Black women-owned small businesses. To register or for more information, visit BOSSImpactFund.com. The deadline for submissions is February 25.

The Sage “Invest in Progress” Grant will also provide coaching, curriculum, and connections while removing capital barriers to help this group achieve success. The grant application process is powered by HelloAlice, a grant funding platform designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The BOSS Network has had a long-standing commitment to women entrepreneurs. Founded by CEO Cameka Smith, the mission of The BOSS Network, which stands for “Bringing Out Successful Sisters,” is to promote and encourage the small business spirit and career development of women of color.  

The BOSS Network is changing the way enterprising women are viewed among the masses and becoming a resource for companies seeking female minority influencers as their target market. It has supported the careers and small business developments of more than 200,000 women of color nationwide through initiatives such as BOSS Business University—a digital platform that provides comprehensive mentorship programming through industry business experts.

“We are so excited to launch the BOSS Impact Fund to benefit Black women business owners. For over 12 years, The BOSS Network has remained committed to not only empowering Black women entrepreneurs but also arming them with the resources they need to lead successful business and increase their market share.” said Smith.

“We are also thrilled to partner with Sage on the launch of the Sage ‘Invest in Progress’ Grant. We know that all of the recipients will greatly benefit from this capital investment. We are looking forward to additional partnerships in the future with organizations who are aligned with our longstanding mission.” 

“At Sage, we have committed to knocking down barriers that foster an advantage for some groups while creating obstacles for others. Capital investment is one area that we’ve recognized as a barrier, particularly for black businesswomen,”said Aziz Benmalek, interim managing director, Sage North America. “Sage is dedicated to being a part of a cultural shift that will help bring about a business community that is more equitable and sustainable for all.”

For more information, please visit: BOSSImpactFund.com.

The BOSS Network will also launch its #InvestInProgress campaign across all social channels beginning in January 2022. The campaign demonstrates its commitment to a broader conversation on leveling the playing field for Black women entrepreneurs to gain access to capital to grow their businesses. In order to see real change for Black female founders #InvestInProgress. Join the conversation with @thebossnetwork and @sage and apply to the #InvestInProgress grant at BOSSImpactFund.com.   

From as far back as he can remember Ralph Rolle has always marched to the beat of a different drum. It is therefore no surprise that with more than three and a half decades of professional experience within the music industry Ralph Rolle enjoys an illustrious career as a much sought-after drummer.

He has made music with the likes of Nile Rodgers and Chic, Sting, Bono, Aretha Franklin, The Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, Chris Botti Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, India Arie, and the resident band for NBC’S ‘It’s Showtime at The Apollo’ for over 15 seasons.

No stranger to dishing out a solid groove Ralph is a custom to serving up heaping portions of soul, that leaves appetites wet with anticipation and desire – salivating and begging for more. Rolle founded Soul Snacks Cookies in 1996 but the Soul Snacks recipe has a long and interesting history that dates to the early 1900s with recipes from his maternal grandmother Leola who was born in Ocilla, Georgia, moved to Miami, started a family, and later migrated to Harlem in the Renaissance years.

My plans for expansion are rooted in the promise and the potential of the community,” states Ralph emphatically. Dreams do come true. Ralph’s 1250 square foot baking facility in the South Bronx is the new home for The Soul Snacks Cookie Company where he continues to grow and employ individuals from his old stomping ground, the Bronx River Projects.

Now those plans for expansion include a roll-out campaign that will bring the Soul Snacks Cookies to over seven-hundred Wal-Mart stores across the country, starting in early April of this year.

WATCH RALPH ROLLE INTERVIEW WITH DAYMOND JOHN OF TV’S SHARK TANK

The company offers a variety of delicious cookies such as Georgia Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut-Peanut Butter, Down Home Double Chocolate Chip, Ebony and Ivory Almond Cookie, Grampy’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie, French Cocoa Chocolate Chip, Miami Raisin Walnut, Chunked Up Chocolate Walnut, Cranberry Oatmeal Raisin, Joyful Gingerbread and the recently added novel and now the number one seller that is the rant and rave of all those who taste it – Sweet Potato Cookies.

“Inside of every cookie is years of heart, soul and lots of pride that has been the main ingredient of Souls Snacks Cookies for decades”, states Rolle.

Soul Snacks Cookies have attracted satisfied customers in Japan, Europe, Africa, The West Indies, Canada, and throughout the United States. The cookies are available for online purchase – www.eatsoulsnacks.com

There is no expiration date on passion and there is no Plan B,” Rolle offers, realizing that it takes a lot to maintain the Soul Snacks business while still loving music. “Passion is not predicated on how much money you make. 

Passion is about whether you finish the thought. The completion of the task and making it happen is the truth of passion. Making it happen. You’ve got to learn from where you failed and get up and keep going from here.”  

Entrepreneur, Therapist, Author, Trainer, and Clinical Supervisor Chris A. Matthews is the founder, owner and clinical director of Relationship Counseling Group, LLC and Behavioral Health Intervention Center, LLC, which are two private therapeutic and mental health practices based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Matthews is a licensed marriage and family therapist, (LMFT), licensed clinical addiction specialist, (LCAS), certified clinical supervisor (CCS) and approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). He holds both a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

For more than a decade, Matthews has worked in a variety of settings providing counseling and training to a diverse population of organizations, couples, and individuals – much of this inspired by his upbringing. “As the youngest of three kids born and raised in a two-parent household that eventually ended in divorce, I learned early in life that my purpose was to assist couples with their relationships,” Matthews explains.

“My mother and father were married for twenty-five years, and it only lasted that long because they had kids together. I thank them every chance I get for sacrificing their dreams, goals, and happiness for as long as they did to raise me and my siblings. I know for a fact that I would not be the person I am today without the stability of two parents who balanced each other out well enough to accommodate their individual pitfalls.”

As a result of his own life experiences as well as the clinical work through the years, Chris A. Matthews authored two books – “Finding Your Relationship Fix – the Four Reasons Couples Seek Counseling” and “Six Tips for Finding Your Relationship Fix”. In addition, he’s offered courses on relationships and mental health as well as facilitated educational events regarding those topics.

the books are available at www.chrisamatthews.com

The HBCU Green Fund recently announced a partnership with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) that increases their capacity to train, mentor and identify internships in energy and STEM industries for students at the Atlanta University Center (AUC). A Department of Energy grant to RICE provides resources for the AUC Energy Project, including a fellowship program exposing students from various majors to emerging opportunities in renewable energy and sustainability. 

“We are pleased that the Russell Innovation Center supports a comprehensive program to expose HBCU students to careers in the energy sector, provide them with marketable skills, and introduce students to successful entrepreneurs and leaders working in STEM,” said Illai Kenney, national program director, HBCU Green Fund.

“Projects like this help to create a pipeline of minority thought leaders in climate and energy and ensure that HBCU graduates stand out in a highly competitive labor market. For instance, the Biden-Harris administration just announced plans to build a $5 billion network of electric vehicle chargers on interstate highways nationwide as part of their infrastructure bill, AUC Energy Fellows will be prepared for those jobs.”

The AUC Energy Project offers training across the energy landscape, including wind, solar, energy efficiency and Electric Vehicle Charging Station entrepreneurial opportunities. After completing Energy Audit training, the fellows will contribute to an investment-grade audit on the campuses of Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University. Several AUC Energy Fellows will participate in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a collegiate competition where teams of students compete to design and build sustainable solar-powered house. 

“Students at the Atlanta University Center have a unique advantage being located directly across the street from the Russell Center, the largest non-profit center in the country providing a space and resources for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate, grow, and create jobs,” said Brittany Saadiq, director of development, RICE. “This program gives AUC students access to extraordinary talent and cutting-edge technology.” 

Thought leaders sharing career advice, mentoring, and business opportunities include HBCU graduates Dr. Anthony Kinslow, CEO of Gemini Energy Solutions; Sheryl E. Ponds Founder and CEO of Dai Technologies; and Gilbert Campbell, founder and CEO of Volt Energy Utility LL; along with AUC faculty mentors Dr. Armita Davarpa, Spelman College, Dr. Cynthia Hewitt, Morehouse College, Dr. Olu Olatidoye, Clark Atlanta University.

An HBCU Energy and STEM Internship registry is currently in development with several summer apprentice opportunities already identified. The 2022 AUC fellows are: Sophia Boyd (Spelman), Serena Echols   (Spelman), Indrianna Bowleg (Spelman), Brionna Findley   (Spelman), N’Dya Jeffries   (Clark Atlanta), Conrad Mctavish (Morehouse), Jason Gill   (Morehouse), Ihunanya Destiny Agomuoh, (Spelman), Noah Bacon-Angevine (Morehouse), and Andre Brown (Morehouse).

The HBCU Green Fund is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization working to advance campus-wide sustainability at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and promote student engagement in green initiatives. The organization produces the HBCU Green Report, a ranking of green initiatives on HBCU campuses. 

In April the organization co-host’s the annual BIPOC Climate Justice Dialogue, an opportunity for climate justice scholars, organizers, and funders to discuss national climate goals and Justice40 priorities with government agencies. For more information on the HBCU Green Fund and AUC Project visit www.hbcugreenfund.org.

Hustle culture can be exciting and motivating, but it leaves little room for focus on mental health, particularly for Black entrepreneurs in a socially unjust system. Digital Grass developed a six-week South Florida GROWTHerapy program to help destigmatize and promote mental health services in the tech and innovation communities. They combined statistics, feedback, and results into an illuminating study.

Entrepreneurship is empowering and rewarding but can often be overwhelming. For Black entrepreneurs in South Florida—and, indeed, all across the United States—the difficulties of owning a business are compounded with social injustices, a lack of support or collaboration from other communities, and several other factors that can create “mental blocks.” To analyze and explore productive therapy for the mental health of entrepreneurs, Digital Grass developed the GROWTHerapy program and compiled a study from the experience.

GROWTHerapy is a six-week program that provides free one-on-one and group therapy services to fifty South Florida entrepreneurs. The program’s framework takes five (5) “Cohorts” of ten entrepreneurs and focuses on Black experiences of entrepreneurship, personal and professional relationships, social injustice, and much more. 

Outcomes with the GROWTHerapy program are inspiring. An impressive 85 percent of entrepreneurs saw an increase in revenue and productivity by Week 4, and 70 percent saw an increase in their own revenue by 20 percent or more after completing the program. Seventy-five percent of participants have made referrals for upcoming Cohorts.

We hope to expand the GROWTHerapy program to college athletes and high-performance individuals within the tech and innovation ecosystem. We are also working with a prominent university in Florida to create an ‘Entrepreneurial Therapy’ Certification for therapists,” said Michael Hall, Founder Digital Grass, LLC

GROWTHerapy is a South Florida-based entrepreneurial program formed in 2020 in response to mental wellness impacts of social injustices and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the technology space. With generous funding from the Knight Foundation, Digital Grass was able to develop GROWTHerapy.  

Gorgeous Plus Size Clothing and The Celebs That Are Rocking It

Gone are the days when being thin was in and now, thankfully, every man, woman, and human being is loving their curves. However, it is no secret that accepting one’s body is easier said than done, so today we wanted to support our readers who are still learning to love their bellies, muffin tops, and more. Here are the top 10 plus-size celebrities that have made “fat” a compliment, by giving looks in their dresses, suits, and more.

Lizzo

Lizzo has given us so many looks that I’m surprised that she has any looks left to give. Her outfits usually alternate between bright pinks, purples, oranges, florals, and thigh-high heels or a simple; yet, gorgeous number of nude tones…literally, like, your girl is gonna be naked as the day she was born. So one thing about Lizzo is that she’s gonna show every pound of fat and make it look as gorgeous as it already is.

Gaby Sidibe

Gaby broke all our hearts in the beloved, oscar-winning film, Precious. And haters later tried to break her heart, by posting memes and other toxic material online about her looks. However, like all courageous and confident women, Gaby remained loving of herself and continued to show off her bright, rainbow affair of style. She’s giving big, bold, and beautiful, and we couldn’t love her more.

Rasheed Yusuff

Rasheed Yusuf is a plus-sized model that’ll be on everyone’s timelines soon (trust me). On his Instagram (@ray-richard), he says he is an “Advocate of positivity and love,” and we love that, but we also love his sweet street style that exemplifies that thicc thighs on guys are so in.

Danielle Brooks

You’ll probably hear Danielle’s laughter before seeing her, because like others on this list, this actress is a ray of sunshine, and she brings light to all her looks. And we cannot forget how she proves on her Instagram that new moms can be and should be in awe of their postpartum bodies. Her style: comfortable; yet, chic. And her personality: everything we want, and more.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah shows us that beauty is not only found in fragility and femininity but it can also be found in queer, thicc tomboys. Her garment of choice: a pantsuit cinched to perfection and bright jewelry to emphasize her award-winning smile.  

Nemar Parchment

The future of modeling has never looked better since this plus-size male model hit the runway in 2017. His signature look is usually his perfectly cut beard (seriously, it looks like Michaelangelo painted it, himself), a modern jacket or overcoat, and a smize for days.

Dascha Polanco

When it comes to Dascha, orange is the new black (sorry, it was too perfect not to say it!), but for real this girl oozes confidence in her usual bright, skin-tight ensembles. And she doesn’t just embrace her curves at Hollywood premieres, but you’ll find her rocking them proudly throughout her Instagram for all the world to see.

Questlove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8etsSGsTRc

I don’t just watch Jimmy Fallon for his goofy…. Albeit funny jokes, but mainly for his in-house band, led by Questlove. This artist has been rolling out records, since 1993, when he first played as drummer for the hip-hop group Roots, and he’s continued to roll out numerous hits since then, musically, as well as stylistically. While his looks can be defined as simple, his take on the color black is iconic as his music. With his signature black specs, black print shirt or black button-up jacket, and his cloud of black hair, he gives off a futuristic look. Is anyone thinking Blade Runner 2080 with Questlove taking the helm?

Nicole Byer

This girl is all about the laughs. When Nicole first came up in Hollywood on the 2013 set of Girl Code, some of us (myself included) were a little taken aback by her surreal personality, but she later grew on us with her ability to bring levity to any situation. 

Despite her lasting career as a comedian on such shows as Loosely Exactly Nicole, Wipeout, and Nailed It!, her style is no laughing matter. Nicole does not hold back when it comes to her fashion taste, so with her, more is more. Expect to see her in any combo of brightly colored suits and dresses with some animal print to pull it all together.

Darnell Graham

Darnell Graham was a hit on all our dashboards, when, in 2018, he recreated the A$AP Rocky Calvin Klein advertisement, with other plus-size models. His hashtag for the inclusive campaign, #WeAreBigAndTall, and our hearts after seeing it: exploding. 

He continues to spice up the fashion industry with his iconic jewelry and wonderfully ordained tats, which show off how beautiful his body and anybody can be.

We see you, King.

Top 10 Best Music Apps

Remember when we all used to secretly download music online and fear the repercussions, the years we would spend rotting away in jail for that one download of “Umbrella” or “If I Ruled The World”? Because for me, it stands out vividly in my mind. However, thankfully, the times of “illegally” downloading songs are in the past. With the advent of apps or rather mobile device applications, we can listen to any song at any time with the touch of a button. 

Still, not all music apps are created equally, so today we present to you the top 10 best music apps to meet your streaming needs:

1. Spotify

Spotify offers listeners over 30 million tracks to listen to or to add to playlists for free. But where Spotify hits the mark is in the way it allows users to find new music. Its Discover Weekly feature provides users with a playlist specifically selected for them every Monday.

2. Soundcloud

If you’re an up-and-coming musician, you probably have this streaming service on your phone or you’re downloading it right now. With its ability to allow listeners to create their songs, remixes, and playlist to their desired sound, this app is a win for garage band artists who dream of becoming the next best thing and for listeners who just want more control over what they’re listening to. 

3. Deezer

This French streaming service has been giving its stateside users over 90 million sweet songs and hit playlists, since 2016. It also boasts a high number of subscribers as well, due, in part, to its previous affiliation with Cricket Wireless. 

4. Apple Music

Apple Music was once the most anticipated streaming service before users finally got it and saw its many hiccups and issues with navigation. Nevertheless, Apple didn’t go down without a fight and fixed many of its problems. Today, the service has great features, like an easy-to-navigate system and playlists made by actual people, rather than robots.

5. Tidal

Beyoncé. and Jay-Z never play when it comes to music, so when they first bought into this music streaming platform, it was a shock when it took a nose-dive. However, this isn’t to say that Tidal is still off the rails, but rather that it had a few growing pains. After a few months in the shop, this streaming service (now majority-owned by Jack Dorsey’s company Block) has better sound quality than most other apps, with hi-res and Dolby Atmos surround sound for all audiophiles who want crystal clear streams, and a higher payout for artists who receive a hefty 10% cut of your subscription fee. Power to the people and to the playlists.

6. Qobuz

Like Tidal, this app offers hi-res sound and also beats Apple Music and most other top-name apps with its record number catalog of 70 million tracks. However, this service comes later in the list for its less than stellar lists of music. This platforms’ tracks are sadly geared towards classical and rock enthusiasts. 

7. Shazam

You know when you have a song stuck in your head, but can’t quite remember the name of it? Well, like most problems we have nowadays, there’s an app to fix it. Shazam is great for finding the name of a song that you heard in passing while at a store, friend’s place, or on the radio. The app listens to the song and provides you with the name of it and the artist. Now that you have the song, you can save it as a tag and share these tags with your friends and view their tags as well.

8. iHeartRadio

Who said radios were obsolete because with iHeartRadio you get the best of both worlds: both a radio and a music streaming platform. iHeartRadio allows you to easily discover nearby radio stations and also gives you the option to listen to podcasts and create music stations. And you haven’t even heard the best of it yet: rather than waking up to the annoying buzzing of an alarm clock, this streaming service allows you to set your favorite song as your morning wake-up call.  

9. Amazon Prime Music

For those of you with tight wallets, Amazon Prime Music has you covered. If you have a Prime membership, you can get Amazon Prime Music for free. For only $8 a month, Prime members have access to millions of songs, as well as 1,000s of remixes. 

10. Youtube Music

Youtube isn’t just for skits and watching influencers fight over makeup and money, but on this platform, you can also listen to thousands of songs. And similar to Amazon Prime Music, if you sign up for an ad-free YouTube Premium account, you get YouTube Music thrown in with no extra costs to you, so you can have your influencers and music too.