Maintaining Mental Wellbeing When Running A Business

It can be deeply enjoyable and satisfying to run your own company, but it’s by no means relaxing. With all that weight on your shoulders, it’s normal to feel stress from time to time. And indeed, a little bit of stress is no bad thing. It can push you to work harder and better. But there’s an upper limit to how much stress you should feel; if it’s beginning to have a negative impact on your overall well being, then you’ll want to make some changes. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some key tips for staying mentally sound when you’re running a business.

Life Balance

There’s always the temptation to work longer than you really should when you’re the boss. After all, you’re desperate for your business to succeed, and it’s easy to think that the more you work, the more success you have. This is true, but only up to a point. In order to work at your best, then it’s important that you have the right work/life balance. That means stopping working and taking the time to relax and have fun. This will help to keep you mentally healthy, and also allow you to avoid burnout.

Minimize the Stress

You might love what your company does, but that only accounts for a percentage of your responsibilities. You may have to spend more time than you’d like taking care of the paperwork and other admin duties. If you find this difficult, then it won’t be long before you’re feeling stressed. Instead of wrestling with these complex tasks, look at making them more straightforward. There are plenty of tools that can help you. To stay on top of your receipts, you use a service such as filecenterdms.com. Payroll, legal matters, and marketing can be outsourced to other companies, too. It’s all about reducing the amount of time you spend on stressful tasks and spending more time on the tasks that you actually enjoy.

Working With Others

You may have started your business as a one-person operation, but it doesn’t have to stay that way on a long-term basis. At some point, you might find that it’s beneficial to work with others. You can do this by hiring employees or by outsourcing certain tasks, like the ones we mentioned above. As well as freeing up your time, working with others can also help reduce any lonely feelings you experience when you’re running your company -- it’ll feel like you’re part of a team, of which you’re in charge.

Look After Yourself

Finally, be sure to look after yourself. You might start your business with a relaxed attitude, but over time, you could find that you’re feeling more stressed than ever before. You can get around this issue by taking steps to push your mental wellbeing in the right direction. This will involve doing things like eating well, exercising, spending time in the outdoors, and keeping up with your hobbies and friends; things that help us to feel good, basically.

Flaxen Summer

There are plenty of reasons for the popularity of flax. Fabric is easy to care for, never loses its relevance, is most comfortable for hot weather, and is one of the most environmentally friendly materials.

The history of flax dates back to time immemorial. According to historians, in ancient Egypt and the Middle East, linen was a luxury item. The priests wore clothing made of natural material, and the canvases in which the mummies of the Egyptian pharaohs were wrapped were preserved to this day.

Flax is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly materials. In the process of growing, it needs only long daylight and a small amount of water and pesticides. Thanks to non-waste production, flax was again able to compete with cotton for the title of the most environmentally friendly material and claim the status of the material of the future.

Despite the characteristic density and inelasticity, flax perfectly passes air, absorbs moisture, and removes heat, which is why it is gaining unprecedented popularity in the warm season. In addition, it is completely hypoallergenic and durable. A linen outfit is able to serve its hostess for more than one year while maintaining a presentable appearance.

Report: Olha Dzharyha

The Fashionability of the 2020 ESPY Awards

The 2020 ESPY Awards transpired as an unexpected tribute to black designers, born from the show’s commendation of black athletes and their racial equality activism. Athletic power couple Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird hosted the event from their cozy abode wearing various garments of black-owned fashion labels, their most noteworthy attire being that which honored the late George Floyd.

Rapinoe and Bird began the show with their most overt symbol of support for racial justice, Black Lives Matter t-shirts by black, female Phenomenal founder Meena Harris. Even their shoes were subtle signifiers of racial solidarity, with Rapinoe having laced up sneakers from Colin Kaepernick’s Nike collection and Bird outfitted in a pair from the black-owned Fear of God.

Next, they flaunted complementary pantsuits, Rapinoe in white and Sue in black, both of which were accented by t-shirts emblazoned with George Floyd’s initials.

As the night progressed, the couple switched to evening wear, courtesy of Pyer Moss’s Haitian-American designer Kerby Jean-Raymond. Rapinoe was positively radiant in her silky, ruffled yellow dress, and, Bird was draped elegantly in a satin lavender gown. Their following outfit changes drastically differed from one another; Rapinoe’s bright yellow blouse and pants ensemble by Christopher John Rogers contrasted with Bird’s darker-hued Off-White blazer and pants.

They ended the 2020 ESPY Awards wearing t-shirts of each other's faces, their last salute to black designers being their Off-White and Fear of God sneakers. Photo credit: https://www.today.com/style/megan-rapinoe-sue-bird-espys-t184954

Report: Nia Hunt

Coach Unveils their Newest Collection for Pride Month

June was Pride Month. During the month, many corporations have new campaigns that are traditionally in the rainbow pride flag, to support the LGBT community. The fashion brand, Coach, recently released their new Pride collection. The collection features Coach's logo, two C's facing each other, in rainbow colors. It includes bags, shirts, and hats.

Coach also launched a new campaign to show off the collection, called the "We C You" campaign. It included several celebrities and public figures in the LGBT community, including, singer Kim Petras, social media personality Rickey Thompson, and drag queen Bob The Drag Queen. The campaign features a video of these figures talking about what it means to them to be seen, and what makes them feel seen. The video was shot with Go-Pros and iPhones, and was put together by Christelle de Castro.

Coach has also announced that it will be making donations to several different charities, including the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the Albert Kennedy Trust, and GLSEN, encouraging others to do the same. While many corporations will show support for the LGBT community during Pride Month, many people believe that it is just a marketing tool, since they only do it during June, and some companies support some anti-LGBT policies and groups. However, Coach seems to be the real deal, since they are highlighting different queer experiences and are committed to donating.

Report: Anna Bechtel

Burberry Announces it's First Post-Lockdown Fashion Show

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has caused several businesses to close and events to be cancelled, over the past four months. However, with cases decreasing, many things are starting to reopen, including the fashion industry.

The fashion brand, Burberry, recently announced its first fashion show since lockdown began. The show is scheduled for September, and will feature its Spring/Summer 2021 line. However, a specific location has not been announced yet, with a representative from Burberry stating they are planning the show to be in the "British outdoors." The show will also be able to be streamed digitally, similar to other events from the fashion industry. Burberry’s chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci stressed that the show will be “open for all to experience”, adding that “we have all yearned to reconnect again." Tisci describes his vision and hopes for the show as, "I wanted to celebrate these feelings by bringing our community together in a creative experience that takes place within the beautiful, natural landscape of Britain.”

There are currently no plans on how Burberry plans to maintain social distancing guidelines in Britain for the show. British residents are currently forced to stand two meters apart from each other, while in public. Although, we have no idea what the pandemic will be like in September.

Burberry's fall 2020 collection was not streamed digitally, however, images were released on the Internet, and it has recently landed in stores. The collection is a reworking of classic pieces.

Report: Anna Bechtel

Black Fashion Editors To Follow Right Now

These fashion editors are currently creating some of the most educational and engaging content surrounding the current social climate. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can become an ally or a more educated and socially conscious member of society, you should definitely follow these editors.

Danielle Prescod

Danielle Prescod currently serves as the Style Director at BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc, and was formerly an Accessories Editor at InStyle. Recently, Prescod has been sharing a lot of information and personal stories that bring light to many issues that black people face today. As someone who grew up in a predominantly white and affluent area, she has been able to relate to many people who deal with microaggressions from their white friends and colleagues.

Chrissy Rutherford

Harper’s Bazaar’s former Special Projects Director, Chrissy Rutherford, is another black fashion writer and editor who has been bold in her activism on social media. She recently posted a video that gained over 5 million views, speaking on anti-racism and encouraging white people to go beyond just not being racist.

Shiona Turini

One freelance editor and costume designer who has been consistently highlighting the work of black artists is Shiona Turini. Moreover, far before the reemergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Turini was having the necessary conversations to ensure the upward mobility of her black counterparts in the fashion industry.

Photo Credits:

Shiona Turini: Meredith Andrews

Danielle Prescod: Darrell Hunter

Chrissy Rutherford: Chrissy Rutherford Instagram

Report: Julian Alexander Randall

The Dangers of Cancel Culture

Social media is simultaneously one of the best and worst things invented. Throughout this pandemic it has given us the ability to connect despite being physically distant, but cyberbullying is also a very real problem.

One thing that has been popular lately is ‘cancelling’ someone on social media. It typically happens with celebrities, and the idea is simply that if they say or do something wrong everyone trash talks them and stops supporting them. In some cases it makes sense, we all need to be held accountable. No matter how wealthy or influential someone is it doesn’t excuse their being a horrible person. Especially with regard to the many men who still have successful careers despite being accused of assault and harassment. People deserve to know the truth and justice needs to be served.

Oftentimes, people are ‘cancelled’ for ignorance, for being uneducated or for making a mistake. In cases such as this I think that taking the time to forgive and educate holds more potential for change rather than jumping right away to shunning or bullying. Imagine the difference we could make if we use the same level of energy we use to cancel someone to educate them instead. It needs to be normalized to change opinions and views after becoming educated and growing as a person.

There are times when no matter how well known, wealthy or loved someone is we as a public must step away and stop supporting them because of continued abuse of power, of racism, and hate. However, there are times when we should respond to negativity and hate with compassion, instead of jumping to conclusions. Sometimes we need to believe that people really can change and we as a public have the power to educate and change ourselves and others. We all have a voice, no matter our platform, so don’t be afraid to use your power, spread positivity, educate others, together we can make a difference for good in the world.

Report: Rebecca Vanderkooi

How to Get Glowy Skin

With summer finally being here, it’s your time to glow. I recently reached out to my Aunt, a dermatologist, to get some tips on how we can achieve a dewy look. This isn’t rocket science, nor will it suck the life out of your bank account. Here are four tips to have you glowing in no time.

The first and most important element to achieve great skin is to make sure you stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will overall improve your body’s health and does wonders for your most important organ: your skin. We also have to think long-term when it comes to skin as well - you’ve heard it millions of times, but applying SPF daily is the most prominent way to keep your skin healthy, and dewy.

Getting your hands on a retinol is also key. Retinol is a vitamin A added to creams that boosts the amount of collagen your body makes and reveals the dewy layer of skin. It does wonders, cutting down fine lines and wrinkles. It may also correct skin tone and color, as well as brightening the skin overall. Adding a vitamin C to your skin care is also a must. They really work. Vitamin C serum can treat uneven skin tone, texture problems, wrinkles, scars, and in general dullness of the skin.

Coming from a dermatologist this should have you glowing in no time, our skin is important and it’s crucial we take care of it.

Report: Emily Andrews

Kendall By Kylie Cosmetics is FINALLY Here

Kylie Cosmetics is at is again, but this time with a whole new collaboration. Kendall by Kylie Cosmetics hit the shelves June 26th and I have to say, I’m excited for it!

This collection offers some new products to the Kylie Cosmetics family such as: Blotting Powder, Everything Everywhere Gloss (which isn’t just for your lips), Bronzer and Blush Sticks, a Lip Blush Kit, and a new High Gloss. I’m most interested in the Everything Everywhere Gloss, supposedly you can wear it all the way from your eyes to your lips!

Obviously you can’t have a Kylie Cosmetics new line without an eyeshadow palette, so buyers will also see a new one of those too! The classic Lip Kit is meeting its new sister with a Lip Blush Kit. With all these new products, I hope Kylie lets us in on her makeup routine nowadays!

The two sisters have had multiple deals together such as their hit clothing line, Kendall & Kylie. The Kendall by Kylie Cosmetics collection has been a long awaited collab since every other sister has one on the market already. Even mom, Kris Jenner, has had her time to shine with the beauty guru. Maybe we can expect a Caitlyn Jenner by Kylie next? Time will only tell!

Report: Kaitlin Gallagher

What's in Store for Law and Order: SVU Season 22

In light of the Black Lives Matter movement and the attention being brought to police brutality many people are calling for the defunding or reformation of the police. Some people also want cop shows to end, worried that these shows glorify police too much or make brutality seem okay.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit has been one of the most well known and loved cop shows through the years, focusing on sex crimes and bringing victims to justice. It just finished it’s 21st season and was recently renewed for an astounding three more seasons. Since day one Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay) has been lauded and admired by many as a voice for survivors and for justice. Mariska Hargitay has made SVUs mission her own, when she founded The Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004. It’s mission, to “ transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever.”

The show’s writers room had already been hard at work planning how to include the pandemic in their upcoming season, including the increase in domestic violence it has caused. Now the writers, headed up by showrunner Warren Leight, are finding ways to include George Floyd’s death and the subsequent protests in the coming season.

In The Hollywood Reporter’s TV’s Top 5 podcast Warren Leight candidly discussed how throughout season 21 he made a conscious effort to have a more diverse writers room and cast. Especially with the introduction of Kat Tamin, a new face in the squadroom who is a bisexual Lebanese American woman. In the writers room he has introduced new individuals, some of whom have never written for TV before. “I think we’ve tried really hard in the last year to show how class and race affect the outcomes of justice in society,” said Leight.

As SVU looks towards it’s 22nd season they need to be even more intentional with the type of stories being told. Leight explained that they cannot have a bad cop in every episode but there are other ways to show the impact of our current cultural climate. For example, since the show is told from a cop's perspective it will show how trial is navigated differently when the jury doesn’t trust the police. Leight added, “I think we’re trying to depict how justice should be handled for victims and for perps. Olivia makes mistakes...but she’s empathetic, which is I think what separates the cops on our television show from what we’re seeing these days.”

Leight also touched on the hero cop belief, discussing the importance of the cop’s on SVU showing what justice could and should look like, but also showing what the current reality is. However, in showing that reality he voiced his concerns, “A flawed cop with a tendency towards violence who’s glorified, to me, is a real recipe for legitimizing police brutality.” Leight freely admitted that especially in earlier seasons of the show violence and brutality were more often portrayed, he believes that that needs to stop on cop shows everywhere. People need to stop making this violence seem normal or okay because it is neither of those things.

What has set SVU apart throughout the years is that they show what the justice system could and should be. More often than not justice is served on the show, but in reality 995 out of 1000 rapists walk free. The police on SVU believe survivors and are a voice of hope and healing for millions. In general, this is not how the criminal justice system in the United States works, often survivors are blown off or not believed. As season 22 approaches the aim is to continue telling stories of survivors being believed and justice being served. They plan to continue showing what justice should look like, while also showing the realities of our broken system.

Report: Rebecca Vanderkooi

Harry Potter and the Wizarding World of the Butter Beer Recipe

To all the Harry Potter fans out there, this one is for you. If you have ever been to the Harry Potter themed part of Disney World, you have tried the famous butter beer they serve. Since Covid-19, the Happiest Place on Earth has unfortunately closed their doors and the access to this sweet drink. With the extra time on your hands, you can make your own homemade Butter Beer right in your own kitchen! With this simple recipe, you can bring the Harry Potter World to life again. All you need is 2/3 scoops of vanilla ice cream, a melted bag of butterscotch chips, a dash of vanilla extract, your favorite brand of cream soda, and some whipped cream to top off this potion of deliciousness. Just add ice and blend away. This refreshing treat is perfect for the summer months when you're lounging by the pool or binge-watching the entire series of Harry Potter.

photo 1: usatoday.com

photo 2: princesspinkygirl.com

Report: Hannah Zaremba

How 13-Year-Old Kheris Rogers Turned Being Bullied Into a Celeb-Loved Fashion Line

At just 13, Kheris Rogers is already enjoying a thriving career. She's an actor, influencer, business owner, and newly signed artist to Columbia Records' new girl group, Run The World. A few years ago, after she was bullied at school for her complexion, Kheris's family encouraged her to begin daily affirmations to build up her confidence. She found the practice incredibly effective and rewarding. There was something empowering about being able to transform her negative experience into something positive and self-affirming. She wanted to share her growing sense of strength with the world and, in doing so, help others who might be dealing with similar situations.

At the age of 10, with the help of her big sister, Kheris founded Flexin' In My Complexion to help other kids feel beautiful and love themselves. In just three years, her business has already won high-profile fans like Alicia Keys, Lupita Nyong'o, Drake, and Lena Waithe. Kheris Rogers said, “The most exciting part of watching my brand take off is being able to travel the world, going to speaking engagements, and speaking to young girls and boys to encourage them to love themselves and chase their dreams. As an entrepreneur, she has learned to trust her instincts, have fun with it and to not be afraid to be different.

She said, “I hope my message teaches other kids who may be experiencing bullying that you are not alone. We are all unique, smart, and creative in our own way. Our differences [are] what makes us special, and that should be embraced, so it does not matter what other people think of you.” As a designer, she is excited to use her experiences to inspire new designs. She would love to collaborate with a Black-owned brand like Fenty or Ivy Park. She is currently inspired by Nike, Fenty Beauty, Old Navy and Justice

Report: Amanda T Lou

What Does 'Good Health' Actually Mean?

What is one man’s pleasure is another man’s poison, or so the saying goes. This is true when it comes to being healthy. Being in good health can mean a variety of different things to different people. For some people, being healthy means having a waist of less than thirty four inches. For others, it’s having the ability to run five kilometers in less than thirty minutes. In a medical sense it might be having a blood pressure reading of 120 over 80 and having a cholesterol score of below five. While these facts and figures can be a minefield for the layperson, we need to remember that we are all individuals. The concept of good health may have the same benchmarks, but the route we all take to become healthy will be unique to every one of us. Take a look at what good health means and explore what you can do to achieve it.

Food

We all need a different amount of calories to get us through the day. If you have a high metabolism, work an active job, have a muscley physique and are constantly on your feet, the chances are that you will need more calories than the individual with a desk job and very little stress in their life. This is why it can be challenging to subscribe to a one size fits all sort of fad diet. These diets may work for some people, but they won’t work for the majority. Instead, you need to investigate the benefits of integrative nutrition when considering your diet.

These specialist nutritionists will look at you as a unique human being and take into account all facets of your life to construct a diet plan that isn’t daddy, but that morphs with your lifestyle to create the ultimate nutritionally balanced way of eating for you. This will help you to maintain a healthy relationship with food, stay full for longer, and to feel happy and more confident.

Activity

While some people are content in the gym three times a week, others couldn’t think of anything worse in an effort to get healthy. To maintain good health, you need to be active - this doesn’t have to be a set exercise regime or routine gym attendance. If you adore the gym, lifting weights, heading to a HIIT class and embarking on half an hour on the cross trainer, then stick to this way of getting a sweat on. However, some people need to think outside the box when it comes to getting their cardio.

If you are an outdoorsy type of person, you need to think about cycling as a new pastime, go for long walks and hikes if you live in a rural area, and enjoy venturing to new places to explore. If you have a job that means that you are sedentary for eight hours a day, you must consider how you can get active in your free time. While you might not fancy training for a marathon, think about yoga as your active pastime of choice. Here, you will strengthen your core through a range of postures that will increase your flexibility and leave you with a sense of wellness. Coupled with breathing exercises, you can destress and become less anxious as you embark on an exercise that benefits both your physical and mental well being.

Good health can be achieved by all, but everyone needs to recognize their uniqueness when making the journey to get there.

Lifestyle For Those Still In Quarantine

While places are starting to open up again, some people are still hesitant to go out for their own reasons. The problem with that, is it can have some effect on your mental health and overall lifestyle; making one feel isolated and not be their best self. So here are some things you can do to make time pass in a positive way to help you stay inspired and creative, while learning in the process.

Not wearing fashionable items? Clean the closet out.

Still being in quarantine means you are probably still in sweats, T-shirts and messy buns. That can make one feel quite dull for not wearing your normal fashionable outfits while others are. Best thing to do about that? Clean your closet out if you have not done so. Play dress up, see what outfits you could see yourself wear when you do get out of quarantine. It's a great chance to get rid of some old pieces of clothing too.

Spark a new hobby

Being isolated in quarantine can teach you a lot about what you enjoy to do and will bring you peace. Candle making is a great start and it’s super easy. There are numerous kits that you can buy online that come with the wax, candle holders and amazing scents you could use. They can be used as a great gift to someone or light one up for yourself and make your home smell like you're walking through a meadow of flowers. You could also paint! You don't have to be Picasso to enjoy painting. Just like candle making, there are great kits for it. Paint by numbers is a great tool to help you make some beautiful masterpieces that are really easy.

Stay Fit

Covid-19 was a wake up call for us all. We must make sure we are washing our hands, maintaining good hygiene and of course keeping our immune system strong. Drinking tons of water throughout your day as well as working out must be added to the list of things to do everyday. Going for walks/runs are a great way to do that while making sure you are also getting some Vitamin D. Maybe even create your own gym set up in your home.

Lastly, quarantine has made many of us become lazy and more hungry. So, why not start your own cookbook of old family recipes as well as create some new recipes of your own. It's a fun way to create something for yourself that you can share with friends, family, and pass it down to your children one day.

There are so many things we can do to make sure we are staying busy and keeping a positive mindset. Remember to make the most out of your life. The beauty of it is that we get to wake up each day and try something new, something that excites us and allows you to learn more about yourself while doing it. Be smart and be safe.

Photo Credits: Vogue, Pinterest, Etsy

Report: Melissa Adragna (melissa_adragna)

Justin Bieber Accused of Sexual Assault 6 Years Later

It is not the first time that we've heard of celebrities getting caught up in sexual assault and abuse claims. But, this one hits a little different. We have watched this star grow from a young popstar to who he is today, with the setbacks and media drama as well. Earlier this week, Justin Bieber was notified of an accused sexual assault against him that occurred in 2014. Bieber took to twitter to address the claim and prove his innocence with detailed alibis of his whereabouts on the night the assault had taken place. Bieber claims he was never a guest of the hotel where the woman was staying at, he simply was in the restaurant. He continues to state that he was with his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, who has yet to make a comment about the matter. Fans continue to back Bieber up, but others see his Gomez Alibi as "mentally abusing" to Selena as she has finally healed from their toxic relationship. Claiming sexual assault is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly, as we all should know. Bieber further explained the magnitude of the situation on twitter saying "every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed. However this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with twitter and authorities to take legal action". Whether his story or her story is the truth, only time will tell. Hopefully, Bieber will do the right thing in the situation for his fans, his family, and for the woman.

photos: screenrant.com; popsugar.com

Report: Hannah Zaremba

Anderson .Paak's "Lockdown" Examines the Current Movement, And Why We Can't Let Up

In the month since George Floyd’s murder we have heard from multiple artists who have spoken about the importance of the protests that have followed. R&B singer/rapper Anderson .Paak dropped a track of his own titled “Lockdown” on Juneteenth that not only discussed the protests, but it also talked about other events that are intertwined with the message behind the protests.

Before the protests began we were all still focused primarily on the COVID-19 outbreak, and .Paak himself asks “Speakin’ of the COVID, is it still goin’ around?” which is followed with the question “Plus unemployment rate, what, forty million now?” It’s hard to ignore the role the pandemic and mass unemployment have had in sparking the protests, especially since the virus has disproportionately affected Black communities and the government’s response to providing help to these communities is nowhere to be found.

But .Paak also touches on some of the more Orwellian aspects of the protests that few other artists have pointed out. He notes the “secret agents” planted in the crowd, a reference to the undercover officers that were spotted in the crowd at multiple protests. It could also be a reference to the uniformed officers that were caught on video destroying storefronts likely in an effort to shift the blame to the protestors. Speaking of destroying storefronts, .Paak also brought up incidents of looting and seems to address the fact that the media focused a lot of its attention on the uncommon incidents of looting and ignored the very common incidents of police brutality that took place at these protests. This is not the first time we’ve seen .Paak get political and spit some woke lyrics, but it is certainly one of the most notable. There is also a version of the song that features a very powerful verse from Jay Rock.

Aside from the lyrics, the beat is a typical smooth, funk inspired instrumental that we’ve come to expect from .Paak. While the sereneness of it may not seem like a great compliment to the distressed lyrics, it encapsulates the faint hopeful tone of the track. His final utterance of “we ain't gotta stop 'cause they tell us to” and the cover art for the track which features .Paak holding a sign that says “The People Are Rising” seems to hint at optimism that real progressive changes will come out of these protests, and we have seen small steps taken in the right direction since the protests began. Police department budgets across the country are being slashed with money being reinvested into communities that desperately need the funds, and the country is slowly reckoning with its past as statues of former Confederate generals and Confederate flags are being taken down.

But the cover art also features the names of 39 people who had their lives taken away by those whose duty is to protect and serve. So, while change may seem inevitable at this point, we can not forgot those who lost their lives because these changes were not implemented sooner.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Irked Music Geek

Report: Michael Rosen

Social Advocacy Groups want Facebook to Stop Hate for Profit

Facebook has been getting more and more pressure from users and companies to check hateful or prejudice comments on their network. The Stop Hate for Profit movement founded by civil rights activist groups is calling for Facebook to do more! To create a more accepting and safe platform for their users. And although the social network has made efforts to make changes in the past it has fallen short of everyone’s expectations. Organizations like the NAACP, Common Sense, and many more have been making efforts to change the platform from years, but there’s more of a push to address the bigotry on the app after the murder of George Floyd. When white supremacists and bigoted comments, as well as misinformation about the murder, were ignored by the network.

The goal of the campaign to have people pull out of buying ad space from Facebook going into July. This boycott also includes Instagram. And although the campaign is still new big names in clothing have taken their stand. Patagonia and The North Face have announced on their social media that they’ll be boycotting the app for the remainder of the month. Aside from clothing, Ben and Jerry has announced that they will not be buying ad space from the network as well.

To learn more about this movement check out the Stop Hate for Profit website. https://www.stophateforprofit.org/demand-change

Photo Credits: stophateforprofit.com

Report: Lauren Tucker

Blush Often

Fenty Beauty has stepped their game up in the beauty world. Fenty Beauty has been known for its variety of skin tones shades. From lip glosses to foundation it’s going getting bigger. This company has been very successful within the past 2 years and I have no doubt this product will be great. With this new product I am about to share with you will make want to add this to your Fenty collection. Fenty Beauty is a beauty care products brand propelled in September 2017 by vocalist Rihanna. The brand is well known for its wide inclusivity across skin tones and sexual orientation, particularly its Pro Filt'R establishment. The first establishment dispatch included 40 shades, since extended to 50. There new products which is the cheeks out collection. This cheeks out collection contains bronzer and blush. The new is blush is a light-as-air, non-oily cream become flushed that immediately dissolves into skin for an easy wash of shading, offering life to all skin tones with a simple, characteristic glancing flush in 10 sheer shades. The new bronzer is alight-as-air, non-oily cream bronzer that easily softens into skin for a characteristic looking bronze or delicate shape—in 7 straightforward shades for all skin tones. This new “freestyle makeup” collection will sure be added to the rest of your Fenty Beauty makeup collection this summer.

Photo Credits: Beautiful Trends Today, Makeup Muddle and Fenty Beauty

Report: Tykaia Rose

Aunt Jemima and Others to Rebrand to Correct Racial Stereotyping

Many different brands have been looking to support the Black Lives Matter movement. One is Quaker Oats, the owner of 130-year-old Aunt Jemima maple syrup brand. Quaker Oats announced last Wednesday their plans to completely rename and rebrand the syrup, as its origins are based in a racial stereotype reminiscent of American slavery. This change is set to occur as soon as fall of 2020, but the company has not yet announced the new name or look of the product.

Quaker Oats’ decision to make such a radical change set the stage for other companies rooted in racial stereotyping to reevaluate their brand image. Uncle Ben’s Rice, owned by the Mars corporation, plans to rebrand and possibly rename as they announced on Thursday to do away with the image of the Black farmer found on their packaging. Likewise, syrup brand Mrs. Butterworth’s and hot cereal brand Cream of Wheat have intentions of reviewing and reevaluating their packaging and overall brand image in an effort to eradicate lingering racial stereotypes built into their advertising.

Companies’ willingness to reevaluate decades-old branding images is a risky business, but one that needs to happen to combat the systemic racism that so easily goes unnoticed by many. While a syrup bottle with breakfast doesn’t sound like a huge deal, these microaggressions are what keep racism alive in our country. The public is calling on brands using racist advertising, no longer allowing them to be separate from social activism, but instead asking them to create change themselves. Additionally, as more and more companies make promises to change their racist branding, this puts the pressure on other brands and presents the hope for a more promising and lasting impact on American advertising.

Report: Grace Carlos

Makeup vs. Brownie

If you love eating chocolate listen up! There are many different types of chocolates in the world. But there is only one where you eat or wear it. Having second thoughts, no worries. I have just the new product for you. Beauty Bakerie began as a one-lady activity in 2011 after organizer Cashmere Nicole set up herself for school and nursing school, while being a single parent. This new product from Beauty Bakerie is called Brownie Bar. Did somebody order a Brownie Bar to go, coming right up! Brownie Bar presents three new, general shades of Contour, Bronzer, and Highlighter in a pocket-sized palette intended to be smooth and travel benevolent. Consistent with our long-wear notoriety, the blur free recipe keeps going the entire day helping your sweet beat stay pigmented. Fun fact about this product is that it is cruelty, paraben, and vegan free. This product is made for face to shimmer and have a long-lasting natural look on your face all day. This packaging is mini so it perfect for traveling anywhere a night out, during day or evening or a trip around the world to Bail for the weekend. This new makeup product will sure go great in your makeup collection this summer.

Photo Credits: Beauty Bakerie and Nina Kneads to Bake

Report: Tykaia Rose