Entertainment
Celebrated author Karen Good Marable talks about her debut children’s book ‘Yaya And The Sea’
Laylah Amatullah Barrayn; Simon and Schuster/Tonya Engel
The importance of positive books with black characters for black children, and albeit, for kids, is unquestionable – at the very least not here. We know the impact that reading funny, engaging, and even whimsical stories with individuals who appear like them can have on our youngsters. Telling our stories beyond conflict, hardship and trauma has unquestionable power, especially for young, precious minds. They are still being shaped and have an innocence and curiosity about the world that we regularly lose on the opposite side of middle school.
So once we heard that veteran wordsmith Karen Good Marable had created a children’s book about just a little girl named Yaya who visited the ocean with her mother and three aunts on the primary day of spring, we were greater than excited. Marable’s name has appeared in lots of books and publications, from , , and, in fact, . But more importantly, she is a mother, an aunt (each by blood and surrogate), a niece and an artist who has consciously focused on culture throughout her impressive twenty-year profession.
We got to discuss with the Prairie View, Texas resident about the magical day over 20 years ago that inspired her to jot down what her little daughter thinks of the book and the incontrovertible fact that, yes, the tooth fairy can – and does – stop by black children’s homes, too.
ESSENCE.COM: How long did it take you to jot down?
KAREN GOOD MARABEL: was originally a journal entry I wrote on an A train in 2001. My friends and I took the very same trip I describe within the book, and it was a bit Yaya too! I used to be moved by Yaya’s unexpected presence that day (my mother did not have a nanny) and I wrote the story through her eyes. (Yaya was five years old on the time). Fast forward to 2018; Denene Millner z Books by Denene Millner/Simon & Schuster Kids asks me if I’ve ever written a children’s book. I told her I had written a story with a baby in it, but I wasn’t sure if it was for kids. She said, “Let me read it.” I wrote it down – thank God I keep journals – and he or she loved it.
You’ve been a longtime editor, journalist and author for over twenty years, profiling celebrities from DMX to Lauryn Hill for canopy stories. How was the technique of writing this book different out of your previous work? And how was it the identical?
The technique of writing Yaya and the Sea was different in that the text and illustrations needed to work together. I needed to learn to not say or describe every part and as a substitute let the illustrations do what they were meant to do. One of the similarities between my previous work and writing is that it relies on a real story. This is me writing about my life. In recent years, my work has mainly consisted of private essays, poetry and memories, so Yaya is a continuation of this trend.
What was it like working with illustrator Tonya Engel on this project?
. Tonya Engel dropped at life! When I first saw her illustrations for the book, I cried. This is our first time working together and I’m honored that Denene and the ancestors have seen fit to bring us closer together. In terms of cooperation, there was no real contact between us. There might need been an occasional query about a scene within the book, like a New York subway or a bodega, but Tonya had clearly done her research. Her illustrations are paintings. Therefore, once I talk about an image book, I also mean an image book as a murals, something to be collected. Valuable. As a lovely book in your library. I view the work of Tom Feelings and Faith Ringgold in the same way.
One of the important thing elements of this book is how the Yaya aunties love her and one another. Was it vital to you to place that within the book – the love between girls and the love we give and receive as aunts?
This was very vital. Throughout my life, at every stage, there has all the time been a sisterhood, whether it was the coven of six girls I used to be born into growing up in Prairie View, Texas; my Wheatley Hall crew from the fourth floor at Howard University; or the sisterhood I joined in my early twenties while living in Brooklyn, Oya’s Elements. Oh, and I grew up with the very best aunt on the planet. My Aunt Nita (short for Juanita) is famous. Quintessential and irreplaceable. She is the role model aunt I hold for all my nieces and nephews, real and funny.
When I became a mother, I actually began to know the necessity for “auntie love.” My daughter all the time says, “Mom, I have lots of aunts!” That is, a circle of sisters who love and take care of her (and laugh with her). A secure space to which he can return repeatedly. I like that that is displayed in .
What feedback have you ever received out of your daughter, Mia Pearl, about this book?
I used to be afraid to point out the book to my daughter to whom it was dedicated. Kids give it to you straight, and I already felt so rattling vulnerable. But I finally showed her the folded and picked up pages when the book was in its early stages. The very first thing she said was (knowing Aunt Renée was me), “Wait a minute. Were you naked in the ocean?” And when she got to the tip: “I adore it. Good job, mom.
In your author’s note, you state that children remind adults to be honest and real. What did Mia Pearl teach you about honesty and truth?
My child insists that I be honest with her, which requires me to be honest with myself. In , the aunts knew that little Yaya was on the shore watching them, which was humbling and honorable. You model sacred work. Children are innocent. Untainted. This innocence have to be protected. Respectable. You make these earliest impressions because adults are answerable for this purity. That doesn’t suggest the tooth fairy won’t stop by or we cannot go see Black Santa at Greenbriar Mall [in Atlanta]. But that is also a part of the magic.
What else would you prefer to tell the ESSENCE audience about?
As a part of the promotion, along with Saturday mornings with children, I run family-friendly salons for adults. Parents, aunts and uncles, those that buy books, read to children. People who see picture books as artworks that might be present in any library. We take themes present in ritual, intention, community and elevate them for adults. There is music, food, wine, a brief discussion, and a ritual. It’s time. You can find more information about these salons on my website Instagram account and mine website.
Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.
After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.
The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.
“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”
The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.
Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.
“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.
Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.
While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.
Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.
“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”
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This is a cloudy day in Los Angeles, but the shining stars of the city brought light to the annual black Essence women in the Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza. At the 18th 12 months, the show we celebrated extremely talented and galvanizing distinctions, akin to Cynthia Erivo, Tyana Taylor, Raamla Mohamed and Marla Gibbs.
Before the event, Black Beauty took a red carpet. The Essence cover star, Tyra Banks, got here in a neutral rhythm – with voluminous hair matching her makeup. Meanwhile, each of the Cynthia Erivo nails found a press release – drawing black and white stripes with decorative greens. And, Teyana Taylor, in the most perfect shadows to eye shadows and lips, she had black, half -burned pixie cutting.
Then Laverne Cox arrived with chopped and cropped bob-made by Jodie Turner-Smith-with a round blush to animate her cheeks. Speaking of hair, Taraji P. Henson immersed his ends in the bleach, which consumed shine on nails, mouth and eyes. To close the carpet, the butt appeared in a brief, curled cut and a thick black French tip.
Below is the best beauty of Essence black women in Hollywood Awards.
Tyra Banks
Cynthia Erivo
Teyana Taylor
Laverne Cox
Jodie Turner-Smith
Taraji P. Henson
Silence
Nzyda Nash-Betts
Fish
Crystal Stewart
Danielle Brooks
Karrueche Tran
Zoë Kravitz
Meagan Good
Tia speech
Tasha Smith
Yvette Nicole Brown
Jackie all the time
Dominique Fishback
Kandi Burruses
Muni long
Storm Reid
Ryan Destiny
Danielle Pinnock
Arnold in China
Entertainment
Tia Mowry, accused of being a “red flag” and having a “medium crisis” after divorce, gives her haters something else to talk
Actress Tia Mowry shoots her haters after years of control of her life after resolution.
The 46-year-old Mowry married one other Cory Hardrict actor, 45 in 2008–2023. Their catchy division stays rumors, even after two stars apparently move.
Many web excavations were directed to the star “Sister, sister” after the breakup. On February 25, she shared news for anyone who left negative comments about her on social media.
The former child’s star sent a video on instagram in regards to the synchronization of lips to doechia’s “Delivery is a river” song. When the speech got here to her observers, quotes from her critics flashed on the screen.
For example, one comment was: “Tia, you are a red flag! You need liberation. “Another said:” He has a middle age crisis. ” Mowry also added a long signature for her inspired by the doechi-inspired clip.
“Entering my power means selecting peace, love and grace on daily basis. I learned that real strength isn’t about what others say, but about how we react. The world will at all times have opinions, but a real peace? It comes from the within – Mowry wrote.
Her statement continued: “We can be doe for external validation and pleasure of people, constantly looking for the approval of others. But the most important voice? It’s the one in us. Finding your own love and confidence is what really justifies us, because it is a voice that is most important. “
“In this manner we cultivate our minds, protect our energy and talk with one another with kindness. It continues to be, self -care and trusting our voice. I melted me and tune in me – a version of myself that radiates immunity, confidence and joy – she concluded.
@Tiamowry Entering my power means selecting peace, love and grace on daily basis. ✨ I learned that real strength isn’t about what others say, but about how we react. The world will at all times have opinions, but a real peace? It comes from the within. We may be addicted to external validation and pleasure of people, always searching for the approval of others. But crucial voice? It’s the one in us. Finding your personal love and confidence is what really justifies us, since it is a voice that’s most significant. In this manner, we cultivate our minds, protect our energy and talk with one another with kindness. It continues to be, self -care and trusting our voice. I tick up noise at me and tune me – a version of myself that radiates immunity, confidence and joy.
Fans gathered in the best way Mowry reacted to criticism of his private life. Supporters left positive answers of their instagram post.
“It’s so powerful! The real room comes from the inside, and learning to trust our voice is the greatest form of freedom. I love this reminder! “One person exclaimed.
The next comment was: “Lol. The fact that everyone has something negative to say about you is wild. People are haters and you are great. “
In addition, one person noticed that Mowry put his digital tormentors on the explosion, writing: “I love that you do not feel the need to censor their handles.”
After a 4 -year profession within the series, Mowry became an energetic personality of social media. Currently, it has 12.7 million followers on Instagram and 7.9 million observers on Tiktok.
Hardrict also has supporting social media. The star “All American: Homecoming” has a million followers on Instagram. Each of them emphasizes their two children on their pages.
Mowry gave birth to her son, Cree Taylor, in June 2011, who was documented within the “Tia & Tamera” series with her twin sister, Tamira Mowry.
The second child Hardrict and Mowry, a daughter named Ciairo, was born in May 2018. Four years later in October 2022, Tia announced that she and Cory were dividing in regards to the unusual differences.
“I’ve always been honest with my fans, and today I’m not different. I wanted to share it from Cory and we decided to go in our separate ways, “explained Tia within the Instagram post on October 4, 2022.
She resumed: “These decisions are never easy and not without sadness. We will be friendship, coexisting our beautiful children. I am grateful for all the happy times we had together and I want to thank my friends, family and fans for your love and support when we start this new chapter in our lives. “
Hardrict admitted that he experienced emotional pain brought on by a divorce of the mower. A member of the solid “Divorce in Czarna” thought in regards to the failure of his marriage throughout the panel discussion on the American Black Film festival in 2024.
“A year and a half has been crying for sleeping every night. Nobody sees it – hardribe He confessedBefore adding: “People who know Cory Hardrict know that my children and his family were every part to me. I’m stronger than I assumed I used to be. By God’s grace I’m here and I still go. “
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