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Andrea Osei combines diversity with luxurious wedding fashion

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AndreaOsei Bride


Entrepreneur Andrea Osei is always changing, staying true to the values ​​that guide her recent ambitions.

The pharmacist turned fashion designer has already established herself in the luxurious bridal scene, creating silhouettes that draw from her Ghanaian-American upbringing. With a diversity of styles starting from leadership to marketing, Andrea Osei Bride is always growing.

From presenting at Bridal Fashion Week to appearing in a magazine, Osei is on the forefront of creating luxury accessible to everyone. In addition to her skilled milestones, Osei’s influence extends to philanthropy. She co-founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children within the African diaspora.

Osei has so much on her to-do list, but her surroundings and wealthy history encourage her greater than ever. She spoke with BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP on her “multidimensional” journey and evolution as a Black woman entrepreneur.

TO BE: You went from pharmacy to fashion. Can you give me a details When did your love of fashion design, especially wedding design, first speak to you?

It was such a serendipitous discovery, truthfully. It had its roots in me seeing my grandmother sewing on her sewing machine, gardening, and doing all kinds of things to beautify our home. So I learned to stitch by hand from my grandmother as a toddler, but I used to be also drawn to math and science and was pushed towards that. I never really considered myself to be “trendy,” mostly because my family didn’t at all times have the means to purchase the most recent and biggest things once I was growing up. My grandmother passed away six months before I got married in 2013, and my aunt, who was also my godmother, bought me a stitching machine in her honor.

I had a natural talent for it, I did kid’s clothes and just a few custom orders. Then I began a women’s ready-to-wear line. People at all times asked me about wedding dresses, but I at all times felt like I desired to do my due diligence and have a much bigger stake in the sport, like studying fashion business before my gender transition. So I did that throughout COVID. Then I made a decision I used to be able to jump into the world.

How do you integrate your upbringing, culture and identity into your work, especially when the silhouettes are based on the classic white dress?

I didn’t understand it at first, but now that I give it some thought, a variety of my fashion inspiration comes from African church culture. I feel that was my first exposure to women wearing it, from the beaded lace to the puffy sleeves, every Sunday. In our country, we wear a variety of what’s called kaba and slit, which is largely a peplum top and a pencil bottom with a slit within the back. But with this next collection, I’m more about texture and structure. I would like it to be elevated and ethereal. Those are the 2 words that come to mind once I describe this next collection. All of this stuff play an enormous role culturally, even when I’m creating my wedding designs. I would like women to feel the best way these women felt every Sunday.

For many Black women entrepreneurs, getting funding to launch their ideas is difficult. Can you explain, financially speaking, your path to starting your corporation? Did you get any angel investors?

I believed in myself, before everything. And if I could give advice to someone who’s attempting to get their business off the bottom, it might be to at all times start with “I’ve got talent” and just jump in, bootstrap and fund it myself. Try to construct a foundation of capital as much as possible. What I’ve present in my journey is that anytime you’re feeling like your personal funds aren’t really stable, it’s really hard to remain focused in your goal. So I’ve used grants, self-funding, and small loans. I have not taken out any big loans and I’ve used crowdfunding. Those are the capital resources that I’ve used throughout my journey as a fashion entrepreneur. But I’m really comfortable with how things are going immediately.

How do you propose to maneuver forward in diversifying this area of interest space in fashion?

It’s hard to be an African-American designer within the wedding industry because it is not diverse. When you hear that fashion must be more diverse and inclusive if you give attention to the wedding industry, it’s much more so, right? And I feel a variety of the unspoken wisdom is that your corporation won’t achieve success when you don’t hire all-white models or when you’re not white or racially ambiguous. We’re moving forward by being very daring in our approach in the case of marketing and branding.

When we are saying we’re about diversity, equality and inclusion, it is not nearly our modeling campaigns. It’s also in regards to the backstage. That’s why we wish to hire people of various races, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, etc., because I feel everyone brings their very own flavor and perspective from their culture. And that is very, very helpful to my business as a creative. I really like that.

You provide luxury from a Black perspective for Black and a various demographic. What does that luxury mean?

We’re not going to limit ourselves to what another person defines as luxury. I feel for me, meaning showing up higher than expected each time. It’s ensuring that quality control is “1000.” You’re ensuring that you simply really care about that bride. She must know that you might have her best interests at heart. You are there and you must be involved in her special occasion. Go the additional mile. Make sure that they know that this is not only a luxury wedding dress; it’s among the finest options.

What challenges do you’re thinking that you learned something from? probably the most like are you continue to growing and scaling your corporation?

Don’t attempt to grow too fast. That’s a lesson I’ve learned and it has been reinforced for me. I feel on this world of “microwave on Instagram” success, it’s extremely easy to feel like you are not hitting a milestone fast enough. You’ll see other firms within the industry have reached a certain level. But you do not know what it took for them to sacrifice to get to that time. So it’s really about staying in your lane. Planning is vital, as is consistency.

Raising HOPE is your philanthropic endeavor. Explain the way it was created and what role you play.

So Raising HOPE is a nonprofit that I co-founded with my sister Ellen. Our goal is to offer resources to children within the African diaspora. Our primary focus is children with special needs. The whole reason we began (this enterprise) is because my mom worked with a gaggle of orphans in Dodowa, Ghana. We thought, “Wow, how can we make this more sustainable and expand our reach?” Our focus is on providing resources to the community in addition to tools. When we work with autistic children, we invite their parents to show them tools that they’ll use to return back and help their children.

INWhat do you would like your impact to be lasting?

I would like to construct a legacy of excellence that my (followers) will ultimately inherit and pick up the torch and run with. I also want to go away a legacy that shows black women or girls that you simply haven’t got to be one-dimensional. You can provide yourself permission to evolve and I feel that is really the story of my life. I believed I used to be going to be a pharmacist until I retired. I loved being a pharmacist. When I discovered a brand new love, I gave myself permission to reinvent myself. You should reinvent yourself as again and again as you’re feeling you possibly can in your spirit.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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The art collector left his mark on TheGrio’s Masters of the Game

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In the next episode of Masters of the Game, hosted by Touré, we introduce you to Shirley and Bernard Kinsey, an influence couple who’ve dedicated their lives to preserving African American history through art and artifacts. Through greater than 50 years of marriage and a shared passion for education and history, the Kinseys have built one of the largest and most influential private collections of African American history in the world.Kinsey collection— making them true champions of history, art and cultural preservation.

Art collectors

The Kinseys have long believed in the transformative power of education. For them, educating others means sharing the wealthy history of African-American culture through art and historical artifacts. Their collection includes works by iconic artists corresponding to Ernie Barnes, Charles Alston and Beauford Delaney, nevertheless it is their collection of rare historical documents that really stands out. Among their treasures is a heartbreaking nineteenth century letter delivered by an enslaved girl who couldn’t read – she was sent from one plantation to a different under false pretenses. The next work of their collection is Zora Neale Hurston’s brave and hilarious letter to her ex-husband, through which she asks him to remain out of her life endlessly.

From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential black couples of our time, Toure’s conversation with the Kinsey family takes us on a journey through the depth, resilience and radiance of African-American culture. Their collection not only preserves history, but in addition inspires future generations to inform their very own powerful stories, making the Kinseys true masters of the game. Don’t miss this episode of “Masters of the Game” at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and 1 p.m. ET on Saturday on TheGrio Cable Network.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Simone Biles torn apart after giving George Strait’s wife a ‘vulgar look’ while fans came to her defense

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Did Olympic gymnast Simone Biles cut George Strait’s wife’s eyes on the Country Music Awards?

Some people think so after a viral video of Biles, 27, showing her frustration within the audience on the 58th annual CMA Awards on November 20.

In several clips circulating online, the 27-year-old gave Strait’s wife, Norma Strait, a “dirty look” on the annual awards show where her husband was honored with the John Paul II Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson.

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist asked viewers if she had glanced out of the corner of her eye on the Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s wife through the 2024 CMA Awards. (Photo: @simonebiles/Instagram)

“Does anyone know if there is a dispute between Simone Biles and George Strait’s wife?” – one in all the X users asked on the evening of this system.

X’s post included a clip of Biles looking nervous as Norma and other attendees danced in the gang on the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony tribute performance.

The tribute to the “King of Country Music” featured country stars Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum. Additionally, Chris Stapleton joined Strait on stage to walk through the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” to conclude the segment.

Speculation about Biles’ possible disdain shown on the CMA Awards has turn into a topic of debate online, with fans and critics taking sides in the controversy.

“I watched it live and wondered the same thing, and then death looked up and down, she definitely hated!” answer on X platform he stated.

Original X poster he replied“As long as I’m not the only one who saw it.”

However, the legendary gymnast had her defenders. For example, user X sent“He’s probably just watching her reaction (honestly) without thinking about the cameras.”

“Nothing happened” – another person he argued. “George Strait’s wife doesn’t care about messy things like that. It looks like Simone could have a resting face. She wasn’t the one black person either. There are many Black people in country music, from singers to musicians.

Similar entry To read“I saw it and cringed, it’s just her face, but she should politely decline if she doesn’t like country music.”

Another fan he wrote“She probably saw the camera give attention to George Strait’s wife and just looked around curiously. I do not think she’s giving a mischievous have a look at all, she just looks like she’s noticed that the camera is specializing in the people next to her.

Despite questions on Biles’ on-screen response, the multiple-time world champion expressed her excitement to attend the 2024 CMA Awards on the day of the event.

Biles reposted photos from the evening on her Instagram Story. In one photo, shared by hairstylist Justin Revenge, the Olympic gold medalist showed off the short red dress she wore to the red carpet, in addition to the silver off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the CMA Gala.

The star of the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” appeared at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to present the Female Vocalist of the Year award to country singer Lainey Wilson.

Lainey Wilson won the Female Vocalist of the Year category, beating out fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.

Biles herself had a successful 12 months as an athlete. The Texas native won 4 medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, bringing her profession total to a record 11 victories for an American gymnast.

However, Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t replicate Biles’ success because the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Harris lost to former President Donald Trump within the nationwide election.

Biles publicly called on current Democratic President Joe Biden to take a stand on behalf of American women before Republican MAGA leader Trump enters the White House on January 20, 2025.

“Mr. Biden, you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” the Olympian wrote on Twitter on November 6 in response to the election results.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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What do you know about Cynthia Erivo?

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Cynthia Erivo, Wicked, Cynthia Erivo controversy, Black Hollywood, theGrio.com

With the discharge of Wicked fast approaching, it’s protected to say that Cynthia Erivo is on fire straight away.

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of a best-selling novel based on one other novel) is about to open to over $175 million worldwide this weekend, and Erivo has just landed a significant deal.

Universal Pictures has struck a first-look cope with its production company Edith’s Daughter, Deadline reported.

“Having spent the last three years working with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the Universal team on Wicked, I have experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift narrators,” said Erivo. “I am absolutely delighted to take the next step in our cooperation under our first-look agreement. This is not only a milestone for my production company, but also a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”

However, some could also be just discovering the 37-year-old from Stockwell, London (where she was born right into a family of Nigerian immigrants) or may don’t know about her background and profession to this point. There’s quite a bit to like about the Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner – and much more to grasp beneath the surface. Below we have gathered some things you have to know about Erivo, including some very necessary ones.

He is a Broadway sensation

Before Erivo became a star of the silver screen, she made a reputation for herself on the stage. The actress’ breakthrough role was the role of Celie within the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From 2015 to 2017, she delivered critically acclaimed, groundbreaking performances, winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

She has played several iconic black characters

Aretha Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Recy Taylor are black American historical figures immortalized on screen by Erivo, who has played all of them in movies. Shortly after her Broadway run in 2017, Erivo played Taylor in “The Rape of Recy Taylor.” She then starred as Tubman within the 2019 film “Harriet.”

In 2021, Erivo played Franklin within the National Geographic anthology “Genius: Aretha”. While critics praised her performance, Franklin’s family had a special tackle the project, claiming she was never consulted and even felt “disrespected” by the production team.

He is a queer icon

Earlier this yr, Erivo received the Schrader Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center as a self-proclaimed member for her talent and support of the queer community.

“Acknowledging that I am queer publicly – especially in the public eye – means taking a risk to claim my freedom,” she said in her speech through which she agreed to return out as queer later in life. “It seems we prefer to see the world in black and white rather than accept the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity.”

Although it has never been explicitly confirmed, Erivo has long been considered one half of a fairly powerful Black Hollywood power couple, as she is commonly seen at red carpet events alongside fellow industry heavyweight Lena Waithe.

He has a novel sense of fashion

From shaving her eyebrows to her signature long and ornamental nails, Erivo is understood for her daring sense of fashion. Her uniqueness was even incorporated into her makeup for “Wicked.” The makeup artist used stencils to attract eyebrows and add freckles. Meanwhile, a special shade of green face and body makeup was developed to make Erivo’s melaninated skin appear “clearly” on screen, and the shade was named “Cynthia Green,” the film’s makeup artist said People Magazine. It’s value noting that despite the hours-long application process required day by day for months of filming, she also said that Erivo “never, ever, ever complained.”

She doesn’t suffer fools

Social media was abuzz this week with response to actor/podcast host Dax Shepard’s invasive query about Erivo’s signature elaborate manicure, specifically how he moves through it while using the lavatory. When footage of her interview with Shepard hit the Internet, many individuals were quick to sentence its inappropriateness, asking her how she wipes herself while having very long, jeweled nails.

“My answer is that no one wipes their ass with just their fingers. You use wipes, right? And you wipe it off,” she replied calmly.

Erivo further expressed her annoyance with this query; the one she had exhibited before.

“I understand, it annoys me. Come on, guys,” she said. “I understand, but I’m a functioning adult and I’ve never walked around smelling like… you know.”

People participating within the discussion found this query rude, disgusting and invasive. It can also be, as Erivo identified, unoriginal. In response to this viral exchange, some have responded by demonstrating how they adapt these very human processes to long fingernails – and shockingly, it’s just about the identical process we have all been doing since potty training. It’s really not that complicated.

Cynthia Erivo Recalls Her Reaction to Fan-Made 'Wicked' Poster: 'I Probably Should have Called My Friends'

He has some questionable tweets in his search history

When it was announced in 2018 that Erivo would play Harriet Tubman within the biopic “Harriet,” the British actress’s seemingly problematic comments made years earlier about the language of Black Americans inevitably resurfaced. As previously reported by theGrio, this compounded existing questions about the choice to forged British-born Erivo because the historical African-American hero, given what some perceived as a disdain for African-American culture.

“As for the tweets, they were taken out of context, giving me no room to explain what they meant – and they weren’t actually mocking anyone,” she explained on the time: Complex reported. “It was not intended to be (offensive) at all. It was to celebrate a song I (wrote) when I was 16.”

Speaking further about the controversy during an event on the Toronto International Film Festival, she said: “I actually have never… never spoken negatively about people because I don’t desire to; I don’t desire this energy to be passed on to others.”

She continued: “I do not think it’s good for us in any respect; I do not think it serves any purpose apart from to bring negativity into my life and yours, and I just don’t desire that.

Perhaps he has some tension with the band in “The Color Purple.”

For unknown reasons, Erivo claims she was not invited to a special screening of the musical “The Color Purple” for family and friends, which was also attended by other members of her Broadway forged. It’s a bit strange that the Tony-winning revival star wasn’t on the guest list. When asked about her apparent rejection in the course of the interview and whether it reflected her initial considerations for Celie’s role within the film adaptation, Erivo suggested she couldn’t talk about it.

Despite every little thing, he’s capable of admit his mistake

Erivo can have had mixed emotions previously as a result of questionable comments or her unwavering passion for her craft, but she is ultimately capable of admit when she was incorrect. In the lead-up to Wicked’s premiere, fan-made art got here to light that edited the film’s poster to look more like the unique Broadway Playbill, obscuring Erivo’s direct gaze with the brim of her witch hat. The actress was initially very offended, but later admitted that she can have overreacted.

“I think for me it was a human moment…” she later explained. “I probably should have called my friends, but I’m fine.”

Cynthia Erivo accepts Los Angeles LGBT Center award for speech on freedom to 'be different'

After all, she is an expert

Say what you want, but Cynthia Erivo is robust and talented. He can also be a one that is alleged to place the nice of the team ahead of his personal glory. During a recent appearance on “Cutting room floor” podcast, she described her technique of coming into harmony together with her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande and the way the 2 worked together to create a unified sound fairly than resorting to diva-like behavior in an try and outshine one another.

For example, although she and Grande have very different voices, Erivo noted that what they’ve in common is way more necessary.

“I think what connects us is the way we hear music, so we can hear each other,” she explained. “And the beauty of singing with someone who can also hear is that you follow each other back and forth. We can find ways to make our textures and sounds make sense, and that’s really hard with humans.”

Erivo added: “It also signifies that you found someone completely selfless because they care about working with you, and being an element of that’s essentially the most amazing thing. When you find someone who’s committed to creating sound together, (there may be) no ego.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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