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MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women – Essence

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Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

Since 1984 MAC Cosmetics has a unbroken influence on the black community, providing us with essential tools and a variety of shades.

Think: their annual Glamour Ball VIVA— which has welcomed glam-clad guests like Mary J. Blige, Eve, Fantasia, Diana Ross, and more. Additionally, with its backstage presence at fashion weeks over time, with supermodels Naomi Campbell and Iman, MAC has proven to be accountable for the makeup behind a few of the biggest beauty moments in popular culture history — including Lil’ Kim’s archival metallic lipstick.

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
VIVA GLAM III Ambassador Lil Kim poses with models kissing on the lips at Mr. Chow restaurant in New York City. (Photo by Steve Eichner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Now, as we have fun their fortieth anniversary during Fashion Week (where the brand will sponsor shows by Area, Kim Shui and Luar), we glance back on the legacy they built for black women.

“I think the brand, more than ever, is still rooted in what made MAC special from the beginning,” Aïda Moudachirou-Rebois, senior vice chairman and general manager of MAC, tells ESSENCE. “Artistry, inclusivity, culture… that was the heart of the brand, so that we could help people in our community who needed it the most.”

Despite the noise and competition in a saturated industry, MAC has remained the loudest within the room—largely due to its ability to take heed to its community. That means internally, too.

For MAC makeup professionals, Romero JenningsBeing with a brand for nearly 30 years means being heard. “I feel like I helped build and sustain that brand all those years ago,” he says. “Now, a lot of brands would say it’s on, but we had it from the beginning, which is why we had such a huge following of Black and brown people back then.”

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
American actor and recording artist RuPaul (left) and Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter KD Lang attend a MAC Cosmetics event in 1996. (Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Jennings recalls women from Harlem and the Bronx visiting MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation because no other brand had their shade. “A lot of people would say it was their first time doing makeup because before you had to mix or the colors weren’t right or they were too light,” says Jennings, as a powdered Grace Jones and the Prince.

Meanwhile, lip pencils developed firstly, we use them to at the present time (as Uche Natorifavorite shade chestnut) alongside the lipsticks we crave like CD 96, gave black women the representation they deserve.

(*40*)MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
Diana Ross attends the MAC Icon Collection Launch on the MAC Beverly Hills store on the MAC Beverly Hills store in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo: SGranitz/WireImage for MAC Cosmetics)

Beyond products, MAC has built initiatives to support its teams and customers from inside. From participating in Black Beauty List to investing in funds, grants and creating internal secure spaces like Black At MAC and MAC Movement, the brand’s foundation is rooted not only in culture but in addition in influence. “We don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ approach because that’s kind of performative and a box-ticking thing,” says Moudachirou-Rebois.[We’re] “we really continue to strive to elevate culture in all its nuances.”

With 22% of MAC customers identifying as black (in comparison with the common 8% of U.S. luxury beauty consumers), the brand’s future is in our hands. “We don’t like to think of ourselves as a makeup brand, but as a cultural brand,” she says. “We have a responsibility to that consumer to really meet their needs.”

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
Missy Elliott attends the launch of Mac Cosmetics’ Viva Glam V on the Ace Gallery in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo: Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Celebrity Coverage

ICYMI: Megan Thee Stallion’s Bob and More – Essence

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@lizzo @theestallion / Instagram

Between fashion month, awards shows, and fancy dinners, celebrity beauty moments are at their peak. And over the past week, we’ve spotted quite a lot of pre-fall hair and makeup looks. From black bobs with bangs to doll makeup and oval nails, A-list stars are leaning toward soft power.

For example, Naomi Campbell and 2024 VMA host Megan Thee Stallion swapped their trendy blonde bobs for black ones and added thick, blunt bangs as a “power” beauty moment. Sabrina Elba, however, opted for a medium brown color (which matched her earthy-toned makeup and oval nails), curtain bangs, and sides tucked behind her ear.

Meanwhile, artists Tems and Lizzo had an almost equivalent makeup moment, transforming into life-size dolls: Diana Ross lashes, round blush, under-eye powder, and dark, glossy lips. While the previous preferred to say innocence, Halle Bailey’s red lips and Flo Milli’s bronze finish showed that sex appeal can be on this season.

In case you missed it, take a look at 18 celebrity moments from this week.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Primetime Emmys 2024: Full Winners List – Essence

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Photo by VALERIE MACON

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards was an evening of celebration, triumph and recognition of excellence in the tv industry. The ceremony took place on the LA Live Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, just eight months after last 12 months’s postponed event, sending shockwaves through viewers all over the world.

One of the night’s standout moments was when Liza Colón-Zayas accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role within the FX series. Colón-Zayas delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, recognizing the importance of diverse representation in television. Her performance as Tina, a fiercely loyal member of the kitchen staff on the critically acclaimed series, resonated with viewers, and her win contributed to the show’s growing success, which has already earned seven Creative Arts Emmy Awards this 12 months.

Lamorne Morris also had an excellent night, winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology for his outstanding performance in a series on FX. Known for his comedic brilliance as Winston in The FX Series, Morris has shown his range in popular dramas, delivering nuanced performances in a task that has charmed audiences. His win was met with huge applause, as he became considered one of the few black actors to receive recognition within the category.

The 2024 Emmy Awards also featured plenty of notable Black performers. They received several nominations, and Damon Wayans, Giancarlo Esposito, Niecy Nash, Viola Davis and Susan Kelechi Watson took the stage as presenters, highlighting the growing visibility and influence of Black actors in Hollywood.

The In Memoriam segment, all the time a moving moment within the ceremony, paid tribute to a few of the most cherished names in entertainment. The emotional ballad “I Am Not Okay” provided the backdrop for the moving tribute because the audience remembered the abilities lost this 12 months, including legendary black actors Louis Gossett Jr., Carl Weathers, James Earl Jones. Their contributions to the industry were honored with deep respect, and their legacy continues to encourage future generations of performers.

FX had an excellent showing at this 12 months’s Emmys, leading the drama categories with a powerful 14 Creative Arts Emmys. It continued its winning streak within the comedy race, coming inside a whisker of breaking its own record for probably the most wins by a comedy series. Meanwhile, Netflix dominated the limited series categories.

Overall, the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards showcased not only the perfect of television, but in addition a big shift toward more inclusive representation and storytelling. With people of color like Colón-Zayas and Morris taking home top honors, the evening was a testament to the industry’s progress in recognizing diverse voices on screen.

To see the total list of winners, click HERE.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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NFL History Makers: Meet Edy Lawson-Jackson and Samira Jackson, the First Mother-Daughter Agent Team – Essence

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SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 6: The NFL logo on the field before and during the NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6, 2024 at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Breaking barriers in the world of sports is not any easy task, especially in a league as male-dominated as the NFL.

Edy Lawson-Jackson and her daughter Samira Jackson did just that by becoming first-ever mother-daughter duo to be certified by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) as sports agents. Their journey will not be only historic, but in addition a testament to the resilience, exertions and dedication of Black women who’re making strides in industries where they’re underrepresented.

Edy Lawson-Jackson, a Maryland native, began her profession in sports law in the late Nineteen Eighties, with a deal with athlete representation. Throughout her profession, Edy has been an advocate for expanding opportunities for girls and people of color in the sports industry. In 2010, she earned her NFL agent certification, becoming one among the few Black women to represent skilled football players at the highest level.

For her daughter Samira, following in her mother’s footsteps was a natural step. Samira, a company finance skilled with a law degree, saw first-hand how her mother navigated the competitive world of national sports and decided to follow an analogous path. In 2022, Samira received NFLPA certificationmaking history as a member of the first mother-daughter team to represent NFL athletes.

The path to becoming an NFL agent is rigorous. Both Edy and Samira had to satisfy rigorous criteria to earn their NFLPA certifications, including passing a comprehensive exam, fulfilling continuing education requirements and demonstrating extensive knowledge of NFL regulations. The certification process is designed to make sure agents are fully prepared to represent the interests of NFL players in contract negotiations, marketing agreements and other skilled opportunities.

In an industry where women — especially Black women — are vastly underrepresented, the mother-daughter duo’s certification marks a pivotal moment. According to recent statistics, of the nearly 1,000 certified NFL agents, only 88 are womenand an excellent smaller fraction of them are black women. That makes the Jacksons’ achievement all the more remarkable, as they proceed to pave the way for future generations of ladies of color to follow of their footsteps.

Edy Lawson-Jackson’s profession in sports law spans greater than three a long time. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam in the early Nineties, she worked in a wide range of legal fields, including entertainment and sports, gaining precious experience before becoming a licensed NFLPA agent in 2010. She has represented athletes, entertainers and other high-profile clients, with a deal with expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.

In an interview for Edy reflected on her journey and the importance of working along with her daughter, “It’s been a long journey, but being able to do this work with my daughter is a dream come true. It’s really important to us to show that Black women belong in this space and that we can have a significant impact.” Samira echoed similar sentiments, stating that working along with her mother was each inspiring and empowering.

The sports industry, especially at the NFL level, has long been dominated by men. Both Edy and Samira faced challenges navigating a career that always excludes women and people of color from positions of power. Yet their determination to succeed and break barriers was unwavering.

Samira’s path to becoming an NFL agent wasn’t without its challenges. As a Black woman in corporate finance, she needed to prove herself in an industry that’s each competitive and proof against change before moving on to sports representation. But her resilience paid off, and in 2022, Samira joined her mother at Affiliated Sports Advisors (ASA), their joint firm, where they represent NFL players and proceed to develop their roster.

Edy and Samira’s historic accomplishment is greater than just a private milestone; it’s a robust reminder of the changing face of the NFL. As the first mother-daughter team to earn NFL agent certification, they’re a part of a broader movement to extend diversity and inclusivity in sports. Their work creates opportunities for other women—particularly Black women—to enter and thrive in industries where they’ve historically been excluded.

For many young women trying to break into the sports industry, Edy and Samira are role models who show that perseverance, exertions, and dedication can open doors. Their story is a testament to the power of family, heritage, and the influence of Black women in shaping industries which have long been dominated by others.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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