Celebrity Coverage
The Legacy Play: WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike on sports, being a sister and shaping the future of women’s basketball – Essence
When you think that of someone who modified the game in the WNBA, one name stands out: Mrs. Ogwumike.
As I logged into our Zoom call, I could not help but feel a growing sense of excitement. Are you talking to someone who not only dominated a game I’ve admired for years, but in addition shattered glass ceilings on the pitch? Let’s just say it was price the long day for the meetings I had already had.
From the moment she appeared on screen, exuding confidence and warmth, it was clear why she had develop into a mainstay in the league. Ogwumike who signed with the Seattle Storm through the 2024 season earlier this 12 monthshas develop into a cornerstone of the league since being chosen No. 1 in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Her move to Seattle marks a recent chapter in her illustrious profession, but her impact goes far beyond any single team – she is a leader, advocate and voice for change in skilled sports.
From her first season, Ogwumike established herself as greater than just an athlete – she was a leader in every sense of the word. Her achievements are impressive: seven All-Star appearances, a WNBA championship in 2016 with the Sparks and league MVP that very same 12 months.
But as much success as she achieved on the court, it was what she achieved off it that really set her apart.
Reflecting on her role as WNBPA president, Ogwumike shared her approach to making sure that players’ voices are heard: “I feel the best way that I do know of to be certain that players’ voices are heard is to simply be certain that those players space to talk up. I do not think it’s too complicated.
This philosophy guided her leadership style, which focused on empowering other players to advocate for themselves and understand their value in the league. Ogwumike played a key role in leading the union through vital negotiations, including pay equity and improved working conditions for players.
Discussing the future of the WNBA, Ogwumike stated, “I’d say my vision is that in the next five to 10 years, players will sign a $1 million contract or not less than a seven-figure contract. I would like to see that I will certainly live due to this. So I’d wish to see what it looks like and if it shows the growth of the WNBA. And of course expansion.”
As a Black woman leading the way in a largely male-dominated sports industry, Ogwumike understands the importance of representation and what it means to the young girls who look as much as her. She emphasized the importance of women in sports as leaders: “I think if you look at women who are in leadership positions or who are in leadership positions in the world, in society, in culture and in business, many of them have played sports at some point.”
Ogwumike believes in the importance of diversity and representation in all elements of sports, from players to management. She advocates for greater visibility and investment in women’s sport, recognizing the impact it may well have on future generations.
The WNBA has made significant progress on diversity in leadership positions. From 2023 The WNBA has the highest percentage of women in vice chairman positions or above of any skilled sports league at 58%.. Additionally, 38% of these positions are held by women of color. These statistics underscore the league’s commitment to diversity and representation, which aligns with Ogwumike’s vision for the sport.
When asked about the unique challenges she faced as a Black woman in a skilled sports leadership position, Ogwumike provided a thoughtful answer: “I feel those challenges take on different shapes as you grow old. Perhaps they’re a bit more refined because as you grow old and reach a certain level, it’s hard to query talent. But growing up as a black child and a black girl, you are not necessarily the first selection in terms of what’s representative of anything. You are likely to occupy spaces that weren’t built for you.
She also addressed recent issues of racism and bigotry in the league, stating: “We don’t deserve it, but that doesn’t suggest we’ve not experienced it and players are fed up, Black women are fed up, Black players are fed up. I feel we have gotten to the point where people just think, “Hey, this is the WNBA.” It’s exciting. It’s a sport that folks love to look at. People like to rejoice and give great people their greatness.
While Ogwumike’s impact on the court has been significant, her aspirations go far beyond the game. She is currently working with Adidas on initiatives to support young women in sports, using her influence to supply opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
Speaking about her collaboration with Adidas, Ogwumike said: “When I decided to work at Adidas, I was drawn to them by the aspect of being a creator. These weren’t platitudes at all. This is very true. They want their athlete partners to be creative partners in business and how women are represented in sports, especially in my case, basketball. And I really love it.”
As she continues to blaze trails and set recent standards, Ogwumike stays focused on creating a future where female athletes are valued and respected. Her work with the WNBPA and her advocacy for equality in sports reveal her commitment to driving lasting change in the industry. Her recent move to the Seattle Storm demonstrates not only her continued value as a player, but in addition her adaptability and willingness to take on recent challenges.
When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Ogwumike replied with a smile, “Don’t take everything so seriously. Have fun. I was too serious. I was the parent of a child.” This insight into her personal development journey adds depth to her public persona, reminding us that even sports icons have their moments of reflection and self-improvement.
With leaders like Ogwumike at the helm, there isn’t any doubt that the future of women’s sports and women’s leadership is in good hands. Her commitment to improving the game, the league and opportunities for ladies in sports continues to encourage and pave the way for future generations of athletes and leaders.
As our Zoom call got here to an end, I could not help but be inspired by Ogwumike’s passion and vision. Her impact extends far beyond the basketball court, shaping the future of women’s sports and leadership.
It’s clear that for Nneka Ogwumike, playing is about greater than just winning – it’s about creating a legacy that may profit future generations, irrespective of which team he plays for.
Celebrity Coverage
How Glam connects with the concert tour of the singer Adi Oasis – Esencja
Courtesy of Marvin Parisi
Adi Oasis not only is it making a splash on the funk and R&B music scene. The singer performed, amongst others, KAMAUU’s hit “MANGO”, creates a wave of admiration with his distinctive, soulful sound and magnetic stage presence.
Regardless of whether she recently appeared in your channel – or on stage in… hotel bathrobe or her star KOLORYxSTUDIOS performance – the French-born Caribbean-born singer and bassist has been performing for over a decade.
As a brand new mom navigating motherhood while touring Brazil, Adi assures that self-care is non-negotiable and her beauty treatments are essential to make sure her confidence on stage.
Adi’s pre-show preparation begins with an intensive morning program specializing in hydration, nutrition and rest. “I stay hydrated, eat a well-balanced breakfast and get as much sleep as possible,” she says. While the latter is usually a challenge on the road as a brand new mom, she starts her day with a mild cleansing in the shower after which applying Derma-E Serum with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to maintain the skin brilliant and moisturized. The most vital part of her routine is moisturizing her face with oil. “I take advantage of it IN GROOV Every Mood facial oil it also hybrids as a cleansing oil that I can use to remove makeup after a show. The scent and texture are perfect, and in the morning I feel like I’m in a mini spa.”
Before applying makeup for the show, Adi sometimes refreshes her skin with one other cleanse and application of facial oil, so “my skin stays vibrant and dewy all night long,” she says.
When it involves makeup, adopting a “less is more” philosophy is an ode to her minimalist French roots. “I generally don’t follow makeup trends; I walk quite casually,” explains Adi, who considers Grace Jones to be her greatest muse of style and beauty. The first step in her makeup routine: Eyebrows! “I like them in a particular way and I am unable to live without eyebrow pencil,” she says.
Her favorite place is MAC eyebrow pencil in Spikedthat he collects during his travels. Because skincare is a vital part of her every day routine, whether she’s traveling or at home in Brooklyn — she opts for a skinny layer MAC Studio Fix liquid foundation just to enhance its appearance after which uses it Bronzer Mineralize Skinfinish by MAC in “Gold Deposit” for a warm glow. To come full circle, she applies a fairly, semi-daring lip, and recently discovered a berry-brown lip color called L’Avenue by MERIT It became “a staple in my kit,” he says.
Balancing self-care with motherhood and touring is usually a difficult task. Adi used to meditate every morning, but now that she has a baby, it’s harder for her. Instead, sneaking briefly training sessions when possible was a self-care practice. “When I’m on the road, I still find time for calisthenics training,” she says, noting that even training in a hotel gives her energy.
Adi also often does things like having a shower in the dark, all to be sure the baby sleeps. “Sometimes I accidentally use body shampoo to avoid waking up,” she says. “But hey, cleanliness was a comfort,” he laughs. Even though her priorities modified, her superpower was learning to adapt to latest expectations. “As long as my baby and I are in good health, the rest is just a bonus.”
With her glowing skin and soulful sound, she is undoubtedly an independent artist value watching. Next, Adi says she dreams of sharing the stage with artists like HER, whose work resonates deeply with hers. Until then, for those who’re in Brazil, you could find her live at Attention Blu in Rio De Janeiro on November 15 and Factory Down Everyday people in Sao Paulo on November 16.
Celebrity Coverage
Fenty Beauty celebrates its expansion into the Caribbean with the launch event of Barbados – Essence
Courtesy of Kristopher Streeks
It was a special homecoming season for Rihanna. This week, the makeup artist and popular culture icon officially celebrated the launch of Fenty Beauty in the Caribbean with a launch event in her home country of Barbados!
Rihanna announced via Instagram come early October that the brands might be officially available at select retailers in nine different Caribbean territories. This includes Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St. Maarten from October 24, 2024.
“I always felt awkward that my brand wasn’t in my home, so I always wanted to do it,” the Barbadian native told ESSENCE at the launch event. “I always insisted,” she said. “The moment we received permission to come here, we arrived.”
She also said she plans to proceed rolling out Fenty Beauty in the Caribbean. “The Caribbean, I carry it on my back, just like Barbados. Even though we have now launched operations on nine islands, we will continue to open and expand. We intend to cover the entire Caribbean and beyond,” said the superstar.
Stars prefer it Queen Carterand the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, were present at the launch event. The ceremony took place last Thursday at the idyllic QP Bistro, an oceanfront restaurant overlooking the island’s west coast. Rihanna, who can be one of Barbados’ national heroines, delighted the participants by having fun with the guests and even taking up the DJ’s microphone.
Rihanna also touched on how her Caribbean heritage has influenced the development and trajectory of her brands, stating: “Beauty has all the time been a really honest space. But now I incorporate ingredients from the island into my skincare, my beauty and the reason I even have the only powder that may mattify you at any time, especially when wet!
“The launch in the Caribbean actually reinforces what we built this brand to be from the starting – which is that it’s inclusive. Everyone found shade, everyone found their soul mate in our gondola,” she said. “I want to keep pushing it. The first person I saw applying foundation was my mother, a black woman. I never knew there was a void. I just did it from the bottom of my heart because that’s what I know.”
For Rihanna, “inclusiveness does not mean being limited to one space. This means insulting everyone. I want to be able to shop at Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair – that’s my goal.”
Celebrity Coverage
FIRST LOOK: ‘Harlem’ Season 3 Returns with New Faces – Essence
Angie (Shoniqua Shandai), Quinn (Grace Byers), Camille (Meagan Good) and Tye (Jerrie Johnson) in HARLEM S3 Photo: Courtesy of Prime © Amazon Content Services LLC
Just when winter begins to fade, the warmth returns as Camille, Tye, Quinn and Angie return to our screens. The Prime Video favorite will eagerly return for a 3rd season on January 23, promising more drama, laughter, and life-changing decisions for our favourite Harlem Four.
The second season’s cliffhanger left everyone wondering what would occur next, and this 12 months guarantees much more twists and turns as the ladies enter latest stages of their often tumultuous lives. Now they’re able to set their priorities and begin a brand new life. Expect mother-daughter dynamics, romantic complications, and profession crossroads like never before.
The excitement doesn’t end there – season three introduces some latest faces which might be sure to cause a stir. Joining the solid are Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, Jerrie Johnson and Tyler Lepley, Kofi Siriboe as Seth, a captivating MLB player who quickly catches the attention of certainly one of the women. Meanwhile, Logan Browning steps into the role of Portia, Ian’s former love, whose return to Harlem brings back greater than just memories. Gail Bean and Robin Gives also appear, with Bean playing Eva, a passionate enterprise capitalist working alongside Tye, and Gives playing her powerful mother.
From the creative mind of Tracy Oliver, it continues to explore the complexities of black womanhood with humor and heart, making it a novel comedy that captures the wonder and grit of life in New York City. The latest season, produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Television, reaffirms the series’ position as a source of living storytelling – returning just in time to warm up the winter. So mark your calendars and prepare for a New York minute filled with style, surprises and sisterhood.
Here are some First Look photos from the upcoming third season.
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