Health and Wellness
Shelby Ivey Christie on starting her own publishing company – Essence
Conscious Film
Shelby Ivey Christie is a valued voice at Fashion X, formerly often known as Twitter. Her tone is commonly well-received – in 2018, she began sharing insights on the history of black fashion. Thanks to this, she has turn into a conscientious and well-studied documentarian, whom many individuals need to discuss our unsung heroes and facts which might be largely unknown. The Atlanta-based fashion and costume historian has experience that has allowed her to delve into the center of publishing and culture. Roles at Vogue, Amazon and L’Oréal are the hallmarks of a lady who has worked diligently from the within the corporation. The core of her work at these corporations included shaping marketing and brand strategies for multicultural consumers. Currently, it’s on the brink of a brand new era due to the recently launched project, a publishing house titled Haute Heritage Publishing House which, in her opinion, will shake up the posh fashion industry.
As this era is all about making a tangible impact for Christie, she can be releasing her first book under her imprint: . AND set of flashcards also launched with a book. The company has its rhyme and reason. Christie’s goal is to dispel preconceived notions about education in the worldwide apparel industry. The book features such icons as the long-lasting designer Dapper Dan and the legendary stylist and costume designer June Ambrose. But it also includes other names that some will not be conversant in, including designers Anne Lowe and Zelda Wynn Valdes.
Christie hopes that through her company she will encourage younger generations to achieve for his or her dreams after learning concerning the icons and others who paved the way in which for today’s fashion luminaries. In her own words: “The important message behind this endeavor is that I want to get more young, diverse minds interested in fashion so that we can encourage a more diverse range of talent to enter our industry.”
As a lady native to southern North Carolina, this brand will probably be a legacy builder for Christie that may impact beyond just her peers and the publications and types which have anointed her as a key voice price being attentive to. This will even create a chance for individuals who have a barrier to entry into the lauded industry to attach with the worldwide market. “It’s important to me because, you know, as a Southerner growing up in the South, far from the capital of fashion, New York,” Christie added.
Below, we caught up with Shelby Ivey Christie to debate her latest enterprise, an alphabet book bringing together black style legends and more.
ESSENCE.com: Can you walk me through the present era and what it has been like thus far?
Shelby Ivey Christie: For me, it is a tangible a part of my era of continued influence. I really imagine that my comments on social media and my archival work have actually had an impact on the style industry and beyond. I see the outcomes of this work. I understand that from 2018, after I began talking about Black stories in fashion, taking a look at fashion through the lens of race, class, and culture and being one in every of the few voices discussing and exposing this content, to now, when Black and POC stories are considered he said, talent is being hired inside and outdoors the industry. I feel like I even have a direct impact on this in our industry.
However, I believe I even have made it my goal to focus on more tangible technique of impact. My goal has at all times been to go offline, and this release and this primary set of products is my way of expanding my efforts to amplify Black history in fashion, to incorporate diverse talent in the style pipeline in real life, offline, something tangible and something that it opens up access to fashion content much more because that is something I’m keen about, making fashion and history content and Black history content more accessible.
Why did you select to begin a publishing company? I mean, it’s an area you realize in some ways.
My experience is expounded to publishing activities. My name was on the publisher’s masthead at . I reported it to the publisher. I used to be an intern at [and] On . When I used to be growing up, my dream was to turn into a fashion editor. [I would] browse pages, browse pages, [and] wanting to have a voice, own and direct this content. I believe once I got into fashion publishing, I gained a greater understanding of who controls content and the way that influences what stories get published and ultimately what the general public has access to.
This experience combined with my current passion for working to amplify Black and POC contributions to fashion made me think, “OK, you know what? If I’m tired of seeing the same stories amplified, or if I’m tired of people pointing out the loopholes in fashion storytelling, why don’t I just do it myself?” Black women’s motto, right? Instead of DIY, I believe for a very long time my platform was focused on stating content gaps and throwing flags at the sport where I felt there have been misses, which served its purpose, but I didn’t need to get stuck complaining and pointing fingers.
Even most people is now very informed and well-versed in cultural nuances, the problems we face around race, and who’s telling the stories in fashion. It’s an even bigger issue now and getting more attention, so I didn’t need to get stuck in the web noise and outrage and clickbait and complaining. I desired to get up and say, “OK, I have the experience, I have the knowledge, I have the network, and I can find the resources to do something about it.” This is my answer to this query and I would like to not only complain and point fingers, but do something to vary it, influence it and alter the conversation.
What is most vital to you about this latest enterprise?
For me, the purpose is that this latest enterprise goals to make fashion resources and books that tell diverse stories accessible to people of all ages. The first product is, in fact, a kid’s book. But relating to fashion, now we have specialty products. When something is polished, it could not appeal to us like designer Lego sets and the like, but we still take pleasure in it because we understand the cultural meaning behind it. These are products for fashion lovers [and] individuals who should not fashion lovers. They are intended for people of all ages. I believe the core of my work has at all times been about making fashion engaging and accessible, so now I try this in a broader and more tangible way.
I believe the subsequent big goal for me is that this [the] the book has 28 letters of the alphabet. Some of those individuals are still amongst us, and it was very vital to me that this book included people from the legends who’re still alive, because as a historian I often spend time in archives and extract information on this subject. icons which have gone further, constructing on work done a long time ago, sometimes 100 years ago. We are also unable to confer with creators in real time, learn from them, follow their journey, or see them in real time.
It’s also vital to me to not only give flowers to legends while they’re here to smell them, but in addition to introduce young people and folks of all ages to this talent while they’re here so that they can support them and watch them in real time while still working and moving through the industry, because you possibly can learn loads from watching someone proceed to do the job in real time.
Who are the people you would like people to learn more about on this book?
There are great authors on this book [and] I feel like people can recognize their work, not themselves. The letter W honors the person who designed costumes for Michael Jackson for a lot of, a few years and who created the prototype of the infamous white glove, this white glove encrusted with Swarovski, [the] costume designer, Bill Whitten. There can be Elizabeth Keckley, who designed fashion for First Lady Mary Lincoln and whose work is within the Smithsonian. So many characters have legacies and have left an enormous mark, and audiences simply do not know their names. This is the core of what drives me.
I adore it when people say, “Wow, I didn’t know that” after I’ve talked to them about something or introduced them to a brand new talent or a brand new concept in fashion, so I can just have fun a creative legacy like that too. These are individuals who have already got established jobs, they simply will not be household names, so having the ability to highlight them, have fun them and put them into the minds of young people in order that their legacy doesn’t end with ours once we’re already 30, 40 years old, is for me exciting.
What else are you able to share about yours first book which one are you able to buy today?
I can not help but mention that this book was written by the black fashion legend herself, June Ambrose. In his foreword, he expresses his excitement and encourages young minds to invigorate them and instill enthusiasm to enter this industry. I believe the foreword is a gorgeous call to motion and an inspiring message for readers to feel like they’ve something to supply to the style industry, the posh industry, and feel inspired by the characters on the pages.
I also desired to say that this book not only features Black fashion legends, nevertheless it was written by a Black fashion legend herself, and I felt it was really vital to have her co-writer and her signature and support of what we’re attempting to portray, which is bringing Black narratives in relation to fashion and, again, ensuring that the long run of fashion is more diverse. That’s why her post, support and call to motion for young minds on this book were amazing.
Health and Wellness
Mental health care and medical abortion are on the rise amid the election
Following the 2024 presidential election, which put Donald Trump in the White House for a second term, Americans’ demand for mental health facility visits and contraception and medical abortion orders has increased.
reported data from Zocdoc, a web-based medical appointment booking service, which showed a 22% increase in mental health appointments the day after the election. Calls for greater than doubling of mental health care for Lyra Health, the world’s leading provider of mental healthcare services for workers. The company identified nearly half of its 24-hour hotline patients as first-time callers.
According to sexual and reproductive health platform Wisp, medical abortion orders skyrocketed to 600% on November 5. The day after the election, the company saw a virtually 1,000% increase in sales of emergency contraceptives. “Trump’s nomination as president-elect has created further uncertainty about women’s reproductive rights,” said Monica Cepak, CEO of Wisp. The company saw sales of emergency contraceptives from recent customers increase by 1,650%. “These statistics show that women are stockpiling this offer in anticipation of further restrictions being introduced,” Cepak added.
As already mentioned by o BLACK ENTERPRISESafter v. was overturned in 2022, abortion rights amendments were amongst Americans’ top concerns heading into the 2024 presidential election. November ballots in 10 states, including Florida, Montana, Colorado and Nebraska, in line with NBC News exit polls , included abortion initiatives. Voters showed strong support for abortion in states akin to Arizona, Maryland, New York and Nevada in an effort to guard reproductive rights.
Proponents of reproduction he said what Trump’s victory could mean for black women in America, who reportedly have higher maternal mortality rates in comparison with their white counterparts. Kelly Blanchard, president of the global sexual and reproductive health research nonprofit IBIS Reproductive Health, believes Kamala Harris has been a “true advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights and justice.” Under the recent Trump administration, Power to Decide senior policy manager Monica Edwards fears that “this Project 2025 document will now be the playbook for the contraception ban, the abortion ban, and the broad ban on reproductive health rights and justice.”
TO BE noted the report published in May by the National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF) and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, which revealed that of the 11.8 million black women of childbearing age nationwide, seven million live in states where abortion restrictions have been or are planned.
Health and Wellness
Tia Mowry revealed the reason for her divorce with the help of Jackée Harry
Getty
appears to be doing well as episodes of the show encourage conversation. In the latest episode, the actress sat down with her ex-partner Jackeé Harry to debate dating after their divorce.
Social media users are reacting to several talking points, especially Harry, who seemingly alludes to why Tia and her ex-husband Cory Hardrict split after 14 years. The actress suggested that Hardrict was unhappy because Tia’s profession was going higher than his. Fans have been speculating about the reasons for the split since announcing their separation in late 2022 and finalizing their divorce in April 2023. The 46-year-old has not provided an actual reason.
“If I may say, someone else was unhappy that they weren’t working,” Harry said during the chat. “One partner making more cash or being more successful is a niche that’s so wide that it’s inconceivable to fight it. You cannot have competition. It just doesn’t work,” Harry, 68, said.
“You can’t stop your career because you want to level it up,” added the actress, also emphasizing that she doesn’t “dislike” Hardrict. – But I already told him. I said, “I’m on Tia’s side.” I do know that in a divorce you’ve got to decide on one side. I don’t desire him to feel bad.”
In addition to briefly touching on the contentious issues in the former couple’s relationship, the former colleagues also spoke more broadly about dating and the idea that you could have all the things in life.
“You told me you can’t have everything in life,” Mowry told Harry, who played his mother, Lisa, in “Sister, Sister” through tears.
“Not all at once,” Harry interjected. “I told you I had it for three years of my profession, I had all of it my whole life. I had a person, a baby and money. Yes, all the things was working after which all of it went flawed,” she admitted.
From 1996 to 2003, Harry was married to hair stylist Elgin Charles.
“It was phenomenal. I had support. I had nannies. I had beach boys. I mean, I had everything, but you can’t have it all the time. Someone has to stay home with the kids or nurture the man’s ego. […] Do I sound bitter?” she asked.
During her confession, the mother of two children also admitted that she was afraid that she might make the same mistakes after the divorce.
“Working, being a mother and putting a lot of effort into dating right now is a lot to juggle and balance.” She continued: “And I can’t help but wonder if I’m repeating the same mistake now.”
Mowry has been open about her journey of healing from her divorce and sometimes posts relatable dating videos on TikTok. Even though fans are heavily criticizing her for leaving Hardrict and starting a brand new life, we hope that the actress will find the love she is looking for.
Health and Wellness
Are you thinking about dating someone with kids? Read this book first.
Getty Images/Cavan Images
Erica Grace is an creator, lawyer, and parenting dating consultant who believes that a single person (without children) can have a healthy and long-term relationship – dare I say marriage – with a parent.
“I would be bored if I said no,” Grace tells ESSENCE. “I want to fall in love again and I have two children.” The creator is a single mother who can be divorced, but her relationship and experience with dating her parents didn’t start out that way.
The New York native was once single, without children, and dating a person with a daughter. The couple fell in love, got married and had children. Eight years after her wedding, she decided to go away the wedding as a result of infidelity. In the midst of her destruction, Grace decided to show her grief into service. This was the catalyst for her recent book, . The self-help text took six years to jot down, but divorce was the motivation for Grace to place her insights on paper and share them with the world.
“I went into this as a single girl dating her parent. So this situation allowed me to fully understand the different players in a blended family,” the creator tells ESSENCE. “If I will help someone within the situation I’m in – in order that their marriage doesn’t end due to lack of boundaries or lack of preparation – then I feel like I’ve done something about the suffering.”
In , Erica Grace provides a “road map” for navigating what it takes to ascertain a high level of commitment with someone with children, however the creator emphasizes that the book is a tool for stepdads, single parents, and single people dating alike with parents . She explores topics similar to boundary-setting, co-parenting, and step-parenting from her and her interviewees’ perspectives, as their anecdotes are interwoven throughout the text. As single parenthood becomes more common within the United States, with 23% of youngsters living with one parentthere isn’t any doubt about the accuracy of the text, especially for people within the dating pool.
We talked to Grace about what people should know in the event that they’re considering dating someone who has kids (or are even completely against the concept). Here he discusses things to look out for, healthy blended families, the sadness of being separated out of your mother or father, and rather more.
The gist: You seemingly start the marriage by discussing your experiences as a young single person dating someone with children – what were your weak points What should others be careful for?
Erica Grace: It’s very easy to get blindsided within the early stages of dating. You are blinded by the sweetness of a baby, you are blinded by love, or perhaps you are even simply lost in infatuation with an individual. That one person you date, love, or desire tells you things that is probably not the entire picture. So if I had more knowledge and knew what to look out for, I might have noticed the flags. To have healthy blended families or healthy parenting relationships, boundaries have to be set from the start. And in order that became the crux of the book.
What are a very powerful things to think about as a single person when establishing a relationship with a parent?
If you are dating a non-custodial parent, you must ask whether the person you are dating has a parenting agreement. How often are they with their child? Do they spend every other weekend with you and never with their child? If so, that is a red flag. Do they contribute financially to the kid’s life? What is the connection between them and the kid’s other biological parent? It will take time to acknowledge the connection between the parent you are dating and your child’s other biological parent, but listen to their communication. If you’re driving with your partner and your child’s other biological parent calls, does your partner answer? How do these people interact; are they friendly? What do text messages seem like between them? You can return 10 years in text messages with my ex-husband. You’ll see every conversation we have ever had, nothing has been deleted. And then you will see the character of our conversations change between April 2023, our divorce, and the current. After this change, there isn’t any indication that I’m related to him.
On the opposite hand, if you’re dating a custodial parent, you need to grasp that your dates will have to be planned – there’s not much room for spontaneity. But ask yourself, what’s their relationship with their child? How do they interact? What are the degrees of respect? Does a mother call her son “my king”? What is their parenting style? How do they discipline their children? Is this completely different from how you would wish to discipline if you had a baby together? Remember that this person’s parenting style probably won’t change.
How should you approach parent and child dating with a couple of person?
Whatever you’re struggling with at once, multiply it by two or three. And in case your partner is messy with one ex but not the opposite, you’re still dealing with a large number. I do not think people must be excluded from the dating pool simply because they’ve a number of exes, but you higher do your due diligence.
In one other chapter you talk about the order of things. You say that in a partnership, God comes first, then the spouse, then the youngsters, after which everyone else. How did this order come about?
When you come from a family unit, there isn’t any doubt who will come first in this situation. In the case of a blended family, the situation is totally different because often the kid existed before the brand new partner. So this could be strange, especially if no boundaries have been set with this child.
So, if you ever allow your child to be within the space where your partner should exist, it would be really uncomfortable when you introduce him to someone recent. So if you’re the variety of woman who calls her son “king,” good luck finding a brand new “king” to bring into this space. Or if you’re a dad who’s connected to your daughter in a way where you confide in her, or if she’s doing the dishes or taking good care of the younger kids, that makes it harder or harder for someone else to come back into that space. You robotically grow to be a nasty stepfather because every little thing changes when a brand new person comes along. The key to this is that you have to be in a really healing space to be certain that you are selecting a superb partner.
But yes, your spouse comes before your kids. You must create this relationship with your spouse, especially when young children are involved. You wish to make certain that you are raising them together as a unit and that each one children, whether or not they were from a previous relationship or out of your relationship, were loved the identical, disciplined the identical and every little thing was equal. And if you do not have this order, your own home might be a large number.
In the book you discuss the difficulty of mourning, more specifically when you break up with parent, then you break up with their child. But as you explained, it goes beyond that. What does mourning seem like when you reunite with your parent and grow to be a part of a blended family?
Oddly enough, the mourning chapter was written before the divorce. It began with me growing up in a family unit and really having to mourn that. I at all times loved my stepdaughter, but I understood that there would at all times be one other adult who would have a say in what was occurring. I also wished she could possibly be at every event. I needed to regret it.
After the divorce, this separation developed. That’s why I feel that as a single person marrying someone with children, you should regret not having a standard family. Then, as a single mom, I needed to mourn the indisputable fact that my children would have to go away home and never be with me at times, which was painful. I wrote a chapter titled “Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater” since it focuses on what happens after a wedding ends. What will occur to my relationship with my stepdaughter? I raised her for eight years. It’s unfair to her and unfair to my children and her siblings.
What are your hopes for this book? What type of insights and inspiration can you offer readers, with or without children, who would really like to have a healthy, sustainable and long-lasting relationship?
I hope that married people can use this as a tool to recalibrate. I hope that folks in relationships with individuals who have grow to be stepparents actually read this book – and not only stepparents. They need to grasp their weak points; perhaps they need to give their spouse a voice. Perhaps in some sense they’ve to start out from scratch. I hope this allows people to recalibrate so that they can have a healthier relationship. I also hope that folks in extremely unhealthy relationships may have the strength to go away. There is a chapter within the book titled “Knowing When to Go.” People shouldn’t enter into relationships that cause them pain in any way. Discomfort is okay, pain isn’t.
Single people shouldn’t blindly enter right into a relationship, let alone marriage, with a parent. Ask questions. And for single parents, once you get married the order of things is: God, your spouse and your kids. But when you come together, you come together for yourself and your kids. Choose a partner that is sensible for you and your child.
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