Caring for Caregivers, Black Women Businesses Surge, Celebrating Alice Coltrane
Plus, several sports "firsts," hazardous beauty products found to target Black women, unpacking the elusive Black "Sex and the City," and help identify a young Black girl found in a duffle bag in LA.
Hi all,
I’m excited to share my latest for Essence Magazine, titled “Black Women Have Always Been The Blueprint In Home And Lifestyle.” You can read it here. And if you're curious about the thought process on writing the story, I’ve shared a video on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
~Patrice
Wakeful Voices
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The Rundown
Black Women-Owned Businesses Surge Amid Economic Challenges
A new study reports a striking 22% rise in Black-owned businesses, which are more likely to be led by women. And while women run just 22.3% of businesses nationwide, they lead a staggering 39.1% of Black-owned businesses—nearly twice the national average. This boom comes despite persistent barriers like limited access to capital and systemic bias in lending.
Study Finds Toxic Beauty Products Targeting Black Women
A staggering 80% of beauty products marketed to Black women contain hazardous ingredients, a new study reveals. While unsafe chemicals plague the industry at large—74% of all tested products ranked as moderate to high hazard—the added six-percentage-point “is something that should be considered,” said Environmental Working Group's Alexa Friedman, who co-authored the study. Products labeled for "melanated skin" or "textured hair" often come packed with harmful substances, reinforcing a beauty industry that profits off Black consumers while neglecting their health.
Issa & Shonda Reject Trump’s Kennedy Center and $10M Settlement in Sonya Massey Case
Hollywood moguls Issa Rae and Shonda Rhimes have cut ties with the Kennedy Center following Donald Trump’s appointment as chairman, citing concerns over the institution’s values under his leadership. Rhimes resigned from the board, while Rae canceled a sold-out event, both citing concerns over the institution’s direction under Trump’s leadership.
Nearly a year after sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed Sonya Massey in her own home, her family has reached a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County, Illinois. Massey, a 36-year-old mother of two, had called for help when Grayson entered and fired. Now facing first-degree murder charges, the former deputy’s case remains ongoing.
Patrice’s Pick
As the daughter of a mother who is the primary caregiver for my grandmother, this story about The Binti Circle—a Baltimore-based support group for Black women caring for their aging parents—hit home. Founded by Dawnita Brown, the nonprofit gathers monthly in a living room, offering space for Black women to vent, share, and lean on one another.
"To have this group, first of all, they allow me to vent, and I can vent without anybody judging what I have to say, and that is freeing, very freeing," Binti Circle member Kalin Thomas told CBS’ Nicky Zizaza. She described the stress of caregiving as overwhelming, sometimes leading to depression. "You want all their days to feel as pleasant and comfortable as possible," she added.
That stress isn’t just personal; it’s structural. Caregiving isn’t just about tending to elderly loved ones; it’s about looking after family members of all ages, from disabled relatives to young children, often with little to no support. And in most cases, the responsibility falls squarely on the women of the family. This isn’t lost on policymakers. Last October, then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris proposed a Medicare plan that would cover at-home health aides and other long-term care services, aiming to ease the financial and emotional burden placed on caregivers. There’s also the home care workers’ union, SEIU Healthcare, as mentioned in this Essence article. But for now, homegrown resources like The Binti Circle are one of the few places where Black women can find immediate support and relief.
Brown called the group “a lifeline,” and I don’t doubt that for a second. I won’t put too much of my family’s business out there, but I will say this: I’ve seen firsthand how caregiving can be both a privilege and a psychological, mental, and physical burden, especially when access to financial resources is limited. My mother has told me as much. She wouldn’t trade the opportunity to care for her own mother, but I know she’d benefit from a space like this. Somewhere to release, to be heard, to share the weight of it all.
I’ve written extensively about the Strong Black Woman trope—how it conditions us to endure, to bear it all without complaint, to sacrifice until we break. Whether it’s the disproportionate rates of suicide risks and self-inflicted injury among Black women or how severe uterine fibroids symptoms uniquely impacts us emotionally, the pattern is the same: we carry and carry and carry, stoic and silent, often without help. And as the Black senior population is projected to more than double by 2060, this issue will only intensify.
The Binti Circle is yet another example of how Black women continue to be the architects of our own survival. When systems fail us, when caregiving is dismissed as invisible labor, we find ways to hold each other up. It gives me hope in a time when many are struggling to find it.
Cultural Reset
Designing the Future, Rewriting the Past
A 2020 report found that just 0.4% of licensed architects in the U.S. are Black women, and only 1.5% of interior designers identify as Black. But that hasn’t stopped trailblazers from reshaping the industry. A new feature spotlights 27 architects and designers leading the charge, proving that diversity in design isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about innovation. In Los Angeles, the Hammer Museum celebrates Alice Coltrane, jazz virtuoso, spiritual leader, and longtime muse for contemporary visual artists. “Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal” showcases her influence beyond music, featuring artists like Rashid Johnson and Cauleen Smith who translate her sonic vision into visual form.
At the Heart of the Soundtrack
This Black History Month, a retrospective dives into how artists like TLC and Destiny’s Child shaped the ‘90s and changed music forever. And in Brooklyn, DJs like Honey Bun and Bodegaparty are reclaiming dance floors, blending house, techno, and Jersey Club with a deep understanding of the genres’ Black roots. They’re not just spinning records. They’re reviving history and making space for the future.
The Burden of Survival in Horror & Hollywood
Black women in horror films often bear the weight of saving everyone else, only to have their own stories erased. From “Candyman”’s Brianna Cartwright to “His House”’s Rial, these characters embody a reality that extends beyond fiction, where Black women are expected to heal, endure, and protect, even at their own expense. A refreshing critique unpacks this “savior trope,” revealing how the genre mirrors the very real erasure of Black women’s labor. Meanwhile, “The White Lotus” flips the script, bringing back Natasha Rothwell’s fan favorite Belinda. This time, she’s a guest, not a worker. “I’ll be there,” Rothwell recalls, in a great interview, telling the show’s creator Mike White.
A Different Kind of Black Besties Narrative
Hollywood keeps trying to recreate Sex and the City for Black audiences, but maybe that’s not the story Black women want. A new essay questions why a true Black counterpart hasn’t emerged, pointing out that characters like “Insecure”’s Issa Dee and “High Fidelity”’s Rob Brooks resonate because they reflect real, messy, evolving Black womanhood, not a forced remake of a white classic. And while multifaceted representations of Black girls also remain sidelined in mainstream media, author Aria S. Halliday is calling for a change. Her book, “Black Girls and How We Fail Them,” examines how society limits Black girls’ narratives and how Black women can reclaim their stories.
Writing a New Chapter
A new generation of Black women is rewriting publishing. Kiedra Taylor, a UConn doctoral student, launched “Write On, Black Girl” to amplify young Black girls' voices, and now she’s partnered with a publishing house to expand the platform. “I noticed that people were talking about Black girls, but no one was talking to them,” she explains. Meanwhile, Zakiya Dalila Harris reflects on adapting her bestselling novel, “The Other Black Girl,” for TV, discussing the challenges of translating speculative satire about race in publishing to the screen. And in the beauty world, influencer Phaith Montoya is calling out the industry’s erasure of monoracial (ie. belonging to or identifying as a single race) Black women. Light-skinned with looser curls, she acknowledges her privilege in securing brand deals while darker-skinned Black women with 4C hair are sidelined.
Power Moves
From the Sidelines to the Owner’s Box
Autumn Lockwood made history as the first Black woman coach to win a Super Bowl ring, securing her place in the NFL’s record books with the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, Kelsey Koelzer became the first Black woman to lead an NCAA hockey program, a first that underscores a reported rise in Black women student’s participation.
In another arena, Morgan Price just became the first HBCU gymnast to score a perfect 10, a milestone for Fisk University’s trailblazing program. And while Price is soaring in gymnastics, Kamora Freeland, the youngest Black woman to earn a pilot’s license at 17, is also charting a new path at Spelman College.
Outside of competition, Issa Rae and Tems are stepping into sports ownership, joining the ownership group for San Diego FC. Rae sees it as a way to invest in the community, while Tems calls soccer a “universal language” that unites people globally.
Rewriting the Rules in Art, Fashion, Beauty & Beyond
Anne Collins Smith just shattered barriers as the first Black chief curator at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Meanwhile, Chrissy Bales has redefined luxury wigs with her handcrafted pieces becoming a global standard.
Debbie Nash-King, the first Black woman mayor of Killeen, Texas, is no stranger to obstacles. "Kings don’t quit," she says, pushing back against the challenges that come with being a Black woman in leadership. Last but not least, TIME’s Closers 2025 list just dropped, highlighting 25 leaders working to close the racial equity gap. Among them: Rachel Scott, Elaine Welteroth, Sara Sidner, and Danessa Myricks, all recognized for their groundbreaking contributions in fashion, health, news media, and beauty.
Under the Radar
Authorities in Los Angeles are investigating the tragic discovery of an unidentified Black girl, estimated to be between 8 and 13 years old, whose body was found partially stuffed inside a duffle bag near a hiking trail. Dressed in panda-print pants and a pink long-sleeved shirt reading "future princess hero," she was discarded down an embankment with no visible signs of trauma. In Houston, 14-year-old Kamiah Perryman remains missing, prompting urgent calls for public assistance in locating her.
South Africa is mourning the loss of Senamile Masango, the country's first Black female nuclear scientist, according to BBC, who passed away at just 37. Known as "the queen of science," Masango made history as the first African woman to join an African-led research team at CERN, the world’s leading particle physics lab. Her relentless advocacy for science education, particularly among young women in underserved communities, leaves behind a lasting legacy.
Save the Dates
We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists
Opening February 21 at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in D.C., this exhibition presents thirty-five quilts from Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi’s collection. It celebrates Black women artists and their powerful storytelling through quilting, highlighting the Women of Color Quilters Network and Black textile traditions. Learn more
ArtLeadHer Presents: Roots and Realms
Rugiyatou Ylva Jallow’s first solo exhibition opens on February 21 at NeueHouse Venice Beach in Los Angeles, with the opening night starting at 6:30 PM. Running through May 1st, Roots and Realms explores the intersection of identity, heritage, and personal discovery through the experiences of biracial women. Jallow’s work invites viewers to delve into the layers of culture, mythology, and self-awareness. Learn more
Spend the Summer at Spelman University Researching Audre Lorde
The Spelman Archives is offering two $2,500 travel grants to PhD students who will conduct in-person research in the Audre Lorde Papers during Summer 2025. Applications are due by March 1st. These grants aim to support scholarship focused on Black queer women and to promote public engagement with Lorde’s powerful legacy. Learn more
Thank you for sharing. Will be saving this one to dig into the links. I actually requested to join The Binti Circle. So needed for my sister and I.