Women of Rubies
In Career Gems By

BEYONCÉ LAUNCHES THE ADIDAS X IVY PARK COLLECTION

Adidas and Beyoncé introduced the first adidas x IVY PARK collection, which goes on sale in stores and online on Jan. 18, 2020.

“It is a dream come true to re-launch IVY PARK as the sole owner,” said Beyoncé in a press release. “My team has worked hard with the adidas team in bringing my vision to life for this first collection and I am grateful and proud. From the accessories to the clothes and footwear, I wanted to design and re-imagine pieces that serve as favorite armor for anyone who acknowledges the strength in their individual style and lives freely and boldly.”

Beyonce

Credit: Parkwood Entertainment, Photo by Melina Matsoukas

She added that the adidas x IVY PARK collection “celebrates power, freedom, and individuality for anyone who has the confidence to take chances and live unapologetically.” The clothing gear includes gender-neutral apparel and accessories. Complemented by four footwear styles, adidas x IVY PARK reinterprets iconic adidas classics with statement colors and a fresh design approach.

“Adidas is the creator’s brand and has always championed the creative mindset,” said Torben Schumacher, General Manager adidas Originals and Style. “With Beyoncé we have the shared goal of putting creativity at the forefront of everything we do to go beyond what we’ve done before and create something entirely new. The first adidas x IVY PARK collection unites the vision of Beyoncé with adidas’ expertise and authenticity in sport and innovative design; the undeniable work ethic and steadfast point of view of Beyoncé shows through in every detail within the collection.”

Beyoncé and adidas came together to design clothes that combine fashion and storytelling and champions the values of inclusivity, community, and diversity. The partnership celebrates and acknowledges Beyoncé’s ownership of IVY PARK as one of the first black women to be the sole owner of an athleisure brand.

adidas

Credit: Parkwood Entertainment, Photo by Mason Poole

The collection is available online at adidas.com and in select stores next year. Prices range from $25 for accessories to $250 for outerwear.

The partnership with adidas serves as the basis for the Queen to relaunch Ivy Park, the athleisure company she co-created and is now the sole owner of after buying out Topshop owner and billionaire Phillip Green in November 2018. 

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NIGERIAN BORN BUKOLA SOMIDE INVENTS FIRST COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION DOLL

Bukola Somide is a Nigerian woman who has invented “Somi,” the very first Computer Science Interactive Doll. The goal of this 14-inch doll is to not only be fun to play with but educational as well.

According to BlackNews.com, Somide created the STEM doll from the main character in her recently published children’s books, Somi, The Computer Scientist: Princess Can Code, which is an illustrated book about, Somi, “a curious, bright, humorous, and beautiful young girl who has a natural interest in learning Computer Programming concepts from her mom.”

Somide equipped the Somi doll with 12 voice-overs that help teach computer science concepts in a way children can understand as well as discourage cyberbullying. In addition, the doll’s curiosity in learning more helps her to connect “what she’s learning with real-life experiences,” according to BlackNews.com, making her relatable to children.

As Somide states, “My passion is to bring computer science awareness to underserved communities while deterring cyberbullying. I’m so excited for everyone to experience Somi, The Computer Science doll!” The Somi Computer Science Interactive Doll is made [for] people of all ages beginning from the age of three. Critics are already praising the doll as a “real educational, entertaining, and inspirational tool for young learners and keepsake to celebrate milestones for young adults” according to BlackNews.com.

Somide has always been involved in technology. Her book, Somi, The Computer Scientist: Princess Can Code, was first published by Innovant Technologies L.L.C. Not to mention, she also published a computer science activity book for children and recently created a coding workshop for children that will soon become an affordable online mini-workshop.

Somide’s future for the Somi doll is to write more additions to the Somi, The Computer Scientist series and publish more activity books to cover advanced concepts.

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AFTER RAISING $2.1 MILLION, THIS NEW YORK WOMAN IS LISTING HER TEA BRAND ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

This is a cup a tea we’re happy to sip on. Vanessa Braxton, founder of Black Momma Brand which sells vodkas and teas, is taking steps to list her business on the New York Stock Exchange, Black Enterprise reports. 

The New York native started Black Momma Vodka in 2013. In 2016, she opened a manufacturing facility, becoming the first African American woman distiller, master blender, and operator of a nationally distributed vodka in the country. She eventually transitioned to making teas, then flavored agaves, and eventually opened several storefronts, becoming the owner of one of the only Black-owned tea and beverage manufacturing facilities. 

Now she’s headed to the New York Stock Exchange. Braxton plans to take advantage of a provision in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2012. The JOBS Act helped small businesses secure funding by lessening many of the securities regulations that made it harder for them to receive equal funding as corporations. The legislation also enacted the CROWDFUND ACT, making it possible for companies to use crowdfunding to issue securities. 

Braxton started a WeFunder account that garnered over $2.1 million from nearly 3,000 funders, securing the money necessary to take the next steps to listing the Black Momma Tea and Cafe Brand. She also already has over 33,000 customers and has earned $2.9 million in sales. 

Braxton plans to open distribution centers in several states. Her storefront in Wheatley Heights, NY will serve as the company’s headquarters and training facility for the almost 300 franchisees interested in partnering with what Braxton calls, “The Starbucks of Tea.” Black Momma’s Tea Cafes plan to serve tea, beverages and other pastries along with desserts infused with Black Momma Vodka. Her goal is to have 500 Black Momma Tea & Cafe locations over the next 5 years. 

Congratulations Vanessa! We can’t wait to invest in this thriving business!

Source: Becauseofthemwecan

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THE FIRST BLACK BEAUTY QUEENS WHO MADE 2019’S HISTORIC YEAR POSSIBLE

With the historic year Black women are having across the beauty pageant circuit, we have to take a moment to celebrate and highlight the women who shattered the industry’s glass ceilings.

In 1977, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad and Tobago made news around the world when she became the first Black Miss Universe in 1977. She built her platform on advocating for world peace and for the rights of minorities of African descent.

Six years after Commissiong took the world by storm, Vanessa Williams became the first Black Miss America in 1983. Ten months after her groundbreaking win, Williams was forced to relinquish her crown due to a controversy surrounding photos she had taken in the past. However, in September 2015, the Miss America organization welcomed Williams back and apologized for how the situation was handled.

Then in 1990, Carole Anne-Marie Gist, stood on the shoulders of Commissiong and Williams when she became the first Black Miss USA at the age of 20. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Gist was also the first winner from the state of Michigan.

One year later, New Hampshire native Janel Bishop became the first Black Miss Teen USA.

All four trailblazers have built successful careers and are still actively involved in their respective communities. Commissiong is a business owner in Trinidad. Williams is an award-winning actress and singer. Gist is a health and fitness expert, and Bishop is a real-estate professional in Encino, California.

While there are numerous Black women who came after these women, we just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to the beautiful Black queens who opened the doors and helped made 2019 possible!

Source: Beacuaseofthemwecan

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In self development By

THIS MOM CREATED AN APP TO HELP PARENTS FIND THE CLOSEST BLACK SANTA

Jihan Woods is the real MVP. After struggling to find a Black Santa for her twins, the Texas mother created an app to help parents nationwide locate one with ease.

A self-proclaimed Christmas enthusiast, Woods launched a Kickstarter campaign last year called “Find Black Santa: A Mobile Black Santa Director.” The Kickstarter campaign was successful, raising $5,000 in 30 days, clearing the way for her to create the free app. According to the campaign’s page, Find Black Santa’s mission is to “present children with positive images of people of color in an effort to play a role in building self-esteem and improving overall wellbeing.”

Woods is a board-certified psychiatrist with a special interest in the mental health of children and adolescents. In creating the app she cited the research which concluded that positive racial identity leads to better school performance and less negative behavior. 

“Christmas can be celebrated in more than one way. Find Black Santa gives families like mine access to Black Santas nationwide.”

If you’re looking for a Black Santa, you can find one in 35 states and Washington, D.C., thanks to Jihan! Download it for free on the App Store and Google Play. 

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10 WAYS TO CLEAR SPOTS NATURALLY

Do you want to get rid of dark spots on the skin? These spots may make you feel embarrassed and not confident. This article discuss the best natural remedies for dark spots and how to get a smooth textured skin.

Those remedies include:

1.Lemon Juice: Take a fresh lemon and cut it into half. Rub the juicy part on the scar. Lemon works as a natural bleach and thus, reduces the blemishes and scars. Drink lemon juice (without mixing sugar in it) twice a day for 15 days.

2.Ice Cubes: Ice cube is a very easy and simple home remedy for fading the scars. Take an ice cube and rub it gently on the scars.

3.Aloe Vera: Take an aloe vera leaf and cut it into half. Squeeze out the gel and apply it on the scar.

4.Honey: Apply honey on the scar. It works great in removing scars.

5.Potato: Take a raw potato. Extract its juice and apply it on the scars. This will let the scars fade away. You can also rub a slice of potato on the scars, directly.

6.Coconut Oil: Whenever you get a scar, apply coconut oil on it. This will reduce the scar, ultimately making it invisible.

7.Olive Oil: Olive oil is said to be really effective when it comes to scar removal. Take a few drops of olive oil and apply it on the scars on the daily basis. Olive oil will also moisturise the skin

8.Cucumber: Place a slice of raw cucumber or apply its juice on the scar.

9.Tomato: Apply a slice of tomato on the scar or massage with tomato juice. Like lemon, tomato also works as natural bleach.

10.Baking Soda: Take 5 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water. Mix it until you make a fine paste. Apply this paste on the scars and let it dry. Wash it off, later on. Repeat this natural remedy thrice a week.

You can also try mixing Honey with lemon juice and baking soda and apply that as a mask. I use that often as well, it gives my skin a very smooth, spot free texture. You should try it too.

By Esther Ijewere

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14-YEAR-OLD SPELMAN STUDENT WHO MADE HEADLINES MAKES DEAN’S LIST IN HER FIRST SEMESTER

The culture cheered for 14-year-old Sydney Wilson earlier this year when she made headlines for being one of the youngest students admitted to Spelman. Now we’re celebrating the successful completion of her first semester. 

Wilson has a full course load filled with classes like Population Biology, Big Questions Colloquia and African Diaspora & The World, but she’s managing it all. She’s ending the semester on the Dean’s list with a 3.76 GPA, a huge accomplishment for any college student, much less one just entering their teenage years. 

Wilson’s parents first noticed her superb academic abilities when she was in the second grade. By the time she was 10-years-old, she was enrolled in high school and by 13-years-old she had officially applied to Spelman.

She began courses at the elite historically Black college and university this fall, living on campus just like any other college student. She majored in biology, a career path she hopes will lead to being able to cure illness in humans. And now, she’s finished her first semester with flying colors. 

Wilson spoke to Because of Them We Can about how she’s been able to manage it all saying, “There have definitely been some ups and downs but the ups certainly outweigh the downs. It was a little hard in the beginning being away from my family but luckily I got to see them often. I am now able to see how the semester has impacted my life, refined my character and gifted me the ability to see things from different perspectives.”

She said she’s really looking forward to next semester now that she’s more settled in. And we’re looking forward to continue cheering her on! 

Congratulations Sydney! Keep reaching for the stars!

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BOLI LA’N TA WAS INSPIRED BY MY LOVE FOR ROASTED PLANTAIN- OMOLOLA KAYODE

Omolola Olanrewaju Kayode was born on June 17th 1995, an only child her late dad who died in 2010 but the last born for of her mother .

Omolola’s journey is one of resilience, determination and doggedness, From struggling to attend school from her young age to  sleeping in Ketu garage for 11months with her parents at the age of 6 . Her mum sold drinks at the entrance of Ketu Demurin bus park, which exposed her to brutality of all kinds, from being pursued by armed Mopols with whips, to them carting away with her goods. Lola’s mum raised her through this livelihood and this in no little way made Lola more determined to make something our of her life against all odds.

After her education, she started working as an auxiliary nurse to earn a living, but she thought to do something on the side to give back, and this informed her decision to go into the Roasted plantain business, populary known as “Boli”, a popular roadside snack in Nigeria, where the Plantain is roasted and sold with groundnut, and displayed stylishly on the local burner.

However, Lola decided to take her vision a step higher by creating  a full business venture called “Boli la’ n ta” ​, ​a wonderful snack eaten by both high and low income earners,  by packaging the plantain with stew and other delicious condiments , selling  to corporate workers and residents of high brow areas across Lagos, she also caters at parties and big events in Lagos.

Her story went viral on Facebook few weeks ago when several Nigerian celebrities posted their photos of them with Lola’s signature roasted plantain, this in no little gave her business and edge and made her motivated to keep pushing.

The wonderful budding entrepreneur who is hopeful her business will make more impact,and passion for animals and humanitarian work ​with me in this interview.

Childhood Influence

My childhood was a mix of love, fun, trials, hustles and strength. My mum carried me for 13months and 2weeks before finally being able to deliver me at a TBA’s facility, I never tasted breast milk because of how sick she got after my birth for a stretch of 6months as I was told. At the age of 5 we got homeless and the only choice of shelter we had was my Mum’s sales space at Ketu Garage , I would be laid  to sleep in the counter while my dad and mum would take turns to watch on the bench and once it’s 4am ,mum starts displaying her wares and dad takes me to the public bathroom to freshen me up for school . After 8months my parents were able to save up enough money for an apartment. I was born in a highly competitive environment; everyone wants to be ahead of the other and with such setting you can’t afford to slow down. My mum wakes up at 3:30 and sets out at 4a.m to Ketu market where she has a sales space and there are almost 10 people around her selling the same products, the earlier you resume the better for your business. I grew knowing that you must keep surviving no matter what odds comes your way .

Inspiration behind her business Boli La’n ta

Boli La’n Ta was inspired by my love for roasted plantain and the ringing mentality of growth. There was a day I was coming from Oshodi with some of my friends and we were hungry and needed to eat something, so I suggested we go for boli. We approached a woman selling it and she selected the ones we wanted, which she gave us with groundnut. “As she was selling, an idea dropped in me and I asked her, ‘Why can’t you sell ponmo and fish together with the boli?’ She responded she wouldn’t be able to do that as it would not attract buyers. At home, I woke up at about 2am and the only thing that kept coming into my mind was how to prepare and package boli differently.

My first pack of boli, earned me N700; the second with croaker fish fetched her N2,500. The orders starting going up from that moment.

Feedback since I started

The positive feedbacks and extreme support towards my business made me feel indescribably happy and more determined to sharpen my skills. Also, I make my customers understand my plantain is not carbonized, I visit the main plantain market to buy it but when I have a big order, I buy outside Lagos.

Challenges

Transportation and the market unexpected uprise.

Other passion

I am always happy whenever there’s an avenue for me to assist humans or animals, I believe a purposeful life is that lived by making others happy.  My inquisition made me love animals as I see all as pets, seeing beyond the physical features and carefully studying the works of God in them amuses me a lot . I also do a lot of humanitarian work with several notable Ngo’s, helping hopeless women and giving hope to street kids.

Advice to young female budding entrepreneurs

They mustn’t give up on their vision as no one would see those dreams come to life except they themselves. Contribute maximum strength focus and persistence towards the determination for success. They should channel all their energy towards standing out in their field of choice and not shiver from like brand’s pressure instead dare to be indomitable.

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NIGERIAN WOMAN BURNS HER WIGS, MAKEUP KIT AND CLOTHES AS SHE GIVES HER LIFE TO CHRIST

A Nigerian lady who burnt her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life, took to Facebook to share what inspired the decision.

Lorritha Ezekiel Olorunda disclosed that she gave her life to Christ after a commercial motorcyclist preached to her while on her way home from the market.

The Facebook user said she disposed her ‘worldly’ outfits after the commercial motorcyclist played a “cassette of revelation” by a lady who God allegedly saved from hell and sent to the world to save souls.

 

She wrote;

 

Good morning brethren, I want to appreciate God for what he has done in my life, it was all about yesterday I went to market as I was returning God used the byke man to minister to me although my husband has been preaching these things to me but the devil never allow me see to it, the byke man God used him to save me and through one cassette of a revelation by one sister that God saved from hell and send her to the world to save souls, my people please am begging all of us there’s no gain in all these things, be urself be natural say no to all these worldly things today and be saved, some people might be surprised seeing this post even my husband was surprised today on the action.

I took even my family when they heard it, most of these items you are seeing here cost me a lot but what does it profit a man to gain the world and loose his soul, my dear ladies that can’t do without trouser please read Deuteronomy 22vs5, have you ever asked yourself Where’s all these attachment and weavon coming from?

I was once a victim of this but I don’t want us to be found in hell when God remembers us, have you tried asking your self if I die today where am I going? Please theres still time for us to amend our ways before it’s late, thank you all and God bless you for reading and I pray for the grace for us to enter the kingdom of God on the last day because that day will be terrible.

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

 

 

 

Source: LIB

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NIGERIAN-BORN CHINYELU ONWURAH SWORN IN AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NEWCASTLE centralisation

54-year-old British-Nigerian Chinyelu Susan Onwurah has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament for Newcastle Central.

Onwurah who became Newcastle’s first black MP in 2010 and re-elected in 2019, took to her official Twitter handle to thank the people of Newcastle Central and vowed to represent them properly.

Onwurah Wrote: “Today I was sworn in as Member of Parliament for Newcastle Central. It is an honour & a privilege to represent you, the people of Newcastle Central. However, you voted I am your voice in Parliament & will do all I can to help you.”

 

Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa also sent a congratulatory message to Onwurah, she wrote: “Hearty congrats and best wishes.”  

Onwurah’s mother was from Newcastle. Her father, from Nigeria, was working as a dentist while he studied at Newcastle University Medical School when they met and married in the 1950s.

Onwurah was born in Wallsend, Northumberland, her family moved to Awka, Nigeria, in 1965 while she was still a baby. Just two years later the Biafra War broke out, forcing her mother to bring the children back to Tyneside, while her father stayed there in the Biafran army.

She graduated from Imperial College London in 1987 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was elected to Parliament in 2010 with a majority of 7,466.

 

 

Credit: LIB

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