Fall 2019 Issue

Sista’s Keeper

I AM my Sista’s Keeper

Girls United Beautiful Possibilities Collection

Naseyah Williams

Miss Black USA Talented Teen Soars Through The Arts

Fall 2019 Vol. 7, Issue 1

Essie Winter 2019 Collection

The QUEEN Issue

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Spotlight

Interview w/ Kristian Hardy ESSENCE and Ulta Beauty’s mentoring initiative, Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities, supported six young women: Amani Taylor, Asha Yearwood, Kristian Hardy, Madisyn Clark, Marieme Djanke Drame, and Rhyann Sampson as they participated in a year-long program. Kristian Hardy spoke to us about her experience.

Sista’s Keeper: How was your experience working with this group to develop your own product line?

all of the crew members were extremely helpful and made the other girls and myself comfortable in front of the camera.

Kristian Hardy: My Girls United experience was truly life changing. The other girls and myself instantly clicked when we met each other and became great friends. While we all had our own distinctive personal styles, everyone liked a lot of the same concepts which were shown in our moodboards for the collection. It was really easy to agree on things such as package design and shade options because we had a lot of the same preferences.

SK: What was the biggest thing that you learned about the beauty industry?

SK: What was your favorite part of the experience?

KH: My favorite part of the experience was filming the web series and seeing in real time how a full production crew works. I am very interested in film and I actually vlogged my entire Girls United experience (Youtube video coming soon;) so being on set was definitely my favorite part. The 19th & Park team and

KH: The biggest thing I learned about the beauty industry was all of the different avenues one can take within the vast industry.

Mentorship was a very big part of the program and we participated in panels featuring women executives from both Ulta Beauty and ESSENCE. Coming into the program, the only beauty industry professions I thought of were being an influencer or MUA. Through the wonderful mentoring sessions with women like Mary Dillon (CEO of Ulta Beauty), Jenna Westerlund (VP of the Ulta Beauty Collection), Julee Wilson (ESSENCE's Global Beauty Director), and Candace Montgomery (Executive Director of Live Events & Experiential Marketing at ESSENCE) I learned that the opportunities in Fall 2019

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E� en�� � Ult� Spotlight U�i�e� Beauti��� the beauty industry are endless.

SK: How was it building a sisterhood with the other girls while doing what you love?

KH: Amazing! I remember telling my mom on the way to the airport to our first trip in Chicago that I hoped the other girls would be nice. Not only were the girls some of the sweetest people I've ever met but we formed a bond that I couldn't have even dreamed of before entering the program.

It's very rare today to put a group of teenage girls together and not have that one person who is the "mean girl" or "drama queen" but we truly had nothing but positive vibes between us.

We were all so supportive of one another and we still are even now that we're all miles a part. So many laughs and inside jokes were created during our trips and I am immensely

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grateful that I got to go on this journey with five of my forever friends.

SK: How do you feel that makeup helps with a girl's self-esteem?

KH: Society tries to tell us that girls wear makeup for other people or it's solely to cover up insecurities. Those stereotypes could not be farther from the truth and I believe that my generation is changing that narrative.

Makeup can improve a girl's self esteem not because she can use it as a mask to cover up but because she can use makeup to outwardly express who she is on the inside. The beautiful thing about makeup is that there is no "one way" to do it.

Makeup allows girls to explore their creativity and learn that whether they are bare faced or have a full beat they are beautiful if they're being themselves.

Beauty Girls Possibilities SK: What is it like to have your own beauty collection in stores?

KH: Having my own collection in stores is a very surreal feeling. I purchased my first makeup kit from Ulta Beauty in middle school and it was actually a part of the Ulta Beauty Collection (UBC).

It is a completely full circle moment to now walk to the UBC section of the store and see my face on the display. I am extremely grateful and hope that I have inspired other people by showing them if I can do it, they can too.

SK: What is your personal favorite product in the collection?

KH: My personal favorite product is the highlighter stick in the shade "Glowgetter".

Not only is the name super cute, but the champagne/gold shade is the perfect color for my skin to achieve a "glowing from within" look. I am a huge fan of dewy, skin-like makeup and the highlighter stick is a great way to get a natural glow while still keeping the skin hydrated.

SK: What do you hope the impact of your collection is on teen girls and women?

KH: I hope that the Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities collection inspires teen girls and women to be bold, daring, and unapologetically themselves. We wanted to make sure in every part of the collection that

Spotlight

we included something for everyone.

This is really shown in the eyeshadow palette where we included a lot of bold colors but also made sure to have neutrals for those who want a more subtle look. The collection should also inspire teen girls and women to dream big and continue to go after all of life's beautiful possibilities.

SK: What is your advice to girls who are applying to the program now?

KH: My biggest piece of advice would be to emphasize the parts of yourself that are unique and make you who you are. Whether that is a signature eye look you always do, the city you currently live in, or your college major.

Ultimately, the ESSENCE & Ulta Beauty teams are looking for girls who are genuine and relatable so don't feel like you have to change who you are. Make sure to showcase your personal style in your entry video and effectively communicate your truth.

SK: What is your personal definition of being your Sista's Keeper?

KH: Being your sista's keeper means learning from the women who have came before you and forging new paths for the women who will come after you.

Others will try to place you in a box, but we must look beyond that and know that we are destined for greatness and were placed on this Earth to make an impact larger than ourselves.

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Beauty

E�en�� � Ult� Beauty Girls U�i�e� Beauti��� Possibilities

By: Dominique Hobdy ESSENCE.com

The importance of little Black girls seeing themselves reflected in the beauty industry cannot be denied, but there’s also something to be said about making sure young Black women know how to play major roles behind the scenes as well.

Featuring a vibrant eyeshadow palette, illuminating highlighter, popping lip gloss and a chic bag to hold it all in, the ESSENCE x Ulta Beauty Girls United Collection is definitely a must-have. If you’re ready to support the next wave of beauty gamechangers, you can get your hands on this exclusive collection by shopping at Ulta.com or at your local Ulta Beauty store!

Cos�eti� Ba� $15

E�e�had�� Pa���� $20

Store your ESSENCE x Girls United goodies in this super chic, faux leather makeup bag.

This reusable palette is decked out with a mirror and vibrant shimmering and matte hues.

High S�i�� Lip Gloss $10 Add a pop of color to your pout with this high shine lip gloss!

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Hig�lightin� Sti�� $10 Illuminate those cheekbones with this gorgeous cream-topowder highlighting stick.

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Winter 2019 Collection

Beauty

It’s time to unbottle your holiday cheer!

Inspired by the brilliance of holiday bows, our Essie Winter 2019 Collection will get you into the festive spirit! This palette of 6 nail polish shades is intertwined with reflective glitter pearls creating illumination from within. Celebrate this winter season with a merry and joyous sparkle –all wrapped up in a bow!

For more information or to shop now, visit: https://www.essie.com/nail-polish/whats-new/winter-2019-collection

Caught on Tape

It’s a wrap! In a warm gold nail polish with red undertones your shimmering presence is the present.

Knotty or Nice Why just one?

A bright, bluetoned red nail polishgets everyone tangled up, even Santa.

Making Spirits Bright

Have a jingle ball!

What fun it is in a soft cooltoned silver nail polish.

Tied & Blue

Under Wraps

Secret Santa?

Think out of the box in a pine green nail polish, with deep undertones.

Forever festive, a sapphire blue nail polish is your go-to gorgeous.

Let It Bow

The weather outside is frightful, but a crisp, cool winter white nail polish is so delightful!

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Soaring Through the Arts Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2019 Naseyah Williams is using her platform to bring awareness and support back to the arts.

B

eing in an iconic role that was originally played by Whitney Houston can seem like big shoes to fill.

However, Williams took on the task of playing Rachel Marron in the play “The Bodyguard” for Hillside Drama.

“This year has been really hectic but it has also been a lot of fun,” Williams says. Fall 2019 Sista’s Keeper 11

First Time’s A Charm Williams won the national title of Miss Black USA Talented Teen earlier this year and the preliminary North Carolina pageant was her first pageant ever.

“I never thought I’d do one but my cheer coach recruited me,” Williams says, “It was a big opportunity and I had never been in one so I wasn’t familiar with it.”

Williams says that the pageant about so much more than she expected.

Pageant Experience Williams says that her experience in the Talented Teen pageant was amazing and created an instant sisterhood between her and the other contestants “We all stayed at the same hotel so we made instant connections. One weekend felt like we had known each other forever,” Williams says.

“We weren’t judging each other and actually helped each other.”

For her talent, Williams sang “Too Beautiful for Words” from the play The Color Purple.

Williams says that she was not sure if it was her name that was called at the winner. ?

“The way they call it is a little confusing, especially since I competed against my twin sister in the North Carolina pageant,” Williams says.

“She got first runner up and I was like ‘Oh my gosh…this is not real!’ I even shed some tears but I was thankful to judges.”

Williams says that her initial reaction was that she couldn’t believe it. “The other girls who I competed against were pageant girls. I was the newbie of the pageant experience.”

Soaring Through the Arts Williams’ platform in the pageant was “Soaring Through the Arts” and she wants to provide an outlet for teens to express themselves.

“This means everything to me: singing, dancing, acting and writing. Some teens have a desire to express themselves but no outlet,” Williams says.

“There have been some that have come to me to say they want to do theater, take acting classes, singing lessons or play guitar,” she says.

“They say ‘I want to do what you do when I grow up’ and they can do it now!”

Balancing Act Williams does her best to balance school, extracurricular activities and pageants.

“It is hard but I practice every day in the theater; if you need to find me, I’m in the theater with my vocal coach,” she says.

“Honestly, I just have to not procrastinate.

If I’m going to do this, I have to balance. It’s 12

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About Naseyah Name: Naseyah Williams Age: 16 Birthday: December 31 Hometown: Weldon, NC (now lives in Durham, NC) Favorite Movie: Columbiana Favorite Food: Pizza (used to be vegetarian) & hot wings Favorite Color: The whole Rainbow (especially yellow) What’s on your iPod? Contemporary gospel, pop, Alessia Cara and Tori Kelly

Connect w/ Naseyah @missblackusatalentedteen

not as hard as I made it at first. I just have to not stress.”

She has all A’s right now and is looking forward to college in the future.

Continuing the NC Legacy Williams continues the legacy of black queens from North Carolina along with the current Miss America & Miss USA. “It was important for me to bring it home. I felt proud and thankful but it felt like it wasn’t real,” Williams says.

“North Carolina is where it’s at: we’re changing the narrative of natural hair,” she says.

“In the national pageant, I wore faux locks which is a natural protective styles unheard of in pageants. To me, it shows that I’m black with natural hair & still professional & beautiful.”

Williams realizes that the script is really changing, even though it was a risk. “If I do

another pageant, I will remain natural.”

Being Her Sista’s Keeper Williams has a twin sister named Nacyiah and an older sister named Tatiyanna. She says that she and the women in my life, including her mom, have an unbreakable bond.

“My sister and I will hopefully going to same college. She is my best friend and my mom is a huge influence on my life. We are from the same small town and because of her I know I can do it and I’m just as good as anyone else. My family is my backbone and the positive influence for me.”

Williams’ definition of being her “sista’s keeper is simply means to help each other.

“In our society, we are taught to tear each other down or that there can only be one of us or one winner,” Williams says.

“We all can wear a crown. Helping each other win is what we should doing because we are always competing but don’t have to.”

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Education Feature

Ge�ing Ready This college prep timeline provided by Minnesota Office of Higher

7th & 8th Grade • Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.

• Practice setting and reaching goals.

• Volunteer in your community.

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.

• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you want to explore.

• Create a tentative high school class plan.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

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In 9th & 10th Grade • Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.

• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers. • Sign up for classes that will earn college credit • Talk with your parents during your junior year about saving and paying through Advanced for college.

Placement, International Baccalaureate, • Talk with friends, Postsecondary teachers, counselors Enrollment Options or and your parents about College in the Schools. college.

• Check if your school requires 10th graders to take the PLAN to prepare for the ACT.

• Explore internships and apprenticeships.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

Want to go to college?

It’s never too late to prepare...

For more information, visit: http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg. cfm?pageID=1176 Fall 2019

For College

Education

Education will show you what you need to do to get ready for college.

In 11th Grade • Attend college and financial aid events.

• Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.

• Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.

• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.

• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.

• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Request admissions and financial aid forms.

• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.

• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

• Research private scholarship options.

Feature

In 12th Grade • Visit the colleges that interest you. It’s okay to go more than once.

• Select the schools to which you will apply.

Make a list of deadlines for each school.

• Have your high school transcript sent to colleges which you’ve applied.

• Prepare a portfolio if you’re interested in the arts. Some fine arts college programs require one.

• Take or re-take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.

• Attend a financial aid event.

• Search and apply for scholarships. But be aware of financial aid search companies.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.

• Review your high school class plan to make sure you are on track to graduate.

• Participate in extracurricular activities • Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

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Bla�� Wo�en In History

Carole Gist

• Born May 8, 1969 in Detroit, Michigan • Graduated from The Cass Technical High School & Northwood University in Midland, Michigan • Won the Miss Michigan title in 1989 • Won Miss USA in March 1990 • Was the tallest Miss USA winner at the time (6 foot) • Was a junior marketing major during the pageant & received over $200,000 in cash in prizes.

The first African-American woman to win the Miss USA pageant in 1990