Sports

Breaking news today is that R Kelly was found GUILTY of charges including sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, racketeering and sex trafficking involving five victims. Kelly faces a possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison, according to news reports.

Today we want to stand in solidarity with the survivors who were part of this lawsuit, and also send our thoughts and support to all those who have come forward, or who don't feel comfortable doing so. No one should be forced to retraumatize themselves just to get justice, but sadly the world we live in doesn't value the lives and voices of sexual assault victims the way it should. The jury convicted R Kelly based on testimonies from the survivors including women named Stephanie, Jerhonda Pace, Jane and Faith. Most of the other survivors went by their first names or pseudonyms.

One of the victims named in the lawsuit is the late singer Aaliyah, whose death just passed the 20th anniversary mark. Justice may have never come during her lifetime, but her life was one that has left an incredible legacy on so many fans around the world. Her music and artistry are iconic, as hip hop author and journalist @Kath3000 has written about in her new book 'Baby Girl'.

We are re-upping our interview with Kathy, which you can read via the link in our bio, and read more about Aaliyah's impact on the music industry, on fans, journalists and culture at large. Here's what she told us:

"There’s a reason why she’s still thriving years after she left this planet. Few have the impact that Aaliyah has. I hope that people read this book and truly understand that the tag line and the song title were right: she was one in a million."

Join us in amplifying the lives and voices of survivors. Read our full Q&A with Kathy via the link in our bio. Artwork by @AleciaRodriguez_inc (Image 1) and @5hasta (Image 2).

#aaliyah #oneinamillion #babygirl #victim #survivor #sexualassault #verdict #justice #blackgirlsmatter #impact #icon #breaking #artist

If you're looking for something to binge-watch this weekend, look no further than @shainafienberg's 'Dinette' web series, which just released Season 2 on @brictv. And if you haven't even watched Season 1, run, don't walk to catch up on the show that we know is going to be your new fave queer comedy ensemble. Hold us to that promise!
Centering women, gender non-conforming and queer actors and characters, the series is a gender-swapping answer to the genre of male connection and character-centered narratives.
In Season 2, the staff and regulars of a Brooklyn-based diner scramble to keep their favorite hangout afloat after the sudden death of its owner. Mick (Drae Campbell), Dee (Donna Wood), Karolena (Karolena Theresa), White Rachel (Jaqueline Fouasnon) and Jaq (Jude Dry) juggle one situation after another when the new owner, Luisa (Alysia Reiner), shows up. Meanwhile, Norah (Maeve Higgins) and Lucille (Mona Chalabi) are busy helping a Syrian asylum seeker (Karim Nematt) who’s hiding out in a local church.

The TV series is inspired by creator Shaina Feinberg’s childhood viewing of Barry Levinson’s ‘Diner’ and her unique twist on a genre that has typically prioritized the male gaze.

We spoke with Shaina Feinberg about the storylines this season, and the importance of representation.

"I want to see more female-driven, LGBTQ+-driven stories, so it feels exciting that other people want that too. For so long I have been unsatisfied by the female/LGBTQ+ representation on screen, so it feels good to be part of a movement that is addressing that and creating more work that represents more folks. My major goal as a filmmaker is to add more women and LGBTQ+ characters to the lexicon. I think things are changing – and obviously we have so far to go – but it feels exciting to be part of that change."

Read our full interview, and watch all episodes of 'Dinette' Season 2 via the link in our bio! 🎬🎥

#Dinette #shainafeinberg #director #BRICTV #women #LGBTQ #representation #webseries #femalefilmmakerfriday #instagood #queer #allfemale

How do you start your day? Is it with an immediate scroll of your twitter newsfeed to ingest what's going on in the world? Do you start with a downward dog or sun salutation routine? Or do you simply kick off the covers determined to kick ass for the rest of the day?

There’s nothing more valuable than a consistent morning routine. Your waking habits can make or break the rest of your day. Establishing a routine to start your day is said to improve energy, productivity and positivity, while also being beneficial for your mental health, something that is becoming increasingly important in light of the ongoing pandemic.

We've put together 4 ways to start your day on the right tone, which you can read about on the blog today.

Here is our personal favorite: POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS!

When optimism doesn’t come easy, positive affirmations can make for a perfect morning activity. All you have to do is choose a phrase that you want to embody and repeat it until you’re satisfied (the more times the better). Here are some helpful affirmations you can use:

✨I am in charge of my own life
✨I am a magnet for wealth and abundance
✨Every day I become a better version of myself
✨I will attract fulfilling, loving relationships
✨I am loved, I am valued, and I matter

If you like the images we've posted, you can get your own high res version via the link in our bio. 💫

#morning #routine #headspace #meditation #positivity #affirmations #mentalhealth #energy #mindfulness #health #selflove #selfcare #instagood #best #zen

We all know how important it is to eat right, exercise, sleep well and balance work with relaxation. One thing we don’t often talk about is why all that is so very important, but it’s all about protecting your mental energy. You can be in the best shape of your life, but if something (or someone) is draining you mentally, you’re going to feel terrible.

That job you thought you’d love? It looks good on paper, but the office is a gossip-laden mine field, and you dread going in. That “friend” you’ve had forever? She does nothing but complain about life, and makes sneaky little comments that have you questioning yours. You leave every hangout feeling exhausted. That job is bad for you, and so is the friend who isn’t really your friend. To really be living your best life, you need to know how to protect your energy from their negativity.

Today on the blog, Heather Adams has written a very necessary piece for our content syndication partner @fairygodboss listing 12 ways to protect your energy. Here are a few of our personal faves:

🌀SET BOUNDARIES
Drawing a line beyond which you simply can’t extend yourself is a powerful protective measure that lets you husband your energy, and keeps the draining influences of other people’s demands at a distance. Don’t feel bad for saying no.

🌀TRUST YOUR GUT
Protect your energy by listening to your instincts. You’ll learn who or what isn’t good for you by how you feel after dealing with them. If they leave you feeling drained or just distracted and a little overwhelmed, there’s a reason for that.

🌀STOP GIVING AWAY YOUR ENERGY
You feel drained because you allowed someone or something to take all that happy, healthy energy from you. When it comes to saying no and setting boundaries, you have to want to do so, because you understand the benefits of protecting and feeding your own energy, as well as the consequences of always feeding someone else’s.

For more tips on protecting your energy, hit up the link in our bio! 💆🏽‍♀️

#energy #mindfulness #boundaries #mentalhealth #fairygodboss #intuition #healing #breathe #instagood