Here's What's New & Black AF On Netflix This January
We made it, y'all. Last year was one for the books, but 2020 has officially arrived and we really in this bih.
My hopes are that this season is one of renewal for you, from your emotions to your friend circles---even your Netflix account. This is the perfect time to rest, reflect, and reaffirm your intentions as they pertain to your life path.
When you've grown overwhelmed with your future plans and burnout by bullet journaling, there's no better wind-down than a hardcore Netflix-and-chill session. Whether it's with your boo, your bestie, or even by your damn self, here's a Black AF list of January titles you need to stream ASAP:
The Circle (Jan. 1)
This year, Netflix is leveling up its competitive reality TV show energy with The Circle, a gameshow where $100,000 is at stake and the most dangerous thing you can be is yourself.
The Original Kings of Comedy (Jan. 1)
Amazon
Taking us all the way back to the 99s and more specifically, the year 2000, Netflix brings us the Spike Lee-directed classic, The Original Kings Of Comedy. Starring Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, and the late Bernie Mac, this hilarious stand-up compilation is exactly what you need to lift your spirits going into the new year!
City Of God (Jan. 1)
City of God
Before there was Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, there was City of God. Originally released in 2002, this film tells the story of a young photographer and his former friend-turned-drug kingpin navigating the streets of Rio de Janeiro during a time of high poverty, time, and violence.
Wild Wild West (Jan. 1)
Wild Wild West
Another throwback joint that was recently added is Will Smith's Wild Wild West. According to reports, Will turned down a starring role in The Matrix to star in this western action film, which was initially released in 1999.
Hitch (Jan. 1)
Hitch
Before dating experts like Shan Boody, there was Hitch, a romance doctor played by Will Smith alongside co-stars Eva Mendes and Kevin James. This 2005 comedy is streaming now.
Sex, Explained: Limited Series (Jan. 2)
Netflix
We never knew we needed a show where Janelle Monae teaches us about sex, but it's coming (no pun intended) and we're ready. From birth control and conception, to orgasms and orientation, this limited Netflix series narrated by our favorite Electric Lady schools us on some potent truths about the world of sex as we know it. Catch it starting January 2.
AJ and the Queen (Jan. 10)
After being swindled by an untrustworthy lover, a drag queen (played by Ru Paul) takes in a recently orphaned 11-year-old to start a new and unlikely journey where both of their luck changes for the better. This drama debuts January 10.
Sex Education: Season Two (Jan. 17)
Netflix
Life can't be easy as one of the only virgins in your friend circle, especially if your mom is a sex therapist and Otis Millburn knows this firsthand. Back for a second season, Sex Education promises love triangles, new relationships, and possibly even some cherry poppin' in Season 2, which premieres January 17.
Hip-Hop Evolution: Season Four (Jan. 17)
Netflix
This award-winning docu-series is back for a fourth round to help us get a closer look at how the art of rap has evolved over the years. Featuring commentary from Master P. and Lil Jon, this Netflix series is perfect for the hip-hop head in your life.
Tyler Perry's A Fall From Grace (Jan. 17)
Netflix
Tyler Perry recently linked up with Netflix for their first joint project, Fall From Grace, about a recent divorcee who seemingly finds happiness after meeting and falling in love with a handsome stranger who ultimately lands her in jail. Starring Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson, and Bresha Webb, this thriller will be available to stream on January 17.
Family Reunion: Part 2 (Jan. 20)
Netflix
Netflix linked up with some of our favorite entertainers to bring us Black AF family sitcom, Family Reunion, and later this month, the McKellans are back for part two of their first season.
Featured image by Shutterstock.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Stress Awareness Month: Sneaky Workplace Triggers Affecting Black Women, And How To Cope
We all know about the major stress triggers of everyday life, from relationship woes to monthly bills to unexpected emergencies, but there are small, subtle triggers that impact Black women in a big way, especially when it comes to work. It’s good to be aware of these sneaky stressors in order to maximize your day and find ways to incorporate solutions into your self-care routines.
Since it’s Stress Awareness Month, we caught up with Keanne Owens, LCSW, founder of Journey To Harmony Therapy Center, to talk about these triggers and what Black women can do to manage and cope.
Owens is an experienced South Florida-based counselor and social worker who offers her services via Grow Therapy, a therapy and medication management platform. She has worked with Black women professionals to unpack issues related to workplace stressors. “One is the pressure to perform–having to meet deadlines and deliverables. And a lot of times, these subtle stressors from performance are put upon ourselves as Black women. We want to make sure we’re doing our best. We don’t want to be critiqued in certain ways.”
Excessive micromanagement leading to fear of overly critical bosses is another subtle trigger that can negatively impact Black women in the workplace.
“Whenever something is done wrong, or we experience some type of injustice and have to report it, it’s the fear of retaliation–[fear that] we won’t be taken seriously or [our words] will be taken out of context because of being deemed as the ‘angry Black woman,’” she said.
Black Women And Workplace Stress Triggers
Her sentiments are backed by research. A recent report by Coqual found that 28% of Black women (compared to 17% of White men) say their supervisor uses “excessive control or attention to detail” when managing them. There’s more: A survey by the National Employment Law Project found that Black workers were “more likely to have concerns (80 percent) and twice as likely as white workers (18 percent) to have unresolved concerns at work, with 39 percent reporting they were “not satisfied with the employer’s response or did not raise concerns for fear of retaliation.”
The survey also found that 14 percent of Black respondents said they “avoided raising concerns to their employer for fear of retaliation—more than twice the average rate of 6 percent for all survey respondents.”
Owens pointed to the fact that these subtle stress triggers can negatively impact our physical health and our career advancement. “A lot of time it’ll affect our productivity,” Owens added. “We start to have negative thoughts of ourselves. The stressors can also cause fatigue. We’re no longer meeting or working up to our desired potential.” Other challenges as a result include insomnia and increased insolation, withdrawal, and lack of motivation to apply for jobs or promotions even when qualified.
valentinrussanov/Getty Images
How To Manage Subtle Stress Triggers
While there are systemic issues at play for Black women at work that has less to do with us and more to do with major overhauls that must be addressed by the powers that be, there are steps we can take for the betterment of ourselves and our mental health. Owens offered the following tips:
Tap into a support system, whether it’s a coworker you trust, a family member, an organization, or an outlet like a hobby.
Create a good work-life balance before burnout even starts. “Having certain boundaries [is the goal] such as, for example, if you get off at 5, you get off at 5. If your job description is this, you don’t go above and beyond because that brings you to a lot of burnout,” Owens said.
Prioritize self-care, whatever that means for you. “If you don’t have a routine, create one. Practice mindfulness and even some meditation,” she added.
Create structure in your life outside of work. “Even if you have a family, applying some structure in your routine helps relieve stress,” she said.
Get into grounding techniques. “Do a real quick square breathing exercise, that’s literally 30 seconds, or you can do a grounding technique that’s less than two minutes, right there where you are. You don’t need any other materials. That’s something you can do with just yourself and your body.”
Ask for help. “As Black women, we don’t ask for help enough,” she said. “Find where you need to ask for help. A lot of times, people think that’s indicative of weakness, but we need to rewrite that narrative. It’s okay to ask for help where you see fit. [If] you’re a mom, [it could be] every Wednesday from 5 to 6, your children are with the dad. You have to carve out that time.”
For more information on Grow Therapy, visit their website. You can also find out more about Keanne Owens, LCSW, via BeginYourJourneyToHarmony.com.
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Featured image by Charday Penn/Getty Images