One time and one time only have I ever caught myself revisiting the idea of the playing the dating game.
It was a bustling Saturday night when I decided to tag along with my friend for the weekend. She was booked to perform at a small intimate dinner party. We arrived at the venue and he immediately stood out in the room full of people.
Although the venue was small, it was packed to capacity with faces wanting to watch the show that was about to take place. My friend and I bid our goodbyes so that she could get ready for her performance and I decided to mingle.
When you've been single for as long as I have, you tend to find comfort in crowded rooms. This was major progress considering about six months ago, I found myself still feeling alone in places that were full of smiling faces. Not tonight though. Tonight, I was open to whatever vibe came cruising my way.
We locked eyes from across the room and I pretended not to notice him making his way over to me.
I was out of the dating scene, but I still vaguely remembered the rules. Within seconds, he was introducing himself. He was tall, charming, attractive, and well-spoken. I quickly found myself hanging on to his every word, and I didn't mind it at all. He told me he was single and from the town where my friend and I were visiting for the weekend. We exchanged numbers in case either of us left without saying goodbye that night and parted ways as the show started. During the performances, I found myself scanning the room and thinking of conversation starters for the tall stranger who made me swoon. No luck.
The lights were low so I pushed him out of my mind for the moment. My friend performed and the show came to a close a few more acts later. The lights come back up and I couldn't find her right away. The crowd was dispersing with everyone leaving or making their way to the bar for another drink or two. Sometime later, I found her. She walked over to me with the biggest smile on her face. I was thinking that she must have received rave reviews, after all, she did put on a spectacular performance. However, that was not the case. She was coming over to tell me about the amazing conversation she'd just had while she was trying to find me after her set.
She went on about how amazing this guy was and the things he said that matched perfectly with what she was looking for in a man. Excited for her, I asked her more questions about him. Her answers began to sound familiar to me. I asked her to point him out to me, I wanted to be sure it was who I was thinking it was in my head. Lo and behold, it was the same tall handsome stranger that made my head swoon entangled in a conversation with another woman who had a grip on his arm. It was the kind of grip that only a woman can do when she has ownership of someone.
It was the infamous "my man grip."
My friend and I exchanged a puzzled look. I pulled her to the side and as we were comparing notes, he left, careful not to make eye contact with us while with the woman who had him captive in the "my man grip." Still confused, we decided to do some investigating and later found out through the organizer of the event who was friends with us both that he had made his rounds to every woman he found attractive in the room that night and gave the same spill of bullshit.
However, the woman he left with was not his girlfriend, but a friend with benefits he met up with every time he was in his hometown. The organizer went on to further explain that he did this at every event he'd thrown. Apparently, he was so good that he took his show on the road whenever he traveled for his line of work. Leaving the event, we heard his name spill off the lips of a girl I vaguely recognized from the event. She was seemingly high off of the facade that was fed to her.
She obviously didn't see him leave with his conquest for the night.
On our drive to the hotel, my friend expressed her disgust at what just happened. I said nothing. I listened as she went on and on about it. She again regurgitated everything that he'd said to her about himself and the things he had in common with her. When I heard conflicting evidence, it all became clear to me. I finally stopped her mid-rant and said, "He's a Community Boyfriend."
She looked at me confused and I went on to explain that a Community Boyfriend is a man who is extra friendly with several women, becomes the man he thinks you want to be with, says what he thinks you want to hear, and based off of your responses, switches gears accordingly. He is never truly single because he finds a way to develop some kind of relationship with every woman who has his number. He sells these women the fantasy that they are the only woman that matters to him. You'll never ever know who he truly is underneath because at this moment in his life he has volunteered as tribute for public use.
One may think he's a butterfly, but when the lights go out, he's the moth that flies towards the light trap on your grandma's porch.
She bursts into laughter and shakes her head at me. Glad that I could break her anger for a second, I quickly let her know that I was serious about what I'd just said and that such a character was unworthy of her anyway. When we finally made it back to our hotel room, I thought she had dropped it, but she started to go again and I had to stop her.
I asked her, "Why does it bother you so much?"
She replied, "Because it's men like him that make me think good men don't exist. Everything he said was probably a lie, and for all, we know his name was probably fake. If he was that good at making every woman in the room believe that he was someone entirely different from the last, then who's to say he is even real at all? What about the women who think that they have something good with him?"
Her answer caught me off guard. She had a point, but in cases like this, you have to thank God that it was revealed to you sooner rather than later. It's always harder to break a bond with someone you've trusted enough to give your body to. I told her that the only thing I could think of at that moment, and that was to be careful with who you choose to invite into your life.
There is no way that anyone could have peeped what he was doing and had she not been with me and I with her, we both would've fallen prey to him.
Women have this beautiful thing called intuition and it's a shame when it's not put to use.
No matter how foggy the mirror is, it always clears and what's left is the truth. That's our intuition. It lets us know when the waters are murky if we choose to listen. Community Boyfriends aren't going anywhere, anytime soon, but lucky for us neither is our intuition. Unlike Community Boyfriends who had to master the skill of f-ckery, we were born with the innate gift to swerve and decipher it.
So that will always leave us one step ahead. Never forget your power.
Featured image by Giphy
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Whitney "As Told By Whit" Morrow is a South Carolina based blogger/writer and mother to an amazing seven-year-old. She has her first novel due out later on this year and you can bet her future is just as bright as her smile. Keep with her on Instagram, you won't regret it.
The Mecca Of Fashion: The Top Street Style Moments At Howard Homecoming
Outfits were planned, bags were packed, and cameras were ready to capture Howard University's collegiate spirit during its centennial Homecoming celebration. Not only does it hold the number one ranking as the most elite Historically Black College and University or its top performing academics, diversity of students and alumni, but the HBCU also leaves a legacy of style and grace.
The essence of effortless poise and refinement shines bright through the iconic university colors of indigo blue, red, and white. Every October, Howard University students, alumni, staff, and friends gather on the prestigious campus in Washington, D.C. to take part in time-honored traditions and events, which is Homecoming. This year's theme, “The Meccaverse,” was a week-long celebration of Howard University’s heritage, including the Homecoming football game and Bison Pep Rally, the Fashion Show, Greek Life Step Show, Homecoming Day of Service, Lavender Reception, and the iconic Yard Fest Concert.
As 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Howard Bison trek back to The Mecca and after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was to be a celebration of a lifetime. We enlisted HU alumnus Sharmaine Harris, a luxury retail buyer, as she revisited her alma mater as eyes on the yard for fashion-forward outfits mixed with personal style and campus pride for the weeklong celebration.
Before we get to the looks, discover how attending Howard University impacted her career in fashion and her day-to-day style:
Credit: Sharmaine and Friends
xoNecole: Describe your personal style. Did attending Howard have any impact on developing it?
Sharmaine: Howard taught me that there’s no such thing as being TOO dressed. There’s always a reason to “put it on” and look presentable, even if it’s just for a day of classes. Standing out was celebrated and encouraged with my peers embracing the opportunity, giving me the confidence to try new styles and trends.
xoNecole: How did Howard shape your career as a luxury buyer?
Sharmaine: I studied Fashion Merchandising, through which I was fortunate to have professors who were very connected to the industry and able to give first-hand accounts of opportunities and what to expect post-college. I was also able to build a network through my peers and other Howard Alum, which has opened doors to endless possibilities both within fashion as well as daily life.
The same confidence instilled in me through my style has also been rooted deeply within me as I step into any role or project I’m faced with throughout my career.
xoNecole: This year marked Howard’s 100th-anniversary Homecoming celebration. Can you describe what the weekend looked and felt like?
Sharmaine: I’ve gone to many Howard Homecomings since graduating, but this year’s 100th anniversary felt like a huge family reunion filled with nothing but love. It was beautiful to see so many Bison return home looking great and radiating joy. It was beautiful!
xoNecole: What makes Howard fashion different from other HBCUs?
Sharmaine: Being that Howard is The Mecca, we have such a diverse population with each individual having their own spin on fashion. Getting dressed is second nature for us, but the layered confidence is our secret ingredient to make any look come together. Through that comfortability to push barriers, we have a legacy of setting trends, as indicated by the many alumni we have in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Keep scrolling for the top street style moments from The Mecca's Homecoming weekend:
Credit: Lacey Gallagher
Credit: Alan Henderson
Credit: JaLynn Davis
Credit: Dylan Davis
Credit: Caleb Smith
Credit: Kendall W.
Credit: Jordyn Finney
Credit: Vanessa Nneoma
Credit: Dr. Mariah Sankey-Thomas
Credit: Caleb MacBruce
Credit: Tiffany Battle
Credit: Teniola
Credit: Ilahi Creary
Credit: Nicolas Ryan Grant
Credit: Dylan Davis
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image courtesy of Sharmaine Harris
How Tracee Ellis Ross Stays Radiant At 52: Her Best-Kept Fitness & Self-Care Secrets Revealed
In Tracee Ellis Ross, we trust.
The California-born diva continues to inspire us with her vibrant energy, unshakeable confidence, and dedication to self-care. As the actress and beauty mogul recently celebrated her 52nd birthday, it's the perfect time to reflect on the rituals that keep her glowing and joyful. Known for her love of fitness, mindful travel, and nurturing wellness routines, Tracee exemplifies the power of prioritizing self-care.
Now, more than ever, Black women need to be intentional about how we care for ourselves. Here, we’ll dive into some of her go-to practices that keep her grounded, radiant, and aging gracefully—a true icon of self-love and wellness.
Take the Moments
In an interview with PEOPLE, the founder of Pattern Beauty emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and organization in presenting one's best self. According to Ross, setting up her Pattern headquarters necessitates "mapping out with military precision" to ensure a successful and effective operation.
“That is perhaps both an escape and a defense mechanism, and also how I get it all done. But I take the moments: what I call it is being mindful and slow between A and B. So instead of rushing between things, I really allow myself to be present between them.”
The rich auntie continued, “I'm not sleeping well. One of my responses to menopause has been I just am not sleeping well, but sometimes I'm able to sleep in. And this morning I was able to sleep in. And then I wandered around the city. So I get to recharge by being able to sleep in when I can, by being a person in the world, by cooking for myself, by taking a bath, by connecting and being with my family, all of those things.
"I'm just like everybody else, just trying to find the fun things to do, watching TV, way too much TV on my iPad.”
Tracee's Holistic Approach to Fitness
Keeping the mind and body strong is a top priority for this one. In the realm of fitness, the black-ish star adopts the Tracy Anderson Method, a renowned technique favored by a number of celebrities. In 2017, she told PopSugar, “I feel sexy, and strong and beautiful when I’m working out. The movements are very dancer-esque, and I’ve been really enjoying it.”
The method combines strength-training mat classes with dance-cardio classes, aiming to reshape your muscles into long, lean, and robust ones. This approach is said to be based on two decades of scientific research conducted by Anderson, who has helped women of various body types achieve a dancer's physique.
According to Tracee’s trainer, Jason Walsh, they’ve been focusing on full body patterns, and “her goal is increasing her overall strength and muscle coordination,” he told Shapein 2022. “We are always focused on reinforcing her fundamental movement patterns.”
From weights to kettlebells to battle ropes, there’s nothing the Girlfriends alum won’t try. Tracee also incorporates Gyrotonics into her fitness routine, prioritizing balance, strength, and flexibility throughout her body. The Gyrotonic Method employs specialized equipment designed to enhance an individual's well-being by opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, extending range of motion, and boosting strength and movement efficiency.
Her pre-workout meal: applesauce. “And I do not like applesauce at all. But I was told that that kind of pure, good-for-you sugar 15 minutes before a workout will make your workout more productive. Whether it works or not, I have no idea. But I suffer through eating the applesauce,” she confessed to The Wall Street Journal in 2022.
When it comes to her food, she makes most meals herself, even deeming herself the queen of the salad. It’s her way of loving herself which helps with avoiding sugar, dairy, and gluten. But if she wants a treat, she’s gonna have a treat. The actor told PopSugar in 2017, “I eat chocolate if I want chocolate. I’m a big salty person; I love olives, I love potato chips, I love French fries.”
Choosing Gratitude and Compassion for Her Body Over Judgment
Best of all, she is gentle with herself. During the pandemic, she got transparent about her journey. “With all the sharpness and harshness and violence and fear that has been around, perhaps the softness of my body is a blessing. It has been able to nurture me in a way that my mind could not... I really encourage and invite all of us to receive the wisdom of our bodies right now and allow the softness, the weight, the whatever — and be grateful. I made it through this year!"
Frequent Flyer
The enthusiastic globetrotter is collaborating with Roku to create a thought-provoking docuseries centered around the concept of solo travel. With her characteristic passion, Ross aims to honor and motivate individuals who embrace the unique journey of self-discovery, empowering them to live their lives authentically and courageously.
Tracee’s travel style combines comfort, practicality, and personal rituals to create a relaxed yet intentional experience. This is what we know from her interview with The Traveler.
Flying Attire: As an airport outfit, Tracee opts for “fancy sweats” by Pangaia, preferring oversized pieces with deep pockets and a hoodie for warmth. She also wears thigh-high compression socks to improve circulation.
Preparedness: She always carries a large tote and a roller bag with essentials, having learned from past lost luggage experiences.
Hydration & Health: Tracee challenges herself to drink at least two liters of water on flights to stay hydrated.
Comfort Over Everything
For vacations, she values sunlight-filled rooms and authentic local food, steering clear of overly experimental cuisine. She frequently revisits her favorite destinations, finding comfort in familiar places she knows well, including a longtime favorite in Mexico.
A bathtub is a must-have, helping her unwind upon arrival, while strong fragrances in hotel linens are a pet peeve due to her sensitive nose. She also likes to settle in by unpacking her bags and sanitizing her space.
Japan and Spain are top on her travel bucket list, and she hopes to visit soon.
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Featured image by Tracee Ellis Ross/Instagram