
How You Can Help The Migrant Children & Those Advocating Against The Immigration Policy

Trump's zero tolerance policy has stripped innocent children from their families.
These children have been placed into inhumane shelters caged like animals with a meal that barely holds them through their night, where it's likely they're sleeping among 20 others. As early as age five, they are left terrified of the unknown. Not knowing when or if they'll see their jailed loved ones again or their next destination of where they'll lay their head.
The strict policy was implemented in May as a tactic to cut down on illegal crossings at the Mexico border. Trump has now reversed the policy, but the damage and cruelty has already been done. According to the Associated Press, over 2,300 children were taken away from their families and sent to "tender age" shelters.Two of the many questions we're left with now is: Where are the families of these children? And, what will be the future for immigrant families now under Trump and his administration? The unanswered questions have left many heartbroken and outraged and an outpour of celebrities are speaking out against the family separations.
Ava DuVernay tweeted:
Her tweet led to many sharing their own stories as children of immigrants.
Every living First Lady has spoken of their state of frustration over the policy including First Lady Michelle Obama.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen have even donated $288,000 to American Civil Liberties Union.
And while you might not have the resources or the platforms of some of the aforementioned public figures, you still have power and there are ways to play your own role in helping these children be reunited with their families.
Donate
Organizations such as ACLU and the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) need our help. You may not be able to give a donation like John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, but your $5 makes as much as a difference to help.
Share Fundraisers
You may not be able to help financially, but simply sharing fundraisers on social media continues spreading the word and raises awareness for these organizations seeking to help these displaced families.
Give Your Representatives A Call
Real change occurs when you fight for your voice to be heard. Follow the steps here of how to get in contact with representatives to your state to let it be known that you disagree with the approach in place. Conversely, you can also use this bot to assist you in writing your letter to your respective elected official.
Protest
Another way of spreading the word is through protests. The ACLU, National Domestic Workers Alliance, MoveOn, the Women's March, and more organizations are coming together for a protest in D.C. on June 30. If you're unable to attend, you can find a protests in your local area here.
Let's come together and raise our voices for the voiceless.
*Featured image by Drew Angerer/Getty Images
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Synthetic Braiding Hair & Chemicals: What To Know & What To Do Next
When I was younger, one of my favorite hairstyles was cornrows. I would get them long (as long as mom would allow me to get) with beads on the end. To get the length I wanted, I would add synthetic braiding hair.
Just like many other Black women I know, going to the hair store with my mom or other family members to grab a pack of kanekalon braiding hair was the norm. As I grew up and advanced, so did the hair industry.
Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images
A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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Feature image by AzmanL/ Getty Images