Quantcast

As a Black woman, Kelis knows how important it is to work with other Black women, help each other and give each other opportunities. The “Milkshake” singer has always been a voice for female empowerment with her popular female anthems like “Caught Out There” and “Bossy” and in a chat during Refinery 29’s Unbothered Presents The Glow Up festival, Kelis opened up about the Black women behind her legendary career and how Black women should create safe spaces for ourselves.


In a clip she uploaded to Instagram, she said “I have a Black female OB. I have a Black female business manager.” She also mentioned that one of her managers is also a Black woman.

“Like for me, that for me is a safe space,” the mom of two explained. “I need to be able to know that when I call you about my business, about my child, about whatever it is, that I’m talking to someone who speaks my language for real.”

“Because they know if I win, we all win. It can’t be the other way around,” she continued, “It wasn’t designed to be that way. So for me, that’s the safe space. I want people who look like me, who talk like me, that’s what I want. That’s what makes me feel good.”

Kelis received a lot of praise for her comments including from TV host Tanika Ray who wrote “This!!!! Reflection is everything and vital for success.”

Kelis has been diversifying her career since her first album Kaleidoscope in 1999. The “Jerk Ribs” singer is also a chef and often shares recipes as well as food she’s grown on social media. She also sells organic beauty and culinary handmade products.

This is one of Kelis’ first public speaking appearances since her husband Mike Mora passed away from stomach cancer in March. He was 37 years old.

Featured image by Leon Bennett/WireImage

 

RELATED

 
ALSO ON XONECOLE
Love Is The Muse: How Skylar And Temi Built A Creative Life Together

When Temitope Ibisanmi DM’d the word “muse” to Skylar Marshai, he knew he was shooting his romantic shot. He didn’t realize, however, that he was connecting with his future business and creative partner, too.

“I was the boyfriend,” Temi says. “Everybody out there knows, you’re the cameraman at that point.”

KEEP READINGShow less
We All Mess Up Sometimes. But Can You Trust A Friend's Apology?

Although what I mostly deal with when it comes to the clients that I have is romantic relationships, there are definitely times when other topics come up. For instance, recently, someone was talking to me about some drama that they were going through with a friend of theirs. Emotionally, they felt like they were in a bit of a bind because while, on one hand, they had been friends with this individual for over 15 years at this point, on the other, there were certain things that they had done, more than once, that were starting to take its toll.

When I asked my client if they had clearly articulated their feelings, concerns, and boundaries to that individual, they admitted that they hadn’t.

KEEP READINGShow less
LATEST POSTS