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Mary J. Blige Reportedly Owes More Than $1 Million In Back Taxes
Uncle Sam is one member of the family that will never get an invite to the cookout, but nevertheless, he slides through once a year to f*ck up everyone's good time. Procrastination is the creative woman's Achilles heel, and this can be especially dangerous when it comes to doing our taxes and apparently, celebrities aren't immune to this fact. Recently, Bossip reported that Mary J. Blige owes more than $1,000,000 in federal back taxes to the IRS, but after surviving a number of hefty lawsuits, foreclosure, and a messy divorce, we're sure Mary is going to be just fine.
To truly boss up in this world, you have to get control of your finances, and part of that means getting ahead of the IRS before tax day, and Auntie Mary said she had to learn this the hard way. Last year, in an interview the singer revealed that after the very public breakdown in her marriage with her ex Kendu Issacs, she's had to take a front seat when it comes to getting control of her financial situation.
"I'm just being straight-up honest. I never wanted to do all this stuff, but after what I've been through and all the mess that I'm in … You have to pay those taxes. It's good to see what you have and what you don't have — and why are we paying this person $5,000 a week?"
While Mary hasn't commented on her situation, we can learn a thing or two from her recent financial woes. Unlike body hair and bad days, taxes aren't something that just sneaks up on you without warning, and although tax day is 8 months away but it's never a bad idea to get started early.
With these pre-tax season tips, you might have 99 problems, but your finances during tax season won't be one of them.
Get Started Early
Most business owners and independent contractors don't even think about their taxes until one or two months before they're due, and I can totally relate. But if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready, sis.
By organizing your finances well ahead of time, you can avoid any surprises that may arise and feel responsible AF.
Do Some Research
It never hurts to know your sh*t, especially when it comes to your finances. Tax codes change everyday b, and keeping up with these changes can save you a ton of money.
Much of the information you need is available on this section of IRS.Gov and Google should be your best friend before, during, and after tax season.
Hire a Tax Accountant
There's no doubt in my mind that you are totally capable of doing your own taxes, especially after all that extensive research that you've done, but unless you're a tax preparer, there's probably someone who can do it better.
By hiring a tax account, not only are you saving time and focusing on areas of your life where your expertise is more valuable, but you're probably saving yourself a few bucks in the long run, too. A tax accountant that is familiar with clients in your line of work can work to your advantage in a major way when it comes to tax code changes and potential advantages.
Stay Organized
The easiest way to f*ck up your money is by not keeping it organized. I can personally attest to the fact that I have 300 receipts in my car console as we speak, and it's not okay. If you get organized before tax season, handling your finances won't seem so stressful because you won't be so frazzled.
Featured image by Phil Stafford / Shutterstock.com
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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.
This Black Woman-Owned Creative Agency Shows Us The Art Of Rebranding
Rebranding is an intricate process and very important to the success of businesses that want to change. However, before a business owner makes this decision, they should determine whether it's a rebrand or an evolution.
That's where people like Lola Adewuya come in. Lola is the founder and CEO of The Brand Doula, a brand development studio with a multidisciplinary approach to branding, social media, marketing, and design.
While an evolution is a natural progression that happens as businesses grow, a rebrand is a total change. Lola tells xoNecole, "A total rebrand is necessary when a business’s current reputation/what it’s known for is at odds with the business’s vision or direction.
"For example, if you’ve fundamentally changed what your product is and does, it’s likely that your brand is out of alignment with the business. Or, if you find your company is developing a reputation that doesn’t serve it, it might be time to pump the brakes and figure out what needs to change.
She continues, "Sometimes you’ll see companies (especially startups) announce a name change that comes with updated messaging, visuals, etc. That usually means their vision has changed or expanded, and their previous branding was too narrow/couldn’t encompass everything they planned to do."
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The Brand Doula was born in 2019, and its focus is on putting "the experiences, goals, and needs of women of color founders first," as well as brands with "culture-shifting missions."
According to Lola, culture-shifting is "the act of influencing dominant behavior, beliefs, or experiences in a community or group (ideally, for the better)."
"At The Brand Doula, we work with companies and leaders that set out to challenge the status quo in their industries and communities. They’re here to make an impact that sends ripples across the market," she says.
"We help the problem solvers of the world — the ones who aren't satisfied with 'this is how it's always been' and instead ask 'how could this be better?' Our clients build for impact, reimagining tools, systems, and ways of living to move cultures forward."
The Brand Doula has worked with many brands, including Too Collective, to assist with their collaboration with Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Balanced Black Girl for a "refresh," aka rebrand. For businesses looking to rebrand, Lola shares four essential steps.
1. Do an audit of your current brand experience — what’s still relevant and what needs to change? Reflect on why you’re doing the rebrand in the first place and what success would look like after relaunching.
2. Tackle the overall strategy first — before you start redesigning logos and websites, align on a new vision for your brand. How do you want your company to be positioned moving forward? Has your audience changed at all? Will your company have a fresh personality and voice?
3. Bring your audience along the journey — there’s no need to move in secret. Inviting your current audience into the journey can actually help them feel more connected to and invested in your story, enough to stick around as changes are being made.
4. Keep business moving — one of my biggest pet peeves is when companies take down their websites as soon as they have the idea to rebrand, then have a Coming Soon page up for months! You lose a lot of momentum and interest by doing that. If you’re still in business and generating income, continue to operate while you work on your rebrand behind the scenes. You don’t want to cut existing customers off out of the blue, and you also don’t want so much downtime that folks forget your business exists or start looking for other solutions.
While determining whether the rebrand was successful may take a few months, Lola says a clear sign that it is unsuccessful is negative feedback from your target audience. "Customers are typically more vocal about what they don’t like more than what they do like," she says.
But some good signs to look out for are improvements in engagement with your marketing, positive reviews, press and increase in retention, and overall feeling aligned with the new branding.
For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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Ever since I can remember, attending New York Fashion Week was a dream of mine. Sitting in the front row at the shows, getting snapped up by the photogs, being featured on some of my favorite platforms, and showing up as THAT GWORL meant everything to me. I went to my first NYFW in 2014 and I legit felt like I was living in a dream. I got my first invite to a show at Lincoln Center, and it felt like I was the Black Carrie Bradshaw.
Over the years, things started shifting for me. The way I viewed this coveted series of events began affecting my mental health. While I thought I had a strong sense of self, fashion week had me wondering who I was and if I was worthy.
The hardest truth: it’s draining. Schedules are packed from dawn to dusk with endless engagements—you’re constantly stressing over what to wear, how you’ll come across in photos and on social media, and whether you’ll even make it into the shows.
The Dream vs Reality
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In 2018, I penned an essay sharinghow New York Fashion Week made me doubt myself. Then, I was living in Denver, traveling to the Big Apple to partake in the fashion week festivities. I had been excited about becoming one of the street style icons photographers captured, but when I arrived at my first show of the season at Industria, I noticed a disheartening trend. Photographers mostly focused on white and Asian women, often overlooking Black women. As I entered the show, I felt even more intimidated, questioning my worth and wondering if I wasn’t good enough for the front row.
While I was still trying to figure out my place in the space, there was still a beauty behind the chaos. B.C., before COVID-19, the atmosphere was real and somewhat inclusive. Within the dynamic landscape of social media, TikTok content creators have become highly valued assets, triggering a ripple effect of significant changes and transformations.
Since I am such a huge empath, I feel all the things and intensely. A year ago, I wrote, “This fashion week definitely hit different for me. It felt heavier and not as fun as it used to be. One day, once I’ve processed everything with my therapist, I’ll be able to talk about the psychological Olympics that overwhelm me, from what to wear to not being accepted by certain groups — it’s just so much. And we don’t talk about what it does to your mental. I’m definitely living in the BOTH/AND space — it felt grueling, and I felt blessed.”
I’m ready to talk about it now. In reality, the fashion industry is not for the faint of heart. Although I cherish the sense of community and sisterhood I have built, there are moments when loneliness creeps in. From panic attacks to feeling like you’re having a perpetual hangover, it’s just so stressful.
Someone gets to decide whether you’re worthy of partaking in a show or party without actually knowing you. That kind of judgment does damage to your self-esteem. As time passes, I find myself with limited patience for individuals who harbor uncertainties about my identity and contributions.
In the realm of fashion week, an exclusive atmosphere exists, reminiscent of the "mean girls" clique. Some individuals derive pleasure from denying others the opportunity to join their circle, both metaphorically and physically. And now, this thing that used to bring me joy has become a reminder of what I haven’t achieved even though my friends and family look at me, and it appears that I am living my best life.
Then, there’s the absence of inclusivity, particularly in terms of body diversity, has left a lasting impression on me as the reflection of women who look like me, a size 14, dwindle every season.. The 2020 of it all had the brands wanting to check the boxes and “do it for the culture.” But now, four years later, the promises of inclusion have worn off, and the runways and presentations are back to their white-washed-size-4 ways.
A New Perspective
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Now, as a resident of Brooklyn, I've made a conscious decision this season to experience New York Fashion Week on my terms. This means prioritizing events and shows that genuinely resonate with me and align with my values. No more going to events to be seen — I am more concerned about how my life feels than what it looks like to others. NYFW can often be overwhelming with its fast-paced schedule and plethora of options, but I'm choosing to approach it mindfully.
No more 12-hour days where I don’t eat and spend $300 on Ubers.Rather than feeling pressured to attend every event or show, I'm focusing on curating a personalized experience. I'm taking the time to research designers and brands whose ethos and aesthetics align with my own. This allows me to connect with the creative vision behind the collections and appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into each design.
By attending shows that speak to me, I'm not only supporting the designers I admire but also immersing myself in a creative environment that inspires and invigorates me. I'm able to engage with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives on fashion as the amazing art form I have always loved it to be.
For me, NYFW is about more than just seeing the latest trends. It's an opportunity to immerse myself in a vibrant community of creatives and celebrate the transformative power of fashion. By attending events that fill me up, I'm not only experiencing the spectacle of NYFW but also enriching my creative journey.
See how I take care of my mental health — very cute, very demure, very mindful.
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