In Meet the xoNecole Tribe, readers are introduced to the members of the xoNecole team that keep the site up and running with their textured and varied stories and voices. In the monthly series, you get a more in-depth look of the person behind the pen, social media, the lens, or whatever they might contribute to the brand.
For our inaugural feature in the series, we are highlighting a writer that first made a splash on the site with her candid retelling of how choosing to take a risk and dating for potential in love ultimately led to the love of her life in her husband (Y'all can read that here). And as instantly as we were captivated, so were our readers.
Without further adieu, meet Kandice Guice, the self-proclaimed attorney by day, writer by passion who writes all things love, relationships, wellness, and everything in between.
Writer Kandice Guice
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Where are you from?
I was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Monroe, Louisiana.
What did you go to school for? And what was your major?
I obtained my undergrad degree in Mass Communication from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. I later went on to receive my Master of Public Administration from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy at Southern University and my law degree from Southern University Law Center.
When did your love affair with writing begin?
Since I can remember, I've had an intimate love affair with writing. I'd write poems, stories, and journal entries to cope with familial transitions and issues I faced at school. By fifth grade, I was writing content and pitching it to my teacher. I'd ask him to review my writing, then ask if I could read or act it out in class. The kids loved it! And my teacher started gently nudging me toward considering writing as my career path rather than my original idea of being a veterinarian. High school came and writing was it for me. Classmates would ask me to pass them my stories to read when class was too boring for them. I was getting published in the local newspaper, winning writing contests, and even getting scholarships based on my pieces.
"Since I can remember, I've had an intimate love affair with writing."
How and when did you start working with xoNecole.com?
I told a friend I was starting a blog. After hearing my vision, she thought it aligned well with xoNecole.com and encouraged me to check it out. I was so in love with the theme that I started dreaming of working with the brand. A few months passed, and I sent my first pitch but didn't hear back. After that, I made it a point to study the style of the pieces and keep up with the writers. I also reached out to other freelance writers to get their feedback on how I could sharpen my approach. I finally got the courage to pitch another idea. Our Managing Editor, Sheriden, loved it and invited me to become a contributing writer.
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How do you practice self-care?
Playing dress up is my favorite form of self-care. I strongly believe that when you look good, you feel good. On days when I'm stressed or frustrated, I cut on some 90s R&B while I do my makeup and pick out cute outfits. Taking the time to get glam shifts my mood and makes me feel empowered to handle whatever comes my way.
"Taking the time to get glam shifts my mood and makes me feel empowered to handle whatever comes my way."
Are you single?
I'm blessed to be married to Bakari Guice. We've been on this marriage journey for a year and a half, and it has been the most rewarding experience I could've asked for. The ability to see our individual and collective growth is remarkable. Plus, it doesn't hurt to wake up to the coolest friend you know every day.
What are your interests? Do you have any hobbies?
I'm involved in so many things that I barely have time to even think about hobbies. But if I had to list a few, they would include travel, reading, online shopping, and spending time with family. Right now, I am experiencing a mental growth spurt and it's sparked my interests in self-development. I like to feed that appetite by reading non-fiction and having engaging conversations that stretch my thought process and viewpoint.
What is your favorite book of all-time? What's the last book you read?
It's tough for me to narrow down the full gamut of books I've enjoyed into a favorite of all time, but anything written by Toni Morrison is a fave. Although fictional, they include themes that make me more self-aware. The last book I read was The Four Agreements. I can't say enough how everyone should read it. It's been life changing for my perspective about how I view myself and others.
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What's your endgame? Why do you do what you do?
I couldn't tell you my endgame. I don't think anyone who intends to be habitually successful really can. So much of climbing is based on reinventing yourself, staying sharp, and remaining flexible that it's impossible to just name one thing and stick to it. For me, the sky is the limit. If I had to answer what's up next for me, I would definitely say getting to a space where I can expand my role at xoNecole, delving into video/having my own show, and turning my #MoreThanPrettyCampaign into a national movement, which shifts the world's perspective on female leadership.
I do what I do for my mother and grandmother who have virtually eliminated any excuse for why I can't be anything I want in this life. I also do it to show multipassionate women and girls that they have a right to explore all the things that make them happy and interest them. There is a such thing as being an attorney and a blogger or a stockbroker and a stylist. The sky is the limit. I hope by seeing me do my own thing, they are inspired to break out of the box others try to build around us.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? What is the most challenging part?
The most rewarding part of my job as a writer is being able to tell stories and relay information from the perspective of a black woman. We make up a powerful demographic of this country and this world. Our voice, our thoughts, our feelings matter in the big scheme of things. Being able to write pieces that connect to women like me makes me feel like our love is on top.
The most challenging part is thinking through new innovative ways to capture the attention of readers. With so much white noise out there, it isn't always easy to get someone to click on an article, even if it's relevant. I'm always trying to come up with new ways to get viewers to stop and take note.
"Being able to write pieces that connect to women like me makes me feel like our love is on top."
What advice do you have for other freelance writers?
In this digital age, your personal brand is so important. Go the extra mile to show brands what you can do by having a great website and investing in yourself. Put in the effort to work hard for yourself and others will pay attention. Aside from that, I'd say stay in the fight. Don't take your first no or even a thousand no's as a sign to quit. It doesn't matter how many no's you get. You only need one yes to make the difference.
How can we keep up with you on social media?
You can follow me across all social networks @kandiceguice.
Featured image by Rico Images
RELATED
The seeds for these entrepreneurs were planted during their time as students at schools like Spelman, North Carolina A&T, and more, which is why xoNecole caught up with Look Good Live Well’s Ariane Turner, HBCU Buzz’s Luke Lawal and Morehouse Senior Director of Marketing and Comms and Press Secretary Jasmine Gurley to highlight the role their HBCU roots play in their work as entrepreneurs, the legacy they aim to leave behind through the work that they do, and more as a part of Hyundai’s Best In Class initiative.
On Honoring HBCU Roots To Create Something That Is For Us, By Us
Ariane Turner
Courtesy
When Ariane Turner launched Look Good, Live Well, she created it with Black and brown people in mind, especially those with sensitive skin more prone to dryness and skin conditions like acne and eczema.
The Florida A&M University graduate launched her business to create something that addressed topical skin care needs and was intentional about its approach without negative terminology.
Turner shared that it is important to steer clear of language often adopted by more prominent brands, such as “banishing breakouts” or “correcting the skin,” because, in reality, Turner says there is nothing wrong with the way that our skin and bodies react to various life changes.
“I think what I have taken with me regarding my HBCU experience and translated to my entrepreneurial experience is the importance of not just networking,” Turner, the founder and CEO of Look Good, Live Well, tellls xoNecole.
“We hear that in business all the time, your network is your net worth, but family, there’s a thing at FAMU that we call FAMU-lee instead of family, and it’s very much a thing. What that taught me is the importance of not just making relationships and not just making that connection, but truly working on deepening them, and so being intentional about connecting with people initially, but staying connected and building and deepening those relationships, and that has served me tremendously in business, whether it’s being able to reach back to other classmates who I went to school with, or just networking in general.”
She adds, “I don’t come from a business background. As soon as I finished school, I continued with my entrepreneurial journey, and so there’s a lot of that traditional business act and the networking, those soft skills that I just don’t have, but I will say that just understanding how to leverage and network community and to build intentional relationships is something that has taken me far and I definitely got those roots while attending FAMU.”
On Solving A Very Specific Need For The Community
Luke Lawal Jr.
Courtesy
When Luke Lawal Jr. launched HBCU Buzz, his main focus was to represent his community, using the platform to lift as they climbed by creating an outlet dedicated to celebrating the achievements and positive news affecting the 107 historically HBCUs nationwide.
By spotlighting the wonderful things that come from the HBCU community and coupling it with what he learned during his time at Bowie State University, Lawal used that knowledge to propel himself as an entrepreneur while also providing his people with accurate representation across the internet.
“The specific problem in 2011 when I started HBCU Buzz was more so around the fact that mainstream media always depict HBCUs as negative,” Lawal says. “You would only see HBCUs in the mainstream media when someone died, or the university president or someone was stepping down. It was always bad news, but they never shed light on all the wonderful things from our community."
So, I started HBCU Buzz to ensure the world saw the good things that come from our space. And they knew that HBCUs grew some of the brightest people in the world, and just trying to figure out ways to make sure our platform was a pedestal for all the students that come through our institutions.”
“The biggest goal is to continue to solve problems, continue to create brands that solve the problems of our communities, and make sure that our products, our brands, our companies, and institutions are of value and they’re helping our community,” he continues. “That they’re solving problems that propel our space forward.”
On How Being An HBCU Alum Impacts The Way One Shows Up In The World
Jasmine Gurley
Courtesy
Jasmine Gurley is a proud North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alum. She is even more delighted with her current role, which enables her to give back to current HBCU students as the Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications and official press secretary at Morehouse College.
“It was a formative experience where I really was able to come into my own and say yes to all the opportunities that were presented to me, and because of that, it’s been able to open the doors later in life too,” says Gurley of her experience at North Carolina A&T. “One thing I love about many HBCUs is that we are required to learn way more about African American history than you do in your typical K through 12 or even at the higher ed level."
She adds, “It allowed us to have a better understanding of where we came from, and so for me, because I’m a storyteller, I’m a history person, I’m very sensitive to life in general, being able to listen to the stories and the trials that our ancestors overcame, put the battery pack in my back to say, ‘Oh nothing can stop me. Absolutely nothing can stop me. I know where I came from, so I can overcome something and try anything. And I have an obligation to be my ancestors’ wildest dreams. Simultaneously, I also have a responsibility to help others realize that greatness.
Gurley does not take her position at an HBCU, now as a leader, lightly.
“People think I’m joking when I say I’m living the dream, but I really am,” she notes. “So I wake up every day and know that the work that I do matters, no matter how hard it might be, how frustrating it may be, and challenging it. I know the ripple effect of my work, my team, and what this institution does also matter. The trajectory of Black male experiences, community, history, and then just American advancement just in general.”
On the other hand, through her business, Sankofa Public Relations, Gurley is also on a mission to uplift brands in their quest to help their respective communities. Since its inception in 2017, Sankofa PR has been on a mission to “reach back and reclaim local, national, and global communities by helping those actively working to move” various areas of the world, focusing on pushing things forward for the better.
“Through Sankofa, we’ve worked with all different types of organizational brands and individuals in several different industries, but I would think of them as mission-based,” says Gurley.
“So with that, it’s an opportunity to help people who are trying to do good in the world, and they are passionate about what they’re doing. They just need help with marketing issues, storytelling, and branding, and that’s when my expertise can come into play. Help them get to that moment where they can tell their story through me or another platform, and that’s been super fulfilling.”
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.
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Some folks are saying that October is now “uncuffing season” as partners won’t have to deal with the weight and expectations that come with this time of year. From matching Halloween costumes to voting to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it seems the new cuffing season has moved to January.
In August 2021, Zoë and Channing were first rumored to be romantically involved after being photographed riding together through the streets of New York City on a BMX bike. The following month, they were seen leaving the Met Gala together, and Tatum confirmed their relationship on Halloween by posting a picture of them wearing a couples costume from Martin Scorsese's iconic 1976 film Taxi Driver on Instagram.
Instagram/@channingtatum
After collaborating on Zoë's directorial debut, Blink Twice, where Channing played a starring role, their relationship blossomed into a full-out romance. Approximately a year later, the Step Up star popped the question.
Because the streets are always watching, PEOPLE reported that Channing joined Zoë in seeing a production of a play by Blink Twice costar Levon Hawke in New York City's Red Hook neighborhood on Oct. 6. Most recently, Kravitz has been seen in public without her engagement ring, notably during an outing with her Big Little Lies co-star Shailene Woodley.
So the news of the split kinda comes as a surprise as we were just oozing over the couple’s undeniable chemistry during their Blink Twice press run in August. Channing and Zoë openly discussed their relationship and collaborated on multiple videos that went viral.
Even proud papa Lenny Kravitz gave his approval. During an interview with BBC’s Radio 2, he said, "He was raised well. So, you know, he’s got manners. He’s charming. He’s a soulful human being. And so, he’s become part of the family quite quickly. He fits and they're in love. We’re going to have a wedding next year."
As we mourn this breakup, let’s run back some memorable moments from the possibly uncoupled pair.
"Art is our love language."
When asked about future collaborations with her boo during the premiere of Blink Twice on Aug. 23, Zoë shared, "I think it's what we love, and we love talking about it, and experiencing it, and supporting each other.” Channing chimed in saying, “This is what I'll say about creating with someone that you are with or love: I suggest it. If you are thinking about having a kid or if you're thinking about getting married, go find the hardest possible creative project with your partner.”
“I got you forever.”
Channing took to Instagram to share an adoring photo of him holding Zoë. He captioned the photo, “This little sweet. She So tired bro. Every time I wondered if she’d break…. She just kept going and going and going. Always on the dig for truth. She pour’d every single ounce of her into this film. I’m so proud to stand ten toes down for her, this film and everyone in it. forever. Knowing what it took to make it. No one will ever know.”
The last line took us out: “Thank you for finding me and seeing me. I got you forever. Me and you back to back against it all. I’ll never blink. Let’s go. #blinktwice”
GOAT Talk
On Complex’s GOAT Talk, a show where stars are prompted to reveal their favorites of all time, Channing and Zoë disclosed their go-to song for singing in the shower, their beloved ad-lib line from Blink Twice, and their stance on conspiracy theories and their favorite rapper. The moment Channing challenged Zoë’s answer that Catwoman is the best superhero of all time was just too cute.
“The Lie Detector determined…”
The cast of Blink Twice underwent Vanity Fair's well-known lie detector test, facing a barrage of probing questions. Among the inquiries were: Did Channing Tatum and Naomi Watts ever irritate Zoë Kravitz during the filming of Blink Twice? Did Naomi ever pilfer anything from the set? Did Channing's portrayal of Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine surpass his personal expectations?
Best of all were the moments you saw Zoë and Channing look at each other adoringly and when they would finish each other sentences. “We are equally cool,” Zoë beamed.
Puppy Love
The pair hung out with BuzzFeed and a slew of adorable puppies while chatting about their favorite improvised moment on set, who has the best rizz — which is apparently Channing according to Zoë — and their first impressions of each other. Not only did they binge-watch Love Island together but they also boasted they would win Love Is Blind if they were on the show.
The Pressure
Zoë Kravitz recently sat down with Esquirefor an interview and got real about her thoughts on becoming a parent. She shared that she's always kinda thought motherhood might not be her thing. “For a long time, I felt like there was something wrong with me. I was waiting for this light to go off in my head, and it never did. When you’re younger, you’re like, ‘Well, I can’t have kids. I’m too young! It’d be crazy.’”
Her viewpoint on childbirth and parenthood has evolved as she has matured and witnessed the societal pressure placed on women to reproduce. While she recognizes the immense strength and courage required to carry and raise a child, Kravitz believes that women should not be made to feel obligated to do so.
Zoë continued, “For a lot of people that have children, it is this giant, life-changing event – and I do think there is a certain amount of focus and respect that they should get from their community. There’s a lot of pressure on women to have children, and there’s a feeling that if you don’t, you don’t have purpose here.” The director feels a special connection to her new movie akin to giving birth.
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Featured image by Dave Benett/WireImage