Regina King & Her Son Are Mother-Son Goals & We Absolutely Love Seeing It
Regina King's forever-date has been her son, Ian Alexander Jr., for well over a decade, and we couldn't possibly love it anymore than we already do. The One Night In Miami director has adorably been been dragging the now 23-year-old along with her to numerous events since he was a child--from premieres, receptions, sporting events, and even the Golden Globes, to most recently, mentions in interviews. And listen, I'm not sure why the culture hasn't kept up with this, as he has quietly--but not so quietly--grown up right under our noses, but I am certainly here for it.
Ian, from King's marriage with former Warner Brother's VP, Ian Alexander Sr., has managed to walk this earth as the son of one of the most astounding humans alive, and their relationship and admiration for each other, is the cutest thing you'll see today.
King, who is usually pretty tight-lipped about her personal life, has oddly managed to keep Ian out of the spotlight while simultaneously bringing him along for the ride as well. And if anyone is able to balance the task of doing so, it's definitely Regina 'Damn' King.
Of motherhood, she told Essence:
"I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman she (my mother) is."
Ian echoes her sentiments, as he does nothing but brag on her as well, by unapologetically referring to her as 'super mom.' He told E!:
"Usually people will ask me, 'What's it like having Regina King be your mother. She's just a super mom, really. She doesn't really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have, so it's really awesome to have a mother that I can enjoy spending time with and all that."
Ahhh, be still, my heart.
Today, Ian is all grown up now, and has inherited Regina's passion for the arts. He's currently in college and works as a music producer in a Los Angeles-based art collective, producing under his artistic name, Buttercreem. But the admiration for his mom and their relationship has publicly been his driving force.
The beauty in their relationship cultivates from the intricate mama bear instinct she exudes in acknowledging him and their family dynamic. King openly addressed a piece of this, as she revealed in the book, He Never Came Home: Interviews, Stories, and Essays from Daughters on Life Without Their Fathers, that she worked hard to rebuild a friendship with her ex-husband for the sake of their son.
She wrote:
"Ian's in college now. And I know how much he appreciates us for making the effort because he remembers when things were not so good. I'm just glad that we all made it to the other side. We've redefined what it means to be a family, our family, and we're all better for it."
Either way, if you're like me, and you still can't believe that Regina King has an adult son, well, join the club. But we still look forward to seeing more of them together, as she racks up more awards in the near future.
Featured image via Regina King/Instagram
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
For Us, By Us: How HBCU Alumni Are Building Legacies Through Entrepreneurship
Homecoming season is here, and alumni are returning to the yard to celebrate with their friends and family at the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that have changed their lives forever.
No matter where their life journeys have taken them, for HBCU students from near and far, returning to where it all started can invoke feelings of nostalgia, appreciation for the past, and inspiration for the future.
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.
Feature image courtesy
Everything Cam Newton And Jasmin Brown Have Said About Their Unconventional Relationship
It’s clear that Cam Newton and Jasmin Brown have an untraditional relationship. But as the African proverb says, “If you like it, I love it.”
In 2022, their relationship became public knowledge when they were spotted together at prominent events such as Milan Fashion Week and the Kentucky Derby, as reported by PEOPLE magazine. Newton, who had a previous relationship with Kia Proctor, embarked on a new chapter with Brown after they met and realized their shared values.
In their close-knit relationship, Cam and Jasmin have openly discussed their mutual trust and understanding all over Beyoncé's internet. As their journey as a couple continues to evolve, marked by both personal and professional support, the anticipated arrival of their child in 2024 promised a new chapter in their relationship.
The stars continue to make headlines every time they share details about their unconventional partnership. Here’s everything Cam and Jasmin have shared about their relationship.
Cam Newton and Jasmin Brown on Infidelity
In an October 2024 episode of Funky Friday with Cam Newton featuring comedian Corey Holcomb, the former NFL star disclosed that he has had sexual relations with other women while being in a relationship with Jasmin Brown, with whom he shares a child. This revelation came after Holcomb expressed skepticism about Newton's claim that he only sleeps with one woman.
“As long as I’ve been with Jas, Jas has not been the only person I’ve had sex with. There’s times where I’ve openly had conversations, and this is why me and Jas are growing in our relationship…Jas allows me to speak to her, and we’re able to have banter, whether it’s uncomfortable banter or kicking sh-t banter.”
For the couple, there’s a large significance of open communication. This honesty allows him to express his vulnerabilities without fear of judgment from his partner. However, Brown has openly communicated her discomfort with his desire to pursue other women. Their ability to express themselves, consider each other's perspectives, and provide mutual protection, as he describes it, has fostered his loyalty to her.
At this stage in their relationship, he is exclusively committed to her and no longer seeks the company of other women.
Jasmin responded to the viral moment saying, “TRUST ME, I know WHO and WHAT my ni–a is. Ain’t no secrets or surprises. He can talk to me about anything.”
She went on to say, “‘Why not just be single if you gonna cheat’ I feel you!!! HOWEVER, men just be wanting to f–k. Once they do that, they’re back to temporarily thinking straight. It’s real ghetto out here! I get it! I don’t blame yall for wanting to be single! But if you spend enough time talking to men about this topic, you’ll see that it’s not as shocking as it may seem.”
Jasmin on Being a 'Joyful Servant'
“I think my biggest flex is how I treat my man,” Brown boasted while on theLovers and Friends with Shan Boodrampodcast. In a candid conversation about roles within relationships, the millennial internet personality openly acknowledged her inclination towards submissiveness in her romantic partnership. She further elaborated on her commitment to pampering and spoiling her significant other, Cam.
Brown said, “You know, like packing his bag, unpacking his bag. Just making sure—all the things that he wants. I pretty much read his mind. If I know you, and I study you, I know how you are in the morning; I know how you are by midday. Before you can even ask me for something, I’m already on it. He’s spoiled.”
Cam and Jas’ Open Communication Theory
Newton has shared how in tune he feels with Jasmin Brown, highlighting their open communication and his appreciation for her support and understanding. Their relationship, as he describes, allows them to discuss any topic freely, creating a strong foundation built on trust and mutual respect.
While interviewing Kash Doll on his podcast, he shared that the pair do almost everything together, including going to the bathroom.
"First off, with me and mine, she already know. It ain't no privacy. We [are] in there together. That's our thing. I know this is TMI, but that's my dawg. We got the saying where we're like, 'we're two retired thots that came together.' We see both of our jerseys in the rafters...Hers got more dust on it than me. Mine recently just went up there."
As the conversation progressed, Newton elaborated on the remarkable bond he shared with Brown. Their connection is so profound that they effortlessly discover humor in various aspects of their lives, always having a ki.
Cam Newton on Sharing His Sex Addiction with Jasmin
The Carolina Panthers alum opened up to Chrisean Rock on his podcast saying, “I told her from day one I was like, yo, I think I have a sex addiction. I’ve had sex with a lot of women, so you gotta bear with me to understand me. No woman has ever wanted to understand.”
Alone, he typically dealt with many things, so he was surprised that Jasmin was willing to talk him through it. He explained that it was something he handled by himself. “I had to figure out myself and identify, so it took me a long time to realize, like, bro, I think I got an addiction. It was more or less, I don’t drink. I don’t smoke,” he said.
Cam continued, “I have an addictive personality and challenge, very like you what I’m saying, bravado, broad shoulders, and anytime I see a woman, it’s like the challenge for me is yo, I bet I can. It took patience and, most of all, communication, and I never was with a person who really wanted to know why, and I was blown away like you really want to know?”
Jasmin Brown on Defending Her Man, Her Man, Her Man
During her comedy tour's opening night in Charlotte in December 2023, the Caught Up actress took to the stage wearing her boyfriend's Panthers jersey, addressing the media frenzy surrounding her pregnancy. “If y’all don’t know, I’m the third one, and this is his sixth child,” an Instagram snippet showed.
“Someone said, ooh, right, couldn’t of been me, aight until a rich ni–a put that pressure on you.” Amidst the crowd's eruption of laughter, she persevered, “I could never be with nobody, okay, until a $100 million ni–a start putting that pressure on you. You don’t know what the fuck you gonna do.”
Cam is the father of five children with his ex-fiancée, Kia Proctor. Their children are Chosen Sebastian (born in 2015), Sovereign-Dior (born in 2017), Camidas (born in 2018), and Cashmere (born in 2019). Kia Proctor also has a daughter named Shakira from a previous relationship, whom Newton has raised as his own. Additionally, Newton has a son named Caesar with LaReina Shaw and co-parents her son Jaden from a prior relationship.
Cam and Jasmine welcomed their bundle of joy earlier this year.
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