Brandy Norwood, Cinderella, cinderella, descendants, rise of red, money, Disney, Disney original

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 27, 2026

Recording Academy Honors Brandy With Prestigious Black Music Icon Award Ahead Of 2026 Grammys

The Recording Academy is honoring Brandy for her achievements as a Black Music Icon.

Brandy’s more than 30 years of excellence across music, film, and television will be honored on the main stage as the Recording Academy presents her with the Black Music Icon Award, one of its highest distinctions.

Just days before the 2026 Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective will honor Brandy at the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors, where she will receive one of the Academy’s highest distinctions. In announcing the honor last month, the Recording Academy said the award recognizes Black music creators whose artistry, innovation, and service have shaped the industry and inspired generations worldwide.

It’s an achievement Brandy views as the culmination of decades of work and her place among Black music greats.

“So grateful and truly humbled to receive the Recording Academy’s Black Music Icon Award. This honor means more than words—standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way, and celebrating the legacy, resilience, and brilliance of Black music,” she said in a statement. “Thank you to the Recording Academy for seeing me, supporting me, and honoring the journey.”

Longtime fans have followed Brandy’s rise in Hollywood, from her quadruple-platinum self-titled debut album to starring in the hit ’90s sitcom Moesha and making history with her iconic role in Disney’s TV adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Her second album, Never Say Never, went five times platinum and included the GRAMMY-winning hit “The Boy Is Mine.”

With eight studio albums, including 2023’s Christmas With Brandy, she has sold over 40 million records worldwide. As an actress, she has captivated audiences in film and television, from the cult-classic I Still Know What You Did Last Summer to the drama Queens and Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red. Her upcoming project, the memoir “PHASES,” will explore her life and career, a work shaped by years of reflection, effort, and healing.

Alongside Brandy, Kirk Franklin will be honored with the Black Music Icon Award, while Pharrell Williams will receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

“Pharrell, Brandy and Kirk are true visionaries and masters of their craft,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “Each has built a legacy that transcends genre, defies convention, and shapes culture. Their artistry continues to inspire generations of artists worldwide. I’m thrilled to join the Black Music Collective in honoring three of music’s brightest stars in January and celebrating their immeasurable contributions to the industry.”

Colin Kaepernick, Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative, Independent Autopsy, Trey Reed

by Kandiss Edwards

January 27, 2026

Colin Kaepernick Integrates AI And Literacy In Nashville School Pilot Program

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick promotes literacy and technology through his tech company, Lumi AI, and partners with Nashville schools.

In conjunction with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), Kaepernick will launch an AI literacy and storytelling pilot program. Kaepernick is the CEO and co-founder of Lumi, an AI-powered storytelling platform that allows users to engage in literacy in an immersive way. Students can create visual narratives, characters, and text-based stories with support from built-in generation tools, the MNPS announced. The pilot with MNPS is intended to help students explore AI tools while building literacy, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

In a statement, Kaepernick said, “Storytelling has always been one of the most powerful ways people understand themselves and the world around them. Lumi is about giving students tools to tell their own stories, develop their creativity, and see technology as something that expands what’s possible rather than limiting it.”

The first pilot launched in Prince George’s County Schools in December 2025. A reception was held to celebrate.

“You are the ones looked at as innovators, as building the future, as the ones that are creating the groundwork for what everybody else is going to be following,” Kaepernick said. “We want our students to make sure we are keeping our students engaged. We want to make sure they are building with the best technology. … And also preparing them for a future that is the present.”

The pilot will be introduced in phases, beginning with a small group of students and educators in several schools, according to Metro Nashville Public Schools. District officials said the program aims to integrate Lumi’s AI tools into schools. However, the district is not seeking to replace the current literacy curriculum. The goal is to reinforce the district’s existing literacy framework, support students, and help them learn and engage with current technology trends.

MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle spoke about the need to build the “confidence” and technological acumen of Nashville students.

“We want our students to approach artificial intelligence with confidence and curiosity, not fear,” Battle said.

The pilot also emphasizes responsible use of AI transparency and academic integrity as students engage with the tools, the district said. The partnership was made possible through private philanthropic support coordinated by PENCIL, a nonprofit that connects Nashville’s business and civic community with public schools, the district said. PENCIL’s involvement reflects an effort to bring innovation and creative learning opportunities into the classroom.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 27, 2026

Women In Hip-Hop Hit The Ivy League With ‘Miss-Education’ Course At Princeton University

The class will focus on Hip Hop through a gendered lens, highlighting the impact of women emcees.

Princeton University is offering a new class focusing on the women that shaped hip-hop.

Launching in the Spring 2026 semester, the Ivy League course will highlight how women emcees revolutionized the rap game. Titled “Miss-Education: The Women Of Hip-Hop,” the class will expand the intellectual study of the music genre at the school’s Lewis Center for the Arts.

Three dynamic scholars will lend their expertise to teach the class and develop its groundbreaking curriculum. According to Hot97, this includes Chesney Snow, an academic in hip-hop studies, Dr. Francesca D’Amico-Cuthbert, historian in hip-hop culture, and Eternia, a female rapper whose art surrounds gender equity in rap.

The academic leaders behind the course also shared the exciting news to Instagram. As class gets in session, these Princeton professors will lay the groundwork for women rappers’ foundational influence on hip-hop.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eternia (@therealeternia)

The multimedia course, also part-seminar, lab, and performance workshop, will delve into how one preserves these female-focused histories while dissecting the legacy of the cultural institution. With its “gendered lens,” it will reimagine hip-hop study by grounding its conversations on its women players.

“Through a gendered lens, we’ll trace the development of Hip Hop culture, examine the range of women’s experiences within it, and explore the emergence and evolution of Hip Hop feminisms,” detailed the course creators.

Beginning with the pioneers of female rap like Roxanne Shanté, the class will further dissect the women who revitalized and transformed hip-hop. Furthermore, the course will dissect the feminist ideals behind the politics and platforms leading the genre’s evolution.

With further emphasis on documenting these histories through oral recollection, such as podcasting and performance work, students will dive deeper into the inspirations behind some of the culture’s greatest “femcees,” such as Lil Kim, Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, and more.

The interdisciplinary study will not only break down the oral tradition, but further amplify how women emcees played a pivotal role in the artistic tradition. While also noting the feminist dialogue within their own lyricism and careers, these relatively untold stories will find new light at Princeton.

By integrating archival practices, academic dissection, and performance-based work, the course will add to the growing discourse of hip-hop intellectualism. Just as these female rappers broke down barriers, this “Miss-Education” course will have no pre-requisites to join the discussion.

“All creative thinkers” are encouraged to take a seat and add to this underrepresented element of hip-hop studies.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 27, 2026

NRA Has Entered The Chat, Condemning ICE’s ‘Dangerous and Wrong’ Narrative After Deadly Minnesota Shooting

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is calling for full transparency from the Trump administration

Following the killing of Minnesota ICU nurse Alex Pretti at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is calling for full transparency from the Trump administration, saying there is a “dangerous and wrong” narrative taking place against gun owners, Fox 9 reports.

The Department of Homeland Security posted an image of a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun on X that they allege was found on Pretti, creating the image that the victim was attempting to harm agents. First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli reposted the image, saying, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.”

That’s when the NRA chimed in, calling his remarks “dangerous and wrong.” “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens,” the organization responded.

This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong.

Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens. https://t.co/9fMz3CL29o
— NRA (@NRA) January 25, 2026

The 37-year-old nurse was killed after allegedly being shot repeatedly while being taken face down to the cold Minneapolis ground during a protest. While Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino defended the officer’s usage of deadly force — and actually blamed Pretti for allegedly having the weapon on him– Minneapolis police confirmed he had a license to carry.

Video footage of the incident proves the opposite, as it appeared the victim was disarmed prior to being taken down.

While the national gun rights organization first pushed the blame on Gov. Tim Walz, calling him a “radical progressive politician” who “incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs,” gun rights advocates and experts are surprised to see organizations and federal officials using the narrative against the victim.

“They’ve stood up in court and tried to push back against state laws that regulate firearms — access, use, carry — so it’s pretty shocking to me to see them now use an example of a lawful gun owner as justification for force,” Megan Walsh, Second Amendment expert and University of Minnesota Law School professor, said, according to CNN.

“For months, radical progressive politicians like Tim Walz have incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs. Unsurprisingly, these calls to dangerously interject oneself into legitimate law-enforcement activities have ended in…
— NRA (@NRA) January 25, 2026

For years, Minnesota has permitted the open and concealed carry of a handgun with a license when an applicant meets certain criteria. State regulations also don’t restrict individuals from possessing firearms at protests or even in Minnesota’s Capitol building.

However, that hasn’t stopped the Trump administration from maintaining a firm stance that Pretti is in the wrong. “You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.

“No one who wants to be peaceful shows up at a protest with a firearm that is loaded with two full magazines.”

Walsh said there is “no gray in this situation,” defending the victim, feeling his rights were violated. “He was lawfully carrying a firearm, and that is not any license to kill someone,” the law professor said.

“We have a Constitution that provides a Second Amendment individual right, and it is unlawful to kill a man for exercising his constitutional rights.”

Sly Dunbar, Sly and Robbie, Jamaica, reggae

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 27, 2026

Reggae Legend Sly Dunbar Dead At 73

He was found unresponsive by his wife at their home

Popular reggae producer and drummer Sly Dunbar, who was one-half of the Sly & Robbie production team, has died at 73.

According to The Jamaican Gleaner, the musician was discovered unresponsive by his wife, Thelma, who confirmed his death to the media outlet. She stated that he had been sick recently and had been seeing doctors at home and overseas.

“About 7 o’clock this morning, I went to wake him up, and he wasn’t responding. I called the doctor, and that was the news,” Thelma said. “Yesterday was such a good day for him. He had friends come over to visit him, and we all had such a good time. He ate well yesterday … sometimes he’s not into food. I knew he was sick … but I didn’t know that he was this sick.”

The news comes several years after his producing partner, bassist Robbie Shakespeare, died in Miami on Dec. 8, 2021, at 69.

Sly Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer who helped steer reggae‘s modern evolution while providing the backbeat to countless recordings, has died at age 73. https://t.co/xTqhtEN3rB pic.twitter.com/FkSJKd1EdF
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 26, 2026

Rolling Stone reported that Sly, who was born Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica, on May 10, 1952, took an interest in music after hearing Lloyd Knibb play with the Skatalites. As a teenager, he convinced his mother to allow him to pursue music while abandoning a traditional education.

After meeting Shakespeare in 1973 at a nightclub, the two started working together and throughout the years, played with and on songs featuring artists like Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, No Doubt, Sinéad O’Connor, Simply Red, Cutty Ranks, Beenie Man, and many others during his career.

The pair earned two Grammys; the first one for work done on Black Uhuru’s “Anthem,” which won the inaugural Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1985. The second one was won in 1999, when Sly and Robbie won for Best Reggae Album, “Friends.“

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 27, 2026

Pat McGrath Labs Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Cancels Auction

Pat McGrath Labs narrowly missed being auctioned off after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Pat McGrath Labs has pulled its beauty empire from auction after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy just before the sale was set to begin.

On Jan. 26, a spokesperson for the makeup brand confirmed the Chapter 11 filing, saying the company plans to continue operating while working toward long-term stability, WWD reported.

“During this process, the company will continue operations in the ordinary course of business while working to restructure its balance sheet and to forge a path to thrive,” the spokeswoman for Pat McGrath Labs said in a statement. “Pat McGrath Labs remains committed to its community, customers, partners and stakeholders as it continues delivering its signature, high-quality products and culture-defining artistry and innovation.”

The bankruptcy filing comes just over a month after reports surfaced of a planned auction for the makeup company, created by the celebrated editorial and runway makeup artist Pat McGrath. Reports indicated the company was up for sale, with Hilco Global overseeing an auction scheduled for Jan. 26.

The planned auction was set to include assets pledged by Pat McGrath Cosmetics, LLC, and its founder, Dame Pat McGrath. However, on Jan. 22, Pat McGrath Labs filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The Chapter 11 filing indicates the company has time to restore profitability, as it allows it to continue operating while restructuring its debt. Hilco Global, the auction facilitator, has since removed Pat McGrath Labs’ listing from its website.

The bankruptcy filing comes just over a decade after McGrath launched Pat McGrath Labs in 2015 with Gold 001, a $40 metallic foil that sold out in minutes and set the brand’s buzz-driven model. The company raised $60 million from Eurazeo Brands in 2018 at a valuation reportedly exceeding $1 billion, but in recent years has faced operational struggles, executive turnover, and layoffs. Once valued far higher, the brand’s worth has since declined sharply, with Eurazeo quietly exiting its stake and sales reportedly totaling about $50 million last year.

Despite the company’s struggles, McGrath remains in high demand, most recently serving as beauty director for Louis Vuitton’s La Beauté makeup collection.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 27, 2026

Health Officials Warn Of Incurable Nipah Virus Outbreak Reported In India

Data from the World Health Organization revealed the natural host of Nipah virus comes from fruit bats and can be transmitted from pigs, contaminated foods, and direct human-to-human contact.

Health officials in India are waving red flags and warnings against the Nipah Virus, a deadly and incurable virus labeled as zoonotic — meaning it affects both animals and people, People reports.

Two nurses working at private hospitals near Kolkata, West Bengal, were suspected of being infected after working together between Dec. 28 and Dec. 30. Days later, between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, both healthcare professionals started to have high fevers and experienced respiratory distress.

After an initial investigation, health officials suggested both nurses caught the virus from a patient who died before being tested for Nipah, who came in with severe respiratory symptoms. The nurses were both admitted Jan. 4 to the intensive care unit following worsening conditions, including one nurse being in a coma.

“The most likely source of infection is a patient who had been admitted to the same hospital previously,” one senior health official serving in West Bengal’s Nipah surveillance efforts said.

“That individual is being treated as the suspected index case, and investigations are ongoing.”

However, there seems to be a little more to the story.

Data from the World Health Organization revealed that the natural host of the Nipah virus is fruit bats and that it can be transmitted from pigs, contaminated foods, and direct human-to-human contact. Researchers have also collected blood and swab samples from bats at Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo to rule out infection.

Narayan Swaroop Nigam, principal secretary of health and family welfare in West Bengal, has begun implementing quarantine and surveillance measures as the number of tested people has reached 180. Twenty high-risk contacts have been quarantined.

Since officials highlight preventative measures already put in place, they insist there is “no reason for immediate panic.” “All of them are asymptomatic and tested negative. We will again test them before their 21-day quarantine ends,” Nigam said, according to USA Today.

In a post on X, India’s Ministry of Health shared “do’s and don’ts” for preventing Nipah virus infection. Similar to the global COVID-19 pandemic, people should continue to wash their hands and wear protective clothing when around or handling animals.

Follow these essential precautions to prevent Nipah Virus infection. Stay alert, stay informed, and follow advisories issued by local health authorities.#NipahVirus #PublicHealth #HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/itTuZA18ev
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 22, 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released symptoms to be aware of as they typically appear four to 14 days after infection, such as fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. More serious symptoms include encephalitis, another word for brain swelling, which can ultimately cause drowsiness, seizures, or comas.

Blind SIde, Quinton Aaron, actor, infection, GoFundMe

by Keka Araújo

January 27, 2026

‘The Blind Side’ Star Quinton Aaron Fighting For Life After Sudden Collapse

To the world, he is the “gentle giant” who brought the story of Michael Oher to the silver screen in the Academy Award-winning film The Blind Side. But today, 41-year-old Quinton Aaron is facing a battle more harrowing than any scripted drama.

Aaron is currently hospitalized in Atlanta on life support, fighting a sudden and severe blood infection that has left his family and fans in a state of shock. The crisis began last week when Aaron collapsed at his home after his legs unexpectedly gave out while climbing the stairs.

The Anatomy of a Crisis

Loved ones have described the health scare as “sudden, frightening, and overwhelming.” Aaron, who inspired many by sharing his journey of losing over 200 pounds in October — dropping from 575 to 375 pounds — was rushed to the hospital after slipping in and out of consciousness.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Quinton Aaron (@officialquintonaaron)

His wife, Margarita, recalled the terrifying moment his legs failed him, leading to a fall that ultimately revealed the underlying systemic infection.

“Quinton is one of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever meet,” a representative from the Veterans Aid Network shared. “He shows up for others. He encourages, uplifts, and gives freely of himself. Today, he needs us to show up for him.”

As of Jan. 26, there are small but poignant signs of hope. An update from the medical team confirmed that Aaron has opened his eyes and regained some sensation in his foot. While the almost seven-foot actor remains on life support and partially dependent on medical devices to breathe, his wife remains optimistic, noting he is “showing a lot of improvement” and even gave a thumbs-up to communicating with family members.

“Quinton has opened his eyes and has some feeling in his foot! He is still on life support and going through tests. We are looking at quite a recovery time and will need a wheelchair when he is released, while he goes through therapy to walk again. Thank you to all of you for your support and prayers,” the organization updated via GoFundMe.

The Road Ahead: Recovery and Resilience

The road to recovery will be long and arduous. Doctors are still working to pinpoint the exact cause of the severe blood infection, which led to him being intubated last Friday when his breathing became unstable. Even after he is stable enough to leave the intensive care unit, Aaron will require extensive physical therapy and is expected to need a wheelchair as he learns to walk again.

The financial toll of such a crisis is immense. Between mounting medical expenses and the loss of income during a lengthy rehabilitation, Aaron’s family is facing a significant burden. The Veterans Aid Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that typically assists military families, has stepped in to organize a fundraiser at the request of Quinton’s wife, Margarita, noting that Quinton is part of a veteran family.

Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind The Blind Side, has already stepped up with a $10,000 lead donation to the $35,000 goal.

For his care, the ask is $35,000, and the fundraising site has surpassed the goal by almost $3,000.

A Legacy of Compassion

Beyond his Hollywood success — including roles in Law & Order: SVU, One Tree Hill, and his upcoming project Mothers and Daughters — Aaron has dedicated much of his life to the Quinton Aaron Foundation, advocating against bullying and providing resources to children in crisis. This isn’t his first health hurdle; he previously battled a severe respiratory infection in 2019 and a bout with pneumonia and Type A flu in early 2025.

Now, the man who spent his career reminding us that humanity matters is the one in need of our compassion. His family is requesting privacy but expresses deep gratitude for the outpouring of love.

“We all have faith in God that he will walk out of here fully recovered,” Margarita said.

San Antonio, St. Paul Historic District,

by Kandiss Edwards

January 27, 2026

The Black History, Art, And Food Powering San Antonio

While kinfolk may not be obvious in the landscape, they are there.

Black kinfolk may not be immediately visible across San Antonio’s landscape, but they are present. A closer look reveals a deep history, a growing cultural footprint, and an ongoing fight for recognition.

Arriving at the airport, it may not be immediately apparent that Black residents are present. The city’s large Hispanic and white populations can leave some feeling out of place and push them to search elsewhere for community. However, visitors should begin looking beyond the city’s most well-known attractions, including the Alamo, the River Walk, and the Tower of the Americas.

History

In the shadows of the Alamo, Black Texans host Black history tours that educate visitors about St. Paul Historic Square, tucked beside The Aiden Hotel, which serves as a meeting place to kick off the experience. Few would guess that a quiet contemporary lodging sits amid a deep legacy of Black perseverance. The lives and legacies of San Antonio natives Myra Davis Hemings, Artemesia Bowden, and Hattie Briscoe are revealed through art and storytelling led by tour guide Aundar Ma’at. The tours also pay homage to one of the region’s earliest Black settlements through murals, historic markers, and a modest informational center. Deeper on the east side, the Bexar County Buffalo Soldier Association relays the history of the Black cavalry and infantry soldiers formed after the Civil War.

Buffalo soldiers, San Antonio, Bear

Art

Museum curator Maria Williams owns the Eye of the Beholder Black Art Gallery. A lover of the arts, Williams grew dismayed after realizing that Black representation was limited within the city’s cultural landscape. Her discovery led her to pursue the Art of Four Initiative, which sought out grants for artists that were going largely unused by local creatives. Williams successfully secured funding and transitioned from an event planner to a curator. Eye of the Beholder is now a central destination for visitors seeking Black art and cultural context in the city.

Black San Antonio residents are still working out the kinks in telling their own story. As such, the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) seeks to tell the expansive story of Black folks from their time in then Mexico to the evolution of the community in the Republic of Texas.

Eye of the Beholder, San Antonio — Credit: BE/KEdwards

Cuisine

Beyond history and art, what is a trip without food? While San Antonio has its flaws and a questionable history, its food scene hosts premier Black chefs. Freight Fried Chicken, owned by Chef Nicola Blaque, is beyond satisfying. The restaurant is located at The Pearl, a shopping, food, and entertainment hub built into the bones of a brewery, along with another culinary gem. Michelin Star-winning Nicosi Dessert Bar is only a stone’s throw away. With a no-phone policy and blacked-out windows, the Nicosi Dessert Bar takes its environment, its desserts, and customer experience to the next level.

For those looking for a taste of down-home cuisine and R&B, Tryst Kitchen+Cocktails serves up traditional southern delicacies, including gumbo, oxtail, shrimp po’ boys, and a honey cornbread to write home about. For a delicious brunch, Box Street, located a short walk from the Tower of America, does breakfast with a Hispanic twist. To engage with Texas’s famous fare, a Texas pitmaster mans Pinkerton’s BBQ, and the succulent meat proves the mastery.

San Antonio, Nicosi, Freight Fried Chicken, Tryst — Credit: BE/Kedwards

San Antonio is beautiful. The many murals that adorn the city speak to a spirit of artistry and inclusion. The Martin Luther King Jr. March, said to be the largest MLK commemorative march in the U.S., speaks to the region’s desire to embrace differences and cohabitate in peace. On a regular day, you may have to be intentional about interacting with the city’s Black folk; on that day, you can find them gathered joyfully in community with their diverse neighbors. The beauty of Blackness shines bright in San Antonio. Look closely, you’ll see it there, and it’s worth searching for.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 27, 2026

How Crystal Nicole Went From Civil Engineer To Full-Time Beauty Influencer

The former civil engineer shares how she went from a 9-to-5 job to a deal-closing beauty influencer.

Crystal Nicole, a former civil engineer turned beauty influencer, credits her 9-to-5 background for the structure and discipline behind her content creator career.

The Dallas-based beauty influencer has built a following of more than 1 million across social media, landed major brand partnerships with Kiehl’s, Olay, Aveeno, SheaMoisture, NYX Cosmetics, and L’Oréal Paris, and spoken at the Sephora Impact Summit. Content creation wasn’t always something she imagined pursuing. Nicole was steered to a civil engineering degree by her mother, who questioned the practicality of fashion and design.

“She said, ‘You have cousins who are engineers, why don’t you look up engineering?’ I also am a math head; I love math. So it wasn’t a terrible idea … And I found the one sector of engineering that felt the most [like] design, and that was civil,” Nicole told AfroTech. “I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll be designing buildings or highways instead of clothes.’”

While studying at the University of New Orleans, Nicole began documenting her natural hair journey after ditching a relaxer she’d used for more than a decade. As questions about her routine poured in, she recognized a lack of representation and resources, which led her to start a YouTube channel in 2017 to share her experience and help others on their natural hair journeys.

“I wasn’t even an influencer at that time. I was literally just making videos for fun to help other people,” Nicole recalled. “It was never something that I thought would become a career. And I also found so much passion in it because there was so many Black women who didn’t know who they were naturally or how to even take care of what was given to them, including my mom … It was just something that I was doing to provide education for people and to do for fun while I was still in college.”

After graduating, Nicole accepted a full-time civil engineering job. She earned about $70,000 running her YouTube channel on the side. As her content income grew to surpass her roughly $4,000 monthly take-home pay, she decided at the start of the pandemic to pursue content creation full-time.

“I’m making two, three, four times my engineering salary off of three deals, and I’m straight out of college,” Nicole said.

As her platform expanded, Nicole landed major partnerships with brands including Youth to the People, Charlotte Tilbury, CeraVe, Clinique, and Kérastase, while stepping into leadership roles such as moderating CurlyCon, speaking at the Sephora Impact Summit, and keynoting the WEB Who Is She Brunch in Charlotte.

She credits her engineering background with shaping the discipline and structure behind her influencer career. “The structure helps a lot because I still have that structure from my 9-to-5,” Nicole shared. “It allows me to juggle and balance so many different events, and I’m pretty good with time management.”

As she looks to expand her creative footprint through product collaborations, Nicole offers a blunt reminder to aspiring creators: stay organized—because when you work for yourself, it’s all on you, and the IRS is watching.

“That was my reality check when I realized the IRS is gonna be coming for this money … I feel like a lot of influencers don’t understand is, when you’re an influencer, when you’re your own entity, you have even more of a responsibility than when you were a nine-to-five. There’s no such thing as you getting a tax return. You’re paying taxes and you’re paying them at 30% typically,” she explained.

“If you’re not setting money aside, you’re gonna have money piled up, but you’re also gonna have money that is due, and you don’t realize how much is due because you’ve never had to pay taxes, you’ve only had taxes returned to you.”