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Culture

“Just Thug it Out”: Mental Health in the Black Community

by Mariah Yonique Strawder & Julia Elizabeth Perry 06/26/2026

written by Mariah Yonique Strawder & Julia Elizabeth Perry

Black adults are less likely to report mental illness than their non-Black counterparts, but are more likely to experience higher rates of severe conditions while also facing significant barriers to accessing culturally responsive care. The way Black people talk about mental health and interact with the health care system is shaped by systemic disparities, historical trauma, and cultural stigmas. During Mental Health Awareness Month, Nommo hopes this article will create conversations surrounding the Black community’s perception and relationship with mental health while also bridging the gap the community faces in understanding the topic and accessing resources.

Why so stigmatized?

Each year, more and more research is done on Black mental health, yet the statistics don’t paint the full picture. Since Black people are more likely not to seek help, the statistics found are not truly representative of how Black people feel. Due to the shame associated with reporting mental health struggles, Black people suffer in silence. They believe nobody else in the community is facing the same struggles, and if they are, they are able to cope and move on. This falsity is extremely harmful to our community, and although it is improving as more people speak up, more research is done, and more safe spaces are fostered, there is much more work to be done.

A large factor that plays into much of the hesitation around seeking help is medical mistrust, a complex factor to solve due to the long history of brutality against Black bodies, minds, and souls. This mistrust is completely valid and should continue to be responded to with validation before anything else. However, it is vital that there are steps following this validation to heal some of the wounds of the violence that caused such mistrust. All medical professionals, nurses, doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, gynecologists, etc, need to be culturally educated and trained to be able to address Black patients with the care that we deserve.

A secondary factor is the reason that many folks in our community avoid addressing their mental health struggles because of the burden of financial barriers that limit access to long-term help. This issue is extremely intimidating and can lead people to suppress their emotions and struggles to avoid having to deal with the monetary repercussions of healing. However, as time goes on, accessible, equitable resources continue to be created specifically for Black people who are ready to seek healing and relief.

While it is important to call out the barriers, trauma, and stigmas that perpetuate negative perceptions of mental health, it is also very critical to note the responses Black people face when they share their experiences or try to seek help.

We have unfortunately seen many instances of Black people taking the strong step to ask for help, and being punished or even killed for it. One of the most public cases of this took place in 2024, when Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman with schizophrenia, called the police after reporting that she believed there was someone lurking outside of her home. Bodycam footage showed Deputy Sean Grayson and his partner arriving at Massey’s home and immediately handling the situation poorly. After Massey went to take a pot of boiling water off her stove, Grayson drew his gun and pointed it at her, and threatened to shoot her instead of de-escalating the situation. After shooting Massey, Grayson did not make any attempt to provide medical attention to Massey and even discouraged his partner from getting a medical kit to tend to her. From the beginning of the 36 minutes that Grayson was at Massey’s home, he treated her as a threat that he needed to eliminate, rather than a person whom he had a responsibility to keep safe.

Several Black athletes, actors, artists, and government officials have also come forward and shared their experiences with mental health. One of the most vocal, despite receiving great backlash, has been star tennis player Naomi Osaka. Within the topic of mental health, Osaka has specifically been public in discussing her anxiety and depression perpetuated by post-match media appearances, where reporters have often been cruel and unfair to her. Osaka shocked the sports community in 2021 when she withdrew from the French Open in order to sustain her mental health. Instances of athletes publicly prioritizing their mental health as much as their physical health had been rare, and Osaka certainly received a great amount of scrutiny for doing so. While she did get a lot of negative attention after withdrawing, she also enabled other athletes, specifically Black female athletes, to share their experiences with managing their mental health. Osaka’s contributions to the destigmatization of mental health in the Black community are undeniable, and she continues to serve as an advocate for rest and healthy mental health practices.

Another recent example of a well-known member of the Black community struggling with mental health is Stephen (tWitch) Boss, resident DJ and co-executive producer for the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Stephan sadly took his life in 2022, and many were shocked to hear that he had committed suicide, mentioning the joyful energy that he brought to The Ellen Show. His death highlighted the tendency of Black men to feel the need to bury their emotions and put on a mask, rather than seeking help. His wife even shared that he had frequently talked to her about feeling immense pressure to keep up his positive personality even when he was battling internal struggles, especially after The Ellen Show began to fall apart and was eventually discontinued. Rather than approaching his death with compassion and empathy, many responded by calling him selfish for leaving behind a wife and three children. In doing so, people neglect to acknowledge the fact that conditions like depression and anxiety are illnesses, and need to be taken seriously as potential causes of death, just as other illnesses are.

Insight from an Expert

NOMMO had the honor of talking with Dr. Nicole Presley, Senior Executive Director of UCLA Student Resilience and Mental Health Services. Dr. Presley is a Psychologist in training and a licensed therapist. She received her B.A. in Psychology from UCLA, her Ed.M. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California. Dr. Presley worked on starting the RISE Center at UCLA and has worked at UCLA for over 20 years. When she began her job as a therapist, she used to see so many students who were blocked not because of intelligence, but because of trauma, anxiety, and depression. She loved helping students of color get out of their own way, resolve deep trauma issues, and be able to flourish. Black students are the healthiest in the family, but are dragged down by family dynamics and community issues. Dr. Presley believed these students needed somewhere to take a breath, and loved being able to provide that space for them. Given Dr. Presley’s background, we thought she could provide a great deal of insight into the Black community and its relationship with mental health.

What are common mental health struggles you see specific to Black students?

Dr. Presley: Most students suffer from things like anxiety and depression. Within the Black community, and especially for Black students navigating predominantly white institutions, we face performance anxiety and imposter syndrome. Black students place expectations on themselves to do well, and feel shamed when others can see them struggling. There is a common misconception, especially among Black women, that if they are not drowning from their stress, they must not really be struggling, but that is not the case. Students think that if they can function academically, they forget their emotions, self-perception, self-esteem, and never learn about managing mental health or the literacy around mental health to be able to respond to natural boundaries.

In what ways is mental health in the Black community BOTH a systemic and individual issue?

Dr. Presley: Systemically, there is a long history regarding the Black community’s relationship to the healthcare system. From the pseudoscience that Black folk don’t feel pain, forcing our Black women and men to stay strong, along with the erasure of how slavery impacted physical and mental health, this is where the Black community gets a lot of medical mistrust. As Black health and well-being have not been taken seriously by white folk, the Black community has internalized that. Individually, people can do a lot to help their health and seek care. Akin to diabetes, some can do the right things and manage it, while others can do the right things and still pass away. Same thing with depression. However, it always goes back to the structural piece. Lots of things that contribute to the Black mental health problem are due to environmental factors, such as poor education, lack of outside spaces, food deserts, healthcare, working conditions, and the embedded racism in all of these systems. America looks at results instead of conditions. Individuals can do things to mitigate things, but it is like swimming upstream.

One of the many perceptions of mental health is that people don’t know what it is or how to deal with it. What are the ways for the Black community to acquire help? What can be done to raise awareness on mental health & signs of struggle?

Dr. Presley: One of the major reasons they don’t seek help is that they talk themselves out of it. They think they don’t need help, they can manage it, that therapy is for white people, that they can’t tell my business to just anyone, and they are afraid of being alienated or judged. A major mental health education campaign is needed. We should also be seeking information from those with expertise and not from social media influencers because people have the right to get real help from people who know what they’re talking about. The Black community has such a poor understanding of the landscape, which requires education. We also need to understand that seeking help is not for everyone and looks different for everyone. It can look like seeking talk therapy, group therapy, or even turning to religion. Everyone has to find what works for them.

What does the quote “Your trauma is not your fault. It is your responsibility to heal” mean to you?

Dr. Presley: I would really like to emphasize that the trauma is not your fault, but healing matters and is important for lifting the burden of something you did not do. You are a person, and scabs of trauma develop over you, but healing is a journey necessary to becoming closer to yourself. Therapy helps you get closer to who you are under the scabs, meet yourself, who you are other than your trauma, and move past it while honoring yourself for what you went through. Scabs make your skin tougher but also prevent you from accessing yourself. Acknowledge it, grieve, and honor your traumatic response.

What resources do UCLA students have if they want to seek help?

Dr. Presley: UCLA offers a lot of support for students to get help. The RISE Center is somewhere students can go to take a breath. The RISE Center is located in the LuValle Commons Basement and is open from 9 AM to 6 PM on most days. Here, students can partake in workshops and come to drop-in hours with Wellbeing Coordinators. During the next academic year, RISE at Rieber will also be open on Mondays and Fridays from 11 AM – 4 PM. The CAPS Center is where students can go to get clinical support. Students with USHIP gain up to 12 sessions, while students without it can get up to 4. At CAPS, Black clinicians can also be requested. If students have questions, they can always call. If you have a question, call, or feel entitled to using your university student fees. UCSHIP is a platinum plan, which often doesn’t exist in the real world. Students deserve help; they’re entitled to it!

Black Psychology Society

An initiative that was created to change the way Black students at UCLA perceive or take care of themselves was started through Black Psychology Society, founded by graduating senior and psychology student Ryen Clark.

Clark’s motivation behind starting the Black Psychology Society stems from her father’s saying, “if you don’t see it, be it”. As she went through her time at UCLA, she noticed there was no club for Black psychology students. With help from Dr. Nicole Presley and the Director of Black Bruin Resource Center, Mike Brown, Clark was able to form the Black Bruin Mental Health and Wellness Initiative. Through this program, Clark tells Nommo, “I realized I wanted to create a long-lasting impact beyond the initiative itself.” The motivation to create the Black Psychology Society became more imperative when a Freshman at Black Welcome Week asked if there was a club for Black psychology students, and Clark had to say no. “That moment genuinely stayed with me. That’s when I knew it was time to form my team and get something started,” Clark tells Nommo.

Black Psychology Society was officially recognized as a UCLA Organization during Winter Quarter with the mission of creating “a space where Black students passionate about psychology can explore how the field intersects with Black mental wellness, culture, and community healing, while gaining tools for academic and professional growth in psychology-related fields.” Clark goes on to tell Nommo that the organization’s core goals “center around community wellness, professional development, education and awareness, and collaboration.” Clark’s favorite BPS events were the organization’s first general body meeting as well as presenting a workshop on mental health and wellness to high school students through the Afrikan Student Union’s Higher Education Conference. At the first BPS general body meeting said that, “After years of programming and advocating for Black student mental health and wellness, it was so beautiful to finally see it come to fruition in the form of students gathering together because they genuinely wanted community, conversation, and connection. It was one of those moments where I just looked around the room and thought, “Wow, this is real.””. Clark said that presenting at the Higher Education Conference was another favorite because the organization was able to educate students on “what burnout is, how to recognize it, and ways to prevent it…Sometimes students, especially Blackstudents, are taught how to achieve but not always how to rest, regulate, or care for themselves in the process. Being able to pour into them in that way was extremely special to me.”

For the future of the BPS, Clark hopes the organization will continue “creating spaces for access and networking opportunities that Black students may not always have readily available. Whether that is mentorship, graduate school preparation, panels, workshops, research opportunities, or simply being in rooms with professionals who look like us, I want students to leave BPS feeling equipped and inspired. Representation matters deeply, especially in mental health spaces. As someone graduating this year, one of my biggest hopes is to come back one day as an alumna and see the organization thriving in ways I never even imagined. I truly believe there are brilliant minds who will continue building upon what we started. That is one of the most beautiful parts of leadership to me: creating something that outlives you. I hope future leaders continue innovating, dreaming bigger, and reminding Black students that their voices, minds, and wellness matter both within psychology and beyond it.”

The Black Psychology Society is an organization with the vision of “empowering Black students through psychological education, community care, and career readiness by bridging the gap between theory, identity, and lived experience.” Through the organization’s events, such as community circles, application workshops, career panels, and hikes, students have been able to build community, foster professional development, and create a space where wellness is made a priority. Stay connected with the Black Psychology Society by visiting their page on Instagram @bpsucla.

Rest as Resistance

When we think of rest, we might think of something as simple as taking a nap. However, rest is more than taking a nap. Rest is anything that connects your mind and body. Most importantly, it is a refusal to comply with the politics shaping the world today.

The Black community needs rest because we suffer from generational exhaustion, various forms of trauma, and just because we experience being Black in America. It is difficult to prioritize your well-being in a world that kills you more and more every day. From watching your people be brutalized and killed on screens, being funneled into the carceral system, to having your rights stripped away. Black folk may feel like resting was never an option. It’s important to recognize that this is exactly how the systems of white supremacy and capitalism want us to feel.

When Black folk use rest as a tool for resistance, we challenge and reshape the, just thug it out stigma and Black people are superhuman archetypes. When we rest, we actively push back against the systems that only see Black bodies as a means for entertainment, production, and labor. When you resist the systems that tell us we are not doing enough and should be doing more, we carry on the dreams of our ancestors who wanted nothing more than rest.

Please acknowledge when you are stressed, exhausted, or feeling anxious. Please know you are entitled to rest just like everyone else. In recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, NOMMO challenges readers and the Black community to use rest as a tool for healing and liberation.

“The systems make us hard. Rest keeps us tender. There is power in our collective rest and care.” — The Nap Ministry

Conclusion

We acknowledge and validate that focusing on mental health can feel trivial when Black bodies, culture, and existence are being constantly attacked, and many of us are just trying to survive. However, we would like to affirm that through prioritizing mental health, our community can not only survive but thrive. While it often feels like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders and are being forced to heal from problems that we did not cause, we can begin to work through this by asking for help, speaking up, and destigmatizing the topic of mental health within our community. We would like to encourage the Black students and professionals in fields that research or work to treat mental health to continue to fight for our community. Your work does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate you greatly for taking up space in this field and advocating for Black health. For Black students interested in pursuing psychology or other related fields at UCLA, we encourage you to take advantage of the resources and networking opportunities provided by the Black Psychology Society. It is truly a unique space that not many other universities can say they have! For students who would like to understand themselves better, we encourage you to take advantage of the CAPS and Rise centers, which provide great resources for all students. Regardless of your condition, the opportunity to understand yourself and your emotions should be taken seriously and taken advantage of, especially as a young adult!

As we conclude this article, NOMMO affirms that Black mental health is just as important as everyone’s mental health. To our Black readers:

Seeking help is a reflection of your strength and not your weakness.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

It’s good to voice your feelings.

You are not broken or a burden.

It’s not all in your head; your feelings are valid, and you deserve to process them.

You can rely on your community for emotional support.

Resources

UCLA:

Counseling and Psychological Services: Provides individual therapy, group therapy, wellness skills groups, and psychiatry services. Provides 24/7 consultation to concerned staff, faculty, anD students. (https://counseling.ucla.edu/)
Campus Assault Resources & Education: Provides support, consultation, advocacy for student survivors of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. Provides trauma-informed yoga for student survivors. (https://careprogram.ucla.edu/)
UCLA Psychology Clinic: Provides low-fee individual and group psychotherapy (e.g., CBT group), as well as diagnostic assessments (https://www.psych.ucla.edu/centers-programs/clinic)
Collegiate Recovery Program: Provides individual support and weekly recovery meetings for students who are in recovery from substance use or other addictive behaviors (https://www.collegiaterecovery.ucla.edu/)

Broader Community:

998 Lifeline: Provides resources and services for mental health, as well as a separate page specifically focusing on resources for Black people seeking resources (https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/black-mental-health/)
The Loveland Foundation: Covers the cost of therapy for Black women and non-binary individuals (https://thelovelandfoundation.org/)
Black Men Heal: Pairs men of color with therapists of color, and provides free mental health treatment to clients (https://blackmenheal.org/)
Therapy for Black Girls/Holding Space Foundation: Provides resources, training, and education for mental health, with the goal of making it more accessible for Black women. (https://therapyforblackgirls.com/)

06/26/2026 0 comments

Black History Campus Culture Health Lifestyle

Black Bruin Resource Center, Afrikan Womxn’s Collective, and UCLA Alphas host “Shop Talk” to cultivate community

by Mariah Yonique Strawder 06/26/2026

written by Mariah Yonique Strawder

On May 19, 2026, the Black Bruin Resource Center, Afrikan Womxn’s Collective, and UCLA Alphas came together for the first “Shop Talk” event. This event brought the Black UCLA community together and engaged in meaningful conversations centered around the Black student experience.

The shop stems from the Barbershop Talk series that is hosted every quarter by the Black Bruin Resource Center and the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter at UCLA. During these events, Black men at UCLA get together to build community, discuss the realities of being a Black man on campus, and get free haircuts.

The Black women on UCLA’s campus also sought the need to build community in a similar way. Inspired by the Alpha’s Barbershop Talk series, the Black Bruin Resource Center Afrikan Womxn’s Collective, and Afrikan Student Union came together to hold the first Beauty Shop Talk in March. The Beauty Shop Talk provided Black women on campus the space to come together and talk about challenges within the community, how Black women are treated on campus, and how Black women could support and uplift each other.

Amariah Scott, BBRC student staff, on the importance of events like Beauty Shop Talk:

Cultivating spaces for Black women is so important because many of us often navigate environments where we do not always feel seen, heard, or fully supported. I wanted to start Beauty Shop Talk to create a sense of community and a safe space where Black women could come together, be themselves, and feel valued. This event was intentionally held at the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month to celebrate and appreciate the Black women on our campus. Seeing that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. had been hosting Barbershop Talk as a space for Black men to connect inspired me to create a similar experience for Black women. I reached out to the Afrikan Womxn’s Collective and Dr. Tunstall to help bring this vision to life. At this PWI, there are very few spaces dedicated specifically to Black women, despite the challenges we often face, including racism, colorism, sexism, and discrimination. Because of this, we need to build community, uplift one another, and have spaces where we can openly discuss our experiences and concerns. Beauty Shop Talk helped create that space by bringing nearly 50 Black women together to engage in meaningful conversations about beauty standards, our hair, support, and sisterhood.

During the Beauty Shop event, the attendees discussed how urgent a community discussion event was between the Black women and men on campus. That’s when the BBRC, Afrikan Womxn’s Collective, and UCLA Alphas came together to host the first-ever Shop Talk Event. Shop Talk was a much-needed conversation for the Black Bruins on campus. Some of the major themes explored were mentorship, building community, and upholding tradition.

Nommo talked more with Amariah Scott to gain more insight on the event, what could be approved, and goals for the Black community moving forward:

Question 1. What did you think about the Shop Talk? How important did you think the conversation was?

Amariah: Cultivating spaces for Black women and men to come together and discuss issues within the community is important because it creates opportunities for understanding, accountability, and unity. After hosting both Beauty Shop Talk and Barbershop Talk, there were many conversations about how we could bring these spaces together. We decided to host The Shop Talk event so Black men and women could openly discuss ways to better support one another and strengthen our community. When creating the discussion questions, we wanted to be intentional and ensure the conversations were honest, productive, and solution-oriented. While Black men and women may experience different struggles, it is important to acknowledge that we are all impacted by issues affecting the Black community. Having open conversations about where gaps in support exist helps us become more united.

Question 2. How could the event be improved?

Amariah: Although I was very happy with the turnout, with nearly 80 RSVPs, I think one area where the event could be improved is encouraging participants to feel more comfortable being honest and open about the issues discussed. During the separate Beauty Shop Talk and Barbershop Talk events, people seemed more comfortable speaking within their respective spaces. However, during the first half of the Shop Talk event, there was some hesitation when it came to openly engaging with one another across genders. It took time and breakout groups to help break down some of those walls and create a more open environment for discussion. Once participants became more comfortable, the conversations became much more meaningful and productive. Although the discussions we had were impactful, I believe future events could go even deeper into the challenges our community faces.

Question 3. After this event, what do you hope for the Black Bruin community moving forward? What steps do we need to take to address the gap between mentorship, building community, and upholding traditions?

Amariah Scott, 3rd year: After this event, I hope the Black Bruin community continues creating more open, honest, and supportive spaces for one another. I hope students leave knowing they have a community they can rely on and that people continue reaching out to their accountability groups to check in, build relationships, and support one another beyond the event itself. This event was only the beginning. Real change happens when people continue these conversations in their everyday lives and make intentional efforts to connect with their peers one-on-one. I also hope people felt seen, heard, and encouraged through these discussions. I hope upperclassmen recognize the importance of reaching out to underclassmen to mentor and guide them, especially at a PWI where community and support systems are so important. I also hope Black men and women continue stepping up to support one another and work toward strengthening unity within the community. Traditions and community-building events are important because they create opportunities for connection across different class years and experiences. For example, after discussions about preserving the tradition of spicy uno, students organized a game night event where seniors would teach underclassmen how to play. Moments like that are important because they turn conversations and concerns into action. While Beauty Shop Talk, Barbershop Talk, and The Shop Talk will continue, what matters most is that these conversations, relationships, and acts of support continue year-round on a personal level throughout the Black Bruin community.

Moving forward, Nommo hopes Black Bruins can continue to come together and have meaningful conversations about our experiences on campus and support one another with open arms. It is critical to recognize the strength within the Black community at UCLA. As a small minority on campus, it is important that we stick together in any way we can. This looks like giving a smile and nod to every Black person you see on campus. It looks like attending community events for the sake of building community rather than grabbing a free plate of food. It also looks like having conversations with peers that push beyond simply asking “how are you?”

If you are interested in learning more about the Barbershop Talk, Beauty Shop Talk, or Shop Talk events, please visit @uclaalphas, @uclabbrc, and @awcatucla on Instagram.

06/26/2026 0 comments

Arts & Entertainment Culture Lifestyle

I Got This Sh*t From Tina: Lessons From Mama Knowles

by Mariah Yonique Strawder & Samantha Talbot 06/26/2026

written by Mariah Yonique Strawder & Samantha Talbot

On May 18th, 2026, Black365 hosted their second speaker series at UCLA. In collaboration with the Afrikan Womxn’s Collective at UCLA and American Pride Rises, Black365 brought businesswoman, fashion designer, art collector, and activist, Tina Knowles. We also can’t forget that she is the mother of two musical icons: Beyonce and Solange. The Tina Knowles event was a conversation centering on personal evolution, overcoming generational challenges, and uncovering the strength within our roots. Tina shared how she repeatedly reinvented her career by refusing to let fear, regional stereotypes, or societal expectations restrict her potential. To navigate these hurdles, she highlighted the importance of breaking generational curses of passive humility, learning instead to celebrate personal achievements and recognize one’s value. Ultimately, she challenged the audience to banish self-limitation, embrace their heritage, and step forward as assets to any room they enter.

Before recapping the event, Nommo would especially like to thank American Pride Rises for helping Black365 fund this event. Black365 Founder and Defending Our Dreams Fellow, Runor Pinnock, on APR and their support: “They were the ones that helped to fund this beautiful event, American Pride Rises was founded to help preserve diversity, equity, and inclusion across college campuses. With that, Black365 is meant to highlight Black history and culture year-round. This event is basically us standing our ground and saying that we’re not going anywhere. We’re Black and we’re proud, and we deserve to have our stories heard year-round, and that’s the community footprint we want this institution to remember us by.”

There was so much to learn from Mama Knowles. There were a few lessons that stood out which every Black woman should know. Nommo would like to call them Tina’s 3 B’s.

First, Be Kind

In discussing the strict curation of her inner circle, Mama Knowles kept her policy clear by saying that absolutely “no haters allowed” in her circle. She said everyone should look for friends who lift you up and lift everybody else up because “It doesn’t cost anything to be kind or lift someone up. If you will just find it in your heart to lift somebody up every single day, even if it’s just a small thing, it makes your day as well as theirs.” This is exactly how she raised her own successful family while working for years in the busy entertainment industry. For the students in the audience, it was a great reminder to stay away from negative people and protect their peace of mind. She encouraged everyone to look at their friend group as a supportive team where everyone helps each other out. In the end, her message showed that you can only truly succeed when you have a good inner circle standing right behind you.

Second, Be Authentic

On the topic of navigating predominantly white spaces while remaining unapologetically Black, Mama Knowles responded by saying she learned at a very young age the importance of being authentically herself no matter what room she is in. This is something that she has worked hard on teaching her daughters, grandchildren, and youth that she mentors. Mama Knowles says that Black people are a special people and should recognize that it is a blessing. She tells the audience that you bring value to any room by being yourself, “You don’t need to code-switch and be somebody else. Be authentically yourself. I promise you that when you have the confidence to be yourself, everybody else likes you, too.” Her powerful words filled the room with an immediate sense of pride and confidence. Walking into spaces where you’re the only one who looks like you can be intimidating, but Mama Knowles made it feel like a superpower instead of a disadvantage. She wanted the students to understand that trying to fit into someone else’s box only dilutes what makes them unique. By sharing this, she gave everyone in the room permission to take up space and be incredibly proud of exactly who they are.

Third, Be Proud

When asked what honoring and preserving her family’s legacy means to her, Mama Knowles told the audience that preserving history and lineage is everything. She reminded the audience that our name is our biggest gift and it sets us apart from everyone on this earth. Additionally, she encourages everyone, if they can, to put their investigator hats on and try to find out where they come from, especially Black folk. Just knowing this information can make you feel proud of who you are and where your ancestors came from. Knowing that her grandmothers and great-grandmothers were enslaved and somehow managed to free their children from that same destiny has given her an immense amount of pride. Mama Knowles tells the audience that “You should be proud of your heritage and learn about your ancestors.Go and research your history, know your story, and pass it on to your kids.” Her passion for family history was obvious, and you could tell how much her ancestors’ strength still inspires her today. She made it clear that if we don’t take the time to look into our roots, those precious family stories can easily be lost over time. For the students listening, it felt like a call to become the keepers of their own family legacies. Ultimately, her message was a beautiful reminder that truly knowing where you come from is the best way to ground yourself as you move forward in life.

As we reflect on the Black365 & Afrikan Womxn’s Collective event with Mama Knowles, the knowledge gained, and the lessons learned, NOMMO spoke with Afrikan Womxn’s Collective President and event attendee Addison Perry who shared how Tina’s 3 B’s help shape her understanding of power and Black womanhood.

Addison: The “three B’s” Ms. Knowles shared helped me further reflect on the way I think about what power even looks like for Black women. She did not define it through how well you can fit into a room or how much you can adapt yourself for other people’s comfort, she defined it through how firmly you know yourself. The first principle, “Be Authentic”, hit because oftentimes we are constantly expected to code-switch just to be taken seriously. She made it clear that showing up as yourself is not a risk, it is actually where your power lives. “Be Proud” took that further by connecting identity to ancestry, and highlighting the importance of knowing where you come from.There is something grounding about being reminded that the strength we carry did not start with us. “Be Kind” was the principle that resonated with me most because kindness is essential not only for having power but also for finding peace and support. She framed kindness not as something passive, but as an active choice to uplift others. I think that message was really important given how often Black women are placed in environments that encourage competition rather than support. She emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed, and that kind of community is a powerful form of strength in itself. All three principles together paint a picture of Black womanhood that is rooted, proud, and community-oriented rather than performative. It made me reflect on how I show up in spaces and whether I am leading with those same values. Ms. Knowles made it feel less like advice and more like a reminder of something we all already know deep down.

Nommo talked with Black 365 founder Runor Pinnock about her organization’s growing success and what’s next.

Black365 is growing rapidly, and a board has been established. How is it having a team that is passionate about the org’s mission of celebrating Black history and culture all year round?

Runor: There are truly no words to express the pride and joy I have in my E-board. A team like this is rare to find where it truly feels like we’re a family. The six of them are the embodiment of my visions materialized, and I affectionately call them my “E-Board babies” because of how protective and invested I am in their personal growth. They came into Black365 eager to start in April and were able to execute two entire events in a little over a month. The passion and commitment they displayed throughout was so beautiful to witness because I learned as much from them as I hoped they did from me and our experiences together. I’m quoting one of my E-Board members, Julia Perry, who described her ideal experience as one with a balance of “joy and professionalism”, which we managed to do. I never could have imagined others being as passionate about black storytelling as I am, but now that I know they exist, I intend to do everything I can to continue setting an example.

The 3 events Black365 has hosted have been amazing and packed with attendees. What does this mean for you? Why is cultivating this space important?

Runor: I still get emotional every time I see people interact with us. Though I founded this organization, it is not mine alone; it is for everyone- the attendees, supporters, partners, the casual spectator! Black365 would not exist without any of them. Hearing the positive feedback and the excitement that every event garners is so magical because this is what I intended. I always wanted those who feel as though they may not fit within UCLA’s status quo or underrepresented in their stories to feel seen when they step into something we host.

What do you hope for the future of Black365 as you plan to graduate next year?

Runor: In the essence of its name, Black365 is meant to exist beyond me. I emphasize to my board and in conversations surrounding the organization that I never intended for this to simply start and die with me once I graduate. I am aiming to lay a foundation for future Black Bruins to take up and cultivate these spaces into more than anything I could have envisioned. If nothing else, Black365 is an enduring legacy that always represents the continuity of black culture and history.

We also talked with Black365 inaugural Co-Director of Social Media & Marketing Nazyrah Otubuah about what it’s been like working with Black365 so far and what she hopes for the future.

Nazyrah: Black365’s goal to highlight Black stories means a lot to me as someone whose story often goes unheard a lot of the time. In an age where a lot of Black stories are either censored or simply ignored, it’s vital that we hear them at a place like UCLA, a PWI. Black365 believes that creating community is essential and I really align with that, which is one of the main reasons I joined. For me, being on Black 365’s E-Board has been one of my most fulfilling college experiences so far. It’s been a pleasure getting to know such fun, passionate, and dedicated individuals who show up every week and put their best foot forward no matter the challenges presented against us. Working with them has been nothing but wonderful, full of support and collaboration, where no idea is too big or too crazy because we’re willing to give it our all. I’ve grown in my career path as well as a person and it’s all thanks to these amazing people, and I’m excited to put on more fun events for everybody next year. My hopes for the future are to spread the mission of Black365 further than UCLA’s campus. Our mission to highlight all kinds of stories across the Afrikan diaspora is a really special one, and I want as many people as possible to be able to see themselves in our speakers and to take something that they could use in their everyday life. It’s truly inspiring seeing the community we’ve built and I want as many people as possible to be able to experience different kinds of Black excellence through our speaker series.

Black365 has been established for less than 6 months and has taken the Black Bruin community by storm, providing the community with engaging and insightful events from celebrity panels to hot topic discussion nights dissecting popular culture and societal issues.

Be sure to follow Black365 on social media and be on the lookout for more speaker series and events during the next year. @uclablack365 on Instagram and TikTok

06/26/2026 0 comments

Commentary Culture U.S.

Curls in the Cubicle: The Legacy of The C.R.O.W.N. Act & What’s Left to be Done

by Julia Elizabeth Perry 05/15/2026

written by Julia Elizabeth Perry

Professional, neat, groomed, elegant, put-together, official, dignified. Unprofessional, messy, dirty, undone, ghetto, ratchet, ugly. Think of what hairstyles and patterns come to mind when you hear the first group of words, and what comes to mind when you hear the second. There are both implicit and explicit biases associated with how non-Black people perceive Black hair. Sometimes, these biases even come from within our own community. The first step to breaking them down is acknowledging their prevalence.

For many of us, hair discrimination starts early, before we can even understand the meaning or reason for the discomfort that we feel. A shared experience among many Black girls and women is being petted like dogs by teachers, friends, or even strangers, some of whom give the illusion of respect by first asking, “Can I touch your hair?” For others, it’s the rhetoric used when their hair is described, such as “poofy, fluffy, exotic, crazy, wild” or comparisons of our hair to animals, like a lion’s mane, or the coat of poodles. In both instances, Black people are dehumanized, embarrassed, and disrespected.

The “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” (C.R.O.W.N.) Act is a campaign created in 2019, intended to protect people of color from discrimination in professional and academic settings based on hairstyle or hair texture. While many studies have examined how racialized names are discriminated against on job applications, hair is yet another marker of race that people unjustly use to judge the intelligence and competence of predominantly Black people. Men and women fall victim to hair-based discrimination. Partnering with Dove and LinkedIn, the C.R.O.W.N. Act campaign found that Black women with curlier hair patterns are two times more likely to experience microaggressions in the workplace than Black women with straighter hair, and over 20% of Black women have experienced being sent home from work because of their hairstyle. These statistics attest even further to how, in addition to racial identity, hair in particular plays a significant role in respectability politics. This legislation not only protects Black students and professionals from discrimination but also establishes a baseline of belonging and combats the concept that hairstyle is representative of one’s intellectual or professional capacity.

While The C.R.O.W.N. Act is a great step in eliminating the discrimination that Black people face regarding their hair, it is only as powerful as people are willing to act in accordance with it. It does well at preventing explicit discrimination by banning employers from using hair as a reason to not hire someone or to send them home. However, there is more work to be done on the individual and interpersonal level to break down implicit biases and eliminate them as a reason that people may face trouble in professional spaces. Furthermore, as of 2026, only 27 states have signed The C.R.O.W.N. Act into law. For progress to continue, The C.R.O.W.N. Act must be signed into law and acted upon in all 50 states. Additionally, while The C.R.O.W.N. Act works to dismantle the systems and practices upholding hair-based discrimination, individuals must do the work to break down their own biases in order to truly advance in the fight against discrimination.

Within Black communities, there have been divisive conversations over what qualities make “good hair” vs what makes “bad hair,” a conversation that is closely tied to colorism, sexism, heteronormativity, classism, and internalized racism. Those determining whether hair is “good” or “bad” ascribe “goodness” to proximity to straightness/looseness of curls, length, and even color, with long, loose hair being “good”, while tightly coiled shorter hair is deemed “bad.” This rhetoric only further contributes to the idea that features that are closer in proximity to European traits are better than those of African descent, a centuries-long idea that is still upheld. When young Black children, and most often Black girls, hear their hair described using “bad” or “good,” it not only impacts their confidence but also the attitude they carry toward doing their hair. Ultimately, hair is a feature that is meant to be experimented with in whatever way yields the most confidence for the beholder. If, from a young age, Black girls are taught that their natural hair is bad, unmanageable, and wild, the attitude they have towards doing their hair often becomes negative, and they believe their hair to be a burden, a problem to be solved.

There are constant reminders, whether it be through experience or social media, that people still believe they’re entitled to comment on the hair of Black people. While the C.R.O.W.N. Act provides legal protection from discrimination in office and school spaces, Black people are continually policed outside of those contexts regarding hair. A recent example of a Black woman who faced criticism for wearing her natural hair is Coco Gauff, one of the most skilled tennis players in the world, at just 22 years old. Gauff was shown in a Miu Miu photoshoot wearing her natural hair in a ponytail, showcasing her coils without slicking them down. Many criticized her hair, saying it looked “undone,” “messy,” or “unprofessional.” In a TikTok video responding to the backlash she faced after the photoshoot, Gauff explained that the concept for the photoshoot was an everyday look, leading her to do her everyday hair and makeup. “I’m not gonna apologize for the way that my hair looked because there are other girls who have the exact same hair as me and I just wanted them to feel represented that your hair is literally fine the way it is. My hair was good enough for a high fashion brand like Miu Miu to promote one of their newest launches. So if my 4c hair is good enough for that, yours is good enough for you to do whatever you want to do.” She continues by emphasizing that however you want to wear your hair, natural or not, is perfectly fine and up to your own discretion, “If you want to straighten your hair, permanently straighten your hair, perm your hair. If you want to wear your hair Afro, wear your hair afro. If you want to wear braids, wear braids. If you want to wear cornrows, wear cornrows. If you want to slick back your hair to the Gods, slick it back; if you don’t and you just wanna put it in a bun, put it in the bun.” In encouraging Black people, and specifically, Black girls, to wear their hair whatever way they like it, Gauff exemplifies the message of The C.R.O.W.N. Act, which is to have complete freedom over your hairstyle, without interruption from others.

Another phenomenon that Black people often fall victim to is the over-politicization of Black hair. While many aspects of Black identity have been politicized, Black people should also be allowed to exist and thrive in spaces without being a topic of politics. Many of the hairstyles that Black people continue to wear do have historical significance and connections to efforts of resistance and powerful social movements. However, Black hair is not inherently political. Just as any other features on Black bodies are not political objects for debate, Black hair also does not exist as a topic for non-Black people and communities to weigh in on. It is an aspect of identity and a method of personal expression. Black beauty can exist without being tied to a political message or an act of protest, just as other races use aspects of their appearance to express themselves both in and out of cultural contexts.

Just as Brown v The Board of Education ruled that schools couldn’t discriminate against students on the basis of race, The C.R.O.W.N. Act makes an important step toward eliminating racial discrimination. However, the progress cannot end there. Government action is significant, but individuals also must work to break down their own biases, and ensure that they are practicing the missions of The C.R.O.W.N. Act in their interpersonal and professional relationships.

05/15/2026 0 comments

Arts & Entertainment Black History Commentary

No Laughing Matter: Resistance and the Redefining of Afrikan Humor

by Orisha Lamon 05/15/2026

written by Orisha Lamon

When you’re at your grandma’s or cousin’s house for a sleepover, there is somehow going to be a movie either featuring, or referencing, Eddie Murphy and his comedic craft. Murphy is a figure that has defined much of Afrikan comedy alongside comedians and writers like Arsenio Hall, Paul Mooney, Robert Townsend, and Keenen Ivory Wayans – also known as The Black Pack. The Black Pack, shaped comedy around the Afrikan experience, around Afrikan cultural production and community. While the argument that these productions partake in systemic webs of white consumption and racial capital point to an overarching contradiction, commentators like Artel Great frame this “post-Blaxploitation” era of film and comedy (if you could even call it post) as a point and tool of resistance. With its audience in mind, the Black Pack highlights aspects only the Afrikan experience could really pick up on, not in a dog-whistling, subliminal messaging way but as an obviously comedic and dramatized reflection of Afrikan life far removed from the lens of racialized stereotypes. Instead, the Black Pack depicts archetypes that humanize and promote the multiplicity of being Afrikan – rather than a characterization in a white visual medium, it is its own cultural production, and through this production (which remains sensationalized and commodified through whatever means of consumption) it emerges as a reference point for cinema history and rejects the violent origins of film and humor stemming from anti-Afrikan violence and the maintenance of white supremacist ideology as seen through Amerikkka’s first picture film, “The Birth of a Nation”.

There is a slight skepticism in framing humor as resistance, especially as expressions of joy are intertwined with a notion of exclusivity and ignorance to a material reality. Much of cultural expression has and is commodified alongside this growing question of resistance, and redefining it with consciousness requires us to struggle against racial capitalism and its extension. In doing so, we should shy away from emphasizing identity politics and calls for representation, and turn our attention to needs redefining of expressions life and the confines of a material validation. I, however, found the way Artel Great explains resistance through Amerikkka’s Afrikan comedy supergroup to develop a fascinating approach to how humor was utilized as a tool of resistance. Humor is reframed not as a way to entertain and assimilate to an industry but as a moment that displays and creates relationships to Afrikan culture, community, and a lived experience that could only be felt while busting out laughing after seeing the remnants of Jheri Curl juice on the couch in “Coming to America”. Places such as the church, the barbershop, hair salon, and the corner store where folks working and passing each other everyday become a part of a mundane tradition that is then recounted through a lens of humor, fiction, and relatability. “Coming to America” is an example of reframing this experience of Blackness by bridging relatability, humor, fantasy and culture with identity politics and demands for complex representations of Afrikan people. Through the geographic and cultural aesthetics, “Coming to America” varies class distinction with a fascinatingly fictional narrative of an Afrikan country of royalty that engages with the lived experience of working and middle class royalty in Queens, New York. The creations of both Zamumba and Queens as spaces of Afrikan social and artistic expression as well as cultural hubs of community depict an outward humanization and normalization of Afrikan life, contesting the stereotypical and racist characterizations housed within the media. Instead, “Coming to America” highlights the possibility of life, a fantasy that centers on Afrikan imagination, and engages with the implications of Afrikan freedom in the fictional realm and beyond.

While writing this, I find myself still grappling with this question of humor as resistance. In a contemporary sense, humor has been an overly sensationalized tool platforming identity politics rather than a struggle – there often is a reinforcement of recognition and visibility that work in ways that both organize structure with capabilities of mobilization but also engage with systemic order of consumption – this dual work of connection and sentiment informs a relationality between interactions with humor as a tool of resistance, but also one to redefine outside of a white capital medium.

05/15/2026 0 comments

Culture Health Lifestyle

Skip Erewhon, Simply Wholesome has the O.G. LA Wellness smoothie

by Bahji Steele 05/15/2026

written by Bahji Steele

Located at the corner of Slauson Ave and Overhill Drive, Simply Wholesome is a South LA landmark that feels less like a restaurant and more like a healing apothecary. For over 40 years, this Black-owned institution has been a sanctuary for health and wellness.

For the Nommo team, this was a crucial spot on our black-owned business crawl of LA, so we went on a little trip from Westwood to Windsor Hills to try out some of their famous smoothies. This spot is hard to miss when driving down Slauson with its 30 feet tall googiestyle spire poking out on the top, and its dark green and stone exterior. It feels like walking into a little herbalist shop of delicious food, herbal remedies, and medicinal mixtures.

We went on a Sunday, so the store was fairly busy with its regulars. We decided to order their guava explosion smoothie, which was perfect as the LA weather had been warming up. As we sipped our smoothies, we explored the store’s diverse selection of retail items. The store is a masterclass in community support, stocking products from over 160 small businesses. From specialized herbal remedies for digestion and women’s health to a curated beauty section featuring African hair products, the shelves are a testament to Percell Keeling’s mission of making organic living accessible.

The highlight of our trip was getting a chance to briefly speak with owner Percell Keeling, and we discovered that he is a UCLA alum, class of 1975, and was familiar with Nommo. A beautiful full-circle moment for us.

Simply Wholesome truly radiates throughout its community, providing jobs for youth in the neighborhood and teaching them about entrepreneurship. Just by taking a longer look at all the awards and images that decorate the store, you can see how this business has triumphed over the years. From Surviving the LA ’92 riots through the protection of the community, being featured in Slauson native and R&B star Jhene Aiko’s music video, and just this past February, to being honored by the California Legislative Black Caucus with a certificate recognizing its dedication to community, healthy food, and cultural uplift, Simply Wholesome has endured and cemented itself as a beacon of care. It is dedicated to providing healthy food not only on their menu, but also by stocking shelves of retail food items that are organic and healthy for their community.

So next time an LA piece of sh*t urges you to try Nara Smith’s $23 Erewhon smoothie, maybe try Simply Wholesome instead. You may find your next go-to spot for a little sweet treat.

05/15/2026 0 comments

Arts & Entertainment Black History Commentary

Museums Suck: The Getty’s Black Photography Exhibit

by Faith Olaleye 04/21/2026

written by Faith Olaleye

Marble floors glisten with the warm light emitting from the fixtures above them, as thousands of footsteps parade in a hush, portraits of civil rights leaders and everyday people lining the walls of the Getty Center’s latest exhibition, Photography and the Black Arts Movement.

As a lifelong artist, I’ve been taught to venerate the museum, though I never have. One of the essays that got me into art school centered on how these spaces never felt like home to me. They were white walls and spotless floors, the individuals centered in the paintings which lived within them just as pale as the surfaces on which they hung. I must have overlooked the splendor everyone else drew from them. Maybe I wasn’t tapped in enough, maybe I wasn’t a “real” artist, since museums have “real” art, and thus are the only valuable places to consume it from.

But in museums, I rarely see myself, I rarely see us. That’s because those who fund them have no connection to the fervor that produces the poignant works I’m moved by. Paintings that I whisper to my brother about, questioning how an artist perfectly articulated a cultural reference. The people whom I, as an artist, if I wish to somehow gain any footing or advancement, must please. I entered the walls of the Getty with that same mindset and chilling understanding. In some part, this belief was broken by the presence of a Black exhibit that was both broad and visually stunning, but my issue with the institutions remains.

As a Black person, particularly a Black artist, I’m well aware of the environment that museums cultivate. They provide a transaction to a visitor, and are precise about who they feel is worthy of participating in that trade. In exchange for a facade of sophistication and refinement, the visitor gives their three hours to the marble halls and cascading gardens of the environment. Most of the visitors, though the crowd had some racial diversity, were clearly those who could afford to take time out of their day to venture out and look at art for hours. They entered the space with the hopes of gaining cool points amongst their friends and colleagues for being able to expatriate about the Gauguin they saw during their time there, based solely on the placard placed beside it, which they briefly skimmed.

People of color and those of a lower socioeconomic standing are rarely welcomed to take part in this transaction. Museums, akin to golf, are oftentimes reserved for those who have the time, finances, and triumph in the geographic lottery to be able to enjoy them. Furthermore, those who decide what work is shown, and which stories those works tell, don’t often uplift the voices and experiences of Black artists. Which is why this exhibit caught my eye.

The lower level of the west wing was filled with the work of numerous Black artists, like L.A.’s own David Hammons. One particularly striking work was a portrait of a man in the early 70’s, adorned in an all-white suit, whose eyes didn’t meet anyone who looked like him until I walked into the room, and most likely didn’t again until quite some time after I’d left. And while the exhibit was extensive and spanned multiple mediums, from painting and photography to mixed media installations, the gap between the work and the audience was increasingly evident. This was most clear in a moment where two teenage girls chose an enclosed room whose walls were pasted with newspaper clippings of wars and uprisings to be the site of their TikTok. It calls into question what purpose is served by an exhibit that so beautifully displays the history of a people, when those very people are rarely given access to the space it inhabits.

This conflict with museums and the relationship Black artists must have with them has been circling my mind since I began my formal art education in the Fall. I’d been thinking of myself as an artist, my values, the ethos that shines through in my work, and the audience I wish to speak to. Many of my peers echoed similar concerns about the balance between artistic integrity and making a living. So I, considering that my staunch stance could be rooted in youthful defiance, sought the opinion of those more experienced than I’ve grown to be.

I asked a peer, quite my senior, who’d worked in the industry across mediums and came back to school to pursue a graduate degree, what they thought. We discussed it, and my opinion stayed firm. We each echoed the same things, not quite sure of the solution but certain of the issue. At one particular moment, we dared to proclaim that museums had lost their relevance. Most people don’t frequent them, and in terms of cultural cache, they’re akin to a 1996 MC Hammer. We noted that many artists are moving away from the museums and that we, as Black artists, must create our own spaces and alternative forms of showcasing.

There’s a cruel tug of war in which Black artists are coaxed to engage. Either strip your work of its seasoning to ease the palette of the culturally disconnected individuals who you need to fund your work, or safeguard your flavor and potentially forfeit financial success and the security of an established career in the arts. I dare to say, we must put down the rope. And maybe, if we’re lucky, our final tug before letting it fall will reverberate and mollywop the institutions on the other end. Maybe it won’t.

I acknowledge that it may be wishful and naïve thinking to believe it is possible to authentically create and still make a living, but that’s the same reasoning that allows the culturally severed, but financially tied, to maintain the upper hand. My suggestion is that we, as Black artists, must create our own spaces, where the work not only reflects us but is accessible to us. Curators like Gabrielle Narcisse and Robert Provilus, with the BLACK STARS exhibition in New York this past Black History Month, have already begun creating a blueprint for how that can come to pass.

While the struggle between unfettered expression and financial stability will likely persist, continuing to center institutions that are incapable of connecting with the cultural collective consciousness is neither beneficial for the progression nor the ownership of Black artists and our audience.

04/21/2026 0 comments

Arts & Entertainment Black History Campus Culture Gender and Sexuality Lifestyle

Black Girl, Take Up Space: Lessons From JaNa Craig

by Mariah Yonique Strawder & Samantha Talbot 04/11/2026

written by Mariah Yonique Strawder & Samantha Talbot

Black women are so often told that they need to work twice as hard to get half as far as their non-black counterparts; unfortunately, this adage is proven true time and time again across everyday life, politics, and media. This is even true for reality television, notably dating shows, where Black women are overlooked, scrutinized, or forced into stereotypical labels that do not reflect them in the slightest. Take the infamous Love Island, where the Black female contestants are ignored by the male contestants, torn apart by the media, or often both. Despite this, the Black women of Love Island have repeatedly risen to the occasion, persevered against negative opinions and vitriol, built strong fan bases, and garnered national success. Love Island contestant JaNa Craig is one such woman who has become an inspiration to Black girls who are reaching for success, trying to fit into spaces that do not welcome them, or simply looking for love.

Black365 is an organization at UCLA that brings speakers to campus to highlight Black history and culture outside of Black History Month. On February 18th, 2026, Black365 hosted its first ever event. Black365 brought up JaNa Craig, one of Love Island USA’s biggest stars, to talk about shaping her narrative as a Black woman in media, her journey in business, and relationship advice.

Nommo Newsmagazine had the honor of talking to Black365 Founder and UCLA Student, Runor Pinnock, about why creating spaces like Black365 is important and the significance behind having JaNa Craig as one of the organization’s first speakers.

“In the midst of budget cuts aimed at defunding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and increasing attempts to suppress culturally significant aspects of our university, Black365 was created with the intention of filling in the gap I saw as a black transfer student. I wanted to ensure black students- especially those who struggle the most to acclimate to campus, like transfers and commuters- had a safe space to gather where there was no need to code-switch, dilute, or subdue themselves. Forming a space like Black365 where joy is built into its fabric- from the speaker down to the questions- must exist so students can feel supported wholly and be unashamed of their blackness. One of the most powerful tactics of resistance is joy, and having JaNa Craig as our first speaker, who personifies black joy, was so monumental.”

Though there was much to learn from JaNa Craig, there were a few standout lessons that every Black girl (and young adult figuring out their way in life) should hear.

Lesson 1: Make Sure Not to Fit In

When asked how she owns her narrative and identity as a Black woman in society, JaNa Craig expressed the importance of not settling in life. Having strong, unshakable morals is key to preserving your identity in a society that can shift its views of you on a whim. She also noted that the company you surround yourself with plays an integral role in who you become: “Be careful who you call your friends,” she shared. As a self-proclaimed “military brat” and usually one of the few Black students in her high school and college classes, Craig said that between constantly moving and never truly fitting in any one place, she often felt alone. However, she would make sure not to fit in, and urged others to do the same, “since you’re already standing out.” She made a conscious effort to wear her hair how she wanted (and to set boundaries so people wouldn’t touch her hair) and to make friends with anyone and everyone, especially those who might have felt as alone as she did. Though college can be an isolating time, one where you’re more aware of how you stick out than ever before, Craig encourages positive self-talk, and reiterates the simple yet comforting notion that “it’s not that deep.” She herself believes that faith and a “whatever happens will happen” mentality are the key to preserving your peace in the volatile young adult years.

Lesson 2: Let People Underestimate You

When asked what it’s like navigating a male‑dominated industry as a dark‑skinned Black woman, JaNa Craig spoke with honesty about the pressure to represent girls who look like her. Instead of running from that responsibility, she uses it as motivation. “I like when people underestimate me,” she shared. For her, underestimation becomes power when you stay humble, stay educated, and refuse to let labels define you. Still, she acknowledged the reality that Black women often “have to work twice as hard, be twice as nice” just to be taken seriously. She framed that struggle as a generational investment, hoping her great‑grandchildren won’t have to endure what Black women face today. Craig also emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who reflect your values, reminding the audience to be careful about who they call their friends. Above all, she urged young Black women not to settle, grounding their ambitions in strong morals and a deep sense of self-worth.

Lesson 3: Know Your Worth

When the conversation shifted to how Black women were treated in the villa and how she handled the backlash that followed, JaNa Craig grounded her response in self‑worth. She reminded the audience that the right person will never make you feel insecure, and that loving yourself first is non‑negotiable. “Never forget your worth,” she said, urging young women to focus on their careers, their friendships, and their own growth. She emphasized that there is no rush, “you have time”, and that when your person enters your life, you’ll recognize it by how you feel about yourself, not by how loudly they perform love. For those who have been disrespected in relationships, she offered both compassion and clarity, insisting that you only have one life to live, so spend it wisely. Craig shared that she believes in karma and that if you are in the right, things will naturally work out in your favor. “You will naturally get your lick back,” she joked, but quickly added that she ultimately puts everything in God’s hands. She said she’s grateful even when people do her dirty, because it teaches her about herself and makes room for new blessings. In her eyes, every loss becomes a lesson, and every setback becomes a setup for something better. As she put it, “It will always work out for you in the end.”

As we reflect on the Black365 event with JaNa Craig, the knowledge gained, and the lessons learned, Nommo spoke with event attendee Da’Vionnah Hutchinson, who shared how Craig’s honesty and confidence shaped her own understanding of what it means to be a Black woman taking up space in this world.

“As a young Black woman, hearing her speak after watching what she went through on Love Island felt personal. I remember watching those moments play out in real time and feeling frustrated and honestly hurt by how easily she was overlooked and reduced. So being able to hear her unpack that experience herself, in her own words, felt like a full circle moment I did not even realize I needed. Being a Black girl on campus, you get used to seeing things play out a certain way, especially when it comes to how Black women are treated and perceived, so hearing her talk about her experience on Love Island just confirmed a lot of what is already known and felt. But what stood out more was the energy in the room and the way she and Serena showed up together. There was something real about that bond, something that did not feel forced or for show. It felt like two Black women choosing each other and standing firm in that choice, and that is not something we always get to see in spaces like that.

Despite everything that happened on television, JaNa spoke with so much confidence. She did not deny what happened or try to make it seem lighter than it was, but she also did not let it take anything away from who she is. It reminded me that even when spaces do not treat us the way we deserve, we still have control over how we carry ourselves and how we define our worth. Jana was serious about being her unapologetic self. No shrinking, no trying to make themselves more digestible, just fully existing in who they are. As a Black girl, that matters. We often feel like we have to adjust how we show up depending on the space, but seeing that level of confidence and authenticity makes it feel like it is okay to just be. Not perfect, not overly polished, just real. Overall, it just felt good to witness that kind of con\helnection and to hear someone like JaNa speak with that level of honesty. It reminded me that there is power in being yourself, even when it is not always easy, and that seeing Black women support each other like that is something that should be normal, not rare and I’m glad to have experienced it at an event hosted by Black 365 (shoutout Runor).”

As Runor said, JaNa Craig embodies black joy and love, which in itself is a form of resistance. Especially for Black women, expressing joy and loving ourselves and others is countercultural. It is incredibly important, now more than ever, that we as Black women cultivate spaces of community and belonging to support each other through the ups and downs of school, love, and life. Black365 will be hosting more speakers and events in the near future, so be on the lookout for more opportunities to engage in these spaces.

04/11/2026 0 comments

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