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.
