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“I just signed a contract for a record deal. I did, but it has to be something special. I’m not interested in disposable music. I believe people want to hear it, so you have to give the people what they want.” – Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson is a versatile woman. This self-described mother, actress and director is about to add singer to her long list of accomplishments. Her announcement that she has signed a record deal shows that she is not afraid to take on new responsibilities and roles even at this later stage of her life. Do you have the same bravery — and flexibility? Taraji is an inspiration who shows that there is always time to tackle what is meaningful and exciting to you, no matter where you are in life or how many other hats you may wear in your life and career.

Remember to stay open to new possibilities! Have a wonderful day!

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“Honestly, I wish I could’ve lived in their time. They had so much fun.” – Liya Kebede on the ’90s supermodel era in Vogue

Liya Kebede is an international supermodel who has used her fame to advocate for the vulnerable in societies worldwide. She has been a fiery advocate for children’s rights and empowering women. But in the midst of her serious battles for the betterment of humanity, she remembers the importance of beauty and fun. It can be hard to balance serious aspects of life with pleasure in your personal life, but Liya shows that you can and should do both. So no matter how hard you hustle, remember to take the time for levity.

Work hard — put also play hard Madames!

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“…Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond; that you do what you say you’re going to do. That you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t agree with them.” -First Lady Michelle Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama is truly an inspiration in so many ways, as a mother, and an advocate for the health of children, and so much more. But today we want to focus on the example of integrity that she embodies, as evidenced in the quote above. The ideals of fairness and keeping your word seem simple, but sometimes it is hard to find people who routinely express these greatest of human behaviors. And it can be just as hard to be that person — the one who strives to always do right by your fellow men and women, even in the small things. Clearly our first lady must have been kind, honest and just all along her path to the White House. If there was any evidence to the contrary, she would not have made it there because Michelle Obama faced intense scrutiny. We might not all face such public judgment, but we can still enact the same values in our own individual lives. It’s worth it just for the sake of itself. That is the only way to express such high ideals authentically — because just like Michelle you want to be a paragon of positive ideals because it’s the right thing to do.

Stay strong and live in the spirit of truth and fairness! Have a wonderful day lovely women!

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“I believed in myself, and I’ve always worked very, very hard as an artist, and I am an artist in every sense of the word.” -Erykah Badu

Do you believe in yourself, and put your hard work and determination behind that belief? Sometimes it can be hard to truly have faith in what you want to become. But belief in yourself, like most personal qualities, is something that can be strengthened and practiced. And one of the best ways to demonstrate that faith is by taking decisive action towards your goals. Putting all your energies powerfully behind working on what you want to become is a way to express faith and strengthen it at the same time.  So take a lesson from Ms. Erykah Badu — have faith in yourself and put all your muscle into developing into your ideal self-image. You can do it.

Work hard on being the best version of you there is! And have an amazing day!

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“I feel like Harriet Tubman, except I am trying to free people through underground music, to free themselves creatively and inspirationally.” – Joelle Monae

Are you creatively and inspirationally free? Janelle Monae is certainly a unique role model who exemplifies both of these areas. As a singer and songwriter, this quirky star is not afraid to let her individuality shine through. Her independent spirit as displayed in her eclectic style of dress and modernized approach to R&B is a clarion call to all black women everywhere that it is a wonderful thing to truly be yourself. Today, take a little inspiration from Ms. Monae and reflect on the things that make you unequivocally you. Your spirit, your way of speaking, your personal experiences are all great gifts to be drawn upon in appreciation of your perfect uniqueness. Get in touch with that sense of personal freedom that comes from accepting and expressing all the different facets of who you are.

And have an amazing day!

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“I think it’s something that needs to be said — that there are interracial marriages out there, and the couples live happy lives, and there’s nothing wrong with it.” – Tia Mowry

As a bi-racial woman, Tia Mowry is the child of a British-American father and a Bahamian-American mother. Now married to African-American actor Cory Hardrict, Mowry has seen and experienced the many forms of black love that exist, so her experiences are worth noting. As times change, and the rate of interracial marriages in the black community increases in the coming years, we will all need to realize the truth that Tia espouses: Love is love, and is to be appreciated in every shade that it comes in. Just something to think about as you start your day. Love is a blessing, and is evolving in such a way this it might lead to the ultimate integration of the races. Ms. Mowry is a shining proponent of the beauty that can come from understanding and accepting love in all its iterations.

Have a wonderful, love-filled day!

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“Hollywood needs to recognize all shades of African-American beauty.” – Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union is a stunning woman. With her rich brown skin and traditionally black features, she represents African-American beauty unequivocally. Much like First Lady Michelle Obama, a beauty like Ms. Union shows the world that black women are as gorgeous as ladies of any other race. In fact it is our skin and other unique features that make our form of loveliness so special. And not content to be merely beautiful in her own right, Gabrielle is an advocate for the acceptance of our form of pretty by the mainstream establishment.  Union is not just a beauty role model; she is also a black beauty advocate. Be sure to remind yourself today that you are wonderfully appealing as a black woman, even if Hollywood still needs to be educated about the full range of our exceptional natures.

You are gorgeous, Madame Noire denizens! Enjoy your day!

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“Take responsibility for yourself because no one’s going to take responsibility for you.” – Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks is a rare model of any color who has been able to successfully transform herself after the end of her career on the catwalk. From TV to the online world, Ms. Banks has certainly taken responsibility for her life and career, using her talents and hard work to make new opportunities for herself. Now with the success of her first novel, “Modelland,” Tyra is truly showing the world that there is no limit to what you can do if you patiently apply yourself. Do you take total responsibility for your success? I bet that if you look at the details of your life with a caring but critical eye, you will find many ways in which you can make a deeper investment in your future by taking on a little more responsibility. Tyra Banks is a wonderful example of how you can make the most of your present skills by applying yourself to your goals for your own benefit in a positive way.

Stay inspired Madame Noire women!  Have a wonderful day.

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Nia Long on her craft: “It’s like going to the gym everyday. It really is. I work hard on my craft, I sweat a little bit, I run a little bit, I might sprain an ankle every now and them, but it’s all good and the more you do it, the more in shape you are and it’s like a machine.”
-Nia Long

Nia Long has very wise words about how you develop yourself as you reach towards a goal. Step by step, bit by bit, one day at a time, you try and you strive until you get there. There might be obstacles and failures, but they can be overcome if you don’t mind a little strain and can bear through difficulty with fortitude. Getting yourself “in shape” can take place in many areas of your life: your finances, your love life, your spirituality, your career. We believe that you can become the best version of you there is, and hope that you use this day to continually tune up all the areas of your life that can use a tweak. “Working out” is something you can do every day in all the facets of your existence that can use continual improvement, polishing yourself until you shine even brighter.

Have a glamorous and lovely day!

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“Women, you can have it all – a loving man, devoted husband, loving children, a fabulous career.” – Jada Pinkett-Smith

Jada Pinkett-Smith is truly a woman who has it all. Her beautiful productive children, her loving husband and her own fabulous creative life are all perfectly balanced. Her beauty inspires black women everywhere to be more fabulous and self-confident. Jada’s accomplishments help us all to realize that we can do more, be more, have more — truly have it all, even if we are not superstars. Jada Pinkett Smith is a fabulous example of all we as black women can achieve. Let’s remember these amazing words from this genius of a woman who shows through example that black women everywhere have what it takes to achieve the lives of their dreams.

Enjoy your day Madames, and keep reaching for the stars!