Happy Friday! Welcome to our new weekly wrap up where we’ll be sharing highlights from the week in pop culture, celebrity news, the best of black twitter, and whatever else catches our eye ;). This week we’re celebrating all the #blackgirlmagic in Rio, President Obama dropped a playlist you need in your life, and remember Monica’s song “So Gone”? Yea, it’s back. Enjoy!
Biles, Manuel, and Muhammad: Black Women Making History in Rio
PHOTOGRAPH BY CARMELO IMBESI / AP
This week has been all about the Olympics but specifically it’s been about the black girls who have been winning in a big way. First, earlier this week Ibtihaj Muhammad, a Muslim American Fencer, made history by being the first American to wear a hijab in an Olympic event. Given the current climate, racial and religious tensions here in the U.S. we are proud to see this black woman standing behind her beliefs, even on the mainstage.
Simone Biles is the name on everyone’s lips this week as this extremely talented gymnast took home the GOLD with the Team USA (hey Gabby girl!) and then winning the women’s all-around competition. And to really show off her #blackgirlmagic, Biles had to let the world know that she’s:
not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.”
I know that’s right!
Photograph via USA Today
Another Simone that made history is Simone Manuel. During the women’s 100m freestyle swimming event, Manuel won gold AND broke an olympic record time. This made Simone Manuel the first African American to win a medal in an individual swimming event. This was an emotional win for us because as a culture, swimming is not something we’ve always had access and exposure to. This has resulted in generations missing out on even learning the fundamentals of swimming let alone competing in a professional capacity. Manuel shared that “this medal is not for me” and we hear her loud and clear.
Black Twitter Brought Back An Oldie But Goodie
Tell me I’m not the only one who spent way too much time scrolling the #sogonechallenge on Twitter this week. We’ve always been Monica fans around here but the freestyles going around the past few days have reignited our love for Monica (and Missy who produced the beat). Take a couple minutes and check it out. It’s Monica and Missy approved :).
. @chancetherapper bodied this…Wanna see yours! Use hashtag #SoGoneChallenge & I’ll be sharing the ones I love ❤️pic.twitter.com/5fQaixbyEV
— Monica (@MonicaBrown) August 11, 2016
Rihanna’s Hitting the Big & Small Screen and We’re Here For It
Photograph via NY Times
A few weeks back we learned that one of our faves is spreading her talents beyond singing and flexing her acting skills. You can check Rihanna out this January in Bates Motel as she plays the legendary Marion Crane. And this week, to put the icing on the cake we learned that Riri has been cast in Ocean’s Eight, the women driven spinoff to Ocean’s Eleven. We can’t wait to see our girl in action!
President Obama’s Summer Playlist is Lit
Photograph via White House
So President Obama just dropped his summer playlist and one thing is clear: He knows his music! His daytime list include songs from artists like Janelle Monae, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and more. That night version though? He added songs by Floetry, Chrisette Michele, and even “I Get Lonely” by Janet. Yasss. Can we just say one more time how much we’re going to miss this family once they leave the Oval?
