by Queen Muse

It’s been an amazing year for black women. From entertainment to politics to sports, black women have slashed records, made history, and stood up nobly for important causes, for themselves and for one another. These are the #BlackGirlMagic moments that made us laugh, cry tears of joy or shout a unified “Yaaasss!” in celebration of our fellow sisters.

A bit of nostalgia always crosses my mind when I think back on my college career. There were late nights spent dance battling in the living room with my roommates and even longer nights spent in the library preparing for finals. Experience is an exceptional teacher and looking back, I wish I knew a few things before I took those first few steps on campus.

by Stephanie Ghoston

by Ashley Patton

Have you ever been in a room full of people and felt intimidated, beneath the masses?

I was sitting front row at a networking awards banquet given by a local self-made successful entrepreneur. My mother was the recipient of an award and my dad and I were there for support. Held at one of Houston's most elegant and luxurious event facilities, the function surpassed my expectations. The rooms were filled with professionals from every industry. I shook hands and rubbed elbows with doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, all with business cards in hand to utilize the networking hour. It never failed, everyone wanted to know what the pretty girl in the red lipstick did for a living.

by Kioshana Lacount

Like many people of color, I have carried with me the burden of a heavy heart over the last few weeks. My anguish, though originated elsewhere, was only compounded  with what I feel is the wrongful acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. I have been looking for answers, trying to process this in my mind, trying to make sense of this madness, but everywhere I turn I am confronted with more lunacy. I hear Black people saying that Trayvon’s death doesn’t matter because “Black men kill other Black men every day” and non-Blacks telling me that they feel the killing was justified because, at 6’2 and 158 pounds, Trayvon Martin was an intimidating enough presence that, when provoked by Zimmerman, the use of deadly force was the only viable option to contain him.