HAPPY JUNETEENTH: HERE ARE 6 BLACK CELEBRITY COUPLES REWRITING THE RULES OF LOVE

In celebration of Juneteenth, Hypebae‘s in-house (S)expert honors her favorite examples of Black love.

The celebration of Juneteenth was not publicly recognized as a holiday until the most recent years, yet we owe our freedom to that very day. For those unfamiliar, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the day that Black Texans receive the message from General Gordon Granger that they were emancipated. However, they didn’t receive that message until two years after.

An aspect of the Black experience that’s often overlooked, is the lack of love that time forced Black people to endure. Our children were stripped from us, our agency nonexistent and even our lovers were forced to work and live for other families. Instead of community, we were only allowed to have experiences that we were told we could have.

That’s why the celebration of Black love on Juneteenth is important. The removal of love within our culture is something that we still endure the after-effects of. As a result, it’s important to highlight Black love every chance we get, and normalize its beauty.

Here are some of our favorite examples of Black love.

Michelle Obama and Barack Obama

Scott Olson/Getty Images

The first Black Family that needs no introduction. This was the first mostly respectful display of Black love on a political level, as many still struggled to wrap their head around the concept of Blackness and love coexisting — especially, in a position of power. The U.S. has since experienced worsening racism, if any doubts see Donald Trump’s presidency and January 6, however, one relationship has withstood it all: the Obamas.

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade

Despite going viral every week for their controversial views on fair relationships, this pair is a great example of two independent lovers coming together to raise an inclusive family — word to Zaya Wade‘s beautiful evolution.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

The OG “Fashion Killas,” this couples love story has been in motion for years now. They recently just had baby number one, who they honored their music roots through naming him RZA. They’ve sparked a number of think pieces on gender roles within family, and even redefined maternity fashion. And clearly, the pair is reveling in their love because Rihanna is almost ready to welcome baby number two.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Mason Poole/Tiffany & Co.

Although the Bey hive isn’t fond of their icon’s marital choice, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been down for each other since “Crazy In Love,” and now, we see Jay-Z at every Renaissance tour show cheering his wife and daughter on. Cue Blue Ivy performing in the same city her parents conceived her in — TMI, but beautiful nonetheless.

Ciara and Russell Wilson

Cue “Ciara’s Prayer,” by Summer Walker. This celebrity couple notoriously went viral after Ciara revealed she met the love of her life, through prayer — a controversial note for many. This relationship comes after a publicly abusive dynamic with ex-partner, Future. Since ending the toxic relationship, she’s been happier than ever with her husband Wilson.

Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson

After revealing her baby bump on Saturday Night Live, Palmer slowly let the world in on her relationship and we learned they actually met on set of Insecure. Shortly thereafter they welcomed baby boy, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, via Instagram. In the intimate post she synced the romantic song “Someone” by El Debarge which is perfect, seeing as they “became each other’s someone and made a someone, look at God! ?”

For more on love, sex and relationships, explore our advice column: Ask a (S)expert.

HAPPY EARTH DAY: The North Face Recruits Online Ceramics to Celebrate Earth Day//evian and MATE Celebrate Earth Day With Limited-Edition e-Bike

The North Face has announced a new collaboration with Online Ceramics, taking inspiration from ‘70s California climb culture. Arriving to coincide with Earth Day, the collection mixes playful graphics with the launch of The North Face’s new Re-Grind process of using left over fabric scraps to create new garments.

Stand-out apparel pieces in the collection include co-branded outerwear, field vests and mules, while the collaboration also moves into functional gear with a bright green sleeping bag and accompanying Borealis backpack. The main slogan used features the words “Always Be Your Sunshine,” as graphics also see The North Face’s logo transformed into a snail shell, a turtle carrying an old tree, and a plant pot describing the Re-Grind process.

Explaining how Re-Grind works, the sweatshirt says, “from factory floors to the great outdoors, this garment gives fabric scraps a second chance and turns waste material into a brand new product.” Making its debut in this collection, Re-Grind will also be used in more The North Face releases throughout the year. Additionally, the collection’s apparel pieces are produced using 75% or greater recycled or organic fabric, earning the label’s “Exploration Without Compromise” badge.

Announcing the collection, Online Ceramics co-founders Elijah Funk and Alix Ross said:

“We’ve always aimed to create apparel with positive messages that encourage people to shift their way of thinking. Collaborating with an iconic brand like The North Face has allowed us to fuse our unique, thought-provoking designs with the styles The North Face is known for, creating retro-inspired gear that celebrates Earth everyday.”

The North Face’s collaboration with Online Ceramics Collab release via The North Face web store on April 27 for XLR Pass members.To commemorate Earth Day, this year evian has teamed up with Danish brand MATEon an exclusive e-bike. Having spoken to the collaboration’s campaign star, Cat Burns, both brands are now gearing up to give 10 lucky fans a chance to win the new limited-edition e-bike.

Adorned in the water brand’s signature shade of pink, the evian x MATE e-bike comes equipped with a holder designed for its rPET 75cL sport cap bottle. Created to inspire a “Ride Towards Change”, the partnership hopes to encourage more sustainable ways to travel. Speaking on the latest collaboration, evian’s Director of Culture and Experience, Lucille Moreau explains, “Raising awareness on the small steps we can take towards reducing our carbon footprint is incredibly important to us. We hope this collaboration inspires a ride towards change and highlights how small changes can help with that journey.”

Achieving B Corp certification last year as well as carbon neutral certification every year since 2020, evian continues its mission to reduce carbon emissions. Now set to be transparent, the brand is allowing customers to track its sustainability progress through a dedicated online dashboard in a commitment to becoming a circular business by 2025.

To be in with a chance to win one of 10 custom evian x MATE e-bikes, follow both the @evianwater and @mate.bike Instagram pages, like the competition post that will be live on Earth Day and tag two people in the comments section.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON IS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ON THE SUPREME COURT

We will all remember where we were when Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the first Black woman to join the Supreme Court of the United States. Like many, I “heard” the momentous news through Instagram, mindlessly scrolling through the app to find that the world had changed. Admittedly, Jackson’s appointment came as a surprise to me — I was perhaps protecting myself from the eventual disappointment and pain, as historically, our country has often disregarded and undervalued Black women.

Of all the 116 Supreme Court Judges, Jackson is the first Black woman to be appointed to the highest court in the United States. Although the first Black female U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the vote, no Black women casted one as there are currently no Black women senators, nor were there any among the 22 Senate Judiciary members present for her hearings. It’s painful to say, but there have only been two Black women who have been senators in the history of the congressional house. At both the local and state government level, Black women are 58% less likely to be hired than white men, while qualified women are 27% less likely to be hired than qualified men across the board.

After watching Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious trial where Dr. Christine Blasey Ford courageously brought to light his past sexual misconduct, and Kavanaugh himself admitted to never trying a case from start to finish, my faith in our political and judicial system dwindled. The notion that one needs to be qualified to hold a position of political power quickly became eschewed in 2016 when we witnessed a former reality TV star be elected to the highest office in the United States. It’s worth noting that the president who nominated Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct by 26 separate women, but of course, Black women are rarely, if ever granted the same allowances white men are.

Republicans didn’t seem to mind Kavanaugh’s flimsy legal history nor the alleged sexual assault in question, as South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham revisited the trial, comparing Democrats’ valid questioning of the incident as an ambush. Disregarding the fact that he was over his allotted time, Graham asked Jackson how she might feel about enduring a similar treatment, seemingly threatening her with a difficult trial, despite her pristine record. Keeping her composure, Jackson replied, “Senator, I don’t have any comment on what procedures took place in this body.” Senator Cruz’s attempt to undermine Jackson’s credibility over his willful misunderstanding of critical race theory. For context, Jackson is a board member of Georgetown Day School who happens to support an anti-racist curriculum. Cruz’s questioning demonstrates the GOP’s not-so-hidden agenda to keep a diverse range of lived experiences, namely marginalized experience, out of politics.

Watching Jackson’s confirmation hearing, I was inevitably reminded of Vice President Harris’ 2020 debates as she was repeatedly interrupted by her peers and could only express her disdain through now-viral facial expressions. Almost every woman, particularly women of color, could relate to her experience, being talked over and effectively silenced in work meetings and everyday conversations by those who felt superior to her. As Harvard Law student Abigail Hall shared with New York Times, “​[Jackson has] had to meet every single mark and she hasn’t been able to drop the ball and that’s something that’s ingrained in us, in terms of checking every box, in order to be a Black woman and to get to a place like Harvard Law School.”

While representation is not the ultimate salve for our political problems, Jackson’s confirmation is a step in the right direction, as Senator Cory Booker emotionally shared that in seeing Supreme Court Justice Judge Jackson’s hearing, he felt he was looking at his mother. Democracy, at its best, is meant to represent the interests and values of the people it governs. With virtually no Black women in the room, we are not in control of the decisions that affect our everyday lives, surrendering our power to those who do not seem to want to listen to us, even when we are present.

Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court sends the powerful message that Black women’s work is not just meant for the sidelines. It’s not enough to carry the nation on our backs and receive no recognition for work or the actual means to change and better the experiences of those around us. Nothing happens in a vacuum, meaning that race almost always impacts nearly every experience for people of color. As Gwendolyn Gissendanner, who also attends Jackson’s alma mater, said, “We always have to think about what we need to do to make my often Black low-income clients appeal to a white judge who doesn’t understand their experience, but someone who you don’t have to take the extra leap to prove to them that race interacts with every aspect of your life makes a giant difference in what types of decisions can be made.”

With the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Judge Jackson, hopefully the politicians who speak for us will begin to more accurately represent the country it serves.

Artist Henry Taylor Shines Light on the History of Black Caddies

Hauser & Wirth Southampton presents a new exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist, Henry Taylor. Taylors aesthetic is loose and inviting. His soft acrylics often depict many of his friends, colleagues, relatives and celebrity figures.

For the latest show, titled, “Disappeared, but a tiger showed up, later,” Taylor comments on the history of Black jockeys, caddies and pro golfers who had to traverse a sport that was predominantly white and racially exclusionary. “Taylor depicts Black history the way many Black people actually experience it: as simultaneous change and stasis, revolution and stagnation, one step for-ward, two steps back,” said writer Zadie Smith, in a past statement on the artist. 

Untitled references a photograph from 1893 of famous Black horse jockey, Anthony Hamilton, who like many of his contemporaries of the day, dominated the sport until the early 1920s — which was in due to a string of Jim Crow laws that disqualified Black riders from participating in the sport. 

The 63-year old African American artist works across a variety of mediums that include acrylics, sculptures and installations and has featured everywhere from the Museum of Modern Art to the Venice Biennale. 

“Disappeared, but a tiger showed up, later” is on view until August 1. 

Fans of Taylor will also enjoy the art of Kerry James Marshall. 

Hauser & Wirth
9 Main Street
Southampton, NY
11968

ART: This Juneteenth NFT Fundraiser and Gallery Will Spotlight Global Black Creatives

17-year-old prodigious artist and activist Diana Sinclair is commemorating Juneteenth — the annual holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States — with the curation of an art exhibition, public installation and NFT auction fundraiser in New York City, titled The Digital Diaspora, dedicated to Black artists around the world.

In partnership with Towards Utopia, a trans-feminist, anti-racist organization focused on art and education, Sinclair has produced a weekend-packed program, starting with an in-person launch event at Superchief Gallery NFT on June 19, where a select range of pieces will reside over the following weekend.

That same day, a 17-lot auction will go live on Foundation’s innovative interface, and its proceeds will benefit GLITS, an organization providing housing and support for Black trans individuals, and herstoryDAO, a collective dedicated to collecting and preserving the art of Black femmes and Black non-binary artists through NFTs. Additionally, select pieces from the exhibition will be displayed on LinkNYC screens across the city following the event.

“It’s especially appropriate for an art show promoting Black artists to be held on the day that celebrates Black freedom,” says Sinclair in a statement. “Black freedom allowed for the growth of Black art in America, yet there’s still work to be done to give more Black artists even greater exposure to a wider audience. Now we can add digital platforms and technology to our efforts to not only widen the space for Black artists, but to address the intersectional marginalization of Black people.”

Among the featured artists in the exhibition are BLACKSNEAKERS, Dada Boipele, Em0n33y, Itzel Yard aka ix shells, Ludrick J. Fortune aka Jae, Kai Morton, LATASHÁ + JAH., Lauren Washington aka Lomedia, Edwin Harmon IV aka LUZ, Lyonna Lyu ::, Nicholas-Constantine Cephas, Moonsundiamond, Serwah Attafuah, Moyosore Briggs, Tyler Givens aka tyl000rd and Yosnier.

Take a look at a few of the aforementioned artist’s works, to be featured in Sinclair’s The Digital Diaspora, in the gallery above.

ART: Teen Awarded Pulitzer Citation for Filming George Floyd’s Murder

Darnella Frazier was 17 years old when she recorded George Floyd‘s murder in Minneapolis last year. Frazier’s footage played a significant role in sparking global protests against police brutality and was used as evidence in the trial of Floyd’s killer. Her video showed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck. Chauvin held his knee there for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Frazier was awarded a special citation by the Pulitzer Board this past Friday — a prestigious prize in journalism.

Committee officials from the Pulitzer Board expressed that Frazier’s filming spotlighted “the crucial role of citizens in journalists’ quests for truth and justice,” as per The Washington Post. Melvin Carter, the mayor of St. Paul, Minneapolis, had suggested Frazier should win the Pulitzer Prize for taping the arrest that would make headlines across media outlets and go viral on social media.

Frazier said she was proud of herself for documenting Floyd’s murder even though it became a “traumatic life-changing experience” for her in the aftermath. She even received widespread acclaim for her actions including President Biden, film director Spike Lee and Anita Hill. “As the prosecutors congratulate each other, thinking of young Darnella Frazier. There is no case without her,” journalist Ann Marie Lipinskitweeted during Chauvin’s trial. “The video record she made is one of the most important civil rights documents in a generation.”

Click here to view all of the Pulitzer Prize winners.