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Candace Mitchell and Chanel Martin Found Web-and-Mobile-Based Platform Myavana to Integrate Scientific Analysis into Care for Black Women’s Hair

By goodblacknews on July 27, 2015
Myavana creators Candace Mitchell and Chanel Martin
Myavana creators Candace Mitchell and Chanel Martin (photo via gtalumnimag.com)

Scope out the hair-care aisle in the beauty section of any major retailer and you’ll find a familiar scene: a woman with a bottle of shampoo in hand, staring in dismay at the horde of options on the shelves in front of her. Should she pick sulfate-free or biotin add-in shampoo? Should she be looking for hydration or volume in her conditioner?

The process of reviewing ingredients, comparing prices and questioning the purported hair-care benefits can be overwhelming—particularly for black women, who over the past few years have seen an uptick in the number of products tailored to their specific hair texture needs. The inventory that was once relegated to a small section of a single shelf, or worse, not available in major outlets at all, now spans entire store aisles and endcap displays.

The creators of Myavana, a web-based mobile and social platform, understand firsthand the frustration of the shelf scan. Computer scientist Candace Mitchell and chemical engineer Chanel Martin launched their Atlanta-based startup in 2013. “The goal was to leverage science and technology to provide women of color with a personalized hair-care experience that takes guessing out of the equation and delivers hair nirvana,” Mitchell says.

The Myavana website (myavana.com) is a destination where customers can discover new hair products, hair styles and salons in their area. It joins the zeitgeist of blogs, Instagram feeds and YouTube channels that deliver black hairstyle tutorials and homemade solutions to hundreds of thousands of subscribers. No doubt social media has helped this movement gain traction throughout the United States and abroad, Mitchell says.

Increasingly, black women are going online to share stories and tips in their journeys as they move away from harsh chemical straighteners and the synthetic products associated with them, and turn toward unprocessed, curly hair styles and natural products. Myavana seeks to tap into this ever-expanding market—with an estimated buying power surpassing $500 billion annually—with the goal of providing end-to-end hair-care guidance to women of color.

Myavana’s linchpin is its new custom hair analysis service that promises to find the right product for each customer. “Yes, we want women to send us their hair,” Mitchell says. “But only a little bit of it, and just long enough to view the hair through a microscope and to offer customers meaningful hair product recommendations.”

Consumers initiate the process on the Myavana website, where a one-time fee of $49 will buy a single Hair Collection Kit. The kit includes a special comb for the sample, instructions for getting a proper cross section, a questionnaire and pre-paid postage. Once the kit arrives at the Myavana lab—the company rents space on campus at the Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology—the hair strands undergo a nine-point data analysis.

Candace Mitchell and Chanel Martin Found Web-and-Mobile-Based Platform Myavana to Integrate Scientific Analysis into Care for Black Women’s Hair

By goodblacknews on July 27, 2015
Myavana creators Candace Mitchell and Chanel Martin
Myavana creators Candace Mitchell and Chanel Martin (photo via gtalumnimag.com)

Scope out the hair-care aisle in the beauty section of any major retailer and you’ll find a familiar scene: a woman with a bottle of shampoo in hand, staring in dismay at the horde of options on the shelves in front of her. Should she pick sulfate-free or biotin add-in shampoo? Should she be looking for hydration or volume in her conditioner?

The process of reviewing ingredients, comparing prices and questioning the purported hair-care benefits can be overwhelming—particularly for black women, who over the past few years have seen an uptick in the number of products tailored to their specific hair texture needs. The inventory that was once relegated to a small section of a single shelf, or worse, not available in major outlets at all, now spans entire store aisles and endcap displays.

The creators of Myavana, a web-based mobile and social platform, understand firsthand the frustration of the shelf scan. Computer scientist Candace Mitchell and chemical engineer Chanel Martin launched their Atlanta-based startup in 2013. “The goal was to leverage science and technology to provide women of color with a personalized hair-care experience that takes guessing out of the equation and delivers hair nirvana,” Mitchell says.

The Myavana website (myavana.com) is a destination where customers can discover new hair products, hair styles and salons in their area. It joins the zeitgeist of blogs, Instagram feeds and YouTube channels that deliver black hairstyle tutorials and homemade solutions to hundreds of thousands of subscribers. No doubt social media has helped this movement gain traction throughout the United States and abroad, Mitchell says.

Increasingly, black women are going online to share stories and tips in their journeys as they move away from harsh chemical straighteners and the synthetic products associated with them, and turn toward unprocessed, curly hair styles and natural products. Myavana seeks to tap into this ever-expanding market—with an estimated buying power surpassing $500 billion annually—with the goal of providing end-to-end hair-care guidance to women of color.

Myavana’s linchpin is its new custom hair analysis service that promises to find the right product for each customer. “Yes, we want women to send us their hair,” Mitchell says. “But only a little bit of it, and just long enough to view the hair through a microscope and to offer customers meaningful hair product recommendations.”

Consumers initiate the process on the Myavana website, where a one-time fee of $49 will buy a single Hair Collection Kit. The kit includes a special comb for the sample, instructions for getting a proper cross section, a questionnaire and pre-paid postage. Once the kit arrives at the Myavana lab—the company rents space on campus at the Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology—the hair strands undergo a nine-point data analysis.

DINING: "Black Chef Summer Series" Happening Now Through Sept. 7 in New York City

By goodblacknews on July 26, 2015
(photo via blackchefseries.com)
(photo via blackchefseries.com)

Calling all New York City-area foodies: the Black Chef Summer Series, founded by Chef Lance Knowling, Chef Maxcel Hardy, and Alize Beal is taking place at BluJeen Restaurant in Harlem, New York, from July 13 – Sept. 7.

The nine-week series highlights extraordinary African-American chefs with diverse and distinctive palates and skill sets. Beyond the opportunity to discover the cultural flavors of Harlem, guests have an opportunity to explore multiple courses and a signature cocktail. The Black Chef Summer Series will complement each magical and tasteful evening with 10% of proceeds going to both the Food Bank For New York City, and a charity of the chef’s choosing.

(Image: blackchefseries.com)
(Image: blackchefseries.com)

“Our guests can expect to indulge in delicious food, great people, and amazing wine.  You will have the opportunity to meet and converse with influential professionals during the communal style dining experience. You get to build business and personal networks, so bring a lot of business cards,” says Co-Founder Beal.
Check out a snapshot of the featured chefs:
July 27
Chef James Robinson
As founder of Kitchen Cray, Robinson is committed to the community and creating accessible culinary experiences. In addition to private dining experiences, events and celebrity private chef services, he’s committed to making five-star dining an accessible and personal experience while utilizing his craft to teach underprivileged youth about healthy eating and open their eyes to a career in culinary arts.
Aug. 3
Chef Kenneth Collins
Born in Texas, Chef Kenneth Collins, of Chef Collins, has had success throughout the country. In Dallas, his cooking earned four stars for both Café Royale and Enjolie; following his time in Dallas three stars were awarded to his Hartford, Connecticut, restaurant, The Savannah. After The Savannah, his success continued in Tenafly, New Jersey, with America Bar and Restaurant, followed by New York City restaurants Ida Mae, and Smoke and Tour Restaurant & Catering.
Aug. 17
Chef Russell Jackson
Jackson, who hails from Los Angeles, will be serving up innovation. Having four restaurants launched under his belt coupled with a stint in Food Network Kitchens, Jackson remains active in the New York and San Francisco food scenes. SubCulture Dining is now a bi-coastal affair with a robust schedule and an ambitious agenda.
Chef Elle Simone Scott. Scott, a Detroit native and Brooklyn transplant, is a culinary maverick. Always drawn to creative food culture, Scott has been dazzling the culinary world since 2006, quickly becoming a highly sought after freelance food stylist and culinary producer. Scott has collaborated and contributed her unique styling abilities to Food Network, Food Network Magazine, The Cooking Channel, The Katie Couric Show, CBS Corp., ABC’s The Chew, and Bravo’s Chef Roble and Co. With a focus on beautiful and tasty dishes, Scott transcends the traditional role of a chef, working to share her gift and tell a story through food.
Sept. 7
Chef Richards
Culinary enthusiast Chef Richard Ingraham was born and raised in Miami. In 2005, he was offered what is now his current position as private chef for Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade. He is responsible for the nutritional diet that keeps the star fit, toned, and healthy on and off the court.
To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
article by Kandia Johnson via blackenterprise.com

The World's 1st Modeling Agency for People of Color Celebrates and Promotes Diversity in Fashion

By goodblacknews on July 25, 2015
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Looking at the models on Lorde Inc’s website, the first thing that strikes you is that these people are, to put it in Zoolander’s words, really, really good looking. Ornello has long plaits and a gap between her teeth. Mohammed is all chocolate eyes and wavy locks. And Urjii is cheekbones and expressive stare. The second thing? None of the models – about 60 in all – are white.

Nafisa Kaptownwala, founder of Lorde. (Photograph: Carly Bangs/Lorde)
Nafisa Kaptownwala, founder of Lorde. (Photograph: Carly Bangs/Lorde)

Lorde was set up in May 2014 as the first of its kind – an agency made up entirely of models of colour. It is the brainchild of Nafisa Kaptownwala, a 26-year-old Canadian art history graduate, who began to work on the fringes of fashion and noticed the lack of non-white models. Despite no experience in the modeling industry, she set up Lorde in London with a friend and “the next thing, people were contacting us”. A year on, and Lorde has worked with magazines including Dazed & Confused and i-D, and collaborated with London streetwear brand Cassette Playa. Despite these relative triumphs, Kaptownwala is pessimistic about diversity in modelling in 2015. “There’s still not a massive demand because this is still a radical idea and people in fashion are not really ready for it,” she says. “How does that make me feel? In general I think, as a person of colour, you internalize. Creating this agency is a way to channel those feelings.” If diversity – across age, race and size – is always a swirl of debate in fashion, there seems to be the signs of change, with Balmain’s Olivier Roustein (himself mixed race) championing a catwalk of all sorts of ethnicities, Rihanna becoming the first black woman in a Dior campaign and Lineisy Montero walking the Prada catwalk with a visible afro. “Things are changing but in a minimal way,” acknowledges Kaptownwala. “But there were more models of color on the catwalk in the 90s than there are now. It kind of goes in cycles.” She praises former model Bethan Hardison’s campaign to increase diversity on the catwalk at major brands but says “two models in a show of 30 models is not enough”.

One of Lorde’s male models. (Photograph: JM Stasiuk)
One of Lorde’s male models. (Photograph: JM Stasiuk)

The dominance of white faces in fashion means her job, compared to that of a model booker at a larger agency, is a lot harder. “They work with everyone and we are fulfilling a niche,” she says. “The beauty standards are that the European is the epitome of what’s marketable, and not just to European consumers. I have spoken to magazines in Japan who only use Japanese and European models.” Kaptownwala believes the internet – and the culture of selfies – has a role to play in broadening what we think beautiful is, and has made an entire generation comfortable in front of the camera. “People are posing in their own ways, creating their own photo shoots,” she says. “It redefines beauty, opens things up and allows people to say ‘I want to be part of this.’”
article by Lauren Cochrane via theguardian.com

Actor Jay Ellis and Artist Shantell Martin Team with AmfAR to Raise Awareness For “Countdown to a Cure for AIDS"

By goodblacknews on July 24, 2015
Jay Ellis and Visual Artist Shanell Martin with AmfAR Towel
Jay Ellis and Visual Artist Shanell Martin with “Be Epic, Cure AIDS,” Limited Edition AmfAR towel

My first memory of being directly affected by the death of someone who lost their life to AIDS was when tennis legend Arthur Ashe died. My father broke the news to me. It was one of those unshakeable things — nearly impossible to process and even harder to understand. In a lot of ways it hit my Dad pretty hard.  My parents had gone to college at UCLA with Arthur and growing up in our household, they made sure we knew he was way more than an incredible tennis player… he was an activist that paved the way for so many.  He was “a great kind guy,” their classmate and hero.
Arthur had certainly had his health challenges… but athletic superheroes weren’t supposed to succumb to an incurable disease at 49.  It was unfathomable.  The news of his death hit over twenty-two years ago… and sadly we still do not have a cure for a disease that affects the black community (Africans & African- Americans) the most.  Statistically, we make up more than forty percent of all new cases… and Jay Ellis (“The Game”) and famed British visual artist, Shantell Martin, know its time to do something about that. Their collaboration with amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research) and its “Countdown to A Cure for AIDS” initiative is something I can really get behind.
Out of this amfAR collaboration comes a limited edition beach towel. Designed exclusively for amfAR to help raise awareness and find a cure for HIV/AIDS, the towel’s design features Martin’s black & white illustrations and the inscription, “Be Epic, Cure AIDS,” a nod to amfAR’s “Countdown to a Cure for AIDS” initiative, aimed at developing the scientific basis of a cure by 2020.
amfar-towel-whiter-1

This summer, I can’t think of a better accessory. This towel is exclusively sold at Scoop NYC locations and on amfAR’s website: http://shop.amfar.org/shantell-martin-amfar-towel.html for $40 with 100% of the proceeds supporting research to find a cure for HIV/AIDS. Let’s all do what we can.

Did you know:

  • Nearly 37 million people are now living with HIV. 2.6 million are under the age of 15.
  • In 2014, an estimated 2 million people were newly infected with HIV.
  • 220,000 were under the age of 15.
  • Every day about 5,600 people contract HIV—more than 230 every hour.
  • In 2014, 1.2 million people died from AIDS.
  • Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 78 million people have contracted HIV and close to 39 million have died of AIDS- related causes.
  • As of March 2015, around 15 million people living with HIV (41% of the total) had access to antiretroviral therapy.

Learn more about amfAR here: http://www.amfar.org/about.html.  If you don’t know her work already, find out more about Shantell Martin and her amazing art: http://www.shantellmartin.com/about/.
And Jay Ellis and his fascinating transition into the acting world: http://www.jay-ellis.com

Lesa Lakin GBN Lifestyle Editor
article by Lesa Lakin
GBN Lifestyle Editor

W Magazine’s Fall Fashion Spread Features All-Black Models with Natural Hair

By goodblacknews on July 23, 2015
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)

They’re gorgeous photos.
Not that we’re depending on mainstream magazines to validate or show love to natural hair and chocolate-complexioned models, but W Magazine did a great job including an all-black model ensemble for a photo spread in its August 2015 edition.
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)

Six models—Ajak Deng, Amilna Estevao, Anais Mali, Aya Jones, Binx Walton and Tami Williams—appear in a variety of fashion spreads. Their clothes are rich and patterned, and they’re all rocking a natural hairstyle. Apparently, black is the new black. Check out the photos below:
screen_shot_20150722_at_4.06.40_pm
Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)
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Spread in W magazine’s August 2015 issue featuring only black models (W MAGAZINE)
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Work it, ladies.
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original article by Diana Ozemebhoya Eromosele via theroot.com; additions by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

"Pretty" Docuseries by Antonia Opiah Explores What Beauty Means To Black Women Around The World (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on July 20, 2015


There a lot of different ideas about what it means to be beautiful, and one new docuseries is hoping to explore every facet of it.
Pretty is something that is hard to define, but you know it when you see it. Depending on where you’re from that could look a lot different. Adding race to the equation brings in a whole new group of variables. As such, Antonia Opiah decied that it might be interesting to take a look at what beauty means to Black women around the world in her new webseries, Pretty.
According to Shadow and Act, the series debuted back in January. That means there are a bunch of episodes to get caught up on if you’re just finding out about it.

(photo via un-ruly.com)
(photo via un-ruly.com)

In Pretty, Antonia asks Black women from London, Paris and Milan what beauty and the concept of what is beautiful means to them. From the promo above, you get a taste of the fact that being pretty is more than just a certain set of physical attributes, it’s about what each woman brings to it. Some even share how their perception of beauty has changed over the course of their lives.
She doesn’t just speak to one type of Black woman, either. Antonia sat down with Brown girls of all complexions and backgrounds to show just how broad this subject can be. Pretty goes further beyond the surface as it also explores their thoughts on fashion, self-esteem and feminism among other things. Ultimately it all results in a tapestry of all the ways Black women are beautiful even when living in areas where European ideals are the norm.
If you’re tired of binge-watching Netflix, this docuseries is definitely an interesting break from the norm that will give you lots to ponder.  Go to YouTube or un-ruly.com to see the entire web series.
article by Sonya Eskridge via hellobeautiful.com

Nigerian Student Segun Oyeyiola Turns Vintage Volkswagen Into $6,000 Solar-Powered Car

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2015
Segun Oyeyiola, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, in Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, has converted a Volkswagen Beetle, using mainly scrap parts donated by friends and family, into a $6000 wind and solar powered car. He describes his creation as “Nigeria’s future car.”
The reinvented vintage Beetle comes fitted with a giant solar panel on the roof—exploiting Nigeria’s abundance of sunlight—and a wind turbine under the hood that takes advantage of airflow while the car is in motion. Also, to ensure the car does not collapse under the added weight of the installed technologies, it comes with an extra-strong suspension system.
The car is still in the early stages of design, and still requires a lot of work to reach the optimal target (the batteries for the solar panel take four to five hours to charge). However, now that Segun has succeed in building a working prototype, he plans to take his final university exams and then get straight back to working on the eco-friendly car.
His concern for the environment has always been his motivation, this has helped him dedicate much of his time and resources to creating the automobile despite many critics labelling his pursuit ‘a waste of time’. “I wanted to reduce carbon dioxide emission[s] going to our atmosphere that lead to climate change or global warming which has become a new reality, with deleterious effect,” he said. “Seasonal cycles are disrupted, as are ecosystems; and agriculture, water needs and supply, and food production are all adversely affected.”
article by Chinedu Agbatuka via venturesafrica.com

The Week Designers Showed Black Women Love Feat. Tinashe, Ciara And Joan Smalls

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2015

On the heels of Teen Vogue giving prominence to Aya Jones, Lineisy Montero and Imaan Hammam on their August 2015 cover and Karrueche securing a new gig at Wilhelmina Models’ New York division last week, the melanin movement spilled into this week as Tinashe, Ciara, and Joan Smalls all scored new gigs in the fashion world.
As if performing for her idol Janet Jackson at the BET Awards and hopping on Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint Tour wasn’t enough, Tinashe is moving way up, starring in Ralph Lauren’s Denim & Supply fall campaign. Not only is the 22-year-old prepping us for autumn with classic plaid looks paired with vintage jeans, but she also had the opportunity to cover Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Rhythm Band’s iconic 1970’s hit “Express Yourself” beside Cody Simpson. Blessings on blessings on blessings.
Ciara (Photo via vibe.com)

Ciara’s 2015 has revolved around love and fashion and after being chosen as the latest celeb to rep Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, CiCi danced her way to Brand Ambassador status for Topshop USA. The mother showed face at the Fashion Retail Academy Awards in London Wednesday night, rocking a trench coat-styled black dress from the retailer with matching open toe heels where owner, Sir Phillip Green made the official announcement.
READ: Ciara Is The New Face Of Roberto Cavalli’s Fall/Winter 2015 Campaign
For those that weren’t in attendance, Ciara took to her Instagram account to share a selfie she snagged with the billionaire CEO and made the public service announcement herself. And of course, in true gentlemen fashion, Ci’s boyfriend Russell Wilson showed love and support via his Twitter saying, “Congrats! @TopShop couldn’t pick a more Dynamic woman!” Cue the aww’s here.

Joan Smalls (photo via vibe.com)

Joan Smalls is still doing big things in the modeling industry, this time showing off her physique in her undies for Calvin Klein. Also landing a fall campaign for a major brand, Smalls’ facial structure in the ad may have actually stole the shine off the intimates collection, itself, with the tagline ‘the original sexy’ fitting for the Afro-Latina model.

article by Erica Nichole via vibe.com
FASHION: Wilhelmina Models Searching for a 2015 Summer Goddess; Chance to Win a Modeling Contract and Trip to Miami Beach

FASHION: Wilhelmina Models Searching for a 2015 Summer Goddess; Chance to Win a Modeling Contract and Trip to Miami Beach

By goodblacknews on July 10, 2015
Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.50.54 PMScreen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.51.00 PM
We found another contest for you and this is a great one. The modeling agency that represents Keri Hilson, DJ Kiss, Sharaya J, Kilo Kish and Karrueche Tran is offering a genuine opportunity for a young woman of any color, hue or shade to become the 2015 Summer Goddess. And we can get behind that!
Wilhelmina Models, one of the most respected names in modeling, is partnering with European Wax Center, the leader in the beauty services industry, in this modeling venture. And Dave Coba, President and CEO of EWC could not be happier, “This model search with Wilhelmina Models is the culmination of our efforts to celebrate and reveal the beauty in all women. Through this partnership with Wilhelmina, we are making the dream of becoming a model a little more attainable.”
Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.51.14 PMLadies, if you are at least 5 feet 8 inches tall and 18 to 30, this may just be the contest for you. This nationwide search to find a young woman who is confident, possesses a beautiful look, and an inner beauty even the camera can capture is certainly a great opportunity. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a contract with Wilhelmina Models and a pass entitling her to one year of complimentary waxing services at European Wax Center’s located nation wide. The five finalists will all receive six months of brow waxing.
You can certainly enter on-line http://www.wilhelminamodelsearch.com/wms.html but if you happen to be in Miami tomorrow or Los Angeles next weekend, enter in person.