Parents of bi-racial 8News Anchor Constance Jones discuss new ABC comedy ‘Mixed-ish’

Parents of bi-racial 8News Anchor Constance Jones discuss new ABC comedy ‘Mixed-ish’

Richmond, VA:  A new comedy on ABC “Mixed-ish” examines the complexities of mixed families.The “Black-ish” spinoff comedy is centered around actress’ Tracee Ellis Ross’ character as a teenager as she faces several difficult hardships growing up mixed race. 

Natural hair ... or nah?

The natural hair debate continues! For decades, curly haired women have consistently been told that straightening hair is a good move for their careers. I’ve been told that my curly hair can look unkempt or unprofessional. Recently, a North Carolina News Anchor took to social media to chat about the great hair debate.

Passing for Black?

I've heard of passing for White-- but passing for Black?!? Recently, the parents of Rachel Dolezal claimed she had been deceiving people, passing for a Black Woman.

Ruthanne and Larry Dolezal said they want people to know the truth including that their daughter is White.

FINALLY! Apple's New Diverse Emoji Characters

 

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY!  Last year, Apple promised to increase the diversity of its emoji keyboard and now it's finally here. The company is rolling out with 300 new emojis including tiny cartoon people in 6 different skin tones.

An Evening with Jasmine Guy

Jasmine Guy with Troy & Constance Simmons at Books & Books in Coral Gables/Miami

CORAL GABLES- She was known as the southern belle on "A Different World," Jasmine Guy entertained millions through her popular character Whitley Gilbert. She was always dressed in the latest fashion and spoke with an exaggerated southern accent. But Jasmine Guy was more than just a loveable character, she inspired generations to go to college.  

Constance Jones host Belle VIP Movie Screening

Constance Jones with Alessandra Gold & Rory Lee

It was an honor to host the VIP Screening of Belle-- a film inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle! She was the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay who lived in the 1700's.

Constance Jones Hosting Screening

Part of the movie is based on a pioneering portrait that portrays a black female subject as "an equal" with a white aristocrat.  She was raised by her great-uncle and his wife.

 

 Her lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from the traditions of noble social standing. Belle shows something we have never seen before, the experiences of a black woman during Victorian Times. It is one of the most amazing aspects of this film! As a mixed race woman- it's refreshing to FINALLY see a movie like this!

Please--check out the preview below! I highly recommend this movie!

Njie Sabik

Mixed Babies for Sale!

Is this real? Yes it is!

For $3,000- you can have a mixed baby! That's according to a recent online report from Infoboxx.com.  Reporter Stephen Kwabena Effah says in Ghana, they are a hot commodity and now there is a company that will help you have a biracial baby.  Half Caste Babes is a new fertility company that encourages Black African couples to have a mixed baby by using white donor sperm!  Thanks to modern science, a person can have a mixed-race baby without having sex with a person from another race!

 According to the company's website - the mission of Half-Caste Babes is “to bridge the racial gap between Africa and the rest of the world by promoting mixed race reproduction and developing these children for a new Africa.”

Unfortunately, in Africa (and in many other places around the world) one's status is typically determined by one's skin tone. The Half-Caste babies entrepreneur prides himself on giving women and couples half-caste babies with “mental and physical beauty."  

Special thanks to fellow journalist- Stephen Kwabena Effah for exposing this company. Read more on his investigation by clicking here!  What are your thoughts about this issue?

Who is the Cheerios Girl?

Grace Colbert-- the adorable 6 year old actress from the Cheerios' controversial ad will make a major splash yet again! Cheerios is bringing her back for the first ever Super Bowl ad featuring an interracial family!

Cheerios released the commercial a few days early! Check it out here!

 

According to CBS News, the brand had considered several other spots for its Super Bowl commercial, but the performance by the little girl in the ad “was so strong, and that was really why we chose it," she added. Cheerios is already gathering tons of buzz with over 2 million hits already on youtube!

As for little Gracie- I did a little bit of research and found out she already has a few brothers!  Check out these pictures I found on her Facebook Page!

Gracie & Her Brothers

Adorable Mixed Family

Ready for School!

Love this!

Little Dancer

      

Mixed Chicks Review- Leave In Conditioner

My sister and I BOTH have very very curly hair! 

BUT-- we both have very different opinions on Mixed Chicks Products! Check out my sister's review on Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner! What do you think?

 

Passing for White-- Growing Up Mixed

The Beautiful Mixed--Tiffany Tilmon

It’s the question so many “mixed” people are asked-- “What are you?” Growing up in a military community-- I was always in a melting pot of ethnicities. Most of my schoolmates were "mixed."  A dear friend of mine -- Tiffany Tilmon--agreed to share her story about growing up as a mixed woman- who could pass for white.

1)What is your ethnicity? I am black and white

2) When asked "Hey, what are you?" It is usually because someone already has a "feeling" I am mixed. I usually tell them half black and half white. It is what I consider myself when it comes to race. 

3) Being that I am so pale when considering biracial people, I do feel like at times my skin color can make it difficult to fit in. Particularly when I was growing up. It was well known that I was mixed. Many of the black kids wouldn't hang out with me because I wasn't black enough. The white kids knew I was black, and therefore wouldn't hang with me. Hispanics weren't a group I hung with or tried to, so I have no reference there. I found myself hanging with the half Asian/half white kids. I was comfortable there. As an adult, I find most often it isn't my skin color that depicts whether I fit in or not, it really falls down on my own personality.

Tiffany's Parents

4)Do you feel racism still exists?? As a teacher, I am exposed to learned behaviors in children, that comes from their parents. I believe racism is one of those behaviors. Do I feel like it is as big a problem as it has been, no. Do I feel I could move to Jasper, Texas (where the black boy was drug behind a truck) with my children...no, for fear of what they would do to my kids if they found out they are multiracial, their mother is biracial, or that my father is black. As a white looking woman, people tend to say things that they wouldn't normally if they knew I was black. It is very obvious that racism exists. Many people just try to hide it.

Tiffany & Her Dad

  5)Do you ever "pass" as white?  I pass for white 90% of the time. It is usually someone who is biracial or has a family member with biracial children who recognizes that I am mixed.

When I was younger, I had a need to prove who I was. I would carry a picture of my father around with me in my wallet. I felt that telling people I was black should have gotten me some sort of prize. I was so proud of my family and I wanted everyone to know it. My hair not looking mixed, my skin only looking slightly darker in the summer, my freckles, and not "acting" black made it hard for people to believe me. I remember arguing with kids about being black. It took a long time for me to realize that whether I was believed or not, I was a Tilmon, not a color. Although my color was a part of me, is a part of me, it does not define me.

 

Skin Bleaching Cream-- WPLG Local 10 Investigation

Some South Floridians are using skin bleaching creams to look a few shades lighter!!
Dr. Andrea Trowers warns that "eventually your skin can become addicted to it like a crack addict to crack."
Check out my disturbing report--about "skin bleaching!!

Click here: http://www.local10.com/news/skin-can-become-addicted-to-bleaching-doctor-warns/-/1717324/20266252/-/ayjvh2/-/index.html …

Save Your Do Gym Wrap -- Does it work?

Did you know that 40% of women with textured hair avoid exercise to maintain hairstyles! Check out this story I did on workout woes. If you have curly hair like me, you can totally understand!  I enjoy working out-- but I don’t like what happens to my hair afterwards.  

 

So, I decided to try “Save Your Do” a workout hair wrap create by actress Nicole Ari Parker.  She looks amazing—so I thought she might know the secret to looking good!

DID IT WORK? Yes—Kinda. After jogging for about 30 minutes, my hair was still wet. BUT— my hair did not curl up like it normally does.  I still had to blow it out… but overall it “Saved My Do”

The gym wrap is reasonably priced at $24.95 to $29.95.  Plus, part of the proceeds go to the Sophie's Voice Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about spina bifida! So—there’s no reason not to try it out!

Does your hair keep you from working out??

 

Earlier this week, I had a chance to do a story with an amazing woman--Rashida Bartley.  She is a world class athlete! The Miami Native bikes, swims, runs and loves yoga. In a few months she’s been competing in the Iron Man Triathlon. But instead of questions about her health regiment, most women what to know about her hair. 

How do you keep your hair healthy if you are a workout queen?

  

There are a number of obstacles that may keep you from working out and for women hair tends to be one of them. In fact, researchers found about two of every five women with textured hair, avoid exercising because of concerns about their hair. 

There are some great tips-- to keeping your hair looking great!

Check out the full story by clicking here!

Natural Curly Hair for TV?

Earlier this month, I saw ABC World News Now Anchor Sunny Hostin wearing her hair curly. She looked amazing!  It’s definitely not a look you typically see on television—especially network news!  Hostin is a fellow mixed chick with a Puerto Rican mother and an African American father!   

  For decades, curly haired women have consistently been told that straightening hair is a good move for their careers.  
I’ve been told that my curly hair can look unkept or unprofessional.  So, instead of wearing my hair natural—I press it out straight!

Curly Constance

Weekend Curls

TV Constance

 Which leads me to the question…. What’s wrong with curly/natural hair on television? Why don’t we see more women like Sunny wearing their hair natural?

 Of course, hair is a very touchy subject in the black community!  Rhonda Lee, a Louisiana meteorologist was recently fired for defending her natural hair to a viewer! Read more here. 

Rhonda Lee

As for me, I love my curly hair-- but with this South Florida humidity it only takes two minutes for my curls to frizz up.  Instead of looking like a broadcaster, I turn into Diana Ross!

 What do you think about curly hair on TV?

Asian Afro Perm

Most of us (including myself) try hard to press out our curly-frizzy hair. 

But in Asia—kinky hair is the hottest trend! 

The Asian Perm is used on naturally silky straight hair to achieve the fuller textured look. Hair stylist use traditional perming rollers to allow these curls to take shape. The technique can also be used for dreadlocks or braided styles. 

What do you think of the curly hair style?