Weekly Wrap-Up: Women’s March on Washington

It seems like the year just started and now we’re wrapping up the first month of 2017! This has been an eventful week! Check out what’s been happening in our weekly wrap up!

Donald Trump Inaugurated as 45^th President of United States

Last Friday, we said goodbye to our beloved 44^th President, Barack Obama and welcomed Donald Trump to the White House. Whether you chose to skip the televised event or not, you definitely heard things about it afterwards.

Photo via Cosmpolitan.com

One of the most noted pieces of news was the difference in crowds at the event. When pictures resurfaced comparing Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration, social media went crazy. The 2009 Inauguration was estimated to have 1.8 million people while this most recent one was estimated closer to 250,000. Donald Trump was quick to have his press secretary make a statement saying that the pictures don’t show the true size and that there were actually more guests there. While many people know this to be untrue, his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway was certain that Trump was stating “#AlternativeFacts.”

Oscar Nominations are IN!

Last year, the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite was floating around on TV and the Internet when the 2016 Oscar Nominations rolled in. Many people were aware of the lack of diversity in the nominees, but it seems as if the Academy has learned its lesson since then. According to CBS News, 2017 brings a new record for people of color at the awards, with 7 out of 20 nominations.

Photo via NBC News

For Best Supporting Actress, we have Octavia Spencer, Naomie Harris, and Viola Davis while Mahershala Ali is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “Moonlight” and Dev Patel is nominated for “Lion.” Ruth Negga is nominated for Best Actress for “Loving” while Denzel Washington is nominated for Best Actor for the film “Fences,” a role that could potentially win him his third Oscar.

The biggest award for the night is Best Picture, where the films “Fences,” “Hidden Figures,” and “Moonlight” are up for grabs. The 89^th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 26.

Millions of Women (And Men) March on Washington and the World

On Saturday, January 21, millions of women (and men) in the United States and the World marched and protested for the rights of women. Ranging from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles to New York, women took to the streets to bring their concerns to Donald Trump, the government, and the world.

Photo CNN

Celebrities like Alicia Keys and America Ferrera spoke out at the marches. Among the concerns brought up by the protesters, there was an abundance of signs regarding fair pay, Planned Parenthood, and even Black Lives Matter. Many women took to the streets as a protest against Donald Trump and wore pink colored “pussyhats.”

While many covered their heads in these knitted beanies, others wore the words “Nasty Woman” across their chest in reference to remarks Trump made about Hillary Clinton during the campaign trail for the 2016 election.

The Women’s March on Washington was said to be one of the most successful in history. According to the New York Times, their crowd counting experts stated that the women’s march had 3 times as many attendees than the day before at Donald Trump’s Inauguration with over 470,000 people.

Birthday Shout-Outs!

Happy 67^th Birthday to Billy Ocean! (January 21)

Happy 52^nd Birthday to DJ Jazzy Jeff! (January 22)

Happy 38^th Birthday to Tatyana Ali! (January 24)

Happy 36^th Birthday to Alicia Keys! (January 25)

Happy 60^th Birthday to Jenifer Lewis! (January 25)

Happy 47^th Birthday to Kirk Franklin! (January 26)

Happy 74^th Birthday to John Witherspoon! (January 27)

Best of Stuff We ♡

New Year, New you. New do? When a new year rolls around, we’re all ready to make a few changes and pick a few resolutions. For those ladies looking to be daring and rock a new hair color, we’re dishing out some bold hair colors to rock this winter. And while you’re getting glammed up, check out our winter beauty tips for keeping your hair, makeup and body right during the cold months. As the hair dye sets in or your nail polish dries, you might take some time to de-stress and figure out which infamous “Girlfriend” you are. And if you’re looking for a little inspiration during these interesting times, stay empowered with these 4 must listen albums.