Vixen: Black Beauty and Pop Culture

Back for a bonus episode! Join me as I talk with Danyel Smith, author, writer, and host of the Black Girl Songbook podcast about her brand new book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop! We discuss the impactful careers of three of the many women highlighted in the book- Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Stephanie Mills. Later, we talk about Danyel's connection to these three women, and get up close and personal with her about the music she loves! Buy S...

On this season's film review finale episode, we talk about Southern Black Gothic movies centered around black girlhood- specifically Beloved and Eve's Bayou. We're back with a BRAND NEW SEASON on 5.11.22! ⁠Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

Today's episode is the second and final part of a two-part series on the history of black beauty pageants! This one talks about Miss Black USA, the uniqueness of the pageant's mission, and controversy over the years. Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

Today's episode is the first part of a two-part series on the history of black beauty pageants! Today, we talk about the inception of Miss Black America pageant and how it progressed over the years. Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

On this week's episode, we talk about the life and career of Zelda Wynn Valdes, her black starlet clientele, and the innovative moves she made to propel the fashion world forward. Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

Sadia Morrison was a promising, determined, young stylist and image consultant with a very bright future. Then, she was found behind the Highbridge Projects in the Bronx. What happened to Sadia? Trigger Warning: in this episode, we discuss the topics of suicide and murder. Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

Today's episode talks about the short (or was it?) life of Esther 'Baby Esther' Jones, the young black singer, dancer, and entertainer who was the inspiration behind the iconic Betty Boop character.Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

This week we've got a bonus episode centered around the Black Girl Luxury phenomenon currently taking the Internet by storm. Where did it come from? What defines 'luxury'? Is the popularity of this 'movement' helpful or harmful (or a mix of both) for black girls? Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

Today's episode is all about artist and muse Lithofayne Pridgon, also known as 'Fayne' or 'Faye.' We talk her childhood in Dirty Spoon, GA, moving to the big city, and her relationships with Willie John, Sam Cooke, and of course, Jimi Hendrix. Instagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]

Today we're talking Esther Baxter- one of the most recognizable and successful video vixens to ever do it! Let's talk about her early life, how she got into urban modeling, her acting career, and what she's up to now. Tola Maria Life Coach: www.tolamariaadeyinka.comInstagram: @THEVIXENMEMOIRSJoin the Book Club: WWW.THEVIXENMEMOIRS.COMDonate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/thevixenmemoirsMusic: https://soundcloud.com/vhslogos Submissions: [email protected]