Abir Raza

The Gabrielle Union Collection: Clothing for Everyone

Fashion is one of the simplest ways to introduce yourself. It makes a statement and leaves an impression whether you are wearing bold prints, muted shades, or dazzling jewels. It tells people who you are, or who you want to be.

Actress Gabrielle Union utilized fashion in the same way—to make an introduction. While Union is already a well known celebrity for her numerous acting roles, she recently launched a fashion line with New York & Company called The Gabrielle Union Collection. Centered on everyday looks, Union told BET that she wanted to create something inspired by her “day to day life” and her “actual, real closet.” Union tailored a line around what she likes, what she wears, and what she genuinely uses, thus introducing herself as a designer who creates pieces that anyone can wear.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Tarana Burke: The Mother of #MeToo

Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse happens everyday, thousands of times over. In America alone, someone is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds, according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. Once thought of as a taboo topic, something to be whispered away and kept as a secret, is now being openly discussed between men and women who have been mistreated. At one time it was deemed weak to admit that one had been sexually assaulted, but just recently this idea has changed. It is now a bold declaration of courage.

This is all thanks to two simple words—#MeToo.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Shawn Mendes: From Vine to Billboard 200

Singers emerge from all corners of the world, with different backgrounds, stories, and sounds. Technology and social media are evolving so rapidly, that it’s no surprise that many aspiring music artists were discovered on YouTube after posting covers of well-known songs.

The story is similar for 19-year-old Shawn Mendes, but he put a slightly different twist on it. In 2013, when the entertainment network Vine was at its peak, Mendes began posting six second clips of him singing on the app. After a childhood full of classes for acting, performing, and entertaining, singing came easily to Mendes. The self-taught guitarist gained millions of followers and garnered the attention manager Andrew Gertler who signed Mendes to Island Records in just a few months. His first single, “Life of the Party” was released in 2014 on the label.

You are unauthorized to view this page.