Black women in creative industries matter.

As a multidisciplinary artist myself I admire the Black women that have continued to show us that you can follow every passion you have and be amazing at all of them. That doors will open once you start to create the opportunities for yourself and show the world what you’re capable of. These women that I will mention in this post deserve their flowers because they have continued to break down barriers as Black women and creatives and have never taken “no” for an answer. They have shown us that you can lead the pack and don’t have to follow. It is so important for Black women to have representation in creative fields such as music, fashion and art. We are culture creators and shifters and our presence deserves to be shown and experiences told from our own perspectives.

  1. Solange Knowles

First, I want to speak about Solange, she has shown us time and time again that your creativity, talent, knowledge and intellect can open so many doors for you and create so many opportunities. Solange is a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, composer, producer, visual artist, creative director, actress, culture curator and so much more. She has her hands in music, fashion and the arts. As creative people with multiple talents and disciplines, it is important that you don’t force yourself to pick one thing especially if you do multiple things well and are professionally committed to them. Solange has shown us that you don’t have to wait for people to give you the opportunities. You do the work and the opportunities will start to flow in.

She has broken glass ceilings and carved her own path unapologetically. We know that Solange is an amazing singer and songwriter and we have fallen in love with each project she blesses us with from her amazing album A Seat at the Table in 2016 to When I get Home in 2019, but the musical talent doesn’t end there, she has went on to compose an original score for the New York City ballet in 2022 for ‘Play time’, becoming the first Black woman to ever do so, she also premiered her new classical compositions “Villanelle For Times" and "Not Necessarily In Arms Reach," in 2025, in Houston as part of her Eldorado Ballroom performance series that featured the Houston Symphony and the list goes on. Outside of music, in 2013 she founded her creative agency Saint Heron to represent BIPOC creatives and artists, at the end of September of this year Saint Heron launched its digital archive community library that is completely free of charge full of out of print, rare and first edition books on an honor-based borrowing system. She has also released amazing glassware under her company Saint Heron that has sold out immediately each drop.

Outside of her many accomplishments in the music and art realms she is a fashion phenomenon known for her amazing fashion sense and eclectic style, she has served as creative director, art director or even brand ambassador/spokesperson of multiple fashion companies such as Puma, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Helmut Lang, Gucci, Dion Lee and the list goes on. Most recently she has been appointed as the first scholar-in-residence at USC Thornton School of Music, she will have a three year residency where she will be teaching a class on music curation launching in the fall of 2027, also hosting student focused conversations and workshops. As you can see her creativity knows no bounds and her talent has continued to create space for her. She is a prime example of letting your work speak for you and not allowing anyone to make you feel like you have to narrow down your passions, especially if you are actively putting the work into each and doing it to a quality professional standard.

2. Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor is another example of being extremely creative and talented and not settling on your gifts. Since she was 16 on My Sweet Sixteen we have witness her share her gifts with us whether that has been in dancing and choreography, music, skateboarding, acting, creative directing and producing and being a fashion icon. Teyana is a full production just as herself and we see why she calls herself Spike Tee. Her, just like other multidisciplinary artists have been told not to go after her other passions and just stick with one thing, but she did what she felt she needed to do and has excelled in every sector she has stepped into. She gave us amazing music from her albums VII, K.T.S.E, The Album and most recently Escape Room, after a break from music, all paired with amazing visuals and live performances. Within the music industry she has also become known as the creative director for some of our favorite artists performances such as Latto, Lil Baby, Summer Walker, NBA Youngboy, Glorilla and more, elevating their stage presence in many ways. She even did choreography for hits like Ring the Alarm at just 15 years old. She is a powerhouse in more ways than one. Her production company The Aunties has become a go to for many artists in the music industry as well as for her own work.

Outside of the music and dance industries she is a fashion icon that gives us breathtaking looks that are so effortlessly her paired with a body that we all want (might I add she was definitely best dressed at the 2025 Met Gala) and often styles herself. Within the fashion industry she has a multi-project partnership with the Jordan Brand, she curated her own collection with Victoria’s Secret this year, she even collaborated with Thom Browne and the list goes on. She is one of the top it girls that has an amazing career and endless talents to back it all up.

Last but never least, she is an actress that we are starting to see more frequently on our screens, She has starred in A Thousand and one, Madea’s Big Happy Family (We all remember Byrannnnnnnnn), recently she has been in Tyler Perry’s film STRAW giving us a FIERCE performance and One Battle After Another alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, constantly proving the naysayers wrong. You truly can do whatever you set your mind to, most people can’t be great at multiple things but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. She has already reached icon status yet I still feel like she’s just getting started and has so much more in store for us and herself.

3. Issa Rae

Some of us were introduced to Issa Rae years ago from her 2011 YouTube series Awkward Black Girl, but the world became familiar with her once that YouTube series branched out into the iconic show Insecure with 5 seasons. Insecure has become a comfort show for many of us twenty something’s, I have rewatched it a shameless amount of times and never get tired of it. Outside of insecure with Issa’s multi project deal with HBO she brought us Rap Shit that was cancelled entirely too soon and recently produced a new classic One of them Days that had us all laughing. Issa is an actress, producer, director, businesswoman, author, philanthropist and more. She has her media company Hoorae Media, she started her amazing Prosecco company Viarae that I am personally a huge fan of, she has her restaurant Somerville in Slauson and she is a partner and co-owner of the coffee shop Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood.

She recently released her second book ‘I Should be Smarter by now’ that came out this year August. As well as philanthropic efforts from a scholarship fund for Alton Sterling’s children in 2016, the Black & Unlimited Digital Developement Program in partnership with Walmart and so much more. Issa is a prime example that if they won’t give you a seat at the table make your own and they’ll start coming left and right. She started her career in the film and production industries but hasn’t allowed that to stop her from pursuing her other goals such as building businesses that give back to her communities and even making her footprint in the fashion and beauty industries by being an ambassador for Stuart Weitzman and Co-owner of Sienna Naturals a hair care company.

From creating her own show and producing it herself via YouTube utilizing friends as actors to now turning her creativity into multiple shows, movies, businesses and philanthropy. She shows us that as long as you believe in yourself and keep putting the passion into your projects when people realize who you are you will have the track record to support the skills you say you have. Don’t wait for the opportunities to come to start doing the work.

These three women are some of the top Black creatives that inspire me to keep going, keep pushing and not feel like I have to limit myself, my passions or my skills just because outsiders might think that I have my hands in too many different things. Keep refining your skills and your gifts and as long as you are operating them all in a professional manner and they aren’t being treated like you have your hands in too many different things you can pursue as many passions as you can handle. Don’t start everything at once but once you feel like you’ve built your project or a passion to a certain point it’s okay to start pouring into other things that you love or are good at. Black women in creative industries is so important because the creative skills and mindset comes to us naturally and we have amazing stories to tell that would only be right coming from us. If your a Black creative girly don’t be afraid to be in those spaces that don’t seem like they want to make room for you, be confident in what you have to offer and what you’re building. They may not be saying it but they’re definitely watching.

Traveling increases your life span

Every time I travel I feel like I’ve time lapsed or traveled to a new dimension of life.

When I come back from traveling it literally feels like I’ve time traveled and I’m in a different space than I was before the trip, not just physically but mentally, it feels like whatever was before the trip feels so long ago or far behind and idk what that is but its real. I saw something that said that traveling increases your life span and I really believe that.

I feel like when you travel it elevates your life and pushes you into a new level which is why it’s so important to travel as much as you can. Yes, with the way the economy is currently set up it makes it very hard to travel but you need to fit it into your lifestyle to do at least some type of trip at least once a year, even if its still within your state lines just in a place you’ve never experienced, even do a weekend staycation in a city nearby you.

A trip doesn’t always have to be for some extended period of time, you can do day trips or you can go away for a weekend, make it work for you, just make it happen. Don’t wait until your life is perfect to start traveling and opening yourself up to new cultures, new food and new experiences because nothing will ever be perfect and you just have to get out there and live. There are so many affordable avenues you can find to travel such as finding deals on flights, hotels and rental cars, using public transportation in cities where it is safe, deciding between airbnbs or hotels depending on costs and so much more. Also decide what you will spend your money on and you can make a lot more room for things you really want in your life.

Traveling adds so much more energy to your battery and we need that, a vacation is a break from your everyday motions and lifestyle, it adds spice to your life and allows you to blossom more into the person you want to become, you come back from vacation with a different mindset, new inspiration, more drive and a new boost of energy to keep pushing and going. I’m sure that everyone can attest that when they come back from vacation they feel new and like a breath of fresh air. I love vacation, I want to be a vacation.

10 things you can do to look pulled together

As a woman that is building a life and growing into herself and her career it is important to look pulled together. No matter what your style is make sure you do it well and you’re constantly refining it

Being well put together is the least you can do for yourself.

Being well put together is not only about how you look but it is a full body experience

  1. Learn how to do a your go to makeup look and constantly learn how to perfect it

  2. Invest in your knowledge and education

  3. Find your style then start building your wardrobe

  4. Invest in where you live. Your home should be a safe space and reflect who you are

  5. Constantly build your skills

  6. Learn how to speak well, learn how to properly pronounce things

  7. Learn people skills and how to operate in social environments

  8. Be open minded, go beyond home base and experience the world. Always be expanding your experiences

  9. Be well rounded, learn about different things not just the things you’re interested in

  10. Find your look. How do you want to present yourself to the world? What types of things do you like?

BONUS 11. Find a good skincare and hygiene routine

Grab my ebook How to be a boss to learn more about being the full package you’ve always strived to be and looking damn good while you do it. Its never about looking good to please anybody else but about feeling good and confident in yourself while you move through the world

Black women are going to spend money and be loyal

Recently I went to the opening of the Savage X Fenty store in Downtown Detroit and I couldn’t stop thinking about just how strong Black buying power is and Black women are a main contributer to that. We are going to spend money and we are going to be loyal to the brands we like.

RIHANNA has not failed us yet!!!!! The Savage X Fenty store has officially opened in DETRIOT and I’m SO happy for me, Rihanna and my city because this is major! The store opened August 30th and you know I was there, cute and ready to buy. I waited in line about two hours and it was hot as hell but I was too deep in to turn back. Once I got in the store it was definitely worth it. Think Victoria Secret but 10 times better and BLACK OWNED. There were mocktails, good music and Black women spendingggg, which is what this post is actually about. Black women shop the most, spend the most money on the things they like and they’re loyal customers. We are the blueprint, so we make shit hot. Doing a disservice to Black women is doing a disservice to your business, because the grass is greener wherever we are.

One thing for certain and two things FASHO Black women are going to get out and SHOP and that is why you should market to us and include us, because if we like it we’re going to buy and and we might buy our mothers, sisters, friends, kids and nieces one too! And on top of that when we find something we like we’re going to buy it again and again AND spread the word. Like yes of course the store opening was filled with Black women and they were spending a BAG and buying for everyone in their family but in my teenage years I’ve worked at some of the top THAT GIRL stores two of those being Forever 21 and Victoria’s Secret. When Victoria’s Secret had a sale or were giving out a gift with purchase when you spent a certain amount Black women were in there SPENDINGGGG, and don’t let it be Black Friday. But even growing up especially in a family full of Black women going to the mall on Saturday (really just period but Saturday for sure) or going to TJ MAXX, Marshalls and Homegoods was literally a weekly activity. BLACK WOMEN are going to make that money so they can spend it on what they want. Which is why anytime you see a company come out with an actually great product and its marketed towards Black women they do WELL and don’t let it be Black owned, think Topicals, Fenty companies, Cecred, Black Girl Sunscreen, The Lip Bar, Glamaholic Lifestyle and so many more. we spend well and we create AMAZING businesses. Focus on the consumers that actually shop with your company and that are going to tell other people about it, because when we like something we will show up to stand in line in GROUPS, payment ready.

All in all Black women push the economy forward, that’s it.

xo ShaKayla Diamond

If you don’t have the right shoes, change the look

There’s nothing that kills a look like the wrong shoes. Don’t sacrifice a bomb look by putting on the wrong shoes.

There’s nothing I hate more than seeing someone ruin a look by adding the wrong thing and believe it or not SHOES are the biggest thing that can ruin a look if you don’t have the right pair. As a fashion girl since birth and a wardrobe stylist since 2016 I would rather you choose a different look if you don’t have the right shoes than deciding “oh this is all I have I’ll just wear these” because that’s exactly what it’ll look like with that horrible choice in shoes. This is the sole reason why as you’re building a great wardrobe shoes are equally as important as the clothes, you want to get a line up of shoes that can go with a variety of different looks, you want a mix of heels, boots and flats/relaxed shoes. You want to get shoes in the key colors but don’t be afraid to add in some with different colors, textures or patterns.

Don’t be the person with the look that was ruined by the shoes, you want people’s eyes to look at your whole look and know you look good than to love the look and when they get to the shoes its just disappointment.

The wrong shoes WILL ruin a good look, build up your shoe collection!

-xo ShaKayla Diamond

Live your life now, stop waiting

Summer act like it has somewhere to go, but I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as they can. Get outside, feel the sun on your skin and touch some grass.

My sole purpose of this post is to just come tell my readers that I hope you’re living your life for the now. Stop waiting for this “perfect” time to do x, y, z. Do it broke, do it scared, do it alone but just do it. Even though we think it is, life is not meant to always be 100%, there’s always going to be something that comes up, the marker is always going to move and that tomorrow will turn into the next day and the next, so stop waiting. All people have things going on in their lives no matter their financial or social status, but its up to you to take control of your life and choose to live it to its full capacity no matter the circumstance. Get out and enjoy your life now, find free things to do, try new things, go new places, meet new people, explore your environment, figure out how to travel on a budget, find ways to make more money to do the things you want to do, start that project, start that business, just do whatever thing you’ve been putting off waiting for whatever thing to happen because it might not and you don’t want to look up and realize you’ve waited all these years for something to fall in place and didn’t live your life outside of that.

We only get one life, so have fun with it. Stop worrying about what other people are going to say or think because it honestly doesn’t matter, what they eat doesn’t make you sh*t and no matter what they think or feel your life will not be affected unless you let it. Also I know its easier said than done, but stop worrying about what you don’t have and missing out on what you have been blessed with right now. What I’m continuing to learn is the more you worry about the future or even the past you miss out on being present for the right now and you don’t want to look back on parts of your life and wish you lived in the moment. Live in the now, hustle hard, give your best and whatever happens happens. The quicker you realize how I much control you have the quicker you’ll be able to embark on your journey of achieving your goals and living the life you desire, at any moment you can decide you want to change something. Its all about perspective remember that, the longer you think negatively about yourself and your life the more negative things will happen to you. You are in control of how your life plays out, simple. Enjoy the time that you have now, cheers to the summer.

Upcoming female rappers I’m loving

Ken the man

Lebra Jolie

Kali

Cleotrapa

Lakeyah

Monaleo

Connie Diiamond

Lola Brooke

This is a list of my favorite Upcoming female rappers. I love when the girls talk CASH $HIT, from Foxy and Lil Kim, to Trina, Jackie O and Nicki. A list of some of my overall favorite rap girlies is on the way!

I love GREAT BARS and these ladies serve it up every time, if you haven’t listened you should!

A few more upcoming rappers I’m starting to listen to:

Stunna Girl

Diamond the Body

Sexy Redd 🎶 Poundtown just left poundtown 🎶

Favorite Cocktails to make at home

  1. Margarita

2. Green tea remix

3. Cosmopolitan

4. Lemon Drop

I love making drinks at home, there’s nothing like setting the vibes in your own house. I taught myself how to make cocktails first by just putting together things I already had in the refrigerator seeing what I liked and just knowing what flavors tasted good together, I also started looking at recipes to learn the basic cocktails and making my own changes to classics. Nothing like knowing how to make a good drink without having to go anywhere.

Follow my cocktails to go business on Instagram @kocktailswithkay_

February Thoughts: Life be lifing

Coat: Pretty Little Thing// Turtleneck: Lexi Drew Boutique// pants: Forever 21// Boots: Lexi Drew Boutique// Bag: Telfar//

Hey y’all! I know it’s been a minute, but I’m here now and I’m going to start showing up more consistently on here because this is my original baby, we’ve been riding since 2016 and I see more people from all over finding these blog posts daily and I hope y’all are enjoying, are here to stay and subscribe to our newsletter!

I can’t believe it was just New Year’s Eve and now it’s February 21st, but if 2020 and 2021 taught us anything it’s that time waits for no man and it’s going to move very fast!

For me life has been pretty good I’ve been putting in lots of work with just a tad bit of fun, I’ve been staying focused and disciplined to accomplish my goals that I set for the year while working daily to try to get out of my head. But even though I’ve been working I’ve been feeling every emotion because that’s what life gone do to you regardless of how you feel about it. I wanted to come and give y’all my January and February thoughts because I’ve definitely had my eyes and ears open and to the ground and as I approach 25 even more things are coming into realization

  1. You don’t have to be perfect, there’s room in life for error and you’re meant to make mistakes

  2. We’re human, don’t take yourself too seriously

  3. A new year is honestly just another day so you have to take the responsibility of shifting your mindset into something new

  4. Lowkey life is crazy af, you realize so many new things everyday even down to the smallest things

  5. Don’t trick yourself into thinking that small situations are a huge testament to your personality and who you are

  6. Have fun, live out loud

  7. Just do that sh*t

  8. Nobody ever said it would be easy, but everything is hard so pick the hard that benefits you the most

  9. You don’t have to force yourself into earning relaxation, you deserve a break and you don’t have to feel guilty about it

  10. There’s no perfect time and you’ll never have all the answers

  11. It’s okay to take things a day at a time

  12. If you’ve had the vision it’s going to come to fruition you just have to believe and put the work in

  13. Get out of your head

  14. Do what works for you and don’t overthink it

  15. Stick to your vision regardless of who has what to say, don’t get distracted my background noise

Follow me on Instagram @keepingupwithKay_

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November/Fall Thoughts

Top: Shein // Coat: Pretty Little Thing// Boots: Ego Shoes// Skirt: Shein// Sunglasses: My Depop

  1. The time when summer ends and getting adjusted to Fall and the changes in your daily life isn’t a talked about enough experience

  2. If we would’ve known life was this expensive we would’ve started saving at birth

  3. Sometimes it’s easy to miss the transitions of when you dreams and prayers turn to reality

  4. You gotta be your full self no matter how scary it could feel because you don’t want to regret pretending

  5. Use what you got until you can get what you want

  6. For a long time I didn’t give TikTok a chance but now I love it

  7. As an entrepreneur it’s hard to feel like you have breaks because you’re always doing something, setting time aside for yourself is a whole task

  8. Cherish the moment

  9. The preparation period be dragging you and then it just start paying off and all making sense, like damn

  10. You can subconsciously be holding yourself back, just do it. Make a plan and do it.

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