Kimberly Wilson

1 week ago | essence.com | Kimberly Wilson

Summer used to mean one thing: escaping the everyday grind for a much-needed tropical vacation (or for some, a city roaming adventure). But this year feels fundamentally different, and we all know why (hint hint, it has to do with what took place in November 2024). As families across the country start planning their getaways, a harsh new reality is setting in. In Trump’s America, that dream vacation is a luxury that fewer can justify.

1 week ago | essence.com | Kimberly Wilson

If you walk into GAIA Supperclub on any given evening, you’ll find Mele Melton doing what she does best: making sure everyone feels at home (and looking absolutely fabulous in the process). It’s a skill rooted in her Ethiopian family traditions, that was later refined through their hospitality businesses that she’s been perfecting since childhood.

1 week ago | essence.com | Kimberly Wilson

When you think about brands that have consistently championed Black excellence, Adidas sits near the top of that list. The company has long celebrated cultural moments that uplift the Black community, and this year, their Honoring Black Excellence initiative shows up in a bigger way than ever (putting their money — and efforts — where their mouth is) with an immersive experience curated by creative duo behind Paper Monday, Rog & Bee Walker, opening June 24 in Atlanta.

1 week ago | essence.com | Kimberly Wilson

Every week it feels like there’s another celebrity beauty launch flooding our feeds. The most recent launch in question: SZA’s NOT Beauty. And I’m going to be honest with you, I’m tired. We do NOT need NOT Beauty. Don’t get me wrong, I love SZA, but between Fenty, Rhode from Hailey Bieber, OAM from Ciara, Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, Keys Soulcare from Alicia Keys, and even Lori Harvey’s SKN by LH, we’re drowning in celebrity beauty brands.

2 weeks ago | essence.com | Kimberly Wilson

It’s time to talk about a fragrance that’s been living rent-free in my head for weeks now. And what better forum then here to do a gush session over a topic that I know and love: fruity fragrances. Now, for some context, the 7 Virtues Candied Lychee showed up in my mailbox and I honestly wasn’t expecting much. I take that back — I was expecting a whole lot, because this had been all of my “for you” page last year when it dropped, and I knew I needed to get my hands on it.