Yes, Girl!

We’re closing out the year celebrating why Black women are so lit (obvi). ESSENCE editor-in-chief Vanessa K. DeLuca (@Vanessa_KDeLuca) shares what it's really like to be at the helm of Black Girl Magic headquarters and recaps the biggest moments for Black women in 2017. Plus, Yvonne Orji (@YvonneOrji) is back, ya’ll! Cori, Yolanda and Charli kicked it with the Insecure star in Miami — on a break from touring on Chris Rock’s Total Blackout tour — and as always, extreme laughter and good vibes followed. Yvonne reveals what “making it” means to her, why she won’t let fame change her and why 2017 has been incredible for her. Happy New Year! Love, Team Yes, Girl! Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Project Manager: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s Bob Tabaddor @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

It’s no surprise why ESSENCE named Kim Fields (@KimVFields) memoir, Blessed Life, “one of the best books of 2017.” In the spirit of bringing the magazine to life, Fields gets cozy in our studio for a conversation about her journey from Harlem to Hollywood, the biggest lesson she learned from that year on reality TV, and confirms what we always hoped – she and the cast of Living Single are that close.   Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog + @CharliPenn; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama Project Manager: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s Bob Tabaddor @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

“I’m very happy in my personal life.” That’s how Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) feels right now. Yes, she and her bae are still going strong plus she has so many exciting projects to toast to right now — so we sipped Seagrams Escapes with her in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. She’s producing and starring in her annual holiday variety special, Taraji’s White Hot Holidays, as well as her next film Proud Mary and returning to Empire. However, @ManWifeDog @yolizama and @corimurray discover, Taraji’s true joy comes from the real love surrounding her and her truth: “I’m not stopping until I’ve done it all.”    Yes, Girl! hosts: @corimurray @ManWifeDog @yolizama Project Manager: @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

We know and love political strategist and CNN commentator Symone D. Sanders (@symonedsanders) for bringing her one-of-a-kind brand of unfiltered Black Girl Magic to cable news and Twitter daily to make sure the world stays woke. In case you hadn’t noticed, being a Black woman in 2017 was lit, and Symone helps us rundown the most magical sister moments of all. Plus, we’re celebrating the importance of the #MeToo movement( and applauding the sisters behind it) and talking about holiday gifting dos and don’ts. 

“No matter what color you are, stay Black.” That’s how Robin Thede (@RobinThede) ends her new weekly late show, The Rundown with Robin Thede. She’s one of the few Black women in the late night comedy and given today’s political fuckery, Robin’s voice is right on time. With Charli and Cori, Thede breaks down the good, bad, and ugly about being a Black woman in comedy, how to tell if Oprah actually likes you and the art of being funny and real. (For the culture.)   Yes, Girl! hosts: @corimurray @ManWifeDog @yolizama  Project manager: @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Sisters, how y’all feel? Twenty years ago, Erykah Badu (@fatbellybella) had an epic year: she released Baduizm and Baduizm Live -- which gave us all the ultimate f*&kboy anthem, “Call Tyrone” -- and gave birth to her son, Seven. Badu remembers those moments, plus sings us a hint of what’s coming when she hosts the 30th anniversary of the Soul Train Awards and why she can go from 0 to 100 real quick. Bonus: Badu gives Charli a step-by-step guide on where she can find stillness. 

Can you believe its been 30 years since Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) released his first Spike Lee Joint, She's Gotta Have It?! Now the classic has been reimagined as a Netflix series (@shesgottahaveit) starring fresh face DeWanda Wise (@dewandawise) as the one and only Nola Darling. We got all of the tea about her hot new role, how the series differs from the original and her marriage to Underground’s Alano Miller. (Psst, Alano, we're totally crushin' on DeWanda too.)  Yes, Girl! hosts: @corimurray @ManWifeDog @yolizama Project Manager: @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

And the gag is….actress, singer and songwriter KeKe Palmer (@kekepalmer) thought she was just stopping by to talk about playing April Lewis, a young spy on season 2 of Epix’s drama Berlin Station, but she wound up going IN about her life as a young Black women thriving in Hollywood and what she’s claiming for the future. Palmer shares hilarious stories about filming overseas, a missed encounter with a Berlin bae, and what goes down in her DMs. Plus. she’s keeping it real about what dating is like when you’re single and successful. Yes, Girl!: @corimurray @ManWifeDog @yolizama Project Manager: @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Comedian and actress Amanda Seales (@amandaseales) loves clapping back (Google her explain White privilege to Caitlyn Jenner.) She even publicly disagreed when ESSENCE reported on her series of Tweets about why more folks need a passport over Jordans. But since we've been fans of Amanda long before Insecure, we all said “Let’s talk about it!” because real sisterhood means discussing your differences. Plus, Amanda dishes on her brilliant "Smart, Funny & Black" traveling comedy show and what happens when you say yes to a rising star in Hollywood.  Yes, Girl team is @corimurray @ManWifeDog @yolizama + @stevenpsyllos Production: Cadence13’s @tabaddor Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

J-HUD is in the house! The Voice’s newest coach comes through with heart-to-heart wisdom on self love, standing in your truth and doing you, boo! The R&B singer and Academy-award winning actress reveals why she loves her new gig, what makes her feel at home and the story behind a very special ring. Plus, we weigh on Cardi B’s surprise engagement and Wendy Williams fainting on air. Girl!

Bust out the sage because this week is all about self care and growth. First up: chef, TV personality, author and NBA wife and mom Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) reveals how following her heart and chasing her culinary dreams lead her to become one of the newest Cover Girls and helped to bring her new line of cookware to a store near you. Next, celebrity wellness lifestyle guru and doula Latham Thomas (@glowmaven) helps upgrade your inner glow. The Glow Maven talks about the secrets inside her new book Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide for Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen Within shares how to own your power in mind, body and spirit. Plus, Yolanda gets her first weave — and she has questions! — and, Charli’s talking about her second honeymoon in Hawaii! Yes, Girl! hosts: @corimurray @manwifedog @yolizama Production: Cadence13 Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

Just when we thought we knew everything about Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) — she’s had nine ESSENCE covers — we fell more in love after reading her new memoir, "We’re Going to Need More Wine." Gabby joins us for a live audience recording where she pulls back the curtain on her life. She’s unapologetic about social media shaming of sexual assault victims, why she’s still healing from her own rape and that it’s okay hubby Dwyane Wade reads her book (but not her dad).   Yes, Girl! hosts: @corimurray @manwifedog @yolizama Production: Cadence13 Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

The world caught another glimpse of the former reality star Demetria McKinney when she played Whitney Houston in TV One's "Bobbi Kristina," the controversial biopic about Bobbi Kristina Brown - the only child of Houston and singer Bobby Brown. McKinney talks about life after Real Housewives of Atlanta, balancing motherhood with fame and why music is her first love. Plus, Yolanda's back from South Africa, Cori turns a work trip into a mini vacation and Charli debates the true meaning of glamping. 

Singer and reality TV star Tamar Braxton came to town honey, and you know she came to spill the tea! Braxton discusses her new album "Bluebird of Happiness," sets the record straight on whether it's really her last, and reveals how motherhood truly changed her. Plus, "Queen Sugar" stars Rutina Wesley and Dawn-Lyen Gardner open up about Black Girl Magic on set and being Black women in Hollywood. The ladies also open up about their beloved Juilliard classmate Nelsan Ellis' tragic and sudden passing and the legacy he has left behind.  

It’s an #EMPIRE lovefest! Jamal Lyons aka friend in our heads, actor and activist JUSSIE SMOLLETT stops by to discuss Twitter clap backs, life after being an ESSENCE cover cutie and LOTS more! Plus, Hollywood juggernaut and Empire creator LEE DANIELS joins us to discuss casting and working with the most iconic Black actresses in Hollywood, making TV magic and loving Black women's stories. Produced by Bob Tabaddor at Cadence 13 Music by Gold Standard Creative (@gscdotnyc), Aaron Amado (@theoriginalsaedi) and Dave Giles (@daveeveryseason)