Tracy Hopkins

Philadelphia is one of my favorite and most frequent getaways from New York City. With historic landmarks at every turn, the City of Brotherly Love is also full of art and soul, and steeped in African American culture. I particularly love the passion and resilience of the city’s Black artists and entrepreneurs; on my latest trip, I visited two Black woman-owned businesses that have weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial tumult, conveying an inspirational message of pride and perse...

Written by Tracy E. Hopkins
Located just a few hours from New York City and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia has historic landmarks at every turn. But the City of Brotherly Love is also full of art and soul, and steeped in African American culture. Here are our favorite stops on a road trip celebrating the passion and resilience of the city’s Black artists and entrepreneurs.
This polished beauty supply store features a mix of independent and mainstream hair care brands, primarily for people of ...

These new and returning series feature bold and beautiful sisters, gripping plot twists, sexy shenanigans and intriguing stories.
The TV enthusiasts among us are in luck! In the new year, we have new seasons of Sistas, First Wives Club and Run the World to look forward to, but in the meantime, there are several shows featuring strong, sexy and smart Black female leads, including favorites like Issa Rae, Brandy, Yaya DaCosta, Naturi Naughton and Queen Latifah, to add to our fall watch list. So...

Are you ready to be the change you want to see in the world? Or maybe you want to see the world. Here’s inspiration for manifesting and making it happen.
This is our time to shine, and these four empowering podcasts may inspire and encourage you to be bold, step out on faith (and preparation) and follow your heart’s desire.
Get in the spirit with Abiola Abrams, a beautiful sister inside and out with radiant brown skin, big hair and high vibration energy. Abrams is an empowerment coach, spirit...

Plus: Can’t get your hands on a passport soon enough? 5 tropical island destinations you can enjoy without one.
Before you travel, check for travel restrictions for each destination and requirements for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 viral test.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In Rio, the rhythm is gonna get you, and so is the melting pot culture with deep roots in the African slave trade. Social media influencer Natasha Naila (@theweavewhisperer) partied in Rio with a group of girlfriend...

The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) launched the Louisville Pilot Project in August 2020 to support people who live in Louisville’s 40203 area code where the average annual income is $12,880 for an individual and $26,500 for a family of four. The goal of the four-month program, which ran until December 2020, was to improve the quality of life for community members dealing with serious illness by providing access to care, changing the care model, and investing in trusted partners, such as faith leader driven coalitions, to address disparities in access to care.

You’ll feel transported to the Netherlands on a walk through Curaçao’s capital city of Willemstad.
Reach beyond the beach and soak up local food, art, culture, and more.
Welcome to Curaçao—or, as local residents say, “Bon Bini.” On this southern Caribbean island, sunny skies and azure blue waters abound, and as one of these western-most islands of the Leeward Antilles, Curaçao offers balmy temperatures year round and very few hurricanes.
But there’s more to experience in Curaçao than satisfyi...

For your viewing pleasure: films about vocal legends Mary J. and Aretha, Questlove’s ‘Black Woodstock’ documentary and a new horror flick from Jordan Peele.
Beat the heat and chill out with these four summer flicks in a cineplex near you or stream them in the comfort of your home. Our picks include a documentary about Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and the much-anticipated biopic about the Queen of Soul, starring Jennifer Hudson.
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Te...

‘Sisters’ readers rule! To celebrate our newsletter’s third anniversary, we salute you with a playlist of 26 empowering and inspiring songs.
“We got rhythm. We got pride. We birth kings. We birth tribes,” Beyoncé belts on her celebratory, Black queens anthem, “Black Parade.”
Yaaas, Queen Bey!
You are royalty, sis. So hold your head up high, and don’t forget your place on the throne, no matter what obstacles you may face.
To celebrate Sisters’ third anniversary, we’re saluting you, our majesti...

Whether you’ve read her best-selling classic a dozen times or just discovered her on ‘Red Table Talk,’ this good health guru to the stars can help you thrive.
Back in 2006, I did a wellness retreat with holistic health practitioner Queen Afua, author of Heal Thyself: For Health and Longevity and Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind and Spirit. At the time, I was seeking natural ways to drop pounds and improve my overall health. Queen Afua’s name is derived from her spiritu...

Power your travels with this collection of road-ready new releases and nostalgic throwbacks.
As travel restrictions begin to ease, we can almost see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. And when you’re ready to get back out there and explore by plane, train and automobile you’ll need a soundtrack that satisfies your wanderlust and celebrates your newfound freedom. This playlist of 12 songs perfectly celebrates the highs of romantic love, brotherly love, self-love and travel love. It’s...

Here are 27 fresh and classic jams to set the mood for your next barbecue, picnic or beach outing.
Now that COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out across the country, and the pandemic is showing signs of slowing down, we’re looking forward to safely hanging out with friends and family we’ve missed sharing quality face-to-face time with. And let’s not forget the closet full of summer dresses, jumpers, shorts, swimwear and caftans we've been eager to show off.
So fire up the grill and prep your deck...

Gaps in the city’s historical tourism offerings inspired a fourth generation Alexandrian to launch a tour company highlighting local Black history.

Written by Tracy Hopkins
About a 4-hour drive from New York City—and less than 10 miles from Washington, D.C.—Alexandria is an easy road trip destination. Gaps in the city’s historical tourism offerings inspired John Taylor Chapman, a city councilman and fourth generation Alexandrian, to launch his Manumission Tour Company (“manumission” means release from slavery) which focuses on the area's Black history. Through walking tours like Chapman's and thoughtful conversations with several Black b...

Oh yes, we’re more than ready to release some tension and get pampered. Plus: Cool cultural things to do while in the neighborhood.
We’ve been cooped up in the house for a minute. So wouldn’t a muscle-melting massage, a soothing facial or pampering mani/pedi feel good right about now?
As COVID-19 guidelines are updated and businesses are reopening, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief that most spas and hair and nail salons have reopened with enhanced safety protocols in place, includin...