Culture Loft has released its August issue, bringing together stories that celebrate the people, ideas, and experiences shaping Black culture today. The issue features Miko Branch on the cover, offering readers a closer look at her journey, perspective, and the legacy of Miss Jessie’s. Inside, readers will also find Dion Dawson, founder of Dion’s Chicago Dream, and Jay Rush Jennings, alongside editorial coverage of the Black Women’s Expo in Chicago. From entrepreneurship and

For Black women, being strong, dependable, and available for others can sometimes come with an unspoken expectation to simply keep going even when we are tired, overwhelmed, or in need of support ourselves. Writer, Self-Care Strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of NaKeesa Marie Enterprises™, NaKeesa Frazier-Jennings is encouraging Black women to look at self-care differently. Through her writing, workshops, advocacy, and The Self-Care Engineer™ Podcast, Frazier-Jennings prom

Black Women’s Expo 2026: A Celebration of Community, Conversation & Culture For more than 30 years, the Black Women’s Expo has created a space where entrepreneurship, culture, wellness, education, and community intersect. Founded by Merry Green, the expo has grown into one of the country’s most recognized celebrations of Black women, providing a platform where businesses, leaders, creators, and change-makers can connect and thrive. The 2026 Black Women’s Expo returned to Chic

How founder Yani Milaun transformed a love for creativity, nostalgia, and design into a home goods brand built around self-expression. Home is more than a physical space. It’s where memories are created, where creativity comes alive, and where we find comfort after the world asks so much of us. For Bronx native and creative entrepreneur Yani Milaun, that belief became the foundation for building Tsunami Supply, a home goods brand designed to help people create spaces that ref

Healthy feet are often overlooked, but at NailCandy1122, foot care is viewed as an essential part of overall wellness. Located in Perry Hall, Maryland, this Black woman-owned wellness nail studio specializes in waterless pedicures and medical-focused foot care, creating a safe, hygienic, and elevated experience for every client. Under the leadership of Certified Master Pedicurist and Certified Medical Pedicurist Tarsha Johns-Avent, NailCandy1122 serves clients of all ages, in

For many Black families, wellness didn’t begin with expensive supplements or luxury health stores. It started in our kitchens, gardens, and conversations in the family. Over time, the knowledge and just the concept of wellness became harder to access and understand. Wellness began to feel complicated and harder to access. Holmes Hydration is helping to change that. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, the Black-owned wellness brand creates small-batch herbal teas, infused honeys, in

By Deola Gaiter, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Culture Loft Magazine Some moments are bigger than an event, they become memories that stay with you forever. Covering the official Watch Party and Opening Day of the Obama Presidential Center was one of those moments. The Official Watch Party Upon walking into the official Grand Opening Watch Party at Midway Plaisance Parkway, the atmosphere immediately felt familiar. It was as if a family reunion, a neighborhood barbecue, and a su

Michelle Obama has already lived through one of the most visible chapters a person can experience—inside the White House, under constant global attention, representing not just a position, but a moment in history. But what’s powerful now is what has happened after that chapter. Over time, her legacy hasn’t faded into “former” status. It has grown into something more lasting—something people continue to connect with in a personal way. Not just because of what she did in office

Every year on June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that marks freedom, history, resilience, and the continued progress of Black Americans. While many people know it as a holiday filled with cookouts, music, festivals, and family gatherings, Juneteenth carries a much deeper meaning that deserves to be remembered and honored. Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed that they were free, more than two years a

When Taliah J. Mateen became a momager, it wasn’t exactly planned. One viral birthday party later, she found herself managing the fast-growing career of her daughter, Tacori Aaria, now known online as “The Philly Princess.” And the internet has been watching ever since. Before the followers and performances, Tacori was simply traveling with her mother to fashion shows across the country. Taliah, founder of IVAT, a youth luxury fashion house, exposed her daughter to creativity

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating Tamara South, a mother leading with purpose, grace, and intention while helping nurture the next generation of young excellence. As the mother and manager of 12-year-old model and entrepreneur Tahlia South Tamara is creating space for creativity, confidence, and impact to flourish. From supporting Tahlia’s crochet business to helping bring her children’s book, Super Tahlia Helps At The Hospital, to life, her dedication reflects the power o