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I Am She: Necole Kane

In her growth, Necole Kane has established a community that empowers women of colour.



I love XONecole...actually, I breathe for it. I don't recall how I came across the blog's Instagram page, but what I do remember is falling in love. I loved the pastel layout of the artwork. I fell in love with the content. I actually found the one publication about women that I would love to write for. And in 2016, I applied for the position of a writer for the blog, unfortunately that dream didn't come true. That disappointment hasn't derailed me, I now want my own XONecole, or a platform affiliated with the community.

Today queens, we celebrate a black woman who defined blogging entrepreneurship. Her name is the moniker for the blogs that she's been synonymous with. She crossed over from entertainment gossip blogging to a positive, honest platform that uplifts women especially of colour. My Shero is Maryland native, Necole Kane.

I knew of Necole Kane as the founder of NecoleBitchie.com. In a rubble of several celebrity gossip sites, Necole Bitchie had personality; it had the voice of a black woman. It was like gossiping with your home girl. The salacious site launched in 2008 was put to rest and in came XONecole in 2015. You see what I mean with Necole being the moniker of her brand. Two years later, the company would be acquired by Hollywood heavyweight, Will Packer. Just to educate those who might not be in the know, Will Packer is the producer who's been involved with films like the recent, 'Little', 'Girls Trip', and 'Straight Outta Compton', to name but a few.

While WPM partnered with xoNecole.com, Necole Kane remains the Editor-In-Chief. XONecole focuses on beauty, fashion, lifestyle, career and travel features. According to Necole, the platform was inspired by Necole's personal journey, and growth. xoNecole sets to promote positive images of women of color, as well as empower, educate and inspire millennials. The colour scheme comes in pastel colours of pink, green and purple which signify femininity and positivity. The content includes celebrity features, interviews, stories of, or by ordinary people, contributing writers personal 'point of view', relationships, sex, spirituality, financial and career advice. In short, the content is human; relatable.

The content is authentic to Necole's lifestyle that includes healthy eating, mental wellbeing,  travelling, speaking engagements, and chronicling her experiences. With almost 300,000 Insttagram followers, Necole Kane's reinvention has transformed lives. She has expanded the xoNecole brand to Pyjamas and Lipstick, a fun, laid back,  adult 'sleepover' type of platform, and founded the Elevate Her conference. These serve to keep conversations going about women's issues, forming a sisterhood as well as empowering women, especially of colour. In addition, she is a pro body builder as she's trained and competed in NPC Bikini Fitness Competitions, with several trophies under her belt. Other accolades from her long career include Black Enterprise’s Black Blogger of the Month, Soul Train Music Award For Best Soul Site, the Black Weblog Awards Best Gossip Blog and Blogger Of The Year honors. She was also named to Ebony magazine’s Power 100 and was the first blogger ever to appear on BET’s 106 & Park.

I Am She


Necole's journey hasn't been easy but she's grown from each failure. She has done radio, and television during her career path. She's been unemployed yet managed to find an opportunity. As she has reflected, NecoleBitchie.com wasn't her crown of glory, but it was a stepping stone. Necole has challenged herself to be a positive and purposeful woman. In finding her purpose she reaches out to other women. xoNecole.com is more than just a link in bio, it's that auntie, best friend, life coach, therapist and even preacher. It's a space where as a black woman, one can find stories that mainstream media ignores.

I am Necole Kane because our life stories have similar connections. She lost both her parents, who passed away at young ages. She lived with he aunt who thought that her blogging was a waste of time. I have been there honey. She used the Internet to create a blog that would establish her career. I started MPV...my point of view! which opened doors to my career as both a write and content creator. And yes, I am editor-in-chief! While I might not have accolades to my name, I share the journey of moving with purpose. Necole's storytelling is about
women of colour; my stories are about African millennials and future generations - reclaiming our crown of glory as the Motherland.

During my career, and life overall, I have experienced more lows than highs. But Necole's story has inspired me to keep going at it. She is my real life Carrie Bradshaw, or Jane Sloan, or Jane Gloriana Villanueva. As you have observed these are fictitious, female characters who are writers and are non-black. In real life, there's a woman of colour, about my age, who has gone through the trenches and built a powerful empire.

Apart from earning a good living, the impact on culture, and womanhood through her influence has been vital for positive conversations. I remember watching the discussion on mental health that included Keri Hilson. The strength and openness to discuss mental health issues was important in helping me find my voice to share my own challenges, as well as those of others. On her website, Necole shares the story of the butterfly. I have a mark of the butterfly which I relate to the insects' life cycle. Egg, to caterpillar, to cocoon, and then the butterfly.

We eventually become butterflies, but we always need to understand the seasons of our lives.

In my generation, a black woman has a queendom that she shares with other queens. There's a storyteller sharing the black experience and journey through a world that's constantly tried to silence our voice. Necole Kane moves in her truth and chooses to be a beacon of light. I don't know her personally, but I feel connected to the community of xoNecole, I believe in he personal brand.

Nobody's perfect but everybody is a lesson.

I am she who rises from the ashes like a phoenix
I am the beauty from the ashes

Here's to inspiration, celebration and empowerment.

P.S. Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E

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