A Note From Ms. Aja B.::

Psychology studies have shown that the holiday season is one that can be filled with more stress than glad tidings. Certainly producing this holiday issue was not without its moments of stress. From organizing photo shoots, to PC problems, and everything else Murphy’s Law wanted to throw our way, you name it and it seemed to happen. And, of course, all at the same time.

Thank goodness for our Cover Artist, JNESS, who in a simple email as we were pondering over the cover art for this month, reminded me that Belle-Noir is now four years old and regardless of any struggles that we still have, we are still standing. No small feat when you look at all of the both online and print publications that have come and gone in that timeframe. What started as a simple project on a Geocities free website has flourished into a goal that is just starting to get to its full potential. While we do not, perhaps, have the razzle dazzle and Flash of some newcomers, we do pride ourselves in providing meaningful quality content that we hope enriches the lives of plus size women of Color. The emails that you send me with encouraging words are testament that we must be doing something right!

I hope that you enjoy this Holiday issue. Be sure to check out our first ever Style File Fashion Editorial featuring three of our lovely Belles! They are bringing you some of the hottest looks for this holiday season, regardless of whether you are going to the annual office party or that hot holiday soiree with your girlfriends. We are also (finally!) bringing you a wonderful interview with Shakara, Jeneice and Joan, authors of the Get Em Girls Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine as they share some of their favorite holiday memories and recipes to make your holiday dinner as spicy & sassy as you are. And we’ve got one of the hottest chics in the hop-hop industry reppin’ Brooklyn and Big Girls everywhere with pride, Ms. Renee Jennings, host of the Internet Radio show “Sarcasm with No Chaser” and newly appointed Managing Editor of True magazine, bringing it with the realness on the state of hip hop today, the Jena Six, and life as a Big Girl as our Independent Woman of the month. I truly adore this sister, and once you get to know her, I know you will too. We need more women like her in the world.

I can smile now as this Holiday 2007 issue goes live because in spite of everything, it is here and better than ever. That in itself is a wonderful gift. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who visit the website and our MySpace page. Thank you. And it is promising to get even better in 2008.

Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanzaa.

See you next year!

Peace & Love,
Ms. Aja B.

P. S. If you are in the NYC area, be sure to come to Curvesity Entertainment's 1st Annual Walking the Red Carpet Curvy Awards & Fashion Show, taking place on Sunday, December 9th at the Crown Plaza JFK in Jamaica, NY! Cover Artist extraordinare JNESS will be receiving an award on that night as well as Friend of Belle-Noir.com, the Diva herself, Gwendolyn DeVoe of DeVoe Signature Events! For ticket information, you can check out their myspace page or purchase tickets by clicking here.