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“Do it for the culture, they gon’ bite like vultures.”- Migos, T-Shirt.  

On the Scene—per usual, Sheen Magazine pulled up to the Yandy Smith-Harris Presents Yelle For the Culture Festival—a free community get together, amplifying the culture through entrepreneurship, community, music, food, and enrichment sessions. 

Media Mogul and CEO Mom, Yandy Smith-Harris is the epitome of doing it for the culture, especially heavy in the city of Atlanta. Yelle For The Culture Festival was architected to create a space for the rising and seasoned business owners to generate income and gain massive visibility, as the event was also filmed for the upcoming season of Love and Hip Hop premiering June 13th on MTV. The festival was set at the historic Underground ATL, directly in front of a couple of Mrs. Smith-Harris’ brick and mortars, such as Dancing Crepes—a chic eatery and bar, serving up potent lemon drops and a delicious variety of egg rolls, as well as the leading dish—sweet and savory crepes. On the same block next door, is Yandy’s floral botanical, Yelle Skincare boutique in which, “The glow begins within”. Skin, health, and wellness enthusiasts can shop the Yelle Brand, as well as various health and wellness products. 

Thankfully, Atlanta weather chose peace versus the meteorological warfare that can ignite throughout a day in the A, thus allowing a plethora of entrepreneurs to put their brands on display via vending at the outdoor Yelle Festival Market. Festival goers were able to get into up-and-coming chic, sexy and sporty, casual athleisure brands such as—KO Fit Apparel @ko_fit_apparel and Nine19 Clothing @nine19clothing. Bella Vida Day Spa @bellavidadayspa displayed their unique services, which feature lymphatic massages and body contouring. Ice Castle Boutique @icecastleboutiquellc is a glittery, sparkly boutique of beautiful things from trendy handbags and plush robes, to bedazzled cups and champagne flutes. 

Yelle For the Culture Festival included powerful panel discussions such as the, You Can Keep The Cape: Strong Black Woman Syndrome Panel, featuring Author and Founder of Just Breathe—Precious Avorkliyah and Tax Expert, Shaquana Brooks. The youth got to voice their concerns on the teen lead, Parents Just Don’t Understand Panel, with Lil Mendecees Harris and Emani Richardson, daughter of Erica Dixon. The What’s Love Got To Do With It Relationship panel was a conversation held by married couples, such as James and Latoya Bond. Lastly, the Stop Stressing Me: How Toxic Stress Is Killing Us panel, was moderated by The Grit, The Grind, and The Glory Author and CEO of Royalty Body Spa—Dr. Ebonee Gresham and Founder of TheDetoxNow.com and nutritionist—Coach Gessie. 

Many of the conversations at the festival were geared around the state of the Black Woman—how they are treated, what the soft life means for them, how they are represented, how they are duplicated and mirrored with no congratulations on the blueprint they have created, how they are overtaxed and underappreciated, and what the future looks like for a Black Woman. 

Detroit rapper and author, Amy Luciani says the soft life for her, means no trauma bonding with anybody else on the consensus of both parties having issues. Shaunell Kennard gave a good word when she proclaimed that Black Women are under protected but are the first ones that they run to for protection. “It’s great to benefit from that Black Woman magic, but it’s also time to show appreciation, validation, and fill our buckets,” says Jackie P. Taylor. “I believe that Black Women should be allowed to be women and relish in all that that means, on any given day without having to explain it and justify it—but to really just lean into their femininity,” affirmed, Precious Avorkliyah. 

Tap in with the panelist on social media at @themoderntherapist, @shaunellkennard, @jackieptaylor, @dr_ebonee_empowers, @coachgessie, @amylucianiworld, @ms.business101, @msericadixon

Be on the lookout for the next Yelle For The Culture Festival and follow up with more of the vendors by following @yandysmith

Videography by Jamall Rashad