Tales of a Black Woman

My POV: Cardi B's Grow Good Beauty

Ayana Williams ♡ — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:02:49 GMT

“My POV” is a new series that covers my deep dives into the branding and social media strategy of some of today’s trendiest brands and people. Brand partnerships, campaigns, and activations always catch my eye, and it’s about time I weigh in on all the tea circulating around!

Currently, I am a social media marketer with six years of experience specializi…

The Evolution of the Mature Romantic | S1:E5

Ayana Williams ♡ — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:01:57 GMT

I’ve recently been binging content from Janae Danyiel, and she dropped a video on these decorated beds. Y’all know what I’m talking about, them rose-covered, balloon-filled bedrooms that sometimes have special messages, like “Happy Anniversary”, or more… suggestive language. Much of how we want to be romanced today has been influenced by a mix of desires for old school courting and flashy, trendy, love-bombing-esque moments. It had me thinking on how I love being romanced and how it’s evolved as I’ve aged.

Now, something I forgot to mention in this episode is social media’s effects in romance. On one hand, we get exposed to many different ways to show love and you can find advice on how to grow in a partnership. THAT ASIDE, the dating scene nowadays is real… mmm. Maybe mama was right, it is the dang phones. From comparison games that spawn the “all these girls got all these flowers and this is all you can give me” to the constant over-sexualization and expectations of sex that brings the “I bought you all these things the least you could do is…” to dating apps to hot takes to couples accounts to… I’m overwhelmed. The internet is a noisy place that carries some ain’t ish energy that’ll mess up whatever relationship you’re building if you let it.

Be careful who you invite into your lives especially online, where folks can be more quiet with their envy and jealousy
Your worth is for you to define, not a partner nor influencer. Take in what’s being said, but make sure you sort what works for you and what doesn’t.
Before you compare, think on where your relationship is at. Does your partner have the funds to get the gifts you desire? Is your relationship ready for a ring on your finger? This isn’t to say you don’t deserve the best. It’s to say y’all are on your OWN journey. It might not be y’all’s time yet. It might not be meant for y’all at all. This is something to navigate together separated from online influence as much as possible.
THE INTERNET SHOULD NOT KNOW YOUR BUSINESS BEFORE YOUR PARTNER. Please, I beg, if you have a problem with your partner, air it out with your partner. The moment you open up your relationship online, you’re also inviting critique, perspective, nuance, and everybody and they mama’s raunchy energy. If you don’t feel like you can talk to your partner, we need to unpack THAT and reflect.
IN THE SAME BREATH - we are in the age where folks WILL air you out online if you’re acting crazy. Act like you got some home training before you step so things don’t get messy.

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Some of y'all hate Mirrors but love Vanities

Ayana Williams ♡ — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:12:08 GMT

Now before y’all jump me through your screens, lemme be clear who I’m referring to. I’m talking about the “I don’t understand how we got here” folks and the “This isn’t the America I wanted” folks who stroked the ego of civil rights snatchers and progressive haters. I’m talking to the “It’s not my job to speak up” folks who sit in their privileged comfi…

Motherhood is an expensive a** sacrifice (And ya girl is broke) | S1:E4

Ayana Williams ♡ — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:28:15 GMT

Alright, before we begin, let’s get some things together:

1) This is the perspective of current Ayana. 24-years-old Ayana. This version of me is NOT looking to have a child anytime soon. But conversations related to family planning and how we’d want to go about parenthood have been held between my boyfriend and me.

2) This is my opinion on how I’d want to approach my pregnancy journey, healing past traumas, and more. I’m not here to tell you what you should do or what way is the right way, nor am I hear to criticize anyone on their decisions. Feel free to share your thoughts but keep it cute.

3) Let me be clear, I do want to be a mother. I’ve dreamed of having children that are half me and half of the person I love. But this rent check alone got me crawling to my next pay day. At the rate this economic sh*t show is going, having children, let alone a house, feels like I’m seeing nothing but dollar signs. With all of the symptoms and unpredictability parenthood brings, is it worth becoming a mother? Maybe 30-year-old Ayana will be stable enough to take on motherhood; one can only dream…

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It's Black History Month, and I'm feeling conflicted. | S1:E3

Ayana Williams ♡ — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 18:11:04 GMT

It’s a bit of a vulnerable and scattered episode, but I said imma keep it real.

First off, happy Black History Month to my peoples. May our joy be infectious and just as rebellious as its always been. Because one thing bout us - we will overcome, and nothing gon steal our joy. Fun fact: It’s the 100th anniversary of its inception, which… yay, but also… only 100? Mmmkay.

In the same breath, I’m feeling realllll… bitter. We all knew about the performative nature businesses took on in years past. From limited-time merchandise to their “reaffirmation" towards profiting off of… er, I mean supporting… diversity. It’s making me realize despite knowing most of the celebration was for profit, it honestly felt nice being celebrated and hearing our history louder. Regardless, it lands back on our community to cheer loudly, foster community events, and continue teaching our history.

How are you feeling about BHM this year?

the internet loves fake media | S1:E2

Ayana Williams ♡ — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 01:56:18 GMT

Fake pins on Pinterest, AI slop on YouTube, and now we got moltbook??? What is with this fascination towards a less human, inauthentic experience?

As I sat here screaming my head off today, and wishing I could touch some non-frozen grass, a thought hit me: There’s always been a draw towards what’s not real, no matter how harmful or outlandish it seems. Fake news always gets more shares and heated chatter, influencers who seem like they’ve “made it” in life got popular (when in reality, they’re renting 90% of their lifestyle), and now AI generated content is being pumped through our feeds faster than we can scroll. What a time to be alive(ish), am I right?

With all this noise, there’s no wonder why folks are returning to physical media, community spaces, and disconnecting from being so wired in all the time…

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Nicki Minaj's Rebrand, Profitability, and Morality vs. "It's Just Business" in Community | S1:E1

Ayana Williams ♡ — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:22:06 GMT

Alright y’all, I was going to sit out this convo, because the Barbs are terrifying, and I had no new nuance to add to the conversation. BUT! It hit me last night - Nicki Minaj is a brand, right? That means she also operates on a product lifecycle, too. So, me and my marketing degree got to work unpacking her decline in public perception, her rebrand to maintain profitability, and how morality vs. individuality (aka it’s just business) affects community in our late-stage capitalism (yippie).

Basic chart of a traditional product lifecycle

Keep in mind, this episode isn’t in support of her. But it can help put some explanations behind her actions that we can use for pattern recognition later. Below are a few videos that helped me reflect on this topic:

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Who cares if it's polished; I'm just gonna post

Ayana Williams ♡ — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:11:59 GMT

Y’all know what I remember from 2016? Them ashy Snapchat filters. And yes, I called them filters ashy. All of them had us looking ten shades too light, especially that flower crown one! They were iconic though and mannn we’ve come a long way…

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All jokes aside, what really stuck out in my memories were them curated profiles and chronological feeds on Insta…

the 2016 I remember started november 8th

Ayana Williams ♡ — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:11:26 GMT

I’m tired of looking back on the glory day of 2016. On the days with dog filters and grainy Instagram photos and Adidas joggers. Where life felt simpler and hopeful… till November 8th, 2016, when that man first got into office.

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That’s the 2016 that’s still ringing in my head. Walking into school and the air feeling heavy. The tension could’ve been cut wi…

Healing The Underlying Feminine

Ayana Williams ♡ — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:11:27 GMT

“How do you want to lead one day?”

I’ve been asked this question throughout my career. In the past, I’d normally respond with personality traits I’ve been fed as the ideal building blocks. “The best leaders are assertive, ambitious, and confident. They lead with a fiery attitude that energizes teams like a rallying cry.” But over time, something about th…

TADC is a Cautionary Tale of AI Mental Health gone Awry

Ayana Williams ♡ — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:33:51 GMT

The Amazing Digital Circus (TADC) is the latest independent series that’ll leave you questioning what happens next. Fans of the show have overflown the internet with theories about the various characters, symbols, and overall purpose and messages the show is conveying. My theory is based on revelations we’ve seen in episode 7, and I have further thought…

Tummy Issues from a Feminist Lens

Ayana Williams ♡ — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:10:05 GMT

My stomach’s been all over the place today. Not in a nausea type of way, but in that “fresh food detox” type of way. The holidays brought an onslaught of pizza and mac and cheese, but no greens in sight. Now that those times are over, I’m trying to be on my healthy ish. Two cold pressed juices graced my lips yesterday, and I thought I was on the right t…

Lessons of a Self-Proclaimed Content Creator

Ayana Williams ♡ — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 14:03:00 GMT

As the clock stroke 12 on the New Year, I felt a wave of excitement and optimism wash over my spirit. Between the tidings of good fortune on everyone’s Instagram notes, the Animal Crossing celebration my roommates and I were participating in (ringing in the New Year Couchella style lol), and the existential dread of the economy going on mute for one min…