Racism drove Black people out of the Kentucky Derby. It's time to reclaim the sport. Bon Vie magazine

It’s that time of year again. Derby is coming! The iconic 150th Run for the Roses is set to take place at Churchill Downs this year. Though crowds will descend on Louisville from all over, Black attendance at the event will likely be minimal.

We’ve figured out why.

Over the course of the last one-and-a-half centuries, equestrian sports – particularly horse racing, have been whitewashed to a point where they no longer resemble the competitions our ancestors witnessed.

Few Black people realize just how rich and storied our history in the Kentucky Derby actually is. Allow us to enlighten you.

The Derby been #BlackAF.

Read on to look back at the past, see how Black owners and trainers are reclaiming Derby in the present, and why you should enjoy “the greatest two minutes in sports” in the future.

A Black Past: When African-Americans Dominated Horse Racing

Read more

Best Black-Owned Candle Companies for Your Home | BonVie Magazine

Black-owned candle companies are infusing the home fragrance world with unique scents inspired by our style and culture. Read on to discover some of the brightest stars in Black home fragrance. We’re sure you’ll find your next favorite burn.

America's Best Black-Owned Wineries | Bon Vie Magazine

These visionary vintners are not only masters of their craft but also trailblazers who are reshaping the landscape of the wine industry with their innovation, passion, and dedication. 

Come along, fellow wine enthusiasts, as we uncork the vibrant world of the best Black-owned wineries in America.

Bon Vie Magazine presents The Antalya Getaway Guide | Luxury travel to Turkey

Located on the famed Turquoise Coast of Turkiye, the ancient city of Antalya, and the surrounding region of the same name, has a host of fabulous places to explore. 

Check out this Bon Vie Getaway Guide for a sneak peek of what you’ll experience when you visit.

Black Women's guide to luxury entertaining | Bon Vie magazine

As the season blossoms in all its glory, it’s time to embrace the joy of entertaining again. Whether you’re planning a lavish garden soiree or an intimate dinner party, consider these seven tips as you prepare for an unforgettable spring gathering.

Earth Day isn't just for white people. Black people are directed impacted by the health of the Earth and climate change.
If you haven’t thought about Earth Day since elementary school, it’s time to think again.

The mission of EarthDay.org is “to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.” Black people have been at the forefront of conservation, sustainability, and environmental wellness since time immemorial. Celebrating Earth Day is an extension of our ancestors’ intentions.

Stories about climate change and environmentalism don’t often include or highlight Black activists, so it’s easy to forget how involved Black people are in environmental justice work.

Here’s Why You Should Care 

According to the NAACP, Black people are 56% more likely to breathe air pollution that we did not cause, and 75% more likely to live near oil and gas refineries.

Negative climate and environmental conditions tend to adversely impact Black communities more deeply than others. The health of the Earth directly affects Black health outcomes.

How to Get Involved

If you haven’t celebrated Earth Day in a while, here are three fun ways to honor Mother Nature this year:

Plant something.

Whether it’s a tree to help clean the air, a perennial garden in your community, or vegetables for a bountiful summer harvest, putting something in the soil this April 22nd will benefit Planet Earth.

Make a commitment to nurture your new plot and you’ll be helping heal the world in no time.

Spring clean & recycle. 

By clearing out old clutter and recycling things you no longer need, you’ll extend the lifecycle of useful items and keep them out of our overflowing landfills.

The more ways we find to be sustainable today, the better for future generations of Black folk.

Support an organization on the front lines. 

Every step we take for environmental justice and wellness counts. So do our dollars. Research Black-founded and led environment focused organizations and donate to show your support for the cause. Organizations like Blacks in Green (BIG) do the work of educating and advocating every day, and could use our help. Find an org you resonate with and give generously.

What you do for the Earth every day makes a difference for our people everywhere. Let this Earth Day be a kickoff for lifelong sustainable living!


Do you celebrate Earth Day? Share your tips for honoring Mother Earth in the comments.

How to Build the Perfect Travel Capsule Wardrobe...and Skip Baggage Claim

EARLY ACCESS: This article appears in the Spring 2024 issue of Bon Vie.

Travel is not just about the destinations we explore; it’s also an opportunity to inject daily life with an extra dose of sophistication. A great wardrobe seamlessly combines versatility, elegance, and practicality, and a well-curated collection shines all the more when traveling.

If you’re anything like our team, you try to avoid checking a bag whenever possible. Paring your travel ensembles down to a set of well-selected essentials makes getting to your destination stress-free one step easier.

In this guide, we share expert tips on creating the perfect capsule wardrobe for jet-setting adventurers who refuse to compromise on style. Read more

Wealthy African-American black woman in kitchen taking vitamin | Bon Vie magazine

If you’re active on any social media, you’ve probably heard about the latest supplement craze. According to health gurus of all shapes and sizes, we’re all woefully deficient in magnesium. Truth is, they may be right.

In case you’re not up to speed on all its benefits, let’s do a quick rundown.

Read more

Hermes Arceau Petite Lune Ciel Etoile Launch | Bon Vie magazine

The luxury brand strives to capture the essence of the night sky in instant classic.

Hermès released its new Arceau Petite Lune Ciel Étoilé timepiece to great acclaim in March 2024. The watch sports a magnificent celestially inspired design. True to its name, “Little Moon in Starry Sky,” the piece’s diamond-set, blue gradient mother-of-pearl dial evokes thoughts of a glittering night sky in miniature.

The watch’s 38mm steel case features a dropped setting, and an anti-glare sapphire crystal and back. The bezel is a standout, encircling the crystal and dial with 70 inset diamonds. An interchangeable, blue sapphire alligator skin strap adds to the luxe look and feel of the offering.

Hermès tapped artisans in Switzerland for the manufacture of the piece, ensuring that both its movement and craftsmanship are exceptional. It is crafted with Hermès’s signature H1837 movement, which references the year the Maison was founded.

Overall, this timepiece is a fabulous display of Hermès’s design prowess and craftsmanship. It is a reminder that the brand has always been committed to both form and function in its design aesthetic. The watch’s classic style and understated elegance make it an infinitely wearable piece, with its midnight blue palette functioning as a near-neutral. The Arceau Petite Lune Ciel Étoilé is poised to be an icon for the house, and an instant classic for any collector.

For additional information on pricing and availability, visit Hermes.com.

 

Image courtesy of the brand.
We Came Together, We Leave Together: A Black Girl's Guide to Surviving a Girls' Trip | Bon Vie Magazine

How a Girls’ Trip to Cabo Sparked a Very Necessary Conversation about Finances and Friendship

Unless you’ve been under a social media rock, you’ve seen the recent bombardment of posts about the #cabogirlstrip. As the story goes, a group of young women set off for the idyllic destination to celebrate the birthday of a girl in their friend group.

The saga of Kaleah Denise, Nutella, and Nunu has kept the internet ablaze over the past several days.

Despite the best intentions, the trip got off to a rocky start due to financial disagreements  between a few girls who didn’t know each other well.

It seems it was all downhill from there.

The posts began spreading like wildfire before the trip even ended and the frenzy only grew after the crew returned and more girls added their perspective.

Even though it’s been reported that much of the original story was…unreliable at best, the incident has inspired conversation across the web about finances, expectations, and the bonds of friendship on girls’ trips.

If you’re planning a girls’ trip and you prefer fun in the sun to fussing over finances, here are a few tips to ensure your friend group comes back intact.

Keep the group tight.

If you have a wide circle of friends, it’s natural to want to introduce them and hope everyone hits it off. A girls’ trip is not the place for said intros. The best travel partners are those who know each other well in advance, get along, and understand each other’s lifestyles and travel tastes.

No one wants to be stuck with a girl she doesn’t vibe with for a week.

Stick to this rule: No new friends on girls’ trips.

Ladies, leave your man at home. 

This should go without saying, but it’s called a girls’ trip for a reason – no boys (or baes) allowed. If your bestie can’t stand to be separated from her new boo – physically or virtually – this isn’t the trip for her. Partners (of either gender) should not be included on a girls’ trip.

The presence of a couple will ruin the dynamic of the group, and often puts a damper on excursions and activities. Sweethearts are for couples’ trips only.

Travel in your tax bracket. 

Social media has conditioned us to think that every black girls’ trip is a luxury getaway where the girls cash out like Griselda Blanco. That simply isn’t the case.

Communicating the style of trip (luxury, mid-range, budget-friendly, etc.) and an estimated budget is key to a friction-free girls’ trip. Let your friends decide how much they can splash out to be included in the fun. If someone can’t tag along on the baller trips, don’t make them feel shame for it, either.

Talk travel styles before you take off. 

If you and your crew have decided this girls’ trip is worth the trouble, your group chat should be humming. More important than what getaway outfits you’re packing is clear communication about your group’s preferred travel styles.

People view vacations differently. Some want to spend all day relaxing with a cocktail by the pool. Others want to mix it up with the locals and see all the hottest sights. Some love a packed itinerary. Others hate it.


Looking for a luxury getaway? Start your search with this fabulous SE Asia hotel.


Do you know your girls?

The quickest way to ruin what could be a fabulous girls’ getaway is mismatched travel expectations. Before you book anything, talk it out.

Communicate the potential plans and activities in advance. Allow your friends to decide if the itinerary and style of travel is a fit for them.

If some girls decide the itinerary isn’t their style, but they choose to come hang out anyway, be graceful with those who skip a few excursions. Your group will thank you for it.

We came together; we leave together. 

Every Black girl who’s ever spent a night out with her crew knows this adage. For the sake of safety and camaraderie, it goes back as far as time.

The same applies when traveling away from home.

No matter how wild, heated, or frustrated the group gets, you need to stick together and look out for one another. When you’re in an unfamiliar place far from home, your girls are all you’ve got.

Never let petty squabbles put any of your friends in harm’s way.

Even if you discover that the relationship is no longer viable after the trip, your number one priority must be that the entire group make it home safely.

We’ve seen and heard too many stories of vibrant, young Black women who travel together and someone doesn’t make it back. Don’t let that be you – or anyone you know.

Whatever the issue, your safety matters more.

Do your best. Don’t stress the rest. 

No matter your intentions, sometimes girls’ trips don’t go to plan. Social media is littered with horror stories of broken friendships and travel misunderstandings.

Even though you may not be able to avoid every mishap on your next girls’ adventure, these tips will help you and your crew get along and – hopefully – make it home unscathed.

If not, just try to keep it off social media.

Cheers to a summer of fun and memories – without the frustration.

 


Have you ever survived a girls’ trip gone wrong? Give us your tips in the comments!

 

Get Your First Issue On Us!

Bon Vie Magazine Launch Cover: Angkor Wat, Cambodia | Solo Travel Tips for Black Women

Ready for the Good Life?
Subscribe to our newsletter
and get your first issue
of the magazine on us.

This will close in 0 seconds