YES, HONEY Roundup: Building Brands, Maintaining Our Glow, and Pushing Past Fear
We are standing on business. And also sitting TF down to exhale.
Issue 73 | April 13, 2025
HONEY TALK
Honeys—
Yesterday, we held our first Sweet Build Salon, which is part of our sister platform where I dive into craft, business, and entrepreneurship as a Honey and as an artist.
It was so lovely to be in conversation with my fellow writer and CEO Amy Aniobi about building production companies to last, balancing our multi-hyphenate careers, and… therapy.
We talked about how grateful we are to know that we’re not alone in this beautiful entrepreneurial struggle. I see her and she sees me. And while we’re both super busy, we always connect right on time.
The Salon also made me reflect on the fact that this year marks HONEY CHILE’s fourth anniversary. And we’re planning to celebrate making it to this point.
We have done a lot and it’s been thrilling and hard and meaningful and life-changing. Gonna have to do a separate post about that, but for now listen to my latest solo episode of IT’S GOOD OVER HERE.
I’ve spent a lot of time so far this year thinking about how I want to the next four years to look. And it brings a smile to my face to be intentional about more impact, more joy, more relationship with you all, and more PROFIT.
Happy anniversary, HONEY CHILE.
Felicia Pride, Head Honey @ HONEY CHILE
ICYMI
If you missed out on the extra sweet goodies we’ve been publishing on YES, HONEY… here’s some evergreen posts we think you should check out:
Remember, you can get access to ALL articles by becoming a YES, HONEY+ paid subscriber. Hit the button below and join us…it’s good over here!
LINKS & THANGS
Y’all there’s a Black/WOC-focused app called, “EXHALE” and it recently shared a study confirming that nearly 40% of Black women have left their jobs because they feel unsafe in their identity. We feel a revolution toward freedom gaining more traction…
Honey actress Gabrielle Union recently joined the cast for a genre film called, Forbidden Fruits. Plot details are hush-hush for now, but the title and star alone has us sold. 😜
Hmmm. A new book from NBC News political reporter Jonathan Allen and The Hill senior political correspondent Amie Parnes alleges Kamala Harris questioned the 2024 presidential election results and asked about a potential recount.
We’re one step closer to properly advocating for menopausal support, Honeys. More than 20 menopause-focused bills have been introduced in Congress across 13 states this year so far. Here’s a map of bills that have been introduced or passed at the moment.
Ryan Coogler delved into why he decided to pivot to working on upcoming vamp horror film Sinners instead of jumping right into Black Panther 3, as many expected. Are y’all looking forward to this movie as much as we are??
Artist and photographer Nona Faustine, known for her powerful self-portraits, recently passed away. Here’s a lovely dedicated to her work, which placed a spotlight on the lives of Black women and the legacies of enslavement in New York. May she rest in power.
Tracy Chapman, in addition to being an incredibly talented artist, is such a beautiful enigma. Get into her profile in the New York Times—a special nugget since she rarely does press.
In “fighting against fascism” news, The Associated Press has gained reinstatement into The White House press room after a federal judge ruled that the legendary publication is protected by the First Amendment. Take that, Cheeto-In-Charge! 🙃
Shout-out to 100% Black-woman-owned business! Honey actress Taraji P. Henson recently bought out the remaining percentage of her hair/body care line TPH by Taraji from Maesa, giving her full control.
Speaking of boss lady moves, Honey marketing exec Bozoma Saint John recently shared how she went against the standard route of venture capitalist funding and self-funded her newest venture, luxury hair, extensions and haircare line, Eve by Boz.
It’s that one thing that got us trippin’!! 🎵 Apparently, we got some Go-Go vibes to look forward to because Honey singer Amerie posted on her IG Stories that she’ll be doing a Tiny Desk with the legendary Backyard Band.
Viola Davis recently unveiled her new Madame Tussauds wax figure in Hollywood. Thankfully, it actually does resemble her. 😮💨
WBEZ Reporter and Honey Natalie Moore recently launched a six-episode podcast digging into the history of soap operas—fun fact, the beloved TV genre started in Chicago! BRB, gonna sit on the couch and look at our “stories.” 🍿
Big congrats are in order for Robin Washington, a Honey, who has just been named President and Chief Operating & Financial Officer of Salesforce! We’ve all heard about the lowwww percentage of Black women in tech—let alone in C-Suite level leadership positions—so this is a big deal dripping in Honey!
Guess what? Just when you thought The Best Man: The Final Chapters was the end of the multi-layered messy drama, the story continues! Director Malcolm D. Lee and bestselling author Jayne Allen have written a book to expand the franchise, The Best Man: Unfinished Business.
And IIIIIIIIIIIII… 🎤 just heard there is a remake of The Bodyguard in the works. OK, but that chemistry better be on point. Big shoes to fill with Kevin Costner and the late-great Whitney Houston.
And in case you need the accompanying visuals for this earworm, Kendrick Lamar dropped the music video for “luther” feat. SZA (directed by Karena Evans) and it’s gorgeous!
IGOH
In case you didn’t know already, we’re celebrating FOUR years of HONEY CHILE ENTERTAINMENT. 🎉
As part of our ongoing celebrations in 2025, Head Honey Felicia Pride sat down for a special solo episode of IT’S GOOD OVER HERE to talk about her entrepreneurial journey—including starting HONEY CHILE, reconciling with building a team/delegating, financial struggles, lessons learned and more.
If you’ve been a longtime fan of all thangs HONEY CHILE, you’re gonna love this extra insight. Felicia got real. She spilled the tea. It’s definitely a must-listen. Tune in to Episode 11 where ever you listen to podcasts.
SWEET SURVEY
Honeys, as always, we want to make sure we’re making this space the most fun, comfy, interesting, and safe for you. So, we need your input! What topics/conversations do you want to see more of on YES, HONEY?
HONEY MANTRA
Honeys, we’re still beaming from the inspirational glow of Head Honey Felicia’s entrepreneurial testimony. In that spirit, we want to start off your week with a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ to keep you going.
SAY IT WITH US:
“I push past fear to create the life I desire.”
TALKBACK
Chiiiile, it’s quite a bit to unpack from this Roundup.
Fave part about that Tracy Chapman NYT profile?
Thinking about starting your own business?
Got some skin and hair care tips?
Just need to EXHALE??
Let’s get into it!
HONEY SHOP



We have merch from our projects as well as resources to help you on your own storytelling journey. Check out some of our thangs:
COME CLOSE: A Novella by Felicia Pride
Our first foray into publishing fiction! This novella by our Head Honey is a second-chance, later-in-life romance about a filmmaker who returns to her hometown to film her first feature film, unexpectedly reuniting her with her high school sweetheart, whom she hasn't seen in decades…
THE BUILD BUNDLE
All of the tools you need for developing your writing craft, pitching your tv/film projects, making your work, and strategizing for a long-lasting career.
THE CREATIVE COMEBACK WORKBOOK by Felicia Pride
Discover your why, develop a writing schedule, outline your projects and unearth what's holding you back from the career of your dreams. Or purchase on Bookshop.
tender: the original script book by Felicia Pride
Specially designed, the script for Felicia Pride’s award-winning short film tender + an original essay and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos.
LOOK BACK AT IT: The Original Script Book by Felicia Pride
Specially designed, the script for Felicia Pride’s award-winning short film LOOK BACK AT IT + an original essay by Felicia and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos.
GET IN WHERE YOU FIT IN
YES, HONEY is a HONEY CHILE thang. HONEY CHILE is a multiplatform media company celebrating the power and possibilities of Black women 40+. We create stories, spaces, and strategies for women who refuse to shrink.
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