Anissa Blair, Author at Rolling Out

Have you ever felt like the walls are closing in on you? Do you wake up every day filled with dread and trepidation? If so, you’re not alone. Here’s my confession: I’ve been to therapy. I recall the first and last time I had that conversation with a close family member. It took several years…

We live in a world where putting your business on public display is a must to stay relevant. Whether you’re a social media influencer or an average person trying to live your best life, you’ve quickly realized that the more intimate details you share, the more popularity you receive. But at what cost? This week,…

This just in: Kim Kardashian finally may have come to her senses and is calling it quits with husband Kanye West. While we’ve all watched their struggles and often scratched our heads wondering when Kim would stick a fork in their marriage, 2021 might be the year. The catastrophe of 2020 made all of us…

In 2015, Atlanta-born Erricka Traylor lost it all. Her long-term relationship ended, and she was left not only with a broken heart but also with an empty bank account. At that moment, she learned a hard lesson about love and finances. She was forced to rebuild. Fast-forward five years, and today Traylor is the successful…

Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannullli received a slap on the wrist for their part in the college admissions scandal that dominated the news. Loughlin and Giannulli pleaded guilty to taking part in the bribery scheme and were sentenced to two months and five months, respectively, in prison. On Jada Pinkett…

Almost everyone has muttered the words, “I hate my mother,” or “I can’t stand her.” Even the best relationships between a mother and daughter have their issues. But what if your conflicts go beyond the norm and you can’t stand the ground she walks on? In the latest episode of “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” Iyanla…

Parents across the country are grappling with the realities that the holidays are here. It’s time to have those difficult conversations with your ex about the visitation schedule. How do you co-parent with someone you can’t stand? The fact that we have to add COVID-19 into the mix adds to the problem. Your relationship dynamics…

How do you overcome generational trauma? Life coach Debbie L. London defines generational trauma as “inherited negative patterns passed down within the bloodline that continue to go unaddressed.” It can be created when trying to make an effort to escape the past in an unhealthy way. She knows firsthand the steps required to move beyond…

How do we change the cultural perception that White America has of Black women? Yes, I’m rocking braids, cornrows or an Afro, but I’m still beautiful, intelligent and, above all, a woman of color. I’m also a reality TV junkie. I tuned into “The Bachelorette.” Ten agonizing minutes later, I admitted defeat and turned the…

When will the buffoonery end? While we deal with anxiety from awaiting the 2020 Presidential election results and anxiously anticipate the increase in COVID-19 cases, some Black people manage not to keep their eye on the game. As the world witnessed, Kanye West made a failed attempt to become the next president. Interestingly enough, he…

Rapper Saweetie threw shade at real men on a recent Instagram live with boyfriend Quavo, stating, “and if he not getting you a Birkin, and if he not paying for your bills, then throw that n—- back to the streets. OK?” The Birkin, a high-end tote bag created by French designer Hermès, is known as…

Have White women profited from looking Black? The social media trolls were not happy about Ayesha Curry’s recent hair transformation from brunette to platinum blonde. While she added “temporarily” in the caption to her picture, the damage was already done. Comments ranged from nice ones praising the new look to nasty ones accusing her of…

(Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / Laurin Rinder) Megan Thee Stallion hit us with a deep conversation about protecting Black women. Throughout history, there have been countless times that our voices have been squashed and our bodies have been victimized. Why are we forgotten? Why is our worth questionable? After the vice presidential debate, the customary “angry…

It’s cuffing season. Urban Dictionary defines it as “the time of year when people are looking to be in a relationship.” Promiscuity is packed up and put away like your summer shorts and halters. Days are shorter and the nights get colder. Is your bed empty? With the holiday season quickly approaching, desperation may set…

Have you had a miscarriage? According to the March of Dimes, 10 percent to 15 percent of women experience a miscarriage in the first trimester. During the second trimester, the estimate ranges from 13 percent to 19 percent. Identifying clear and concise numbers tend to be more difficult because, in some cases, women have miscarriages…

Crowds have chanted her name. Social media feeds have been flooded, demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. A call for action is demanded but has fallen on deaf ears. Taylor’s killing has sparked a national conversation about death by the police. The outcry continues, and still no arrest. Last week, her family negotiated a settlement with…

From Ray J and Princess Love to Cardi B and Offset, celebrities are calling it quits. While Ray J chose to keep his reasons for divorce private, Cardi filed for divorce saying that the marriage was “irretrievably broken” with no prospects of reconciliation. There’s no mystery that both of these marriages were flawed, with rumors…

What do you do when you see your ex with someone else? This was the love of your life. The thought of the relationship ending never entered your mind. Welp, now it’s front and center. The realization that it’s over feels similar to a pimp slap. Your happily ever after has been replaced with bitterness, hatred…

In the words of Kendrick Lamar, “But if God got us then we gon’ be alright.” We lost another hero: Chadwick Boseman, the epitome of Black excellence. The bombshell news of his death sent shockwaves around the world. Our Black Panther, who made us believe in Wakanda forever is no longer on this earth. As…

Another Black man has been shot by those sworn to protect and serve. Yet during this turmoil, we are expected to remain calm as we watch our loved ones continue to be slaughtered in the streets. Black Lives Matter, a global movement, has been at the forefront of the push for social justice, freedom and…