It was announced today that Keke Palmer will be collaborating with Unbothered, Refinery29’s community created for and by Black women, as a Creative Advisor for the multi-platform sub-brand. Curated specifically for Palmer, the role will allow her to creatively consult across Unbothered, supporting and co-developing new projects that push conversations and Black culture forward. Also apart of the role, Palmer will partner with Unbothered to dream up new ways to build Black joy into everyday content across platforms, ask tough and taboo questions around race and community that need answers, and most of all, continue to create a safe space for Black women to be their freest selves. Refinery29’s Unbothered Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer shared the news in an exclusive video to the Unbothered audience, stating that:
“I’m literally too excited about this. I started working with Unbothered years ago as a talent and I just loved how they created a safe space for Black women to share their stories, their experiences, their creativity — and their joy, honey! Because let’s not get it twisted, I’m very joyous… and no one’s going to steal my joy,” says Keke Palmer, Creative Advisor to Unbothered.
To celebrate the news of Palmer’s new appointment, Unbothered launched their first-ever digital cover with Keke Palmer serving as the muse. The cover was shot by Kanya Iwana while the story was penned by Alanna Bennett, the article focuses on the complicated relationship Black women have with wellness and self-care as well as Keke’s journey navigating anxiety and depression alongside a demanding career. In the article Palmer commented on self-care saying:
“When I really need a break to rejuvenate, I don’t wanna be around anyone,” Palmer says.”Not a romantic person, not a friend, not a mom, not a dad, not a sister, not a brother, not anyone. It gets to the point where I’m exerting so much energy that I really just have to be around no one.”
Released specially for Earth Day, the digital cover is the lead feature within Unbothered’s High Impact, their editorial package aiming to rewrite the rules of wellness for Black women — from highlighting the Black women fighting for the future of the environment to exploring alternative forms of wellness for Black women.
In addition to Palmer, Unbothered has hired award-winning author and entertainment journalist, Brooke Obie, as Deputy Director. In the role, Obie will oversee the execution of Unbothered’s editorial strategy and drive its day-to-day content operations.
“At Unbothered, we’re dedicated to celebrating moments of joy, sharing our collective power, encouraging self-care and examining harsh truths, which couldn’t be more vital at a time when our trauma continues to be the reigning narrative,” says Chelsea Sanders, Unbothered’s VP of Brand Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. “As someone who embodies our values of reclaiming Black joy, creativity, and choice, I’m so thrilled to welcome the multi-hyphenate Keke Palmer into the Unbothered family. With Keke’s sharp voice and Brooke Obie’s prescient editorial expertise, I can’t think of better collaborators to create culture-defining content that will bring Unbothered to the next level.”
Obie comes with nearly 10 years of editorial experience with work featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, LA Times, The Guardian, Salon, Essence, Ebony, Los Angeles Review of Books, Teen Vogue & more. Brooke most recently served as Managing Editor at Shadow & Act, being named one of The Root 100’s most influential African Americans in 2019 for her viral and exclusive interview with the family of Dr. Donald Shirley, “How ‘Green Book’ And the Hollywood Machine Swallowed Donald Shirley Whole,” which eventually led to conversations about appropriation, white savior narratives and systemic racism in Hollywood.
To view Keke’s exclusive Unbothered article, visit here.
Refinery29’s Unbothered Keke Palmer Refinery29’s Unbothered Keke Palmer
Loading…