Im so happy to be back, Rae says.
I was a little bit homesick, to be honest.
Rae spent a lot of time at home here during the earlier days of the pandemic.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Earrings by Yun Yun Sun
I think thats my form of meditation, because I dont meditate.
This is one reason Ive asked her to grace our September cover.
Today, however, the Black population of South L.A. has dwindled to only28% of the areas total.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Top and Jeans: Denimcractic. Earrings by MISHO. Ring by Jlani Jewels.
More significant than its offerings, though, is Raes purpose for Hilltop.
Ive always wanted a coffee shop in my neighborhood, Raetold Eaterin 2019.
Coffee shops facilitate productivity in so many ways; they facilitate collaboration.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Top and Jeans: Denimcractic. Earrings by MISHO. Rings by Jlani Jewels and Manluuny. Shoes by Sam Edelman.
Ive personally done all my writing in coffee shops.
It always disappointed me that there werent any that were Black-owned or people-of-color-owned in my neighborhood.
To know that its your space.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Dress by CongTri. Earrings by Yun Yun Sun. Ring by Jlani Jewels. Shoes by Sophia Webster.
Rae views Destination Crenshaw as a way to preserve the areas historical roots as the pressures of gentrification mount.
We dont have many of those things in our communities.
Were so used to things being taken from us, Rae says.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Top and Pant by CongTri. Earrings and Ring by Jlani Jewels.
Nothing has ever given us reason to think differently.
She views this as mostly a good thing.
Sometimes it is hard to leave and explore new things and to meet new people, she says.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Jumpsuit by Christian Dior. Earrings by Yun Yun Sun. Ring by Jlani Jewels. Shoes by Stuart Weitzman.
That bubble is changing rapidly, in ways that are both encouraging and worrisome.
Where the building that houses Hot and Cool Cafeis for sale.
Rae knows theres work to be done and isnt deterred.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Jumpsuit by Christian Dior. Earrings by Yun Yun Sun. Ring by Jlani Jewels.
That was so new to me, she says.
It was just a new, crazy revelation for me.
Ive never been more well-rested than shooting that pilot.
Andy Jackson. Wardrobe styling by Jason Rembert. Makeup by Joanna Simkin at The Wall Group. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. Manicure by Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff at ABTP. On Issa: Dress by CongTri. Earrings by Yun Yun Sun. Ring by Jlani Jewels.
Of course, well-rested is all relative.
(The final season premiereson October 24.)
Then I did festivities in France, and that was still…it wasnt vacation.
It was still like youre planning an event.
It was fun, it was blissful, and coming back was hard.
I got a lot of stuff done that Ive been wanting to do, she says.
She likes to set calendar reminders to help her remember to check in via text or phone call.
Im going to be gone.
Thats so fucking whack.
For now friends, family, and her new husband are what consume Raes precious free time.
Im extremely happy, she says about being married.
Shes not sure whether she wants kids.
Then there are so many limitations placed upon you, and that does keep me up.
I want to do as much as I can while I still can.
Rae shares little about her personal life, especially details about her relationship with Diame.
Theres just something uncomfortable about that.
Instead Rae prefers to control the narrative herself.
(My photo shoot.
I stand by it, she jokes to me about her caption.)
“Self-care has been having a private piece thats just for me.”
