Snapshot: Halima Aden for Essence January 2020

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Breaking down barriers is second nature to Halima Aden. The first Black female ESSENCE cover star wearing a hijab was also the first Muslim homecoming queen at her high school, the first Somali student senator at her college, and is disrupting beauty standards left and right. “It’s important for me to be visible and to do whatever I can to let girls know that they don’t have to change who they are.” Amen to that! Tap the 🔗in bio for more on our Jan./Feb. issue. Chief Content & Creative Officer @moanaluu Cover Star @halima Photographer @jdthecombo Written by @jamberstarr Fashion Director @mariellebobo Beauty Director @missjulee Makeup @jessicasmalls Manicure @pipbuzzz Creative Director @mochamommy_nyc Production @nataliegialluca Set Design @propsbypenelope Entertainment & Talent Director @CoriMurray Social Media @Randa_writes

A post shared by ESSENCE (@essence) on Jan 6, 2020 at 9:15am PST

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Halima Aden is using her platform to change the world. Born in a Kenyan refugee camp and later relocating to the United States, the road to stardom has been anything but easy for @halima. Now, with so much success early in her career, Halima’s mission is to pay it forward. “I think if you receive a blessing, you shouldn’t think of it as yours to keep. It’s more like a loan. Like, I got my wish. Now I have to pay it forward. If we all paid it forward, the world would be a much better place.” Tap the 🔗in bio for more on our Jan./Feb. issue. (📷: @jdthecombo)

A post shared by ESSENCE (@essence) on Jan 6, 2020 at 9:37am PST