Time Magazine reporter Maya Rhodan sat down with President Barack Obama and prima ballerina Misty Copeland for a conversation that covered several topics familiar to the pair who've reached the top of their professional fields.

During the 30 minute chat, the two delve deep into issues of gender, race and representation.

Misty notes that though she has faced incredible obstacles in the ballet world, they've only pushed her to work harder.  In the conversation she says, "...it’s also allowed me to have this fire inside of me that I don’t know if I would have or have had if I weren’t in this field."
The two were also able to have a robust conversation about the ways that beauty standards cast aside women who don't fit into the mainstream ideal.

Misty says that her skin color and body type have often come under scrutiny.  "I think that being in this position and showing that I can execute and do all of these things that it’s possible to have any skin complexion, to have a healthy body image for the ballerina body."

As a father of two, the President says he worries about the messages his teenage daughters receive. "It’s part and parcel of a broader way in which we socialize and press women to constantly doubt themselves or define themselves in terms of a certain appearance," he says. "And so Michelle and I are always guarding against that."

President Obama highlights the value of representation but underscores that the systems marginalized groups must navigate are fundamentally unfair, "But what we also have to remember is that the barriers that exist for them to pursue their dreams are deep and structural," he says.

Watch the full conversation below.

Every society, culture and ethnic group worships their beautiful people. As well all know, in the mainstream west, beautiful is often believed to be white, eurocentric and thin. In the age old narrative of black women seeking to see their own beauty in magazines, film and on television screens, Coal Crown Creative has taken matters into their own hands. "Classically Beautiful “The Discussion”" hosted by Jasmine Mans (genius poet-scholar behind Footnotes For Kanye) explores the themes of black beauty, black womanhood and motherhood through the lenses of melanated queens. Screenwriter Amma Asante also graces the film with her interpretation of classic beauty.
When asked why Quest (visionary behind "Classically Beautiful") created the documentary, he had this to say, “After hearing about a New York Times journalist, who referred to Viola Davis as less ‘Classically Beautiful’ than Kerry Washington, I felt it in my spirit to do something, to say something. I thought to myself, ‘here is another attempt to divide and conquer’, it saddened and angered me. My feelings towards this issue were very natural, I grew up the only boy. I have two sisters. My younger sister is of a darker complexion than my oldest sister. Sharing the black woman's perspective, to me, means having representation of the many aesthetics that black women represent.”

Touché Quest. And representation is exactly what you’ll get in this thought provoking yet amusing piece because, every black woman has her own story and personality. If you’re looking to be enlightened & lit, check it out below!

Sofia Maame (Mah-May) is a Publicist + Editorial Assistant. Follow her-@sofia_maame

Everyday more and more Black women are letting relaxers go for a variety of reasons. For some it's a matter of ease. The care and upkeep required for having healthy, relaxed hair can be overwhelming. Others just wanted to know and love their full selves.

Poet Kush Thompson's poem "For Colored Girls Who Considered Yaky" is an ode to all black girls who've felt the need to change their natural coils.

Poet Sha'Condria "iCon" Sibley shatters preconceived notions about makeup and beauty in the poem "In My Skin" performed at the 2015 Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival.

Last year, New York Times writer Alessandra Stanley described Emmy winning actress Viola Davis as “less classically beautiful” compared to other Black actresses. This comment sparked outrage within the Black community and director Quest decided to do something about it.

"Pretty" is an ongoing weekly documentary web series from Antonia Opiah, the founder of Un'ruly which features the series. In in, black women from all over the world explore standards of beauty in a social and cultural context.

Daysha Edewi takes on the all too common "you don't know you're beautiful" trope in a new video from BuzzFeed, holding up lyrics from One Direction, John Legend, Ne Yo and more in which these male artists reassure women of their beauty.

"To be woman and to be black is to born knowing your beauty does not belong to you," Crystal Valentine says in this spoken word performance with Aaliyah Jihad titled "To Be Black and Woman and Alive", centered on dismantling the type of cultural beauty appropriation that has black men devaluing black traits on black women while praising them on others.

Black women have long known the struggle of finding "nude" clothing and accessories that actually match our skin tones. We have never understood why colors that would be more accurately titled "pale beige" or "cream" should be accepted as the default skin color for everyone. Well, leave it to BuzzFeed to hilariously show what it's like to be a Black woman wearing "neutral" (read: neutral for fair-skinned people) clothing and makeup.

Mothers are often our first teachers, and we learn to model their behaviors early. The lessons on self-love and beauty they pass down affect us early.

Dove has known that speaking to women about beauty and body confidence is a winning marketing strategy. Their latest ad attempts to tackle the straight hair beauty ideal.

It's a shame that the Queen Latifah show will no longer air because it's so rare to see moments like this on television. Janelle Monáe surprised one of her biggest fans, 10-year-old McKynzie Duhon, and shared some wise words with her. Janelle was clearly moved by McKynzie's admiration. As she began to cry, she told Queen Latifah, "Never in a million years did I think that I would see a young black girl wanting to look like me."

Kathleen Cleaver, now a law professor, was once married to Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver. At the height of the Black Panther Party's visibility, Kathleen became recognizable for her striking red afro and knee-high boots.

In 1968, she was asked about the embrace of "black is beautiful," and here's what she had to say:

Talented and gorgeous Black women rarely get their due. That's why we must continue to recognize and honor their achievements. This short video from YouTube is compilation of gorgeous Black women entertainers from the 30s and 40s. In just 5 minutes, you'll see a slew of new and familiar faces.

Amani Terrell seeks to share an important message about self love with the men and women of Los Angeles, so she's stripping down to a bikini to challenge beauty standards.

Terrell told her interviewer, "You cannot seek validation from other people. This world is very cruel. You must seek validation within yourself, and be kind to yourself."

She's right, and hopefully her challenge will inspire others.