Playing a so-called sugar baby on the SXSW film "The New Romantic" made actress Jessica Barden second guess what defines a healthy relationship.
“Lots of things in regular relationships do mirror parts of transactional relationships,” the actress told Cheddar in an interview. “There’s usually always going to be one person who’s providing more.”
The movie, which premiered at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Tex., follows Barden’s Blake, an aspiring journalist whose love column gets cancelled. In hopes of redemption, she takes on a relationship with an older man and chronicles her experience.
In taking on the role, Barden learned that while power dynamics exist in all types of relationships, society tends to cast judgement on the ones where there’s a significant age difference.
“Even if you’re not a sugar baby, there will at least be one person that has an opinion,” she said.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/exploring-a-different-kind-of-relationship-in-the-new-romantic).
The Black Innovation Alliance is working to empower Black entrepreneurs and recently received a $3 million commitment from UBS to help with resources. Ifeoma Ike, director of policy and movement strategy with the Black Innovation Alliance, joined Cheddar News to explain further the organization's mission.
Janice Gassam Asare, workplace equity consultant and the founder of Black White Green (BWG) Business Solutions, discusses supporting Black-owned businesses outside of Black History Month.
Anika Howard, President and CEO of WONDR NATION, joins Cheddar News to discuss how she's driving diversity forward in the gaming industry, and give advice for Black women in this industry.
