Published inZORA·PinnedMember-onlyTherapy Gives Me Power No One Can Take AwaySeeking mental health care gave me a sense of purpose and peace. — Once upon a time I felt fine! Well put-together and living the best version of me, I was pretty fantastic! I’d heard of mental health therapy, but that was for people with big problems. Granted, there were probably a couple tiny things I could improve here and there, but nothing…Mental Health6 min readMental Health6 min read
Published inZORA·Jul 21, 2021Member-onlyLove Is…Flaunting My Scars Like Lovely AccessoriesA spinal surgery led me to love myself even more. — A few months ago I suffered a cervical spine injury and had to undergo surgery to correct it. Scared out of my mind and absolutely terrified of being put to sleep and under a knife for the first time, I prepared my nerves to accept the fact that I needed…Self Care4 min readSelf Care4 min read
Published inZORA·Jul 15, 2020Member-onlyI Met a New Me, and I Like HerCovid-19 forced me to pare down this overscheduled life and embrace myself — Two years ago, I called my mom in a panic and asked if I could borrow a bit of basil. I was whipping up a quick dinner and in a mad dash through the grocery store, had forgotten to grab it. A while later she rang my doorbell and handed…Self Help4 min readSelf Help4 min read
Published inZORA·Feb 17, 2020Member-onlyI Told My 4-Year-Old the Truth About SlaveryOur ancestors lived it so our children can learn it — There will never be an easy way to introduce the painful aspects of Black history to a Black child in America. On a cold day in February, I headed to my four-year-old son’s preschool to pick him up. Unbeknownst to me, his life had changed that day. Usually, he would…Parenting6 min readParenting6 min read
Jan 17, 2020Yes I’m African-American, But I Prefer To Be Called BLACK.Previously published on Dear My People Why? Well first, because there is so much strength, power and resilience wrapped into one word that has forever been used to describe all things bad. And second, because society pretty much hates the word. And I’m a rebel, so therefore, I’m lovin’ it. “Black”….A whole, entire definition to be Damned …6 min read6 min read
Jan 16, 2020Serena Williams is Literally Black Women at Work…Everywhere.Previously published on Dear My People Black women everywhere felt it. Watching Serena Williams in the final moments of the 2018 US Open was heartbreaking and cringe-worthy. Not because we were watching a coveted win slip through her fingers. Not because she was so consumed with emotion that she destroyed…Black Women5 min readBlack Women5 min read
Jan 15, 2020Circle of Life: My Grandma Used To Do My Hair, Now I Do HersPreviously published on Sassy Plum Kitchens. The year was ’88. I sat on that seat by the gas stove in my grandma’s kitchen so she could whip my kitchens. When she pulled out “the comb” from that small drawer next to the silverware and placed it in the fire, I…3 min read3 min read
Jan 15, 2020Black Fathers Are Actually Winning at ParenthoodOriginally published on Sassy Plum. Black Fathers Are Actually Winning at Parenthood “Black fathers don’t pull their weight.” This is the consensus, right? It’s interesting that we sit back and believe that garbage. It’s time to shatter, crush, and dismantle that lie. I’m about to tell you something that may blow your mind and change everything you…BlackLivesMatter6 min readBlackLivesMatter6 min read
