THIS IS BEAUTY
THE BLACKEST BLOG EVER
Carmel
I was born into a large family of ten: five girls and yes, you guess it right, and five boys. I am child number seven, an awesome number I think. Unfortunately, I lost two sisters in the 1980’s, both three months apart. Needless to say, It took a toll on our close-knitted family. However, we pulled through the difficult circumstances.
At a tender age, I realized that I had an aptitude for the Arts and Crafts. My skills shone in sewing, baking, and cooking my favorite of the lot. Interestingly, if I may, at the time I could be described as self-taught. At eight years old I baked my first cake, without a prescribed recipe all in a condensed milk can. Yes, I did share amongst some of my siblings and curious neighbors. Yum!
By the time I was nine years old I was already cooking complete meals for my entire family. I thought that I was a genius with my hands.
Rebundle
“Black consumers are the least considered when it comes to diversity in product safety, choices, services, marketing and, even, investing. In addition, Black beauty products continue to be the most toxic on the market — with chemicals that aren’t even listed on the label and causing everything from respiratory disorders, early puberty, and reproductive developmental issues — including infertility and spontaneous miscarriages.”
So what exactly are we loyal to - brands that are knowingly poisoning us despite being their best customers? Are we loyal to being the biggest spenders on beauty products but not owning a significant percentage of the companies that produce the products we consume?
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is well known for it’s rice fields, beautiful beaches & lush green mountains - rightfully so. Before the pandemic, Bali was on my travel itinerary for 2020, however, for obvious reasons that didn’t pan out. But now that borders are starting to open up again and travel is a go in many places, it’s time to start planning again.
According to the Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, the country plans on reopening to tourists at the end of July - beginning of August (2021)
10 Things Black People Say that Promote White Supremacy
Contrary to what colonialism has taught us, white and pretty & black and ugly are not synonymous. If you find someone ugly it should have nothing to do with abundance of melanin in their skin. If you categorize or measure someone’s attractiveness or lack thereof basked on their lack of melanin…
Kim
I'm most proud of my decision to walk away from what was not working to make space for better things. In November 2018, I gave two months advance notice at a job in a toxic environment with a culture that clashed with my personal values. I didn't know what was next, but I had to leave for my mental and physical well-being.
Two weeks before my last day, my world turned upside down. My father had an accident and was placed on life support; he died a few days later. It rocked my foundation, and while I yearned for stability in the midst of the uncertainty resulting from my loss, I stuck to my plan to leave my job. The one thing I did know was that nothing good would come from trying to grieve while working in a dysfunctional environment. All I could do was "Let go and let God."
Christopher
The ocean has been a constant source of peace for me. It's a place to find grounding and to realize how minuscule I and my problems are compared the the vastness of this world. You cannot help but feel small, yet somehow connected to the largeness of it.
David
What’s bringing me joy right now is my focus on loving myself. I’ve been actively and intentionally working on peeling back the layers of blockage and trauma and self-imposedstress. This current journey has required me to be tender with mydecisions and my thoughts. It’s allowed me to prioritize my health in its totality. David first is the catalyst to maintaining my joy.
Happy Father’s Day
For many years I was kept in the dark about the severity of my father’s condition was becoming. He began to have memory issues and I attributed them to age. He always tackled things on his own, never wanting to rely on others. What I thought was a change in heart was truly a change in his mind. A mind that he no longer had full control of as his dementia set in. Eventually the disease took his life though there were times, once he was put into a home, where we were able to find our way back as father and son.
Being A Father Is Magical
Maybe it was when my Dad threw the ball with me as soon as he got home from work. It could’ve been when he stormed down to our neighbors house after they didn’t fairly pay me for the excessive yard work I completed. Or maybe it’s when I would make eye contact with him as he cheered in the crowd during a sporting event, the feel of his pat on the back when they called my name during an academic award ceremony or the smile and pride he displayed when I would lead a prayer during youth Sunday at church.
Fatherhood
I grew up across the street from my paternal grandparents and had the fortune of being raised by two sets of parents and two fathers - William Hill, Sr and William Douglas Hill. My memories of Summer mornings include early coffees at the table with these two - coffee and light cream or milk in their cups, milk with a drop of coffee in mine.
The Parallels of Coaching and Parenting
Though no two parents have the same approach, even within the same household, the majority of households desire similar results when it comes to the overall performance of their children.
Octavia Raheem
“Rest is my Guru and today she came with the message that we are not here to be weary, rush about, and give everyone else our best. You don’t need to ask for permission to meet Rest. She's been waiting for you." Octavia Raheem
Turks & Caicos
If you’re like me and you just want to lounge at the beach and eat seafood while on vacation, then Turks & Caicos is the perfect place for you. This British territory consisting of two groups of islands, Caicos Islands & the smaller Turks Islands, is a beach lovers dream. With miles of white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters, Turks and Caicos is a pristine island paradise.
Cleo Sol
I'm sure many of you have already heard Cleo Sol's music, but some of you may just be discovering her through this post. Cleo's music immediately puts me in a relaxed and calm state of mind and body. I don’t know if anyone has done the research and knows what hz her music is, but I'm guessing it's landing at all of the ones that help calm, relax and uplift spirits.
Herbs For The Body
Discovering and using natural herbs and plants to stay well has been a big move this last year. I have been studying herbs for a while now and took my studies a bit more seriously in the last year by taking an online course in herbs. I thought it would be interesting to share a few of herbs I've been using and invite you all into conversation to share information about our relationship to herbs. I’ll be sharing these periodically, weaving in herbs I’m currently using and sharing information and uses.
Chicago
Chicago is a densely populated and walkable city, that is if you’re in the loop. The loop is one of Chicago’s 77 designated community areas and is the heart of Chicago’s downtown and the center of Chicago’s business district. The Loop is also home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. It is the third largest city in the United States and is known as the windy city. Chicago is also currently home to Mariya Russell, the world’s first black woman to earn a Michelin Star. Myesha and I were fortunate enough to take a trip to Chicago in January of 2020.
Namibia
Namibia is one of my top five countries. Its relatively small population, desert landscapes, and wide open spaces reminded me of my home state of Arizona. After two visits to the country I cannot wait to return. Compared to neighboring South Africa, Namibia feels a bit sleepy...in the best possible way. Safari lovers will want to head straight to Etosha National Park in the north.
Ernest - Fly Brother
Anyone who meets Ernest is struck by his warmth, intelligence, and killer smile. He is able to connect with folks from all walks of life. He is a proud FAMU grad and his samba moves will put most anyone to shame. We took a samba class in DC many years ago and I saw even more improved dance moves several years later in South America. Fast forward through the years and we’ve met up several places around the world, with a few days in Recife, Brazil being a favorite memory.
Arisa
“Right now what's bringing me joy is watering my plants in my home office. Watching something grow during these pandemic times counters the feelings of stagnation and monotony. I feel like I'm being of direct service. Plus, chilling on the couch with a good book or a good idea for a poem are joy-bringers too.” Arisa White
-Maya Angelou-
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”