Whole foods and Starbucks: How to transform ‘gentrification’ into ‘community evolvement’

Whole Foods was the ultimate sign that Harlem had become a NEW Harlem. It showed outsiders that the residents were willing to conform and change, willing to assimilate into mass society. Something as simple as Whole Foods took away the identity, the individualism, the uniqueness of Harlem. To me, it signified the end of a …

homeward-bound: life transcending after death

My legacy is not just for myself, but will carry on for my children and their children. Something future generations can carry on and claim as their own. A few weeks ago, I visited a more conservative Baptist church than where I’d normally attend. It was the stereotypical Easter-type sermon but before Resurrection Sunday: The …

Weave-snatching crabpot: Does Frances McDormand’s speech stand for black women?

Frances McDormand's acceptance speech as Best Actress of the 2018 Academy Awards spoke phonetic monuments of how women feel in our careers. We're stifled creatively, professionally, and -- without a doubt -- monetarily. Our ideas are smothered and unheard because so many times we're not taken seriously. No matter how many awards we win, no …

Finding a sense of self: 30 things I’d tell the girlhood me

Initially, turning 30 jarred me. As a kid, there were so many things I wanted to accomplish by this major milestone. So many things I wanted to see and do. It was nearly like a mythical world or another realm of life that I tangibly couldn't plan, but I just had so many expectations that …

Collateral beauty: The realization of being a black woman

Even when I was a little, high-yellow 4-year-old running around with Shirley Temple curls in some random, hot pink tutu when I didn't even take ballet, I complained that there were not enough black people on TV. I've always been vocal and fought for what -- in my mind -- I thought was right. I …

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