I didn’t have time to watch the DNC and RNC in real-time when both conferences were televised. I was busy catching up on sleep, among other mom life things. However, I have been taking some time to watch the different speeches from the conventions on YouTube. It was while watching Senator Kamala Harris’ speech that… Read More Voting for Our Future
The day after Independence Day, Travis and I went for a walk in Downtown Detroit. I was eight months pregnant at the time and I wanted to take some pictures in the city. It was our first time (since March) being downtown since the pandemic hit. City walks are one of my favorite things to… Read More Downtown Detroit Social Justice Signs
Last Friday, we lost two great civil rights leaders: U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-GA) and Reverend Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian. Mr. Lewis (80) died after a battle with Stage IV pancreatic cancer, and Rev. C.T. Vivian (95) died of natural causes. Both men devoted their lives to peacefully fight for equal rights for Black Americans… Read More Never Be Afraid to Get in Good Trouble
If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then you probably know by now that I am obsessed with the FX television show Pose. Yes, I know I’m tardy to the party because I’m just now discovering the primetime drama. I usually watch popular network TV shows a few months to a year after its… Read More If You Do Just One Thing This Weekend, Binge-Watch Pose FX!
Today is the 57th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers. He was killed on June 12, 1963 by Byron De La Beckwith, a Ku Klux Klan member, in the driveway of his home. Evers’ wife Myrlie and their children were inside of their home at the time. “On June 12, 1963,… Read More Remembering Medgar Evers
Today’s post is a #throwback from March 5, 2019. Dr. Menah Pratt-Clarke, VP of Strategic Affairs and Diversity at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) shared a beautiful essay on Good Life Detroit that she wrote in honor of Black Women’s History Month. I thought this piece would be fitting to reshare in… Read More When a Black Woman Walks Into a Room
Today’s post is a guest post by activist and writer Emelda. She was so kind as to share her thoughts on the recent protests for support of Black Lives Matter, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and all who have lost their lives to police violence. By Emelda “Black rage is founded on blatant denial.… Read More For Breonna, George, Ahmaud, and All of Us on the Margins
I am amazed at how many cities across the country are holding peaceful protests. I’ve been seeing more and more communities coming together to protest against police brutality and seek justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other African Americans who have lost their lives to police violence. In the last few days, there have… Read More What You Can Do If You’re Not Able to Participate in a Peaceful Protest
The past few days, I have been keeping up with the news on the mass protests from different U.S. cities. The “Justice for George Floyd” protests first started in Minneapolis and then over the course of just a few short days, many cities in the U.S. held their own peaceful protests to stand in solidarity… Read More 10 Quotes on Standing Up Against Racism
The last few days have been hard. I’ve been reading news articles, op-eds, blog posts, and social media posts about the tragic death of George Floyd and how others are feeling right now. Many people are hurting and are devastated because of his death. I can’t even begin to imagine what his family, friends, and… Read More On Speaking Out
Tomorrow is Super Tuesday in our state of Michigan, as well as Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington. Are you planning on voting? We all have a candidate and national/local issues that are important to us so this is not a post to advocate for a particular candidate. Instead, I thought I’d share a… Read More I Vote Because…
In celebration of Black History Month, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History compiled a list of 54 must-read African American books. The book list is divided into three categories: adult fiction, nonfiction, and children & young adult African American literature. You can scroll down to see The Wright’s recommended reading list. My… Read More 54 Must-Read African American Books Recommended by The Wright
TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ life is one filled with overcoming insurmountable odds and finding blessings in unexpected places. Watkins was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of seven and spend much of her childhood in and out of hospitals due to episodes with the potentially fatal condition. She was told she wouldn’t make… Read More T-Boz on TLC’s Legacy, Touring with Chilli and Beating the Odds
A couple of weeks ago, my friend Sabina invited me to a special event called “A Peace Symposium: Building Communities Across National, Cultural, and Religious Boundaries” at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association of Greater Detroit hosted the event and welcomed women from the community from all faith… Read More On Creating Peace and Positive Change Within Our Communities
By Allison Kugel Vanessa Williams is a creature unlike any other. It’s as though she came here to impart the ins and outs of living life on one’s own terms. From unwitting societal lightning rod during the 1980s to multi-platinum selling recording artist; and Broadway, film and television star, Vanessa Williams slayed the male-dominated Hollywood… Read More The Grace, Beauty, and Grit of Vanessa Williams
THE RETURN OF THE CLARK SISTERS The two-time Grammy-award winning group The Clark Sisters are back with a new single called “Victory”! The song will be released on Friday, November 15 on all major digital platforms for streaming. It is the first single from The Clark Sisters’ new album set to be released in March… Read More Weekend Vibes!
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve attended my friend’s two art exhibitions, but I wanted to share a few photos from my visit. Last year, I had featured an interview with Detroit artist Errin “Lightheart” Whitaker introducing you to his world of art. I first met Errin at a Mack Alive event in Detroit.… Read More Photographs from “The Burn Kill Ego” Art Exhibition ft. Errin “Lightheart” Whitaker
By Allison Kugel One conversation with rapper Rick Ross will have you questioning the definitions of success, wealth and opportunity; how to identify opportunity, how to achieve success and how to maintain it while keeping your soul and bodily faculties intact. Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, rose to prominence in 2006 with his breakout… Read More Rick Ross on Living the American Dream and Not Fearing Death
Detroit artist Judy Bowman has arrived, and she accomplished it in only four years! After taking a long hiatus from her art career, Mrs. Bowman decided to pursue her passion for art again. In just a matter of four years, the retired school teacher is making a name for herself as an artist. Thanks to… Read More Detroit Swag: Interview with Detroit Artist Judy Bowman
Last week, I attended the NAACP’s Presidential Candidate’s Forum and I was very excited to be there. I was excited to see some of the candidates I’ve been following on social media and I was also looking forward to meeting candidates who were new to me. I’ll be real with you– I’m still trying to… Read More 4 Things to Keep in Mind When Discussing Politics