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
The 2nd Annual ROCK THAT Photography Conference and Trade Show starts tomorrow. Are you going? The three-day conference will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan from July 25th to the 27th. I plan on attending the conference and learning more about what ROCK THAT has to offer. Although I’m not a… Read More Piper Carter Talks Photographing Erykah Badu and the Advice She’d Give Women Photographers
My first experience at the NAACP Annual National Convention has been amazing so far! As soon as I received news Detroit was the hosting city for the annual convention, I knew I had to go. I am enjoying making connections and learning more about important issues. So far, the overall experience has been very enriching… Read More NAACP Convention Highlights (Plus, Meeting Shaun King and April Ryan!)
I have been keeping up with the Detroit Youth Choir’s journey on NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent (AGT), and I am excited to see them compete in the finals! If you’re not familiar with the story, the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC) competed on AGT and received the golden buzzer. The golden buzzer is a… Read More Anthony White- Choir Director of the Detroit Youth Choir- Talks ‘America’s Got Talent’ and Inspiring Detroit Youth
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine said something to me that caused me to dig deep into my creative side as a blogger. We were at the Detroit Podcast Festival (DPF) mixer at Marble Bar and she mentioned how I am a storyteller because I am a blog writer. Of course, I’m… Read More What Makes You a Storyteller?
What podcasts have you been listening to lately? Right now, I’ve been listening to the new Jemele Hill Unbothered podcast. Have you heard it yet? It is really good! I like to listen to podcasts when I am putting on my makeup (because it takes me 30+ minutes to do), while I’m working on my… Read More Four Podcasts I’m Listening to Right Now
For the past three months, I have been exploring new and seasoned music. From genres like hip hop and Neo Soul to indie music and even classic rock, I have kept an open mind in my music discoveries. I’m not sure why exactly I’ve been on this music kick, but it has turned into a… Read More Hip Hop Artist Lando Chill Shares His Thoughts on His ‘Black Ego’ Album, Black Feminism, and Supporting Women’s Rights
High there! You know it’s 4/20 so I had to do it. 🙂 Seriously, though, what are your thoughts on marijuana for medical use? What about recreational use? Did you know there are many cannabis health benefits and it is now widely used by many patients to help with various health conditions? If you were… Read More Why I’m Celebrating 4/20 This Year
What up doe. Happy Friday! This has been an off week for me because Zephaniah, my youngest baby, has been sick most of the week. I think the sudden weather change from warm to cold got the best of him. Thankfully, a lot of rest and love from Mommy and Daddy are helping my little… Read More #FridayVibes 4.12.19
Last Saturday, I attended “Celebrate India” at the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA). The event was a beautiful celebration of Indian culture. The event featured art and crafts, dancing, films, henna, literature, music, yoga and more. “Celebrate India” was presented by the DIA and the Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures as part of the… Read More Photos from My Visit to “Celebrate India” at the DIA
I’m sitting in my basement on the phone with new, up-and-coming Detroit singer Charles “C3” Laster III. The singer reached out to me via Instagram to share his new song “Games”. After listening to it one time on Spotify, I immediately DM’d C3 to ask if he’d like to do an interview for the blog.… Read More Detroit Singer C3 Talks New Song ‘Games’ and Inspiring Fans Through His Music
What’s on your reading list for this month? I just added these six great books to read for my monthly book list! Featuring James Baldwin, African American women writers, and more! Keep reading to see what’s on my March book list. I’ve been trying to make it a monthly goal to read at least two… Read More Six Books to Read in March
SPECIAL NOTE: This piece was updated on 4/7/20 to reflect the date change of the new Clark Sisters movie, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, which will premiere on Lifetime on April 11, 2020. If you haven’t heard of break out star Sheléa, then you don’t know what you’re missing! She’s a beautiful person… Read More Singer Sheléa Discusses Her New Projects: A Quincy Jones PBS Special and The Clark Sisters Biopic
With the rise of veganism, more people are starting to adopt a plant-based lifestyle for health and spiritual reasons. Many years ago, veganism was thought to be an extreme way of life and you found more negative commentary on the subject than positive. But in today’s time, we are seeing a more positive acceptance of… Read More How Celebrities & Organizations Are Positively Encouraging Plant-Based Living
Today’s post is a special guest post by Dr. Menah Pratt-Clarke, Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). She wrote this beautiful essay in honor of Black Women’s History Month. When a Black woman walks into a room, something happens. For how could it not? For… Read More When a Black Woman Walks Into a Room
Remember when I wrote a 2-part interview series on Detroit writer B. Van Randall (Van)? Well, he has some exciting news to share with you. If you’re a comic book lover or have a loved one who is a big fan of comics, then you will love Van’s next creative project. Van created, wrote, directed,… Read More Detroit Writer B. Van Randall Invites You to Be Part of His Next Comic Book Project
By Allison Kugel Melanie Brown aka Mel B has reigned supreme as the spiciest of her bandmates since bursting onto the entertainment scene as Scary Spice in 1996 with the group’s #1 hit Wannabe. With her wild hair, piercings and a raucous personality to match, she instantly began making headlines, and she never stopped. Her… Read More Mel B on Sex, Drugs, Abuse, & Her Epic Healing Journey