Feb 25, 2021Black History Month Spotlight: Ryan CooglerDirector and writer Ryan Coogler’s introduction to the public left a profound impact that is still found in his work today. Coogler grew up as one of three brothers to a community organizer and probation counselor. Originally born and raised in Oakland, CA, he spent much of his adolescence in…Black History Month3 min readBlack History Month3 min read
Feb 18, 2021Black History Month Spotlight: Issa RaeMultihyphenated content creator Issa Rae grew from a YouTube content creator to one of Hollywood’s most powerful Black voices. Rae grew up as one of four siblings to a Senegalese doctor and Black American educator whose careers took the family across different continents. Originally born in Los Angeles, CA, she…Black History Month3 min readBlack History Month3 min read
Feb 11, 2021Black History Month Spotlight: Walter Dean MyersChildren’s book and young adult author Walter Dean Myers managed to merge Black youth culture with literature. Myers experienced a rough childhood growing up in New York. At age two, he was given to his foster parent Herbert and Florence Dean after his mother’s death. Adopting the middle name “Dean”…Black Writers3 min readBlack Writers3 min read
Feb 4, 2021Black History Month Spotlight: Toni MorrisonAuthor and educator Toni Morrison set the tone for many Black writers of today. Morrison grew up as the second of four children in a working-class African American family in Lorain, Ohio. …Black Women2 min readBlack Women2 min read
Nov 26, 2020Black Media You Should Be Grateful for This ThanksgivingThanksgiving is usually a time of togetherness. Dad, Grandpas, and Uncles screaming at the TV as his team misses another touchdown. Mama, Grandmas, and Aunties chastising the kids for nibbling on the sides. All the kids — oldest to youngest — teaching each other the latest TikTok dances and posting…Black Media2 min readBlack Media2 min read
Nov 19, 2020Mixed Feelings Over a Creative FutureAs 2020 barrels toward an unpredictable ending, being a Black writer has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Angry. Sad. Anxious. Joyous. Depressing. Exciting. Frustrating. But recent developments have been made me hesitantly optimistic.Covid-194 min readCovid-194 min read
Oct 29, 2020Getting Afrofuturistic Spirit for HalloweenHalloween is usually a time of outrageous parties, terrifying haunted houses, and mountains of miniature candies. But given our current circumstance, many of those activities have either been scaled down, shifted to online, or completely eliminated. This doesn’t mean people are throwing aside the spookiest day of the year. For…Halloween3 min readHalloween3 min read
Oct 15, 2020Expanding the Definition of a WriterEvery once in awhile, I have to redefine certain aspects of my life. Being a writer comes with its ebbs and flows when it comes to career and specialties. Being a freelancer and business owner magnifies those aspects even more. …Black3 min readBlack3 min read
Sep 3, 2020Writing to Survive in 20202020 has been a trying year, to say the least. As a freelancer, growth, and change have become my mantra when it comes to expression. But survival has become my motto as the year has brought continual blows. As a writer, survival has become a way of life as I…Survival4 min readSurvival4 min read
Aug 27, 2020Consuming the Culture Part DeuxIn the U.S., August has been designated as National Black Business Month. 2020 has been a mixed year for many small businesses as it began with an increase in new business before social unrest and COVID-19 set in. Many businesses in the U.S. have had to shift their models, or…Black Business Month4 min readBlack Business Month4 min read
