Mother’s Love
May brings more than flowers it provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the mothers and mother figures in our lives. I have always loved that many a college graduation fall on Mother’s Day weekend. I can’t imagine what a gift that must be for the mamas and grandmothers who groom and raise us! One of the most difficult things to understand about parenting is you are the vessel that holds this little person, you are even responsible for helping to put up the guardrails that informs their journey and even still, you cannot journey for them and their path is different from yours. My best friend talks about the advice my mom gave her at her baby shower: “this little person is your responsibility, but is not a little YOU!” When I consider my path, I can see how my parents informed every step and yet, they both exercised a significant amount of restraint to ensure my path could be my very own. Especially, my mom. My mom watched when I didn’t know. She was listening when I didn’t realize. And she prayed when I couldn’t see. She knew that God had me particularly when she could not because I wouldn’t allow her to or when she had the wisdom to let me go. I often reflect on one instance where she let me go and I didn’t believe I was ready. I probably think about this one instance because it was the ONLY one. I was learning to ride a bike without training wheels. We had gone up and down that seem street over and over again. I had never considered her humanity in that moment. She was 41 with a 5 year old. I wonder now if my mother needed me to “get it” out of her own exhaustion. I wonder if she just needed a break. My mom was the one who woke me up every morning, scheduled every doctor and dentist appointment, made lunch every single school day for me to take, did my hair everyday (Daddy tried once), teaching me to bake, shuttling me to swim lessons, advocating for me with teachers, and so much more I will never know. This superwoman did all of this while working full time at Shoreline Community College. So, there I was with no more training wheels but with the strongest, most consistent helping hand I’d ever known—Mommy. I warned her not to let go of my bike especially not by the sticker bushes. As much as I played, I knew that was a feeling I never wanted to feel again. I was riding, steady…feeling the brisk air on my face, the exhilaration of going faster, and all the joy in my heart. But Mommy was really quiet. “Mommy?!” Nothing. I looked back to see her far behind me and I toppled the bike right into what I dreaded most: the sticker bushes. I was angry and hurt. I felt betrayed and the sting of the sticker bushes made the internal hurt worse. I was not mature enough to understand she had to let go for me to learn how to ride my bike. I also did not understand that her letting go isn’t what made me fall into the sticker bushes. I fell because I looked back when I got to the area I feared most. Looking back made me lose my balance. My partner challenges me regularly to not just say I am Eddie Rye’s daughter (despite it being a running joke in the family that I’m Eddie Rye III because we are SO much alike) and to pay homage to both of them. He’s right—joke or not. I am so blessed to have the wisdom, intuition, and discernment of Dr. Andrea Rye. Daddy says I have her brains too! I hope so, but in full transparency, she pulled a 4.0 throughout her doctoral program. The ENTIRE thing! And this while working as a college administrator and raising me in high school (chileeeee! A whole teenager!). Thank you for always knowing when to hold me and when to trust that God’s got me. Your ability to let go is what has allowed me to grow and flourish. I can only hope to be the kind of mother she was and is. I love you, Mommy! You are my girl for life—matching outfits and all! Xoxo I have been asked to write about my top five courageous, extraordinary women leadersWho informed and inspired me. My toughest job was creating this list. There are many magnificent African descendants of United States enslaved who could have easily made this list. I celebrate these women of grace, strength wisdom and courage. It is not necessary to introduce these women to you. You know them well. Instead, I will pay tribute to each of them my selecting one of their quotes that describes their essence. Professional Development Program Alum Spotlight Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully,
Detox
It’s Spring again! My godson, Efe Elaiho, went on a Spring Break service-learning trip to better the understand the experience of immigrants coming into this country and my best friend, Leonetta, decided that provided us an opportunity to be serviced. We indulged in our own Spring Break and HUNNAYYYYYYYYY! After the last six months we have had, we needed to be cared for and spa-ed (that may not be a word, but it is NOW!). One of our favorite places on Earth is Miraval in Tucson, Arizona. From Darlene to Vanessa to Paul, Lolita, and Sherie we were checked on, served, and protected. We had some of our favorite facials, body treatments, and massages. We even climbed the Giant Ladder! I did a birdwatching class because I have a spiritual connection to these small, yet mighty creatures. Miraval did not disappoint, and it helped jumpstart our Spring Detox and Cleanse. Queen Afua asked me to participate in her annual Spring Equinox Detox and it resonated. I knew it was time for a deep cleanse and reset. Taking the supplements, juicing, and shifting the unhealthy out of our diets are the easier lifts. What about what we choose to think about, dwell on? What about those people we need to forgive and releasing that anger? Detoxification is best when it happens holistically—body, mind, spirit, AND physical space. Detoxing is about shedding. Women during some seasons of their lives shed their uterine lining to get rid of what is old and make room for what is new. It is about cleaning and purging. We don’t call it spring cleaning for nothing! Detoxing enables us to reset and renew. We are backed up, congested, and too full of days, months, and years of what no longer (and sometimes, what never has) served us. Too often, that congestion prevents us from receiving the nutrition and nourishment that we actually need to survive and thrive. Detoxing provides space to evaluate where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. I love this time of evaluation. It took me so long to accept that it is okay to ask myself what I need! What needs attention? What needs healing? Where am I feeling depleted? Taking some deep breaths and doing a body scan help me answer these questions—acknowledging where in my body I feel fatigued, tender, or sore. I have implemented a number of body practices at the guidance of trusted friends, healers, and chosen family—Devi Brown, Queen Afua, Yadi, Latham (Mama Glow) and others. These practices not only support me in seasons of detox, but also in my overall wellness journey. Some practices I highly encourage you to consider are: • Acupuncture: my go-tos are Dr. Jessica, Dr. Sheila Campbell (@nuchi.us) and Dr. Zhang because I am a new person when I leave either of them. • Brainspotting: Dr. Halcyon Francis (IG: @hfassociatesllc) is MY GIRL!! I have had some major breakthroughs with her on this brainspotting journey. Hal! I am booking again soon. • Breathwork: I love Ana Lilia! She is such a powerful breathwork coach and let me tell you, she can give me a run for my money on playlists! Follow her on IG: @_ana_lilia. • Colonics: Soooooo this is not a glamorous process, but it is so necessary. I started going to this place in Atlanta (I am so mad I cannot remember the name) that was not far from where my cousin lived years ago. I now will frequent places with an OPEN system. This is very important if you would like to prevent the baby diaper booboo explosion effect (Chile, happened once and never again!). • Have you all heard of heavy metal detoxification?! OMG. I just learned about the havoc heavy metals can wreak on our bodies a few months ago. I am not going to lie to you, it is expensive. BUT I am committed to figuring out how to make this more affordable for everyone. I have a great naturopathic practitioner at the Health and Vitality Institute, Dr. Shiva Lalezar. At LEAST, get a heavy metals lab test done. These levels impact so many parts of our bodies. • Naturopathic Doctor: I love Dr. Jessica Norton at Nature Cure Integrative in my hometown. She is very thorough, very helpful, AND does acupuncture too! • Salt baths: Every time my spirit is disturbed, Devi AND Queen have directed me straight to the tub with two pounds (AT LEAST) of Epsom salt. My go to brand is Dr. Teals. They have so many good blends that can align with different intentions. It’s the candles, Londrelle’s Self-Care Package, and the bubbles for me! • Therapy: I so miss my weeklies with Dr. Mariel, but I still have Yadi! • I am woefully inconsistent with my yoga practice, so if I get in a good groove with a good spot, I will add it to the next newsletter. • Yoni steam: This is such a rejuvenating practice for me. The time over the steam allows me to reconnect with my intentions, affirmations, and prayers. It is so nourishing. I met a wonderful sister, Erlinda Carter, who makes amazing herbal blends for a great steaming experience. Follow her on IG @girlgangsteaming! I know this probably looks like a full-time job, but staying in our right minds, keeping our bodies in prime condition, and loving on ourselves spiritually is the most important work we can do. It is true—I am obsessive about these things. I want to experience freedom and I think these modalities are a part of that liberation. My job requires my brain to be in optimum shape, so I have to protect my greatest asset. I am older, but I want to have children. I am 43, but desire to look 25! LOL. Let’s keep loving, learning, healing, AND detoxing, fam! Check This Out! Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully,
Women’s History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! I am notorious for posting an IG inspirational quote. Wooooo do they resonate. Sometimes they are words I wish I could have articulated myself and often, they are words deeply felt despite my inability to express them. The kids say: “SEEN.” And I long for my followers to have the same experience of being fully seen, so I share….a GAZILLION of them! Safety comes from connecting with your divinity providing a pathway to return to the truest parts of yourself. Once you really see yourself, you can see the world and everyone else what it is. ACCEPTANCE is a prerequisite for safety and yet, it is one of the most difficult things to do. I put acceptance and letting go at the top of my list for giving: “MIRACLE REQUIRED TO PULL THIS OFF.” We have been trained to be deathly afraid of the unknown, which is where the journey of letting go often leads us. There goes that darkness again…children are given nightlights to avoid it. Adults sometimes fall asleep with the tv on to prevent being in the stillness of the darkness. That same darkness, that solitude was Harriet’s clear road to freedom on 19 separate journeys. If we can brave the darkness, we’ll find the safety of freedom on the other side. Because deep in the abyss of the unknown is our Inner Knowing. It is beyond the veil. If we are brave enough, we will FAFO. I grew up feeling very safe. I am in full recognition that it’s not only a point of privilege to grow up with both my loving, doting parents AND all my grandparents AND a village of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. My loving safety net and village was expansive. However, my experiences feeling a lack of safety physically happened very early and there are three different instances etched in my memory—all when I was 3. 1. There was a string of burglaries near my second childhood home in Mount Baker, so my parents were serious about putting the alarm on. Me and that alarm got in a fist fight one night when I called myself sneaking to get bubble gum downstairs. It went off and it startled me to the point of near death. I failed on Operation Late Night Bubble Gum. 2. My Dad’s friend, Lee Carter, was at the house when my Mom and I returned. I had not been properly briefed (I am kind of joking, but not really) and didn’t know he was there…and sadly, I have never been great at “doing new people.” I came around a corner, he spoke and scared THEEEEEE shiiiiii out of your girl. Also, I was just learning about strangers. And I already told y’all the burglaries were going down in Mount Baker! Sorry Lee Carter! You are a wonderful person…really, it’s not you—it’s me! 3. My mom and I routinely went to Frederick and Nelson’s Department store after church. One Sunday, in sheer excitement, I bolted onto the elevator leaving my mom behind. She ran to the door and slung her purse to try to keep the door open. I will never forget the terror in her eyes and the pit in my stomach from realizing I had just made a huge mistake. The store was completely shut down for over an hour while they searched for me. I never ran on another elevator again. While these are physical safety examples, the memories create a very real, traumatic emotional experience in my body. Creating safety has meant coming to terms with what happened using my more mature mind and providing comfort (and forgiveness) to the scared inner child who is still very present within. As we usher in Spring, let us usher in new beginnings, boundaries, and experiences that are overflowing with safety for ourselves and everyone we encounter. Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully,
Black History Month
February has historically been more about reclaiming, naming, and honoring Black History more than love. I am consistently Black, but not consistently in love. For 43 years, my love life has been marked more by inconsistency than anything else. Some could say I missed the part in I Corinthians 13 about longsuffering-ness, others could say I suffered more than I ought. I think its somewhere in between. I come from a long line of women who put up with too much—too much abuse, infidelity, humiliation, and more. In the spirit of being longsuffering, they stayed. Arguably, to their detriment. I watched many women I love suffer in silence—internalized depression, stress, bitterness, and sadness—that they rarely even discussed. It scared me! I questioned whether love that feels and is good is even possible. My response to what I have both heard and witnessed is to have a low or no tolerance policy to the same. I have fled stability. I have stayed too long in chaos. I have sabotaged before I had the opportunity to be hurt (or not). I have perpetually returned to those who have wounded and scarred my heart. I can see where I made decisions to stay in toxic relationships because I wanted to be married with children. I wallowed in dread because I so prioritized my career that I feared I missed my opportunity to birth children. And I spent time trying to emotionally connect to men who I intuitively knew were emotionally unavailable or unable to sustain the kind of emotional connection I require. And while I may not be on the other side of it, I know I am healing because I can see all of it. Good love is possible, but requires an unbelievable amount of work and transparency. Intimacy is impossible without being completely willing to be vulnerably and courageous about working on our stuff! The main thing I have learned about love…and in my experience, Black love, is too many relationships die without giving each other the benefit of the doubt. Hell, humanity requires that. We will die off completely without hope. We NEED each other to give the benefit of the doubt, to believe the best of and in us. Black people: we need to believe that this world will get better for us. That a world can be created for us to breathe fresh air, drink clean water, get a good education, and where our culture is put on because we are centered and not merely appropriated. I will write more about it next month, but as I sit here at the end of Black History Month mourning the loss of Gram at 105 years old, I feel both angry and confused. Logically, I know it’s impossible, but in my heart I thought she would be with us forever. Gram has been asking God to take her for the last twenty years. God did not listen, so I just knew we needed her more. Gram had a way about her. Even in complaint (not all my life but definitely since law school), she prioritized US. If I sat in front of her, she made me feel like nothing else mattered in the world. She prioritized her loved ones over her pain and suffering. You gave to us until there was nothing left. You gave every bit of your love, so of course, you would depart in the month of love. Gram: as I listen to “Unforgettable” in your memory, I pray you felt as loved as you loved us. Thank you for pushing yourself to say one more time: “I love you guys.” You said it twice, so we would always remember that. Thank you for making us feel unforgettable too. Teresa the Plant? She is still bugging. Literally. I saw little bugs on her. I took her out the old soil, sprayed some neem oil on her roots, let her dry out a bit, and put her outside. She ain’t been right since Gram passed. But I am not giving up on Teresa, like I am not giving up on Black love, like I am not giving up on the culture, or Black facts. Y’all: send Teresa some good vibes. Happy Black History Month! Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully,
Transform
Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully,
Reform
Hey Family, *Exhales* The year is almost over! 2022 has been a year filled with life lessons, laughter, new adventures, losses, and love. There’s so much that I could say about the crazy year that was 2022, but I think the word that sticks out the most is: grateful. I’m truly grateful for this year because I learned lessons I didn’t know I needed. There’s so much that I’m grateful for, but I cannot express my gratitude enough for YOU! You continue to support me day and I appreciate you so much. During this time of year, spending time with family is so important to me. It brings me joy that I simply cannot describe. I encourage you to find joy this holiday season. Whether it’s spending time with family and friends or spending time with yourself, I want you to do what brings you joy. Why? Because you deserve it! There are processes we can opt to go through to become a better version of ourselves. Sometimes it feels like a calling or somewhat of a spiritual tug. One day, we look in the proverbial mirror and do not like what is reflected to us. This normally brings about a season of intense change. Historically, I have gone through these seasons by starting with an open-ended question to my loved ones: “where do I need to improve?” At times, the question comes from self-pity and a result of not seeing, hearing, or feeling the answers anywhere else. As a natural fixer, my biggest project is MYSELF. Far too often, I apply unmeetable and graceless standards to myself, my progress, and my journey. Those questions begin with “Why didn’t you just…”, “Why can’t you…”, “Why do you always…”, “Why aren’t you…”. This line of questioning leads me down a road of deficit mentality because it emphasizes what I am not and where I fall short. Yet, the silver lining (if I can call it that) is I always end up with something to fix. This is a textbook example of our gifts also being our curses. Treating myself like a project results in temporary, feel good solutions and not always long term paradigm shifts. These shifts are about conforming to some standard I witnessed or otherwise believe exists—but with rules. When I think about reform, I see strict abiding by rules and following the letter of the law to perfection. It feels rigid and cold, but also safe. I did an Enneagram assessment a few years back and my primary personality is “The Reformer”. Law school, for me, was about using the law to advocate for the interests of people who are often left out because they do not have people who will stand up for them. I use rules to save, to protect, to advocate, and to create change. No wonder it feels safe! Even as a child, I thrived at competition (more academic than sports because I was a SORE loser!) earning my rewards. From my mom’s chore chart on the wall that was eventually covered with gold starts to school spelling bees, I performed best when I was clear about what rules to follow to win. Somewhere along the journey, I think we begin to feel like if we just strictly follow these specific rules or this specific formula, we will eventually find our way home to the original versions of ourselves. We try to put the pieces back together again when we may not even recognize the puzzle’s design anymore because there are so many pieces missing. At this phase, we are DOING change rather than being change… There is something about reforming that turns the page without embracing the darkness, fast forwarding through the pain of the journey just to turn the page. I met Jesus and that relationship changed the way I spoke and dressed. It changed my hobbies and the music I listened to. It changed my friend circle and sadly, it changed the way I engaged in activism to support racial justice (I am not blaming this on Jesus, but rather my embracing of my specific church’s subculture at the time). I saw emphasis placed on submission—to church leadership and wives to husbands. For years, when I reflected on my church experience in my youth and young adult years, I was filled with resentment for the rules that led me to sell all my secular CDs (including Aaliyah’s One in a Million album—that’s how you KNOW I love Jesus) to a local buy and sell store. Some of the rules, I had the courage to challenge, but most I didn’t. One rule was there could be no baby showers for single mothers. The elders thought that showering the baby with gifts encouraged teenage pregnancy. I, however, believed that meant punishing a child who did not ask to be born. Since I could not do baby showers through church ministry, I developed a parachurch ministry called Young Women of Virtue that included Bible Studies, small groups, prayer meetings, activities, and…baby showers. That is the impermanence of reform because we did not do much in shifting the mentality of the elders. It can feel like there’s only one way…very Old Testament where we earn our holiness and righteousness instead of the access granted by God’s unconditional love and grace. This rigidity is why I have a love-hate relationship with grace. Where does that happen?! Shouldn’t I be embracing grace with wide open arms? Yes, of course, but until this day, I wrestle with the concept because I am accustomed to earning my place rather than accepting and receiving grace for my place…that I deserve. WOW. If we don’t get stuck in the reform work, our road to personal freedom doesn’t end here and we may end up with a more permanent, grace-filled option that involves a little unlearning. “I’m finally on the other side, I finally found the urge to smile/ Swimmin’ through the oceans of tears we cried/ You know you got church in the morning/ But…
Stepping into Freedom
“And don’t you ever, ever, give up on YOU” Sheryl Lee Ralph, 2022 Emmy Acceptance Speech Hey Family, Que “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, and meet me on the dance floor! This month, we are celebrating ourselves in our truest form. Let’s vow to connect with whatever brings us happiness and make space for abundant joy! This month, let’s commit to falling back in love with what it means to be…ourselves! This newsletter will be the first of a five part series examining personal freedom. The first element of personal freedom is form. I believe our formation is according to God’s design, which develops and takes shape according to the Most High’s plan for us. The journey to get here, through the creation pipeline, to taking our very first breath, is no easy feat. There was a careful crafting of each step of your evolution and right now, I am only talking about your physical existence. You are not just one in a million. You are one in a HUNDRED million. Why? Because we scrapped and fought out (well, on average) 99,999,999 million sperm who all swam to meet the egg. Nearly 5,000 sperm make it into the uterus, out of that, nearly 1,000 sperm enter the fallopian tube, and from there, 200 sperm reach the egg and apply pressure to the zona pellucida to penetrate the egg. Just one penetrates and fertilizes the egg. Did you realize the egg actually chooses which sperm fertilizes it? To understand what it takes for an egg to survive, for sperm to make it, for embryos to develop, and how many odds are against us from the very beginning—I am in complete awe of the miracle of life! This is only the first miraculous step it took for us to begin the journey of life in the formation of a zygote. As the zygote continues its journey through the fallopian tube it becomes a morula. Upon reaching the uterus, it evolves into a blastocyst and the blastocyst attaches to the uterine lining for implantation. By the ninth week, a fetus evolves and will continue to grow in the womb of the birthing parent, if that is the destined path. The process from day one to week nine is intense and complicated. We all know that life, if we are blessed to experience it after being carried by our parents for nine months, is filled with many joys and many challenges. We move from a formative experience in the womb to our formative years in life—learning our identities, being called by our names, learning our respective places in our families and communities, what we think, how we communicate, and how we relate to the outside world. Some morph into fitting and others take bold shape, no matter the method we learn to make space or fall into place. For many, this initial formation is restrictive and yet for others, it is where we find ourselves, or at least, elements of ourselves. As we begin to develop, more and more external forces begin to influence our original form. Development, maturation, evolution…we don’t seek to be (stagnant), we seek to become, constantly evolving. After all, if stagnant waters are toxic and poisonous, how much more does that apply to human beings? I remember the first time I heard my dear brother, Resmaa Menakem, say “you are not defective.” In my mind, I retorted, “of course not!” But when I slowed down and examined the many things society tells us about our outward appearances, our cultural identities, and frankly the way rights are given and so easily taken away, it is something that we need to be reminded of—daily. Despite the ways in which systemic oppression conspires against us and how difficult it can be to just take a breath, we are worthy of being reminded that when God looks at us who were knitted together fearfully and wonderfully—it is, we are, GOOD. Form is directly correlated to our freedom to be… In the purest form God is… and in our truest form, so are we. We are brilliant, we are beautiful, we are bold. Speaking of the bold and the beautiful, can we get into New York Fashion Week (NYFW)? When I tell you that my melanated people did not come to play this year…We showed up and showed out! The designers, aesthetics, outfits, colors, and the LEWKS took over New York and broke the internet, confirming once again that we really are, A VIBE. I LOVE NYFW because I get to tap into a space that brings me so much joy! My love for fashion goes back to my childhood. I used to sit under my mom who was a dynamic seamstress in her spare time. From matching outfits with her (and of course, my dolls) to having the opportunity to design my prom dress that she sewed–not to mention all of the incredible ski outfits, fashion was a central part of our mother-daughter bonding time. Even though I grew up with a heavy emphasis on education because of her role as an administrator at a community college, fashion gave me a creative way to express myself, and y’all know I love expressing exactly what’s on my mind! In the midst of a new political storm brewing everyday, NYFW was a little reminder to myself that I can (and I will) wear these stilettos, put on my bright pink outfit, and still ensure you understand that these GOP governors are out of line for kidnapping undocumented people who just came to this country to find a better life–ALL at the same damn time! Regardless of how young or old we think we are, how much we try to convince ourselves we don’t have the time, or how we might self-sabotage our way into thinking we don’t deserve it…WE DO, YOU DO. Every month I challenge you to push beyond the boundaries, and this time won’t be any different. Make sure you make time for things that bring back memories that sound just…
New Beginnings
Hey Family! I missed y’all. Summertime vibes were in full effect this July and I needed every ounce of it! It’s so good to be back. I’m feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to tackle new spaces! August is the best time to welcome new beginnings, and embrace the transitions life brings whether we are ready or not. It is time to remember to surrender to the process because the truth is there’s not very much in our control anyway! Whether you’re a student returning for another year of school, a recent graduate embarking on a new journey or maybe you are stepping into brand new space in your life or career, the time is now to embrace the change. We are claiming new joy, new life and new blessings! Speaking of life, Happy 75th Birthday to my beautiful Aunt KK! My family’s walk through grief and tragedy the last couple of years has made our love for one another greater, stronger, and deeper. Spending time with my family is a constant reminder to hold each other a little tighter, turn off the news cycle, take a break from the hustle and bustle of our daily routines, release the unnecessary pressure we place on ourselves and REST. And rest, we shall, because life has definitely been “lifin’! Between the high gas prices, a new monkeypox scare, and a looming recession, the summer heat wasn’t the only thing that had us in a chokehold. AND Despite all the rest of the summer madness, I pray you had the chance to step away from your day to day routine to relax and replenish. I got to celebrate the weekend of the Fourth on an extended family vacation with Lenard, Jess, the kids, and loved ones in Anguilla. I also found myself needing to connect with my girls and nothing pulls me back to my center like a few days with some of my favorite girls. Sending you love MACHETES—Alicia, Brittany, Cari, Errin, Jemele, Joy, LaTosha, Sunny, and Tiffany! This summer, I also spent some time with the most important person in my life—myself (well, she’s becoming the most important person). I am constantly reminded to appreciate everyday as a blessing, to be intentional about enjoying the little joys life brings, reading by the pool, writing, and creating more memories with my friends and family. As I continue to reflect on what’s behind me, and prepare for the next steps in front of me, I learned something about myself that I wanted to share with you: The best way for us to truly stay in the fight, is to rest, as much and as often as we need to. For the rest of the summer, love on your family, give yourself permission to retreat to your summer sanctuary, enjoy peace, laughter and love and do whatever you need to do to feel like you again. As I write this, I’m preparing for another girls weekend with two of my besties from high school: Felicia and Leonetta! Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully, In honor or Black Business Month, check out a few items I can’t stop talking about! In Case You Missed It… INTERN SPOTLIGHT Every month, we are highlighting the achievements of the interns in our Professional Development Program. From marketing to media, our 2023 Cohorts are the BEST!
Our Legacy, Our Fight, Our Joy.
“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” — Toni Morrison WE ARE IN A CRISIS. OUR DEMOCRACY IS ON FIRE. THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER. Hey Fam, Happy Juneteenth y’all! We have Juneteenth, Father’s Day and Black Music Month all together?! It’s an absolute shame not to fully celebrate this month. And if there’s one thing black people are going to do it is celebrate to the absolute fullest! But first, can I share a proud Godmom moment with y’all? My oldest godson, Javon graduated from High School and turned the Big 1-8! J, I’m so proud of you, we are all so proud of you, it’s been an honor to witness your growth and be a part of your journey. I love you to the moon and back, we are forever locked in! (I promise I’m not crying as I’m typing this). To the dads, uncles, step dads, grandpas and all the father figures: we salute you this month. We love you, we adore you, we cherish you, and we value you. Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for your presence, your protection, your guidance, your love and your support. Thank you for being you. And to everyone’s favorite Papa, my main man, Papa Rye sometimes referred to as Eddie Rye, Jr, but forever my Daddy: You are the epitome of an outstanding father, an amazing brother, a loving husband, a respectful son, a friend and an activist. A shining light in the darkest rooms, a smile that brings joy to everyone you come in contact with, my voice of reason, my dancing partner, a true guide in every aspect of my journey. Thank you for setting the bar so high, and being exactly who you are, all the time, every time. I love you DADDY! Happy Birthday, Happy Father’s to you! This one is especially for you! Y’all already know what time it is! It’s JUNETEENTH! A celebration of love and liberation, for us, by us, to us and through us, it’s US all up and through the month of June. A commemoration of the emancipation of the last group of enslaved Black people receiving their freedom on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas. Only 157 years later, I think it’s safe to say Texas still has some making up to do, but that’s another conversation for another day. While we love and appreciate the acknowledgements and resolutions, please keep the red, black, (yellow) and green tablecloths to a minimum and spare us the ice cream flavors, instead we’ll take the 40 acres and a mule you promised us, can you say reparations please? Juneteenth isn’t a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, it’s an acknowledgement of our people being told they were free to live the lives they so rightfully deserve. Let’s not forget we built this joint for free. Our blood, sweat and tears have been the backbone for America. This concept surrounding the true meaning of freedom has been a part of my journey for a while now, unpacking the true meaning behind what freedom looks like for us, and exploring the intricacies of our journey on the path to freedom have always been on my heart. In particular, the narrative that has been given to the Black community surrounding the roles we play in our one freedom. Freedom isn’t something we should have to work for, it’s our birthright. For us, true freedom comes when all of us are free. Regardless of our education, our experiences, our beliefs and our place in society, our real freedom comes when the impoverished, the less educated, the broken, the forgotten rural communities and the inner city projects all achieve the freedom that is theirs, the freedom they deserve. That is when we are free, that is the real celebration. We deserve this day and so much more. So as the kids say, “we outside”, and we truly are! As we move towards the last half of the year, we are closing the doors to negative spaces and opening our hearts to a fresh, bright renewed sense of energy. For Juneteenth, we are out in the sun, in the places that once denied us entry, that once tried to separate us from a soft life, we are traveling, living, thriving ( and some of us are brunching), we are walking into spaces like God put us there. Outside in the sun where we clear our minds, where we find solace, it’s where our beautiful melanated shades find a source of nutrients and energy that connect us to the visions and dreams of our ancestors. To be outside means to bask in the sun and relish in the plans that God has laid out just for you. So this Juneteenth, and every month hereafter, grab your friends and family, and “go outside”, get some sun and enjoy all the spaces that await you. AND THAT’s how we honor Juneteenth! Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully, In Case You Missed It…
May: Celebrating the Village We Love, Dedicated to the Lives We Lost.
In Loving Memory Right now, nothing is more dangerous to our communities than the concept of White Replacement Theory, and the toxic lies that are rooted in nothing but FEAR. Domestic Terrorism must end. We honor the victims of the Buffalo Massacre, may we always remember their names and faces. This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of George Floyd who was murdered on Memorial Day of 2020. Hey Fam, Before you start the grill and plan a Memorial Day cookout, you know we have to do one thing: Thank the mamas! *Que Tupac, Dear Mama* We know Mother’s Day has passed, but it is ALWAYS time to celebrate the mother figures in our lives! To the mothers, the grandmothers, the aunts, from god-mom to bonus moms and everyone in between…I salute you. I owe the women in my family, godmothers, mentors, and many of my friends’ mothers so much for their wisdom, encouragement, and love. Their continued support of my growth, work, and journey have undoubtedly fueled my success and my resilience. Too often we take our moms for granted and while we honor and appreciate them today, and everyday we can never truly thank them enough for the sacrifices they make. My mom aka Mama Rye aka Dr. Rye is supernatural. She worked full time until retirement. She made and packed my lunch nearly every day until I was a sophomore in high school (and I suggested she can stop because I was eating off campus a lot more). She chaperoned weekend ski trips, so we had another bonding experience. Even when they were at odds, my mother has never had a negative word to say about Papa Rye. She was working toward her doctorate while I was in high school. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout the duration of her program (even when this HEFFA tried to plagiarize her work). My mom’s wisdom is divine. Whenever I call her to seek advice, I know her wise counsel will not be instant. She ALWAYS calls the next day with gems! She has been the most consistent, sacrificing person in my life. A tribute to mom, also means a tribute to the village. The ones nurturing the movement, continuing to affirm our space in society, we love y’all! You know those women that pull you to the side right before you’re about to go off on a colleague? The ones who give you a pep talk in the bathroom while you wipe your tears of frustration? (DAMN! I might be old enough to be one of them now…SMH!) When times are tough and when they are easy, you have been right there in the thick of it standing tall, protecting, loving and helping women build better versions of ourselves. I see y’all. So to the mothers, the mentors and all the women in the village, thank you. We love you more than words can ever say. Now that I got that out of the way, can we take a minute to digest everything that has occurred so far in the month of May… GOTV! It’s time to Get Out The Vote! In addition to being known as the Truth Bringer in chief- I’ve also been known to say exactly what I’m thinking- but we can talk about where I got that from during Father’s Day (hey Papa Rye!)- so let me just keep it real with you. May is confirming what we already know to be sure… the fight is far from over. For many of you, it is primary season and ALL of you have the opportunity to get out and vote. While I am confident that you understand the value of voting, part of being in the village is ensuring that our entire community also understands the importance of showing up to the polls and choosing people that represent our community and our interests. The progress that we have made is a testament to how powerful we are–as a collective we can move mountains. The women in our families fought a mighty battle for us to be able to place Vice President Kamala Harris, and Supreme Court Justice Kentaji Jackson Brown in the history books (well, if these fools stop hating on REAL history), and although they are the “firsts”, we have to make sure they are not the “last”! As we honor our mothers, both here on earth and the ones watching over us, we know that the ultimate sign of their appreciation is to continue their legacy by showing up in all the spaces where our ancestors were once denied entry and telling the stories that others have tried to silence. Our voices, our bodies and the ability to make choices all belong to us… that’s our true power and THAT’s on ya mama, dawg! Congratulations Graduates! And last but certainly not least… To the Graduating Class of 2022…you did it! You toiled through the pandemic, you made it through the storm, you worked hard, stayed prayed up and now look at you! You finished. In the spirit of the late, great Nipsey Hussle, it’s a marathon, not a race, so while you bask in all the glory of completing this part of your journey, your work is not done, you have barely tapped your full potential and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Speaking of what’s next, we want to give special recognition to the Professional Development Program participants, who are graduating this year. Our team at IMPACT Strategies and A. Rye Inc are extremely proud of you and know you will be amazing professionals! Shout out to Saisha White, who now serves as The Legislative Correspondent/Staff Assistant for Congresswoman Frederica Wilson | FL-24. Sending you all the love, joy, freedom, justice, and power you can stand. Righteously and cheerfully, In Case You Missed It…
