Art is therapeutic and can be used to restore a broken hearted to a healing heart. Valentine’s day can be a somber reminder of heartbreak or love lost. Enter artist Raub Welch. His artwork has exhibited worldwide and caught the eye of Oprah, who owns one of his collage works. He is also an interior designer and events planner via… Continue reading "Healing Hearts – The Art of Love"
For Black History Month, inspired by the Honorable Maxine Waters’ “reclaiming my time,” I want to change the narrative. I am tired of the media and television images portraying black women as ratchet thots that tear down one another. If we are not mammies or slaves, then we must be vixens, crackheads, prostitutes, or a white girl’s sassy best friend.… Continue reading "Black History: Reclaiming Sisterhood"
There are many negative media images about black boys and men. However, I know black men who are being the village to our youth. I grew up watching the men in my neighborhood reach out to young kids in the community. If they were hanging out, the older men would say, “Young blood, what you doing? Come here let me show… Continue reading "Black History: Brotherhood"
If you seek the traditional black history story, you can read my article on Why America Needs Black History Month and America Lift Every Voice and Sing. This year for Black History Month, I am doing something different. Inspired by the Honorable Maxine Waters’ “reclaiming my time,” I want to change the narrative. During the holiday season, did you notice… Continue reading "Black History: Reclaiming the Black Family & Love"
There is more than BBQ, Elvis, and Beale Street in Memphis. The city of “grit and grind” is going through a transformation. As native Memphian Rachel Knox said, “Memphis is a unique city because historically we’ve encountered devastating events that would have otherwise buried another city, but Memphis always returns stronger and burns brighter than before. Whether it was the… Continue reading "Memphis: Bring Your Soul & Entrepreneurial Spirit"
On MLK’s holiday I post the same article, In Spite of Dr. King’s Dream, We Have Not Reached the Mountaintop. Trump’s presidency is a prescient reminder that today is a cause not for celebration, but for mourning. This year bears more weight because it marks the 50th year of Dr. King’s assassination and it seems that we have chipped away… Continue reading "MLK50 – Assassination of MLK"
When I heard about the H&M controversy, I thought here we go again. Racism in the US is different than other parts of the world. However, it does not excuse ignorance. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” When people say that they do not understand why non-black people cannot use… Continue reading "H&M: Boy, Monkey & the N word"
I was in a junior in high school when a couple of guys in my physical education class decided to act like they were playing Olympic level racquetball. Class was over, but they continued. As I walked to the exit, a ball hit the back wall and hit me straight in the eye. The doctor said that I had a… Continue reading "Zenni Optical – A Game Changer"
Chicago based painter and interior designer, Raub Welch’s art work and life is an ode to Afro-Opulence. In addition to his beautiful Afro inspired collage and oil paintings, he is known for his elaborate themed parties. Throughout the year, musicians and artists can be found having an after party at his abode. From live music and entertainment to the exquisite artwork… Continue reading "Afro-Ritz New Year’s Eve"
This time last year I fretted what a Trump presidency would bring for 2017. It was worse than my cynical mind could imagine. More pressing was my mother’s cancer diagnosis. She had surgery a few days before Christmas 2016. Her health and recovery were paramount. In January 2017, she received a good prognosis at her post-op appointment. After ten years… Continue reading "Reflections on 2017"
Champagne, cava, and prosecco are necessary to welcome the New Year. However, you need something else to serve until the midnight countdown. To that end, I visited two Chicago distilleries that have returned spirits to the city to get some cocktail recipes: KOVAL Distillery and CH Distillery. If you are visiting Chicago, a tour and tasting is a must at both! My latest… Continue reading "New Year’s Eve Cocktails"
As life expectancy extends, the economy changes, and financial stability is tested, retiring at 60 is less the norm. The new question is what to do with the fourth quarter of life and all this experience gained? The new challenge is “transitioning for your next chapter and season of life,” in the words of Vicki Escarra. This idea of “next… Continue reading "Ageless Innovators: Cold Open"
