When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...
On a bright and beautiful day, I took a drive out to Hampton to meet a friend for breakfast at a spot I’ve never been to before called Mango Mangeaux. The vibrant colors, chill vibe, and friendly smiles that greeted me as I walked into this location felt special, and I couldn’t wait to explore the menu and great food options they had to offer. It also didn’t hurt having a kind, tall, and very fine waiter serving us too. A few drink options that immediately stood out to me were the Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. I knew who these Black-iconic entertainers were but was surprised to see drinks named after them! I ordered the Dorothy Dandridge and noticed how it had similar ingredients to a traditional Shirley Temple. Our waiter explained that the drink originated in the Black community but was stolen and renamed. How interesting is that? I also ended up ordering the Sledge Skillet that came with delicious toast, crispy hash browns and bacon, scrambled eggs, delicious grits, and a s...