Weekend At The Holiday Parade

Even a little wind and rain couldn’t stop a perfectly planned staycation and the annual Holiday Parade at the Beach in my city last weekend. It was amazing. The streets were packed with eager residents and visitors to view the holiday fun and cheer as the parade carried on at the local oceanfront. It was beautiful and couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The smiling faces, festive floats, and talented bands and dancers were a wonderful treat to take in. After the parade, I happily retired to my hotel room, filled with delicious treats, and an amazing and peaceful view of the beach from my balcony window. It was one of the most chill staycations I’ve done thus far and a great way to kick off the holidays. Have fun this holiday season and make the most of the final month of this year. You deserve it. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!

Early Christmas Present: A Side of Serendipity

I don’t believe in forcing things or dating apps or being thirsty for the attention of guys, but I believe in God and I believe in serendipity. This week I met a charming guy when I was picking up my car from the car dealership. He was picking up his car too. I’d just had my yearly inspection done and couldn’t wait to have my ride back. As I waited for a mechanic to bring my car out front, the charming guy sat down next to me, started talking about the work he got done on his car, mentioned the holidays, and the weather, and said, “You’re really pretty. When I saw you, I was hoping you weren’t leaving.” He was nice and real chill. We chatted for a while and when he asked for my number, I told him, “I don’t give out my number, but I’ll take yours.” After dodging some creepers and indulging some not-so-great guys in the past, it’s been in my best interest as a bachelorette not to provide my number too freely. He was cool about it, though, and gave me his number. I was slightly impressed, and also reminded that you don’t have to force things or hop on a dating app or be thirsty. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, much like I have been anytime I’ve met a chill guy. I wasn’t nervous. And nothing felt forced. And things weren’t awkward. Things were casual and cool. Although our encounter was brief, it was nice. I’ve doubted God and His plans for my dating life and love life, but I’m seeing the benefits of letting things happen naturally. The gift of serendipity is lovely, and I hope you all embrace whatever serendipity may mean for you in this season as well. Especially all you wonderful, eligible, and amazing bachelorettes. Happy Holidays!

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

Dear Young Black Professionals

As you embark on your career, I want you to know some things and stay woke about what you’ll be up against. Please understand that no matter what, you have value, and you matter. Always remember that. As progressive as this world and different workplaces may seem, every workplace has a culture. You’ll be in different places where a lot of people who don’t look like you will be in the room. But know that you belong in those rooms too. Spend some time observing and studying those spaces and learn as much as you can. There will be people you work with who will make presumptions about your competence, education, and ability to fulfill your job duties. There will be more who will think less of you because of the color of your skin and try to disqualify you the moment you make an error, mistake, or ask questions about things you may not understand. This will all feel uncomfortable and you may get insecure, feel like you’re all by yourself, and think you don’t belong there, but ride it out...

Black Male Athletes And Their Dating Preferences

In the 2017 horror film Get Out , there’s an unforgettable scene when one of the film’s villainous characters, Rose, a young white woman, is seen eating Fruit Loops and drinking a bottle of milk through a straw as she searches the internet for “Top NCAA prospects.” This moment in the film is frightening because the purpose of Rose’s search is to ultimately lure young and unsuspecting Black men to a deadly fate after she begins dating them. If you’ve seen the film, you know how everything ultimately turns out, but if you haven’t, you’ll have a better understanding of the bigger picture. Recently, college football superstar and future NFL prospect, Travis Hunter, became a source of media scrutiny and controversy regarding his relationship with his fiancée, Leanna Lenee. Much of the criticism was around his fiancée and comments she shared about how she wasn’t initially interested in Travis before they started dating. Additionally, she received backlash regarding the couple’s interact...

Making Waves