Drop Everything And Read: Finding Freedom

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are an interesting couple.

One, they look adorable together. Two, they make a great power couple. And three, they’ve managed to change the image of the royal family with the fact that they’re an interracial couple. They are a true representation of what the world now looks like as opposed to how the royal family has always looked from its beginning. When these two were dating, there was a lot of press coverage brewing, but when they announced their engagement and wedding? Things skyrocketed to an entirely different level.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the wedding or the photos from it, you missed something special. It was clear that these two were (and still are) very much in love. However, one couple’s happiness can sometimes be an issue for those who are unhappy with themselves and maybe their own lives. Which Finding Freedom dives into. It specifically highlights not only Meghan and Harry’s love story but also describes all of the public scrutiny and criticism they faced, especially Meghan, stemming from media storms from the press, the challenges inside and outside of the very private walls of the royal palace, and the decision that led to Meghan and Harry walking away from that life. I enjoyed reading this book because I felt that it accurately addressed a lot of the false rumors and stories surrounding these two and was also a chance to clear the air.

It was also a reminder that even behind photographs of candid moments and smiles is always a backstory we may never fully know or see. Earlier this year I was able to watch the sit-down interview Oprah did with Meghan and Harry and it was heartbreaking learning how opposed to the union different people were and how heartless and hateful others hiding behind cameras, computers, and smartphones could be too. I love that Prince Harry has continued to stay by his wife’s side and be a pillar of love and support in a world that isn’t always welcoming or kind to someone and something they don’t like just because it doesn’t fit what they’re used to. If you’re into the royal family, Finding Freedom is a nice read worth checking out.

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