One day as I was out and about running errands, I spotted a new vegan restaurant in a shopping center I’ve often passed through. Although I’m not a vegan, I was curious about it and thought I’d check it out. Turns out, that this super hip and chill vegan spot called CLTRE is a whole mood. The customer service was warm, welcoming, and inviting, and the vegan waffle and incredible coffee I ordered (and practically inhaled) were the best. Plus, the artwork, décor, and reading material at this place was like nothing I’d ever seen in Virginia Beach before. I was very excited to learn about CLTRE, and I hope they continue to do well. Even if you’re not a vegan, I believe you can still find something on the menu that will interest you. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a great spot to grab a bite, head into CLTRE and enjoy!
I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...