The Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach is iconic. Not only does it hold rich beauty, history, and culture, but there’s also a lovely restaurant in the hotel called Becca. I’d visited Becca for brunch with a friend before and thought it’d be a great spot to visit again with my mother. We both went for brunch a while back, and I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere there. The customer service and dining were exceptional, and the sights were breathtaking. Whenever I go to The Cavalier Hotel, I always feel like I’m getting vibes from The Great Gatsby, which is arguably one of the best books ever. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a fancy spot to dine, head into Becca 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...