More Justice More Peace

Ahmaud Arbery

Trayvon Martin

Breonna Taylor

George Floyd

Michael Brown 

May 23, 2020 a day that once again changed the African American community and enraged the entire globe when 43-year old George Floyd was intentionally murdered in front of the whole entire world while they recorded and filmed the entire thing without even a distraction to stop them or to even bring pause. Flash forward we all mourned his death along with his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, his daughter, his whole family, and the entire community of Minneapolis, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas. George Floyd who was just an ordinary man who was a security guard life was cut short really for no illegal reason. Just because he was an African American 6 foot 6 man who was targeted by a police officer who was familiar with his face. We all mourned, we cried, we celebrated his life, A list celebrities came by to pay their respects to a man they never met, just heard his story, and they felt sympathy for his entire family and community. Tiffany Haddish, William Packer, Ludacris, Tyrese, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Reverend Al Sharpton, Al B. Sure, and a whole slew of celebrities came by to share their grief and support. They believe in the undying fight for justice. It’s still not over this is not something that will just happen overnight.

            This will take tireless days and nights, weekends, the government, every single neighborhood, every community organization and leader will have to get involve.  They need to establish Social and Communication Programs to show and teach every police precinct and all law enforcement. Show them the proper protocol interacting with different pedestrians. They may want to consider advanced training with dealing with public, proper body camera training when they are considering entering every single home. The police enforcement every officer is offered a body camera when they go to any kind of crime scene. Yet you notice although they have cameras on their bodies. They aren’t monitoring the fact that they have their bosses and their precinct plus hundreds of other cameras monitoring them on their cell phones with each move they make. It’s one thing to sit and watch your co-worker handle the situation but the situation became escalated with George Floyd and Rashad Brooks’s cases. These were innocent men minding their own business and each of these men were not breaking any laws at all. It’s incredible to me that these people were targeted. I understand with Rashad’s case he was mistaken for being inebriated inside the garage of a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. Let’s just keep it real though anyone who’s at a fast food restaurant and has come to get something to eat while they may have been slightly intoxicated. They were not targeted directly, electrocuted by a taser, or murdered at night.  To everyone we all notice that two officers who abused their authority and power. They used no kind of logic, no real empathy in this situation. It wasn’t even a case where the man was directly targeting them. They were having a bleak moment and figured they would cause harm and inconvenience to an innocent African American man. It was a situation that has already added a ton of kerosene to an inferno. It’s quiet for now but for the past month it is been peaceful protests, an uproar from everyone around the country disgusted and enraged by these senseless acts against George Floyd, Rashad Brooks, Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the hundreds of other souls who have passed away decade after decade due to an unfair justice system. How do we make this right? Everyone needs to stop focusing on the color of the skin and focus on the situation instead. We all need to put on our human glasses not our race glasses. It’s a chance for people to see that we have been abused, mistreated, discriminated against and certain people suddenly get amnesia when they forget oh we are part of the country who helped build and establish the livelihoods and success as immigrants and as minorities who sailed across the Atlantic to come to America. How can you forget we are descendants of the people who came across this country that added cool, flair, a spicy concoction to this great country. If it weren’t for all of these minorities America would simply be made up of just pure wonder bread. Now you figure that out. We deserve more justice, more peace! More Justice, More Peace for every American who is born in a hospital or at home on American soil, who’s family started small business or multi billion dollar conglomerates, who wiped the noses and behinds of small children, and cleaned every single home. We deserve to see more justice and more peace. Quit killing innocent men and women. Focus on the ones who need professional medical attention and legal repercussions put against them.

I am calling out the next presidential candidate to get ready to step up you’re in for an inferno and it’s not over yet. Buckle up because you’re about to go on a ride with this country. I ask him to step up and create a dream team and an administration that will knock everyone out when he comes into office on January 20, 2021. We aren’t going down without a fight our country has endured too much in the past two decades and we need a leader and team of people who are willing to sacrifice their time, their sweat, their tears, their hearts, because they want to see a great country who represents and says what they mean when it comes to the constitution, the bill of rights, and all law in all 50 states that we aren’t going to be a laughing stock anymore. We are the most powerful country on the planet and we will straighten out the injustices and prejudices of this world. Our forefathers believed in equal treatment, intelligence, and common sense. It’s a shame they have abused their power, their authority, and broke against the promise of America. We all deserve around the globe More Justice, More Peace, and Equal Rights for all.

50th Anniversary of Essence Magazine

            I grew up reading many magazines as a little girl. Always an avid reader and I loved reading about people’s stories their goals, accomplishments, from the famous to the average Joe and Janes of the world.

There is one magazine I remember sitting at the hair salon my grandmother, Carlene would take me to get my hair done and see if her hair stylist could have someone braid it. I am and was her only granddaughter she raised 3 boys to become 3 great men so a little girl for her was a blessing she had a  chance to play a part of helping to raise me. I remember I was about 8 years old around this time and she was getting me ready to go take a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We were going to be visiting family friends. So I was getting my hair in cornrow braids and I remember sitting underneath the dryer one time and glanced over. I saw the magazine, Essence Magazine it was probably a summer 1994/1995 issue. I just remember picking it up and reading the stories. I didn’t know these people yet but some of the names I remember I was reading about people who I would come to know very well down the road later on in life.

            As I watched, reading and skimming through the articles, looking at all of the gorgeous women and men. I remember seeing pictures of Eddie Murphy and his wife Nicole, pictures of Halle Berry and her ex-husband, David Justice, Spike Lee, and all of these beautiful faces. A little eight-year old reading about people who she would later come to admire, respect, and even cross paths with some of these people when I became an adult. What I admired was seeing these impeccable beautiful and handsome people, all well accomplished and successful. It struck a cord with me early on aiming for success and higher achievement. I remember just seeing all of the fun and creative food recipes, drinks, the clothing, beauty products. For any African American female young or old she appreciates the beacon of successful African American women and men’s lifestyles.

            That is what I love the most it was about representation of the “go-getters” and the movers and shakers. The people who wanted to have their voices heard, their photos taken, their stories shared, and needed to because when ever their issue was printed or published to newsstands. There would be some woman or man during that time period who would read it and could connect to those stories. Essence Magazine influenced little girls like myself and sparked a passion of writing, reading, and learning people’s fascinating lives.

The legacy of Essence Magazine is for women and men of color to believe in achieving your best, most productive, colorful, and beautiful life.That is the life lall women and men aspire to be and should accomplish for themselves. For all African Americans it is possible and achievable. I believe picking up that magazine was a defining moment for me. I am telling the truth because every time I walked into a hair salon in New York City, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., or anywhere else in the world. It hooked and sparked my love of creating, writing, fashion, storytelling, and believing that for all African Americans and people of African descent you must believe despite setbacks or challenges everything is achievable and possible. Thank you Essence Magazine, to all of your staff, stylists, photographers, your editors, freelancers, writers, and every person who was on the cover who shared their life with us.  Please keep telling us great stories. Happy 50^th Anniversary! and to the next 50 and beyond.

Also can we please give a shout out to the impeccable and gorgeous woman who is celebrating a milestone birthday, Naomi Campbell who is their cover girl for the May/June 2020 issue and looks amazing. A big fan of this supermodel diva who walks like a cheetah on the hunt. She’s a goddess and so amazing Essence is celebrating their anniversary and she her birthday this year. Is a beautiful way to commemorate this milestone.

Please visit http://www.essence.com for more information on their latest issues, upcoming events, and more.

The Centennial Celebration of Women's Suffrage

I was so excited when I realized 2020 would not only be an election year but also a year where people would celebrate a monumental achievement for women all around the globe. The right for women to vote on American soil freely and proudly this moment was momentous because it meant with the 19^th amendment a woman could vote and there would not be a cease to it. No matter her socioeconomic, race, religious, or ethnic background.

 It came at a cost for women during the 1900s and earlier. It was a long road for these women to protest, march, and fight against many naysayers who didn’t believe some women didn’t deserve that privilege. If it weren’t for Lucretia Moss, Susan B. Anthony, Ida Wells, and the thousands of female protestors who picketed and stood outside with their homemade signs marching down the blocks of streets, in front of their homes, and even making bold moves to discuss it with Congress, the White House, and many female organization groups. They were relentless creating rallies and fighting tirelessly to see a miraculous change in our country. They spoke of the injustices, racism, sexism, inequality, mistreatment in the workplace, affordable homes, and educational benefits for the public to become more successful and to function better in society.

            The power and right to vote is 10-minute process. I voted for the first time November 4, 2008. I had to wait an additional four years because my 18^th birthday was literally a few days after the Election back in 2004. Every time I think of the 2008 election I smile and beam with pride. That was the night I voted for the first time I went inside the Newport George Washington Complex building near my old apartment in Jersey City, NJ. I was excited I stepped behind the burgundy curtain pushed the lever (we hadn’t become electronic yet), and casted my vote. There was a sense of accomplishment and pride that night. I was 22 years old when I voted for the first time a young African American woman who was excited for that moment. I had been registered to vote since I was 17 actually. I remember that night of the announcement when they announced who would receive the nomination. President Barack Obama became our 44^th president and he brought hope, change, and addressed many issues we needed and still have to resolve in our country.

It was a historical moment that touched all of us around the globe it doesn’t matter who you are. The right to vote is not only a perk for a U.S. Citizen and resident of that state. It’s a privilege it’s blessing the power of your vote can affect the turn of your country and the globe. It decides which way do you want your country to go in the next four years with the leadership, the administration, the executive, legal, and judicial systems, how the economy is ran, how education is ran, etc. Your vote doesn’t just affect you it affects all of us and it is life changing. It changes literally everyone’s life in this country. People don’t realize how much weight they carry when they go into the voting booth. People look to America as a symbol of power, freedom, liberty, and equality.  It’s a shame that 100 years ago a 22 year old African American, Hispanic, Asian, Biracial woman couldn’t do the same. That is why this anniversary is important because this amendment affected women across the globe that live in the Western Hemisphere, the Eastern Hemisphere, the Southern part of the equator, the northern part of the equator, all of these females who saw this movement. They imagined themselves living in a country and migrating somewhere they felt free and could start fresh and a brand new life. That’s a powerful moment for a woman who is seeking freedom from her country to feel safe and that her decisions and her voice carry weight and that her hard work when she gets a job won’t be unacknowledged or she will not be valued or appreciated.  The woman who migrates to America for a fresh start deserves everything and more. She sacrificed her life and her native country for one she wanted to achieve success and believed it would be great for her, her children, and theirs.

The 100^th Anniversary will not be ignored and women from all walks of life will come and stand together to celebrate this Amendment, they realize Times Up, they see we still need equal pay, and they still see the discrimination exploding and coming to the surface. Ladies and Gentlemen please don’t let 2020 go down without speaking up for women’s right to vote it is just as important as all of the other social issues our country is facing every single day.

We deserve better and so much more today, tomorrow, and the next day. To all of those women who worked so hard and helped achieve this goal.  Thank you to them that you, your friends, your family, your neighbors, your community can walk inside a voting booth and cast her vote to decide who will be in charge, have the great responsibility of running our country.

For information on this topic visit websites like http://www.womenssuffrage.org 

He changed the Business Magazine Game, Earl Graves left impact and legacy

I found out last month that we lost an African American pioneer who changed the business of entrepreneurship, when I heard about it. It took a minute to process what just happened because I was in a state of shock from all the souls we have been losing due to the pandemic. So when I heard that the founder of Black Enterprise Magazine, Earl “Butch” Graves, Sr. passed away it was a bittersweet feeling because although he doesn’t have to be in pain or suffer the symptoms and condition of Alzheimer’s disease. He is in a better place but it was bittersweet for the magazine, media, business, financial, and publishing industries.

The readers, viewers, and entrepreneurs who he impacted and touched all around the world with his magazines, television series, “Black Enterprise Business Reports” and “Our World with Black Enterprise”. He leaves his legacy with his three sons, Earl G. Graves, Jr., Johnny Graves, and Michael Graves.

            I was hired by Black Enterprise Magazine to work as an intern in the spring of 2011. I left my job as an administrative assistant for a real estate legal firm the year prior. I knew I had to follow my heart and go . I had just completed my second internship, and graduated from Hunter the year before.  My mother, a family friend, Genevieve helped me to work as a television production assistant and the timing was great. I learned so much from the broadcast team when I worked their for two years and it was life changing, opened huge doors for me. I treasure those two years because it was definitely a defining moment for me. I remember seeing Mr. Graves with his famous sideburns at their annual Christmas party in 2011. It was a funny moment I look back on the memory of meeting him. I laugh because here I am twirling literally in my dress dancing around with my co-workers and the owner of Black Enterprise is standing 2 feet away from me just laughing, having a good drink, and enjoying all of his staff. I never had a chance to meet him one on one. I will say though that he was a sweet, cool man and everyone loved working with him. You felt nothing but the respect, the admiration, and love of him from anyone who worked with him in the company.

            He changed the financial and entrepreneurship industry the magazine debuted in August of 1970 the first issue was released and would hit newsstands worldwide under Earl Gilbert Graves Limited. A little about his life though he was born January 9, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. He was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of New York with two sisters.  As a little boy when he was seven years old he would help his uncle sell Christmas cards and give them to people in his neighborhood. That sparked his interest in becoming a businessman

He always had a drive and passion for it. It even came in handy his knowledge and experience when he attended Erasmus High School and went on to college Graves attended HBCU Morgan State University located in Baltimore, Maryland where he first started writing his newsletter initially before discovering he wanted to publish a magazine next.  He majored and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business. He also pledged Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He was also part of the ROTC and attended Airborne and Ranger schools. Graves was definitely considered a Renaissance man of many talents and experience. He joined the military prior to starting his new found company. He volunteered for the Democratic National Committee and became a volunteer during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. He also became an administrative assistant to Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1965 when he was 30.

 His experience being apart of the small business administration he took that knowledge and used it to his benefit to create a magazine that would become a household staple, a beacon of hope for African Americans and all minorities, and a bible for entrepreneurs who were new to starting their own business.  This magazine and his entire publishing and production company inspired millions of people, vendors, small business, and large conglomerates which were featured in Forbes or Fortune magazines.  He opened the doors with his business expanding in different states Black Enterprise has other offices outside of his home office in New York City.

 The editorial and publishing team found the annual Black Enterprise convention and retreat bringing millions of small business owners and entrepreneurs together. In 1995 he published his book, “How to Succeed in Business without being white: Straight Talk on making it in America”. This book gave sound advice on how to achieve and make it in the business and people were able to take his cues, pointers, and find a way to start their companies without feeling any intimidation, fear, or mediocrity. He wanted African Americans and minorities to feel a sense of excitement about starting a new business and company. Ultimately it is exciting for a person to have a goal and vision to have a simple idea I want to start a business selling funny hats for people, faux fur coats, vegan clothing, name brand shoes, cooking utensils, etc. These ideas are words on paper but when you bring them to life and expand your vision. It becomes something amazing. It becomes reality and people are excited to try something new and that can make them smarter, healthier, and more business oriented.