Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

"Trials are necessary for our spiritual health and growth" (1 Peter) Fire is harmful and helpful. It destroys and yet stages the renewal. For the past few months, I had been enduring my very own fire. It challenged me to my spiritual, emotional and religious core. And just when it was ending, more death entered my inner circle. It is during this time that you realize who your true friends are. Those are the ones who send you a text or call to check in, but they are also the ones who don't get hurt feelings when you go dark and sequester yourself away. This grieving has taken on many forms, and unlike moments when I fight it off, I will also lay down and accept it at times so that I can feel my face wet with tears and be okay with that too. Then when you add all of the death that surrounds us each day with Black lives being taken constantly, I simply want to lay down. But, that is when art and writing become my refuge and my weapon. Whenever I feel silenced by despair ...

Terrence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott are the latest victims in a cascade of Black victims shot by police officers. Both, like many others, are on video for all to see. Yet, many question the validity and truth of their deaths. Here is the truth. Both men were unarmed and both men were shot and killed by police. There it is and that is all you need to focus on. We also need to stop having debates whether the police are or are not racist. Are they simply doing a difficult job as they protect and serve? Are communities becoming more and more dangerous? Well the answer is yes, to all the above. Just a few days ago, the local Police Union announced its support of Trump for President. And a local organization that represents Black police officers came out with a statement opposing the support. And I have friends and family who are members of the police department. But, it never softens or skews the reality. Each day another Black child, teen, or adult is murdered on our street corner...

I am sure you have heard someone state the following: "I want to be an actor" I can do that. It is so easy and I love the camera" "How can I get in one of the TV shows like you?" Yes, people do say this and often. I have no idea if it is because of reality TV or because many of us are so good at our job that it looks effortless. Well all of that is BS. This is one of the most difficult careers to ever step foot into. And the lack of understanding borderlines on disrespect and rude. In fact, it is one of the many reasons I started this blog. To set the record straight. To stop folks from saying dumb shit. Or to simply stop having a lottery ticket mentality when it comes to this bizness we lovingly call show bizness. If you decide that this is what you want to do. Act, sing, dance, and perform in public spaces. First, seek out some training. Take a class. Take a few. First, you must realize if you even have the ability to sing, act, dance or perform. You may ...

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17) My church home is closing on September, 11, 2016. My daughter and I have been members since 2007 and attending since 2006. I literally was walking down Germantown Avenue and saw the sign, "Come as You Are," and walked in the following Sunday. We were new to Philadelphia, and St. Michaels Lutheran Church provided the spiritual haven that I needed. I have been active in every aspect of the church, but for the last month, I have been actively involved in the machination of closing it. The church has been open for since 1788 and a historic graveyard marks the time of its great history.   "You got to commune with the dead to understand the living" (Garden of Good and Evil) I mention this story, not so much, to bore you with the sordid and stressful details of what it entails to close a physical ...