Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

Yesterday, we lost one of the greatest voices to ever sing. Aretha Franklin could not only sing across all genres, she could also play the piano, and most of all she was a soul speaker, one who was there in your darkest hour and your highest triumph. And I must admit, I feel as my childhood continues to slip away into the death that awaits all of us. But, this is not a sad tribute, this is a celebration because one of daughter's favorite singers is the Queen herself, which means she lives on. Some of the first songs, I started humming in my grandmother's house was Chain of Fools, Respect and Precious Lord/Old Landmark from the live recording at her father's church in the heart of Detroit. Whenever I had my heart broken or my spirit crushed, I would turn to her records to soothe me back to my joy. Her voice rocked me to power and she would return the swagger to my step. She wore whatever she wanted and when she dropped that fur coat at the White House concert honoring Caro...

Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper is a powerful book filled with self reflection and insight of the many nuances and details that make up black feminism. The chapters speak candidly about growing up with white female friends, Black fury, the queerness of Black feminism, patriarchy and make hubris, and so much more. It is a book that should be read by men and women, and conversations about the content may just be the equalizer necessary to start an honest dialogue based in truth rather than conjecture. Here are some of the highlights from our summer book chat (and there will be another in the fall). “Such an enriching experience, the book, Eloquent Rage was available, doable, moving and more for me, on many levels.” (Marie) The book talks were comprised of all women and that made for even more honest and revealing chats. One of the themes mentioned is, “The pattern, in which Black girls are labeled and disciplined for acting ‘disrespectful or agressive’ with adults.” Alex connected t...