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...

I attended the first School Board meeting at the School District of Philadelphia on Monday, July 9, 2018. The set up looked very similar to the previous School Reform Comission meetings, but the energy in the air was different, it was expectant. It opened with the appointment of the President pro tiemp, Dr. McKinley. Then after some quick introductions we started hearing the over 30 speakers. The constant theme across most of the speakers focused on the lack of democracy and transparency regarding the status of Strawberry Mansion, the demand for more Black Educators, funding for female sports, and most importantly, the hope that this new local control will be different then before. The standout testimony was given by Tonyah Bah, who compared the state of public education to Willie Lynch. Her truth about the harm to Black and Brown bodies and minds struck a chord with the listeners, and the new School Board. The board only nominated a single person for the role of President, Joyce...

I am currently involved in a campaign with several organizations to shine a bright light on the need for more Black Educators, and more importantly to provide actual strategies to make it a reality. Outside of the research and studies that support the presence of Black educators and the powerful impact they have on all students regardless of race and ethnicity, there also exists the personal testimonials. Here is mine: As a student, all of the memories I have of being seen or being uplifted were usually with a teacher. A Black teacher. And throughout my educational life, which spanned across K-12, undergraduate and graduate, I can only recount a few educators (Black and White) who provided any kind of light or hope. Or who didn't set out to diminish me. The first instance was Ms. Jaunes, a strict Black teacher who was feared by most but is the reason that I got on the honor roll. She tutored me and helped me truly understand how smart I really was. I was new to the school, an...

If I hear one more person say any of the following phrases I may actually throw a tantrum: This is not the America that I know I can’t believe that our country is going to hell in a handbasket Trump is racist, sexist, crazy...fill in the rest How can anyone be shocked or dismayed? He pretty much laid all of his cards on the table during the election. In fact, I have never experienced a politician more honest than he was. He is doing exactly what he promised to do and more. He said, that he wanted to build a wall...so he is. He stated that immigrants should not be accepted here, and guess what they are not. He is grotesque towards women, children, any person who is not white, and he was the same way when he ran for office. And guess what? 50% of white female voters voted for him, and he got most of the popular vote. This wasn’t like the Gore election when people were still counting votes, he won fair and square. Now that we got all the BS out the way. Let us face the truth....

As I watched this new web series, The Red Table hosted by Jada Pinckett Smith and her mother and daughter, I was reminded that we must continue to surround ourselves with people who will not only laugh and cry with us, but those who will also hold up a mirror to often expose our ugly truths. I am blessed to have said people in my life but it didn’t all happen at once. It took time and openness to be able to evolve enough to accept myself for who I am. And to shed those who were not contributing to my journey or to recognize that not all of us are ever in the same place at the same time. So this is my reminder to me and to all of us women. We should always have each other first. When we ask how can we nurture and develop the next generation, the simple answer is by living our best life and being a living example. Actions always speak louder than words. When you are constantly tearing someone else down you are telling the world that you are small and have no self esteem. Yes, many of u...

This is the time of the year where auditions for TV and stage are prevalent for work over the summer or for the upcoming season. Offers are coming in or the chance of unemployment is on the horizon. No matter where you find yourself, remember YOU. Because it is easy to get distressed, depressed, worried, or simply left with no idea of what to do next. Remember we are artists for a reason. We are innate creative beings where the possibilities are endless and we can also imaging the worst case scenarios and make ourselves crazy. No worries about those pesky bills that you may not be able to cover with your survival job. In the midst of that there is a script that you always wanted to write and film. There is a gig that you have been wanting to create that allows you to share your expertise in helping others with auditions, technique, and even prepping for TED talks (yes, that is a thing). You may want to be a blogger or vlogger and share your ideas with everyone. And know that in thi...