Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

Each year that I organize and work towards good in the greater world, I realize some new things and some old. The old information is that individuals who are truly inspirational organizers are simply about the work being done and the purpose being met. They gather people around them who are also about the work and the same purpose being met because they know that everyone is important and that every job no matter how small should be recognized and appreciated.  True organizers also trust everyone who works with them without the need to micro manage or to question their purpose or plan. They also do not seek the limelight or to be noticed because at their core the work and purpose is what drives them.The new things that I learn each year are not so positive. These not so nice lessons are usually: Everyone does not truly care about the purpose Some mistake activism for organizing Gaining momentum is always a game of chess and not checkers Being an organizer is more than throwing...

In 2013 after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin a hashtag erupted into a movement. Alica Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tomati created #BlackLivesMatter. A way for local organizers to pull together and continue the fight for Black lives. Because let's face it, we our under attack. And this attack has not ceased since we were kidnapped and brought by force to this country. In fact, the attack on brown and black bodies has been a global issue since ever. It is for this reason that we must continue to unearth the truth and share it without making it clean or easier to digest. Philadelphia and many cities around the country are planning the National Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools . And I sit here and wonder if it is enough. Have we fully actualized the 13 guiding principles of this movement? Principles like Diversity, Loving Engagement, Collective Value, Queer and Trans Affirming, Black Families, Black Women and more? Have we? The answer...

Each year I look back and reflect on what the year has brought me in terms of lessons. What new relationships have been developed and which ones have perished or simply withered away. My growth as an individual, a mother, an artist, and more. How many of my plans actually came to fruition and which ones have flourished beyond my wildest dreams. As you move forward in purposeful creativity, it is vital that you recognize that your gifts are to be developed and nurtured. If you want more joy in your life, then you must work towards that. If you want more sanity in your life, you must be committed to that. If you want to feel more love and physically feel healthier, that is only possible through consistent and persistent work. We live in a society that practices and celebrates mediocrity. And often when we want more we are pushed back or ridiculed. I say, continue to push forward and thrive for the beauty in excellence. Take care that your work means something. And that will always br...

I have been awakened twice today, once at 630 am and again just a few moments ago. Both times, there was something pushing me out of bed. The first time, I was literally thinking about how much each college Maya got accepted to wants from me. I have been waking up to that for the last month. The second time, I was pushed to write. Write something about it. As if that would make it all better, or even easier. And I know that it won't. But it may me the answer to someone else who reads this. So here I am. Awake, exhausted, and frankly having no clue as to what comes next. There are a few of us that can plan for college and create a financial cushion for ourselves and our families. And then there is everybody else. So what I will say is that links like Fastweb and Scholly are loaded with scholarship contests as opposed to simply laid out applications. The link will often take you to another scholarship or corporate link that wants to sell you something as opposed to actually getting...

My daughter, Maya, is in her last year of high school. She has completed all of her college applications and so far has received acceptance letters for 4. As happy and proud as I am each time she receives a YES, I am reminded at how often she received a NO. And I often wonder if I was a parent who believed the system and the tests, and lowered my expectations for her, where would she be?  What would be her trajectory if NO had taken control? When Maya was 2 years old she was diagnosed with a severe receptive and expressive disorder, and speech therapy was prescribed, twice a week. At the time of her birth, I was on public assistance which meant Maya was placed under a medical microscope. A team of specialists entered my home and determined that she needed speech, but that there may be more issues down the line in regard to attention deficit or more. I decided to let the speech therapy happen but we continued to keep her at home instead of daycare, and that was the best decision f...

While getting my hair cut the other day, I overheard a conversation. A guy believed his current girlfriend was cheating on him. Despite the fact that he doesn’t like labels anyway. And he is usually the side piece for a few women. He turned over a new leaf. He is now faithful and open about his emotions. But he is also mad that she doesn’t recognize that and appreciate all that he does for her. But he just wants her to be honest. Then it ended with him mentioning karma for all that he has done in the past. And he is mad about all of this. But, who is he really mad at? Relationships, whether friendships, friends with benefits or actual serious partnerships, can be difficult. Mostly because we get mad about not making a decision. When you are faced with strife in a relationship often we let anger simmer because we never state to our partner or ourselves the truth about our actual feelings. If something is stressful outside of said relationship, that can result in horizontal anger. Mean...

This question along with, When you get your big break, make my ass hurt. It truly makes me want to slap the taste out of someone’s mouth. But more than that it’s disrespectful and rimmed with a level of ignorance. There are many levels to working in this business. You can be famous. You can have a list of  co-star one liners or a string of regional Theatre credits. You can be on Broadway. You can be a commercial principle or background. You can be a stand in for a series. And the star of your own YouTube channel or web series. All of these make you a working, hustling artist. So the next time someone tries to shoot you down because they simply do not get it or even worse they are jealous because they haven’t pursued their own dreams. Or even worse, they stopped believing in them altogether. Simply say, yes, I am a working actor who is grateful for all of my wins and opportunities. And most of all I am grateful that I will never give up.  And then turn on your heel and let th...