I couldn’t sleep. The night before my TEDx Port of Spain appearance, I was nervous to the point of nauseousness. I remember tossing and turning in my old bed, trying to fall asleep in my old childhood bedroom. I had written a speech, but the point was to practice it over and over again until…
Life
How To Live A Life More Like Nelson Mandela’s
On December 5, 2013, the world lost Nelson Mandela. At age 95, he had lived an incredibly full life and news of his ailing dominated headlines this year, so hearing that Mandela had passed made me feel a strange mixture of sadness and acceptance. As Bishop Desmond Tutu expressed, “we are relieved that his…
Iman! Gabrielle! Bethann! And…Me? My Essence Upfront Panel Experience
I’ve said this quite a bit when asked about what it’s like to be who I am and do what I do – my job is an ever evolving, always exciting exercise in perpetually rising to the occasion. That’s the most appropriate explanation for last Thursday’s experience. I was flown to New York City,…
Join Me As I Co-Host The Happy Black Woman Chicago Happy Hour!
My bellas in Chicago – you may have noticed that I don’t host many events. I also don’t go to many events. I tend to be kind of a homebody, when I’m home. But next Tuesday I’m participating in something truly special and unique – and I’d love you to come and join me!…
Things We Can Learn From Jenifer Lewis
Jenifer Lewis is a whole lotta woman. She’s a powerhouse actress, a groundbreaking performer of stage and screen, and a legend who has worked with the best in the business. And I can tell you from personal experience, she gives AMAZING quotes in interviews. I learned that from personal experience when I interviewed her…
In Love With New Orleans! Where To Dine and Drink in The Big Easy
The first time I visited New Orleans was in the year 2001. My husband and I were on an epic road trip, driving from Miami to what ultimately wound up being San Francisco. We drove across the south, stopping in major cities along the way. Our first stop and our last stop before Miami,…
7 Things I’ve Learned In 7 Years of Blogging
Seven years ago this week, I did something whimsical. After an evening of casual brainstorming, with the encouragement and advice of my husband and a dear friend, I bought a domain name and started this blog. I didn’t go into it thinking “OMG I’m going to create a brand and quit my day job and…
8 Amazing Moments From My BlogHer 13 Weekend
The past two weeks sped by me in a blur of activity. It was all events and fun and concerts and house guests and running around doing stuff! And now I’m finally coming down off the cloud, settling back into life’s little routines, and able to decompress enough to share my complete, ginormous recap on…
Inside My BET Awards Weekend 2013 Experience With Cadillac!
This past week just whizzed by me in a total blur. I’m now playing catch up from all the fun I had. I can blame it all on the fabulous weekend I enjoyed in Los Angeles. Thanks to my friends at GM and Cadillac, I returned to the BET Awards for the second year in…
Real Advice For Nigella Lawson And For So Many Women Just Like Her
The recent photos of Nigella Lawson being publicly assaulted by her husband, advertising magnate and multimillionaire art collector Charles Saatchi, hurt my heart and made me feel sick to my stomach. Seeing these images of this man’s hand wrapped around her throat, flicking her nose in obvious, familiar disrespect and degradation made so many questions…