Several weeks ago, I shared I was going to do a short self-imposed sabbatical to reflect, relax, rest, and restore my inner peace to end the year strong and start the new year with enthusiasm. While I was planning to get away for a few days, the word the Lord kept putting in my spirit was unshakable.
Over the past couple of years, I learned that several of my colleagues and friends were able to experience sabbaticals. What caught me by surprise when I heard this news was whenever I heard about sabbaticals, it was connected to the academic world. I did not know those of us in the nonprofit world should consider this philosophy.
When we are trying to get somewhere it is important that we not only have the right plan and directions, but it is equally important that we have the right vehicle. Every mode of transportation is not necessarily the right vessel to get you where you want to go. This is true not only geographically, but also in life.
October marks the beginning of the fourth quarter. Often when we hear references to being in the fourth quarter we think of sports. The fourth quarter is usually when the players put everything on the line to win the game. If they have already done well, they continue to sprint forward and if they are behind, they muster up all the energy they can to win the game.
Around 10 years ago, while attending the Congressional Black Caucus, I decided to convince a few friends to go on a drive into Virginia to visit a place called the Salamander Resort & Spa. I was fascinated by it because it was the brainchild of Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and the CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts. As a successful African American businesswoman who made a conscious effort to have an amazing and prosperous third act of her life, she set out to do things she had only dreamed of previously. Our third act usually
I enjoy the various seasons throughout the year and I like them for different reasons. We are about to embark on Fall also known as Autumn, which symbolizes change. Fall can mean many things to different people, but it represents harvest time where we reap the rewards from the hard work, we put in the seasons prior. It also represents maturity. Those of us who are in the “fall” season of our lives have gone through many lessons to reach maturity and hopefully acquired some wisdom along the way. Part of that wisdom is learning when to let some things
There is a children’s song about friendship that shares the importance of making new friends but keeping the old for some are silver and others are gold. What is interesting about these lyrics is that we must value those who come into our lives and remember they are valuable, but some hold a special place in our hearts and lives forever.
There are a lot of unfinished or unfulfilled promises we experience during our lifetime, but one promise we all hope to achieve is that America will live up to the hopes and dreams of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence for all mankind. Although this country belonged to the Native Americans before anyone ever crossed the ocean to so call discover it, immigrants have been coming here for generations hoping for a better life for themselves and their families.
People of mixed heritage have been part of the fabric of America since the beginning. Ironically, some white people feel superior to people of color but have no problem sleeping with them, therefore the birth of mixed races.
I have been a small Black woman-owned business for close to three decades and I can tell you it is not easy. Although I have worked in various markets, I have always felt the sting of being judged because of my gender and the color of my skin whenever I was competing in the mainstream arena. I felt the need to under promise and always over deliver to just be considered. However, my community has always embraced me and provided me with the guidance and support that I needed to grow and expand over the years to be successful,
We are living in challenging and changing times. Things are moving so fast that it can be hard to keep up. As my grandmother would say, you better pay attention otherwise you will be left behind.
This past week was a real challenge for me. My husband has a condominium on the outskirts of Chicago that we do not get back to check on often. However, due to some damage that it had sustained from a fire and a flood, on two different occasions in his building, it was time for us to go and assess the situation to see what needed to be done.
I recently read a book that talked a lot about the importance of being prime. When I think of the word prime, the first thing that comes to my mind is Amazon Prime and how as a member you get free shipping and even access to Prime cable television. I also think about the athlete and coach Deion Sanders because his nickname is Prime Time. What both have in common is they are consider among the best in their field.
The fourth of July is the day we celebrate the United States of America’s independence and establishing it as a country free from tyranny and foreign rule. The original 13 colonies would now be free from British control. Ironically, our country may be free from foreign rule, but are we influenced by powers that cause an internal rift creating a great divide. We as a country are yet to be truly a united country. Even though we are no longer ruled by a foreign power, if we are not careful, America could be headed towards external influences that could be
In less than one week, America will celebrate Juneteenth, known to many in the African American community as Independence Day. Juneteenth did not become a national holiday until June 2021. However, it has long been recognized in our community as a day of recognition and importance.