Dealing with my Toxic Family During the Holiday Season

Have you ever thought twice about going home for the holidays? Have you ever intentionally shortened a trip home so that you could keep your sanity? Do you rehearse #clapbacks for auntie, "So, you still don't have a man?" or cousin, "Oh, you think you're better than the rest of us because you're getting a PhD, …

Remembering Mikey

Dear Mikey, I miss you. I miss you and I think I'll always miss you. But I hate that I have to miss you in this way. I hate that now I have to talk to you with only my heart. I hate that I still wait for you to message me every year on …

Dear Vulnerable Black Girls…

Have you ever been told that you're just too emotional or that you need to stop crying or to grow thicker skin? If so, this post is for you. As a young girl, my tears and sensitivities were constantly met with, "WHY are you crying? What are people going to think about you if you don't …

My Daddy’s Issues

No, that's not a typo. Most times when we read headlines or posts about issues or problems related to our fathers, it's about a woman's problematic relationships with men due to her experience with her father...or her daddy issues. But that's not my story. And before you respond with "not another dead-beat-daddy" post on Father's …

Mid-year Update: So far in 2017

What have you accomplished so far this year? Have you addressed any of your new year's resolutions? Did anything celebratory happen since January 1st but the demands of school wouldn't allow you to celebrate? If so, now is the time to do so! You do not have to wait until December 31st to celebrate your …

Grieving while Grinding

Grief sucks. I know that's not at all profound, nor terribly encouraging, but it's true. When it's all said and done, grief really sucks. It doesn't care who you are, where you're from or how much money you have. It strikes whenever it wants and there's nothing that we can do to prevent it. I've …

Lessons Learned from #PhDYear1

May 3rd, 2017. The day that I completed my FIRST year of #PhDLife. This year has simultaneously been one of the shortest and longest years of my life. It's been an academic year of torturous celebration. At the end of my second semester, I wrote a post, 10 things that I have learned so far on my …

Why Jordan Edwards’ Grades Absolutely Matter

Another day. Another hashtag. Another Black boy's life stolen from us. Another family ripped to pieces by a bullet from an officer that was supposed to serve and protect (everyone except Black bodies).  Jordan Edwards, a 15-year-old Black boy was murdered by a police officer after leaving a party that was becoming "too rowdy". Since …

2016 Taught Me…

Hi good people and Happy New Year! Here we are, 8 whole days into #2017 and I am sharing what #2016TaughtMe. Why? Because I believe in looking back only to review what you learned so that you can apply those lessons to your future. Anyway, here's a quick list of things that #2016TaughtMe: Jesus can …

Young, Gifted, Black & Christian

Greetings, all! It has been a while but I am happy to be back! School is certainly taking off so I do not have as much free time as I would like to write for myself. However, I wanted to take some time to give a few brief updates as well as to share a …