Several years ago, I watched a documentary on the Central Park 5. Before I knew it, I’d been sucked into their story. I remember them talking to the actual men present day. Their lives were completely changed since 1989. I felt sorry for them because even though they were living and working in their new cities and homes with families and “fresh starts,” but they had been robbed ... Read More
America Unmasked
I woke up this morning to what some would call a “bad dream.” Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. There were a lot of supposed surprises this time around, but the biggest one would be the shock from mainly whites who thought America was “better than this.” As an African American, I should and have to celebrate progress, if only for my ... Read More
EBONY and Why Black Media Must Have Staying Power
EBONY is still here, y’all. And I’m glad. Not because my byline has been inked on their pages or because Johnson Publishing Company signs a few checks that come way. I’m thankful because that magazine matters. Before I was a writer, I was a reader. For forever, I’ve been consumed by magazines geared towards African Americans, cherishing them for as long as we’ve had ... Read More
Billboard, WYD?
Since Prince Rogers Nelson’s sudden passing on April 21, Black America has been drowning itself in classic and under-the-radar music, sexy photos and funny stories about His Purple Badness. We’ve also been comparing notes on who's qualified to cover his eclectic music in a tribute versus who would "mess it up." Culturally, we have this inexplicable connection to music and will ... Read More
My Year of Yes
In just a bit, it’ll be a new year. As usual, folks are buzzing about their resolutions, goals and such, reflecting on the last 364 days and what they learned. And I am in that number. For weeks, I’ve been trying to get my hands on Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes. Everyone who takes up residence in Shondaland, of course, is cosigning the book that will supposedly open the ... Read More