Sisterhood – Page 2

Real Life vs. Reality TV

March 17, 2019 Leave a Comment

Dear girls,

I struggle with TV – especially reality TV. These shows cast Black women and girls in the most negative light.

Always know the difference between real life and reality TV and never allow anyone to stereotype you based on what they see on TV. You are better than that – and remind them of that as often as necessary.

These TV shows are big business and thus are not going away. And neither are we.

If You Want To Be Liked, Get a Dog

March 10, 2019 Leave a Comment

Dear girls,

Wanting to be liked or popular is overrated and should not be a professional or personal goal for you.

I can usually tell when people do not care for me. If they are in my personal lives, I will not deal with them. If I happen to see them, if they speak, I will speak back. If they do not speak, I will not acknowledge them.

In my professional life, I do not have to like a person to work hard for them. I am a professional, so I will not allow them to counter the work ethic that my parents instilled in me. For those co-workers who do not care for me and I do not care for them, I will work hard for them (respond to their emails and phone calls, ensure my team completes projects for them, etc.). However, I will NOT break bread with them or spend time with them outside of work – EVER.

I am 40+ and fabulous. I have no time for fake people. I will deal with them only when necessary and on my terms.

Having the same rules will save you a lot of headache and heartache.

What Freedom Feels Like

March 3, 2019 Leave a Comment

Sugar pies,

I cannot tell you how FREEING it is to be comfortable in your own skin, to know your worth, to focus on those that matter and to “put up the deuces” to those who do not. I have a wonderful and blessed life – better than I could have ever imagined.

I pray that your life is even better. I will do whatever I can to help you to achieve this goal.

The Beauty of Sisterhood

February 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Sweet, sweet girls,

When you encounter fabulous women, embrace them – literally and figuratively.

The best part about sisterhood is meeting strangers, breaking bread with them and laughing until you cry.

You will feel like you have known them for years. I love sisterhood and womanhood. I pray you do too.

A Favorite Memory

February 17, 2019 Leave a Comment

Dear Auntie’s Baby:

I love that you KNOW you are capable of anything, and I will fight until I take my last breath to ensure you always know this.

As you are sipping your milk shake and watching American Ninja Warrior, you (then 6 years old) casually said, “If I was on this show, I would totally win it.” I said, just as casually, “Yes, you would.”

#BlackGirlMagic #AuntiesBaby

Black History Month Firsts: Our Family

February 2, 2019 Leave a Comment

Dearest girls,

Following are some Black History Month facts that you should know:

Your mom was the first African-American reporter for “The Tidewater News.”
Your great-grandmother was the first woman minister at Metropolitan A.M. E. Zion Church.
Your great-grandfather owned a store during a time when there were too few African-American entrepreneurs.
Your grandmother was the first African-American and first woman city bus driver in
Norfolk, Va.
Your grandfather is a master mechanic and was the first African-American to lead the
transportation department at the Naval Amphibious Base.
Your grandmother was the first African-American woman heavy mobile equipment
mechanic at the Norfolk Naval Base.
I was the first African-American woman to graduate from the Old Dominion University
Community College Leadership Ph.D. Program.
I am the first African-American woman to serve as a vice president at the largest and first
community college in Pennsylvania.

You come from a family of firsts, and you are destined for greatness. Excellence is part of your DNA.

I love you.

Auntie