You know the feeling. That subtle, nagging sense that you’re busy but not necessarily productive. That you’re moving fast, but perhaps not in the right direction. You’re ticking tasks off a list, but the list itself doesn’t seem to connect to anything bigger. In our constantly connected, high-speed world, it's far too simple to be... Continue Reading →
In every community, workplace, family, or online space, there’s always one thing that spreads faster than truth: rumors. People talk about other people constantly. They whisper, assume, judge, and speculate all without having the full picture. But there’s an ancient proverb that still rings true today:“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a... Continue Reading →
Moments in life when growth feels solitary when change arrives like a wave crashing against the shore of who we once were. But beneath the noise of uncertainty, a quieter truth pulses:I do not rise alone.I rise with all that has ever lived within me.Each breath I take is borrowed from generations past. It carries... Continue Reading →
I call my power. With the guidance and protection of my ancestors.Protect my spirit. Shield my soul.Let the winds of truth circle me wide,No lies may pass, no fear may hide. I summon strength from root to crown,No force may shake, no chain hold down.My heart is flame, my will is steel,What I declare, the... Continue Reading →
There’s something beautiful about moving at your own pace. Not rushing to keep up. Not slowing down to fit in. Just listening — really listening — to your own rhythm. In a world constantly telling us how to live, what to chase, who to be… there’s power in saying: “I'm doing my own thing.” Your... Continue Reading →
Learning to thrive in the face of adversity means I'm not just surviving I'm transforming challenge into strength. Adversity reveals my strength, not my weakness. I'm still standing, I'm still growing. Resilience is built, not born every tough moment is a training ground for the life I'm recreating. I don’t have to be perfect to... Continue Reading →
°Let Go of the Expectations That Others Think Like You There’s a certain kind of pain that doesn’t come from loss, betrayal, or conflict—it comes from the quiet disappointment of expecting people to think, feel, or act like you do… and realizing they don’t. You might be someone who shows up for others, communicates thoughtfully,... Continue Reading →
“Your past is just a story. And once you realize this, it has no power over you.” The Chains We Can’t See Everyone has a past. Some parts we cherish—first loves, great achievements, quiet moments of joy. Others haunt us—failures, trauma, shame, missed opportunities. The danger arises when we let those moments define us, chain... Continue Reading →
Nedra Williams stood in the bustling kitchen of Soul & Sandwich, the aroma of simmering spices and freshly baked bread enveloping her like a warm hug. The deli had become her sanctuary, a place where she transformed challenges into opportunities with the unwavering support of her talented team. Yet, as the excitement of their new... Continue Reading →
°A New Dawn in Goodwin° Nedra Williams stood at the threshold of her new life, staring at the unfamiliar skyline of Goodwin. The air was crisp, a stark contrast to the warm, laid-back breezes of her hometown on the West Coast. She remembered the moment she received the transfer notice from her company, a well-established... Continue Reading →
Have you ever just known something without knowing how? Or felt someone’s emotions as if they were your own? Maybe you’ve caught a scent that reminded you of a loved one who’s passed, even though there was no source for it. These experiences may not be coincidences—they could be signs that you're tuning in to... Continue Reading →
There comes a point in some people’s lives when the fear of death fades—not from recklessness, but from clarity. And in that clarity, something shifts. You stop resisting what’s inevitable. You stop clutching at every moment like it's slipping sand. Instead, you start to live—not in defiance of death, but in harmony with it. To... Continue Reading →
In the quiet corners of our lives and societies, truths often lie dormant—ignored, silenced, or strategically buried beneath layers of comfort, fear, and manipulation. But truth, by its nature, is not passive. It may sleep, but it is never dead. And when it can no longer be buried—when its pressure builds and finally breaks the... Continue Reading →
There’s a specific kind of frustration that comes from trying to explain yourself — your values, your perspective, your lived experience — to someone who isn’t actually listening. Not really. They’ve already made up their mind, not just about the issue, but about you. And no amount of clarity, patience, or logic is going to... Continue Reading →
There is a universal truth that transcends culture, religion, and philosophy: our actions have consequences. People often believe they can hide their wrongdoings, bury them under wealth, power, or false smiles—but the truth has a way of surfacing, and the soul remembers. Evil deeds do not fade with time. They ripple outward, affecting not just... Continue Reading →
The buzz around Tasheena Armstrong’s return to Newberry hadn’t died down. Her monthly event, Coloring Outside the Lines, was now hosted at the old Mayfield schoolhouse, newly leased by her nonprofit. But beneath the bright murals and community smiles, shadows stirred. One week after filing her nonprofit papers, Tasheena received an envelope with no return... Continue Reading →
By mid-January, the buzz around the X-Spot had reached a new high. The holidays had left the community craving more than just good food—they craved connection, joy, and stories. And Xavier had all of that simmering in his kitchen, especially since Dawn had become a steady presence in his life. Dawn’s three-week vacation had turned... Continue Reading →
Spring 2025 blanketed Bloomfield Heights in magnolia blooms and a fresh wave of energy. The Reserve at Bloomfield Heights had become the talk of the town—a hotspot for food lovers, tastemakers, and celebrities alike. Aja’s curated seasonal menu, featuring dishes like miso-glazed halibut with collard green risotto and bourbon pecan peach cobbler, was lauded as... Continue Reading →
Chaka sat alone on her apartment balcony that Friday evening, wrapped in a blanket and nursing a glass of wine. The city buzzed below her, but her world felt unusually quiet. Zavion hadn't responded to her last message. It had been four days since she confessed, and his silence was louder than any argument could’ve... Continue Reading →
Dara stared out of her office window at the elementary school playground below, the sounds of children laughing muffled by thick glass. It was recess, but the joy didn't reach her heart the way it used to. Her desk was cluttered with half-signed permission slips and curriculum updates, but none of it held her attention.... Continue Reading →
As I embark on a journey I once shied away from, I find myself confronting the fears that have kept me from fully embracing my identity as a writer. For years, I let the notion of being a "good writer" held by others intimidate me, causing me to silence the vivid characters and intricate stories... Continue Reading →
Tangie was ecstatic about her upcoming move to Germany, courtesy of a new promotion. With her parents having served in the military, Tangie had spent a significant portion of her life in Germany before relocating to the States in high school; however, she and her parents regularly returned to Germany to reconnect with friends. As... Continue Reading →
Nicole, Denise, and Jacinta had forged a bond in college that felt unbreakable, but as their careers took off—Nicole in marketing, Denise as a tech entrepreneur, and Jacinta as a social worker—their lives became a whirlwind of deadlines, meetings, and responsibilities. The trio decided that a week in Thailand would be the perfect remedy for... Continue Reading →
Staci Williams had always been ambitious. As a young Black woman navigating the competitive corporate world, she knew the road wouldn’t be easy, but she worked tirelessly to climb the ladder. Her weeks were consumed by early mornings, late nights, and endless meetings. By the time Friday rolled around, she was often too exhausted to... Continue Reading →
Shayna and Amari were two strangers on the same journey, navigating life as doctors in the vibrant streets of Barcelona. Both had traveled thousands of miles from their homes in the United States, seeking new opportunities and adventures. The colorful architecture, the tantalizing aroma of tapas, and the rhythm of Spanish life provided an exciting... Continue Reading →
https://videopress.com/v/uOT3IWmg?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Nikki Giovanni's words have always felt like a warm embrace, wrapping me in the comfort of her powerful storytelling and challenging me to be better, to do better. As I delve into the profound impact her poetry and dialogues have had on me, I'm reminded of the magic that unfolded when she engaged in... Continue Reading →
Thee Juju Aura 
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