Empowering For The Future

Thank you to EVERYONE who reads, supports, and share/retweet, etc. my blog postings. I may hope to empower others and not receive anything from it but support, instead, I gain empowerment and encouragement from you all, my readers, and subscribers. I may have haters and all of the above but I push forward because of YOU! From the top of my heart, I love You! Stay empowered. "I can honestly say that I absolutely LOVE the Empowering For The Future blog posts! They are very informative and it's enlightening to me to hear what the young millennialist Ayana thinks about what's happening in society. I just love the honesty of the articles and Ayana's passions. I look forward to each new post because I know that it's going to be something relatable and relevant. I gain an entirely new perspective and I am not only encouraged but inspired!" ~Elizabeth, my mother "Don't let the enemy distract you from the plan God has over your life. Ay...

The BET Awards 2016 premiered a couple of months ago (apparently, on four channels including Nickelodeon??) Still researching that one but anyway, many artists and icons paid tribute to the legend, Prince. There were many who were excited about the huge surprise opening of Beyonce & Kendrick Lamar. This was the first time in a long time that she appeared and performed live in the flesh on a water-filled stage at the awards show. No one or thing beats Jesse Williams' speech about improving black culture, branding, freedom, bystanders, white supremacy, black women, education, and standing up for equal rights for black people. Although it was not as popular, Usher made his message loud and clear by wearing a "Don't Trump America" shirt during his performance. There was a lot of buzz surrounding all of these things but no aftermath was as great *sarcasm* as the Justin Timberlake backlash. A little history of Justin Timberlake's involvement in black culture... l...

Disclaimer: So I know the real title of the song by Drake is "Controlla" (which I like more than his other song "One Dance") but anyway, I had a great conversation with YouTuber Joseph Ferguson (HUGE Drake fan) about my thoughts on the song's lyrics and possible critic. Lyrics provided by A-Z Lyrics : "Controlla" (feat. Popcaan) Yeah, okay, you like it When I get, aggressive, tell you to Go slower, go faster Like controlla, controlla Yeah, like controlla, controlla Yeah And I’m never on a wasting shorty I do it how you say you want it Them girls, they just wanna take my money They don't want me to give you nothing They don't want you to have nothing They don't wanna see me find your lovin' They don't wanna see me Smiling back when they pree Knowing I'd lie for you Thinking I'd die for you Jodeci "Cry For You" Do things when you want me too Like controlla, controlla Yeah, like controlla,...

Here's another Purpose Check! I have heard many people question what is their purpose in life. They have tried this and that and nothing seems to be for them or work out. I usually ask "what influenced you to do that" or "what inspires you" and I usually hear "Well, someone told me to do this, that way..." or "So and so did it like that so I did it too". Why?!? Why are you doing them and not doing you?!? What makes you YOU? You do! Being yourself and finding your passions! You cannot be, say, or do things because you see someone else is already saying or doing them and it's successful. One of my favorite quotes about individuality is "You can only be you because everyone else is taken." Yes, you can be inspired by and get ideas from others; by all means, do it! However, you cannot do that in the same exact way as them and expect the same success. There's a difference  between being inspired by someone and copying the...

Here's the most positive post I have done in awhile. I thank God for clarity, guidance, and for providing me with hope. If He delivered us before, He'll do it again! In recent events, I have had the opportunity of talking to police officers, Captain, Lieutenant, Secretary, and even the Chief of Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD were panelists at the NAACP Forum. There, I realized that most of the time citizens do not know their rights, their local and county laws, as well as understand the full duty and responsibility of police officers. I even began to question theologies and ideas I was taught growing up. With the Philando Castille case, I was appalled, confused, and even compelled to know what I could do as a citizen and educate others on what to do in those situations where you are pulled over by the police and given instructions. I wanted to know what could I do to ensure that myself as well as countless other Americans could do to avoid their deaths and run-ins with the...