Empowering For The Future

What Qualifies You As Black, Girl? Is it the sweat on your brow, the swing in your hips, the curves of your smile, the full set of lips? The spread of your hips, how wide are them thighs, how well you bake sweet potato pies, how long you been in the kitchen, how thick is your kitchen naps, girl? Oh how that determines the beauty in the genes, the power in them jeans. How high your head holds up, the "Hey sis, what's up?" The straightness of your back, your posture never flat, how fast can you run, girl? The twinkle of your toes, or how tight your hair curls, how hood-proper can you speak, can your lyrics spit twirls, how often do your eyebrows rise, how mean is your attitude, where's your stamina or altitude? Where you going, girl? Not hard switching your a**, How sharp is your sass, Or how soft does your hands touch, how heavy can your chest hold, what strength comes from your womb to carry all this weight of the world, are you

People don't say "you're not good enough" with their words but with their actions. They will treat you like such. Their face will say it, they will try and find the words, or they might flat out and lie by telling you the opposite of what they are told. They will sell you broken promises and feed you empty words. Worthless is the word they are searching for. From the depths of their hearts, you see past the facade they put on and grime that comes out and you know what they are truly about. At the end of the day, who you are will come and play. You are what you think, you are what you say, you are what you do, and those things show you that their character is true. But what do you do if you cannot see any of these things?? You don't know what they think, they cannot speak, and all they do is send you a hint by posting a pic. What do you do when the action is "post" and you just watch as they boast about the things you say you wanted to have and do the e

If you have been a reader of my blogs for awhile, you know that I did a post called " Missing Something: Filling a Void " years ago! I highly encourage you to read it now or after reading this posting. I highlighted the some of the relationship developments when you are missing a parent in your life. I concluded that fathers are the models of all relationships while mothers are the models for nurturing those relationships. In this post, we will focus on nurturing a father relationship and the dynamics that can come from not having a father present. My Thoughts One thing I've learned, including within my own father's role in my life, is that men actually do want to be better fathers than the men before them. It is a part of their nature to be the man of the house, dominate, and lead. Having the role of a father helps accomplish this sense of influence and power. Some men do not know what it looks like or means to be a father to a child because they did not have the

Check out my family vacation to D.C.

There are soooo many stylish and cute outfits/trends in stores right now. From low rise, to wraps, chokers, to rocking sports bras under overalls, off the shoulders, you name it! It's in style and it's super cute!   However, is this what God wants me to wear? He said in His Word to be "in the world not of it" but am I being of the world by following fashion trends? I am having a common dilemma I assumed most young Christians are battling with also. Although these fashions and styles are cute, I've made a decision to not follow the world's trends the day I declared myself a Christian. As I get closer to God, I started to understand what He is for and against. Reading His Word about how a woman should behave and submit under her husband really had me thinking. I want to be someone's wife one day but right now, I'm just a woman. I understand why other cultures require their women to cover up in a way. Therefore, I decided to "save skin"

Three years ago, I started a blog called Empowering For the Future. Not sure where it was going to go and what was going to come with it but knowing that this was the start of something new: New hobby, New outreach, New Discovery. I have learned soooo much about myself and my passions. I found out that it was actually kind of cool to say I was a blogger and have met other bloggers in the process. Thank you to all my family, friends, acquaintances, church members, co-workers, strangers, subscribers, and many more who have encouraged me throughout these three years. I will never forget you all in my journey as I transition to YouTube. Don't worry! I will still post on here! Just know that you all are in my thoughts, prayers, and heart! Wow! Happy 3 years Empowering For the Future! It's bigger than me like never before!

You'd love me if I was a #white girl, If my skin was fair not close to pale. My face was slender while my hair was long, Tall legs but not too far gone. You'd love me if I was a #white girl, If I was a blonde and I had dark blue eyes, Passion in my heart, love burned like fire. Gentle at the touch and soft inside. You'd love me if I was a #white girl, Soft spoken and well behaved, Red lipstick, never had my hands on my hips. Favorite colors seen at a rave. You'd love me if I was a #white girl, And I did great things. Cared about the animals, kids, and gave you everything. No questions asked, serving was always my task. You'd love me if I was a #white girl, Keeping my hands to myself, Circle always big and with my friends not the help, It's cool tho, my appropriation's on the shelf. You'd love me if I was a #white girl, The girl in everyone's dream, The one society tells you, you should be with your own kind it seems... l

It's been more than a month since the movie "Get Out" was in theaters and I'm still being requested to make a post about it. SENSATIONAL! (to the requests and the movie as well) Now if you have not watched the movie, of course, there WILL be SPOILERS but here are a few of my thoughts: There are different race dynamics that come into play in this movie. It examines the relationship between a black man and a white woman, interactions/roles of black women, as well as their relationship/interaction with white women, each race's role in racism in this country, interactions of white men & people in general with black men, and so much more. I saw the movie twice in theaters: one with a close friend of mine and the next with a Caucasian co-worker. Two different experiences from both viewing, not only because I was watching it with two completely different types of people, but from what I didn't catch the first time I watched it. I will say the mo

Hello All, I decided to once again be obedient to God and make my first YouTube video! Please be sure to subscribe to my channel as I elaborate on blog posts, talk more about race and women's issues, share my walk with God, and so much more! Check it out here: Update: Decided to not just post one but TWO videos! Check out video #2 here:

Wow! It's already the beginning of the month of May! Dang, time flies with a blink of an eye! With some friends getting ready to graduate with LESS than one week away, I've decided to send my letter to them as they prepare for one of the most important days of their lives! It's the end of one destination but the beginning of a new journey! Dear Future Graduate, First of all, congratulations!!!! I am so happy for you! Whether you are a graduate of my Alma mater, Winthrop University in rockin' Rock Hill, South Carolina or a part of a university somewhere else, you are about to embark on a new journey that you will never seem to feel well-prepared for! Graduating from undergrad is such a freeing and refreshing experience. No more papers, final exams, short breaks, and long school days... unless you go straight into graduate school. I know you all are so ecstatic and I don't blame you. I was just there exactly one year ago. I don't at all plan on busting y

Destinations Paris, France (top left & top middle) Venice, Italy (top right) New York City, New York (middle left) Washington D.C. ( middle right & bottom) How to Schedule Your Travels I had many questions about finding the time to take trips. Although I waited until after I graduated to explore the world, you don't have to! Planning a trip can be as detailed or as minimum as you like. Thank God my trip to Paris & Venice were planned with my university and all I had to do was pay and go. However, New York and Washington D.C. were not. It took setting the dates, saving money, booking hotels, etc. in order to make it happen. Here are some tips on scheduling your trips: 1. Pick a month you believe is the best time for you to go! Whether it is the best time in your life, work schedule, or convenient time for anyone else going with you on the trip, pick a month or even a week (if you want to be more specific) out of the calendar to travel to

PSA: Here it is! Your ULTIMATE FEMINIST POST! AND I AM GOING TO TYPE IN BOLD AND PINK THE WHOLE POST! SO YOU ARE PROBABLY THINKING I HAVE FINALLY GONE OFF MY ROCKER BUT TRUST ME, I'M CLOSE TO THE EDGE THE OLDER I GET LOL!!!! I CREATED THIS POST TO STATE THAT I OFFICIALLY STOPPED WEARING {UNDERWIRE} BRAS AND EVEN DEODORANT! HERE'S WHY: 1. They both cause soreness and tenderness around the chest and breast area. 2. They both lead to breast cancer. 3. They both are bad for you: the metal in the underwire attaches radiation from the things we use on a daily basis such as the microwave, cellphones, etc. while the deodorant have harmful chemicals that forever affect your body's natural way of perspiring. THEREFORE, I USE UNDERSHIRTS WITH BUILT IN BRAS (NO WIRE), SPORTS BRAS, BRALETTES, AND/OR FREE-BRA. WHEN IT COMES TO DEODORANT, IF I HAVE  TO USE IT, I WILL USE ORGANIC OR CHEMICAL FREE PRODUCTS... I HAVE BEEN GOING WITHOUT IT FOR AWHILE NOW (SINCE I

Happy Women's {History} Month! My latest blog postings have mostly been centered around travel and race issues going on in recent American news but if you know me, you know that race issues aren't my only passions. Women's issues are my passions as well but I will say I started questioning it and got discouraged after attending an event last year in Columbia, SC that was all about "empowering women." So many questions came in my mind after I had a moment of rejection, embarrassment, and other emotions at this "Empowerment" Conference. Let's just say I left the event not feeling very empowered by anybody besides my mother who was there and right by my side! I had a battle within myself and had to evaluate what does it mean to be a feminist and empower women. Is it all in one? Is it not inclusive of one another? Am I just passionate about feminism or empowering? etc. etc. I am assured that I'm easily misunderstood and can say things in a cer

Why I Am Giving Away All My Clothes "Obedience is greater than sacrifice" and in this season, I'm learning a good bit of both! One day I was in my prayer time with God and I was reflecting on the concepts He was teaching me: selflessness and humility. Although I have grown and come a long way, I still am not where I want to be. I want to be completely selfless ! A personal goal of mine is to be selfless enough that I can take off my favorite clothes or jewelry pieces right then and there when someone compliments me about it. I'll get back to that in a second. During this time, I told God that I was in the season of giving and that I wanted to show complete selflessness. I told Him that I was not attached to materialistic items and He said "show me". In a quick and somewhat jokingly response, I said "I'll give away my clothes" and God said "Okay!" Right then and there, I knew I had said something I could not take back but I also kn

As many students start to count down the days until Spring Break, many preparations must be complete before you take off on any big or small trips! In this blog post. I will cover the basics for any quick trips across state, across the country, or even across the seas! Hope you're ready to Travel, Girl {or Guy} lol! Tip #1: Dress comfortable for the car rides or plane trips! For girls, I recommend wearing a sports bra, leggings, athletic pants, or a super comfortable, cotton dress. For guys, I suggest basketball shorts, athletic pants, or joggers. Make sure you are wearing {old} sneakers or comfortable shoes along with a comfortable t-shirt or sweater especially if you cannot control the temperature of the room or place you will be traveling. For example, some airports and even planes are extremely cold. If you are traveling with a group in the car, you may end up the only one cold while everyone else is hot. Making sure you have some type of jacket or sweater is

This is Part 5 of the Single for LYfe {Love Yourself} blog series on Empowering For the Future! Just in time for Valentine's Day! Why everyone walkin' around here hurt?!?! Not physically hurt but emotionally hurt... from relationships. This could be any type of relationships from their mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, co-worker, boss, ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend. In this day in age, people will take their feelings to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, probably Tumblr. Did I mention Twitter and Facebook already? STOP! Stop walking around here hurt! Although people are quick to hop on social media and vent, many walk around everyday holding the weight of their feelings on their chest... or should I say face. Whether it's very evident, sarcastic like Judd Nelson from the Breakfast Club, or nonexistent/nonchalant like Kristen Stewart, it comes in different forms of expression. I believe every generation expresses it differently. I re

I was going to name this March Mad MESS but it wasn't THAT extremely bad                On Saturday, January 21, 2007, I attended the Women's March on Washington, D.C. Here are my thoughts: As soon as the opportunity came, I hopped on it without hesitation for multiple reasons. 1. I am a feminist, 2. I always wanted to go to D.C. and was planning on going later this year, and 3. because uniting together for all women is something I stand for 100%. However after evaluating my decision, I was wishing I would have put more thought behind it.  I started seeing other feminist and activists stand against going to the Women's March not only in Washington but sister marches all over the world as well. Mostly because they feel like history is repeating itself. Quick history lesson: the feminist movement has a rep of being "a white woman's movement" and I don't blame them for viewing it as that... honestly, it is/was. For many years, black w

Excuse my grammar but I knowsss I am a trip and I love taking multiple of them!!! (HA I'm sooo corny!) In this post, I talk about how I got to take my ultimate dream trip to Paris, France & Venice, Italy!  Throughout this travel post series I will post more pictures of this dream. This is only the start, the jest, the beginning of many more tips on trips, how to not be funny with money, and more! Travel, Girl! Why not?!? The Start of my Dream Trip Ever since I was a young girl, I dreamt of traveling ALL over the world. From England to France to India to Africa and Australia, I wanted the experience of a lifetime! I also yearned for a place free of bullying, judgment, and taking instruction... yeah, being totally free to express myself, dress how I wanted to dress, talk how I wanted to talk, and act how I wanted to act. Plus, who wouldn't want to brag that they had a foreign significant other?! That would be the one of the greatest stories to tell our futur