Black Pearls

My philosophy is very simple.  Love yourself.  You can do whatever you want to do:  sing, cook, dance, write, draw.  Whatever your heart desires. Enjoy life, love, and be free. –Les McCann On this day I will teach my sons–and remind myself–that fun comes from our creativety and the effort we put into our daily […]

If I came home with a B on my report card, my parents would praise me for doing well and then suggest that next time I could come home with an A, If I worked hard enough. –Jessye Norman On this day,  I will take five minutes to think about the pressure to excel I […]

Take advantage of every opportunity;  where there is none,  make it for yourself. —Marcus Garvey On this day,  I will take five minutes to think about something  I would like for my sons that seems out of reach.  I will then brainstorm,  perhaps with friends, to come up with ways I might do it. Read […]

It’s impossible to have total peace, because life isn’t like that. You have to take care of yourself. –Jody Watley On this day,  I will come up with atleast five ways I can seek relaxation and release from stress. Read more…

For me, the big issues all come down to the children. What are we doing to protect them, to make their future world better? –Janet Jackson On this day,  I will take five minutes  to consider whether I am doing all I can to make a better world for my sons generation,  and,  if not,  I […]

Here are some comments I received from my facebook page about the show. Chris Murray If they’re going to have judges, they don’t need to be all “nice” and actually give the singers some “actionable feedback” — cuz Glady’s everybody is NOT ready to go on tour with you my sister. SMH  Lashawndra Jackson- Bay […]

Education is the jewel casting brilliance into the future. –Mari Evans                                                    On this day,  I will take five minutes to evaluate  how I might support my sons  better at school and be a  more effective advocate for them.

People mistake their limitations for high standards. –Jean Toomer On this day,   I pledge to inspire my sons,  to challenge their perceived limitations,  or to find ways to work around them so that they are never tempted to restrict their dreams. Read more…

In my early youth a great bitterness entered my life and kindled a great ambition. –W.E.B. Dubois On this day,  I pledge that,  when my sons are angry,  I will encourage them to determine what their upset about and figure out what they can do about it. Read more…

This is a highly complex world. It can be moved by neither blackness nor beauty. It can only be moved by people who know how to handle power. –John Henrick Clarke On this day, I will take five minutes to discuss with my sons an item relating to black pride—kente cloth,  for instance,  or a […]

All my work is meant to say, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” __Maya Angelou On this day, using examples from our family, history or contemporary life, I  will take five minutes to talk to my sons about how we can use our defeats to fuel us to work harder. […]

Write as well as you rap; teach us as well as you dress; build as well as you dance; study as well as you condemn others and we will not have to make excuses. –Haki Madhubati On this day, I will take five minutes to talk to my sons about channeling energy so that we […]