Black Pearls

We must nurture our children with confidence. They can’t make it if they are constantly told they won’t. –George Clements                                        On this day,  I will compliment my sons on atleast one thing well done,  or express,  in a more general sense,  confidence in their abilities and intelligence. Read more…

As a singer, I use songs to keep balance in my life. –Bernice Johnson Reagan On this day,  I will take five minutes to discuss with my sons or  mate things each of us might do that would allow us to calm down,  refuel,  and find our individual center. Read more…

I don’t care how purdy you is, If you got a bad hawt you a ugly person. –Mance Lipscomb                                        On this day, I pledge to teach values by example,  and be sure to pass on one of our finest African-American traditions-“‘giving back” to the community. Read more…

I noticed, as a child, that my mother got ready for my father to come home from work. She would put on a clean dress and comb her hair. I would see them kiss each other when he came home.  It made me feel very secure and warm. –Annette Jones-White                                  On this day,  I will […]

 I believe that you cannot go any further than you can think. I certainly believe if you don’t desire a thing, you will never get it. –Charleszetta Waddles On this day, I will not encourage mediocrity or “settling,” but acknowledge that, with enough dedication and hard work, my sons can do anything and be anything. […]

My father had always been a symbol of strength and ability to me. I measured my own talent by his.  But one day you grow and you surpass your father. –Willie Mays On this day,  I will compliment my sons on atleast one thing they have done. Read more…

However far the stream flows, it never forgets its source. –Yoruba proverb On this day, I will take five minutes to consider what I want to plant at my sons source:  laughter, compassion, resourcefulness? Read more…

As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down. So it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might. –Marian Anderson On this day,  I will take five minutes to encourage my sons to see  that there is more to be gained from […]

There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment, the time is always now. –James Baldwin On this day,  I will take five minutes to consider whether I or my sons have a tendency to procrastinate. Read more…

You could say that the race was an obstacle to me, you could say that sex was an obstacle to me, but I refused to own them in that way. –Eleanor Holmes-Norton                         On this day,  I will take five minutes to talk to my sons about the importance of not being daunted by the others’ […]

Support candidates, run candidates, and retire candidates. –Jesse Jackson On this day,  I will take five minutes to encourage my sons to discuss political candidates,  officeholders, and issues at home. Read more…

Can’t beat the system, so you have to work along with it. That’s what I’m doing. –Eddie Murphy                                                   On this day,  I will take five minutes to think of three things I can do within my school system to improve it or the way it works for my sons. I will then act on atleast […]