This feels like the longest January on record. LOL! I mean, I really did not arrive in 2022 with high expectations. After all, we’ve been duped for the last two years. I made certain to sit still, not touch anything and behave to the best of my ability. However, as my mother used to say, “everyone doesn’t have home training.”…
I fell victim to an ad on Instagram. Deep sigh. I know. I purchased some foundation. The shade did not match. I sought instruction on returning the item, however I attempted to do so out of the window of opportunity so to speak. Unbeknownst to me, the foundation was a huge cost, and coming up at the end of a…
I may have shared that I’ve been walking daily over the last three months. I have a curiosity about looking at how people elect to decorate their homes, inside and outside. The choices, selections, colors, make me happy. Their artistic expressions and how they came up with something so polar opposite from me is fascinating. However, I just don’t do…
While on a walk a few days ago, I listened to a sermon by Bishop T.D. Jakes. I can’t recall the full context of the content, but I do recall that He admonished us to ask God for revelation. As I walked, I followed his instruction. God’s response was not only instantaneous, but overwhelming. Everywhere I looked, I heard the…
I would say during the last quarter of the year while listening to a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick, I took notice to the words, “You will survive the sifting.” If you’ve never been in a season whereby everything you encounter seems to attempt to snip a little peace or piece out of you, just move along – nothing to…
I had one of those sleepless nights. I think my mind was focused on the fact that I needed to arise early in the morning for service. I went to bed with it on my mind and perhaps my intention awoke me – or so I thought. A few hours after I laid my head down, I awoke. At first,…
Dr. Seun Bello Olamosu has worked in higher education for more than 20 years. Dr. Seun identifies as bicultural, having been raised in Nigeria but living in the U.S for most of her life. Seun joined the Office of Undergraduate Education at Duke University in June 2019 as the Assistant Vice Provost. Seun earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy…
I should have known it to be a set up. Our Pastor, who also happens to be my Soror (skee-wee), posted on social media, inviting folx to join her in reading the Book of Luke during the month of December; essentially a chapter per day chronicling the birth of Jesus. She requested those who were interested to post a “yes”…
It’s a new dawn. I have been wrestling with a sinus infection this week that has interrupted my sleep, and I ain’t happy about that at all. On last evening, I suppose the medications aligned and allowed me to slumber until around 5:30amish. I elected to hop on the “30 Days of Thanksgiving Prayer Call” by Pastor Arlene Mitchell of…
A few days ago, I agreed to update my phone. I felt like I was being propositioned so much to the extent that I might need legal representation to ward off the insistency that I cosign to a process that I wasn’t clear about. The history I had with such an agreement posed problems. One time I recall the “update…
I attended a program on the campus where I am employed a few nights ago. In an effort to follow Covid protocols, the program organizers made consent wrist bands available. Program attendees were asked to wear the consent wrist bands to communicate nonverbally and visually, how they desired to engage with others. Red signaled that one maintains a strict six…
I believe God has us deeply connected with one another. I am not suggesting through our shared bloodlines in the natural, but instead the bloodline of faith. Even if I am unaware of what you are experiencing, my faith can impact your navigation and subsequent victory. That is one lesson that I pray that we never forget as we continue…
One of my favorite movies is the Temptations mini series. It chronicles the narrative of one of the most influential music groups in history. Comprised of many famous “one liners,” one that I find ways to incorporate often in conversation is that of David Ruffin when he utters, “Ain’t nobody coming to see you Otis!” I holler every time. Essentially,…
The elders would often say, “Keep on living.” I had no clue as to what it meant – actually I had no clue to many of their euphemisms. I failed to understand their meaning, and if I’m honest, I often assumed whatever they said didn’t pertain to me, and was leftover language from the land before time (y’all remember that…
Growing up, I liked sitting in the back of the bus. Sidebar: I know, it’s what Sister Rosa fought against, but the fun happened at the back of the bus, on field trips, on the way to Lindblom (#SWOOP) to pom pon competitions and other events. While sitting in the back provided entertainment, one also missed out on critical information…
I shared last week that I was on a road trip with my mom. Well, we traveled from North Carolina to Atlanta on to New Orleans, then Arkansas, back to Atlanta and home. A sista is tired y’all. I drove somewhere in the arena of 2200 miles. To maintain our sanity and alertness during the drive, we talked, laughed, listened…
Folx are getting the vaccine to fight against COVID and feeling a little less frightened about being in public spaces. I’m folx, although I am still very much committed to wearing a face covering, and actually curious as to why we never did – but that’s a different story. Last weekend, I connected with a soror for a pilgrimage to the nail salon.…
I traveled recently. While on the plane, the flight attendant prepared to give their instructions. If you’ve flown quite a bit, one begin to feels like they could give the spiel in their place. However, out of respect, I typically stop what I’m doing, and give my attention to the individuals providing directives for my safety. I sat tall (or…
I didn’t understand as a child when I overheard the elders saying, “I need a hymn.” I just assumed it was yet another tactic to hold us hostage in the sanctuary as opposed to sneaking to the nearby candy/liquor store. However, I grew up in a church that required us to learn hymns, and the words were far from my…
If ever there was a time to rest in God, I would suggest that the time is now. Over the last nearly seven months, we’ve witnessed lives lost to a virus associated with a medical diagnosis, as well as lives lost to a virus associated with hate. I shared in my personal social media that the narrative of Brianna Taylor…
Years ago, one of my cousins worked for one of the major airlines. She had a plethora of “buddy passes,” whereby one could fly without paying any funding. Needless to say, she was a big hit in the family. However, most folx who could potentially benefit from her perk were unable to use it. The advantage leaned most toward people…
Rev. Melcina White with husband, Rev. Johnnie White.