Sunday, November 19, 2023
Rest in Power, Radcliffe Bailey
Saturday, June 24, 2023
The Perfect Find - on Netflix Starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers (plus My 2016 e-convo with Tia Williams)
With all the buzz surrounding the RomCom "The Perfect Find," which made its debut on June 23rd on Netflix, I thought this would be a good time to republish my 2016 e-interview with Tia Williams who wrote the book on which the movie is based. It was so good, I read it twice. Looking forward to watching the movie. Here's a look at the official movie trailer:
Tia Williams "The Perfect Find" |
ATN:
For fifteen years, she was a magazine beauty editor (at YM, Elle, Glamour, Lucky, and Essence.com), and in '05, created one of the first beauty blogs, Shake Your Beauty. She's the best-selling author of THE ACCIDENTAL DIVA and the IT CHICKS series, and co-wrote Iman's THE BEAUTY OF COLOR. Currently the Copy Director at Bumble and bumble, she lives in Brooklyn with her diva daughter - See more at: "ShakeYourBeauty"
"The Perfect Find" published by Brown Girls Books Publishing
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
What is "Ghetto?"
I was in a meeting of community neighborhood councils and city officials (via Zoom) and one of the presidents of a neighborhood council while posing a question to the City's Director of Public Works, made the comment that there are a lot of fallen trees in his area from the storm and it's making his neighborhood look "kind of ghetto."
(insert deep breath)
The neighborhood in question is comprised largely of blue collar White people. There is also in my city a large contingency of presidents from minority neighborhoods that are largely overlooked when it comes to receiving city services.
I waited for the Director of Public Works to answer (giving him time to say something to let me know that perhaps the city is investing in diversity training). After he finished, I raised my hand and said that something the questioner had said didn't sit well with me. I asked the Director of Public Works (who is new to the job and city and made a point of saying how he was really taking a backwards step in his career by coming to our city, after having worked in affluent towns in California.
He answered by saying that it means to him "it needs to be cleaned up." I noticed a Jewish man who was shaking his head in disbelief. Simultaneously, I was getting a private chat message from another member saying how she was sorry for the President's stupid choice of words.
All the other Black people on the zoom, looked at me like "we aren't with her."
And therein lies the problem.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Getting Back to Black in 2023
This is a personal post. Written by me - to me.
I think due to the financial necessities of a "day job" which means "code switching" and often checking my authentic self at the door, I forget about the need to intentionally find connection with other Black folks.
It's been many years since I truly celebrated Kwanzaa. I stopped even hunting for and sending Black Christmas cards (mainly because Hallmark and every other non-Black-owned company) started producing them.
This morning, I had a conversation with my sister about the importance of Black social organizations and clubs. I then realized, I don't even have an active membership with the NAACP.
Don't get me wrong. The reason I started this blog was to promote all things Black. Hence, "All That's Noir." But due to various factors, including pandemic, I even stopped regularly posting here.
I love being Black. I'm a true race woman. I just think that along the way, I started to think, "well maybe this is best left to young people."
Lightbulb moment. It's my responsibility to not only support, buy Black, promote Black, think Black and walk the talk, it's my duty to make a concerted effort to join at least one Black organization this year. And not just become a dues paying member, but to truly commit to working to make things better (or at least try).
The Battle is Not Just Yours - it's Mine.
Black Empowerment
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Bay Area Black Journalists Association (BABJA) - 40th Anniversary Celebration - Saturday, December 3rd
Come celebrate BABJA's 40th anniversary on Saturday, December 3, 2002 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
VW LUXE Events
3698 San Pablo Dam Road
El Sobrante, CA 94803
A great opportunity to celebrate and mingle with Bay Area media professionals.
Tickets Available for $15 at Eventbrite.
Sunday, October 23, 2022
"Ten Cent Daisy" - The Story of a Lost Mermaid by Lisbon Okafor
"THREE SISTERS FROM A FISHING VILLAGE IN THE WEST INDIES TAKE REFUGE IN BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, following a traumatic event that threatens to reveal a centuries-old family secret."
Ten Cent Daisy is a new film by Lisbon Okafor, featuring a talented cast and crew.
Opens in select theaters and on-demand on October 28th
Preorder on ITunes now.
Watch the trailer now!
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Let's Give It Up for the Black Aunties of the World
Many of my friends have never given birth, yet they're instrumental in the lives of their nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, Godchildren and others.
It really does take a village.
Black women who are willing to stand in the gap and mentor, encourage, babysit, provide financial assistance and nurture our Black children.
For me, I know there were many church members, neighbors, family friends and others who although not related biologically to my daughter were there for her in her formative years.
They're descendants (although not direct) of the same women who took me to church and taught me and lifted me up. I wish I had told them how much they meant to me. Now, of course, it's too late. I pray they knew.
If there are women in your lives: sisters, friends, neighbors, sorority sisters, play cousins, whatever, who are standing in the gap for you with your own daughters and sons, today might be a good day to give them a call (or a text) and let them know that you see them and you appreciate them.