Long Time - No Blog - I'm Back!

This space has been dormant for far too long. I'm back. So much has changed in the last year. And not all for the better. If we ever needed to connect, it's now. Since baseball season is in full swing, what better time than to pay tribute to Mrs. Rachel Robinson, widow of Jackie Robinson who celebrated her 104th birthday over the weekend.

If We Ever Needed Blogs Before, We Sure Do Need Them Now

I have been remiss in posting on this account. Unfortunately, I've been so focused on reading about all the things that are happening right now and staying frustrated instead of doing something. One thing I can do is at least write about things that I feel we need to know. Good, bad, uplifting, not so uplifting. Let's start with a cup of coffee. And a good book. I recently read Tia Williams "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

" In the beginning chapters, I thought "where are we going?" By the middle of the book,I kind of knew. By the end, I had taken a wonderful trip through the past present and future and can't stop thinking about it. If you like history, Black History, the Harlem Renaissance and Love Stories, this has it all. Grab your mug and get to reading! It feels good to be back.

Welcome Back to All That's Noir

They say blogging is back. I say it never went away. Unfortunately, I fell prey like many of us to Instagram and other social media sites for my news and information. There's nothing wrong with that - but I like having a personal space to connect and come together. With everything that's happened this year, we need to stay in touch. And while I missed the Red Carpet, from all that I've seen a time was had at the Met Gala this year. According to the NY Times, a record $31 million was raised. Andre Leon Talley would be proud.

We need something to smile about and a place to shine. I'd like for you to find that here. Welcome Back!

Rest in Power, Radcliffe Bailey

Radcliffe Bailey (November 25, 1968 – November 15, 2023) They say it's never to late to learn something new. And I need to learn more about Black artists. When I read on social media about the passing of Radcliffe Bailey (gone too soon), I was embarrassed that I had no idea who he was until he was gone. Critically aclaimed and a brilliant talent. We have so much talent that either doesn't give enough mainstream attention or we (speaking for myself) don't spend enough time getting educated about. For his family and friends, my sincere condolences and for the rest of us, educate ourselves while we can.

Photo Credit: LAMONT HAMILTON

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:

First of all, congratulations on your latest novel, “The Perfect Find.”  It’s always nice when a new novel touches on a subject, or subjects, that transcend the “color line,” so to speak. That said, was there a particular incident in your own personal life that was the catalyst for the book?

Tia Williams:

Thanks! Yes, I wrote this book during a really difficult point in my life. I’d had everything I’d ever wanted – the magazine career, the book career, great home life, dream apartment– and then I lost everything. I got laid off, and very sick (for a very long time), and divorced. I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t really keep a full time job for a couple of years – so I shut the world out and invented Jenna Jones! She was sort of my alter ego, a character who was going through her own reinvention. Jenna’s a 40-year-old superstar fashion editor who gets fired by her magazine, dumped by her fiance, and loses all her money in one week! Writing Jenna’s story as she navigates a huge, scary career comeback in the new digital world, fights to get a hold of her life again, and deals with falling wildly in love with a totally unlikely soulmate – it was so cathartic. I lived vicariously through her. And she inspired me to chase my own comeback!

ATN:

How hard was it for you to break into the world of beauty, as a woman of color, and what were some of the barriers and stereotypes you had to overcome?

Tia Williams:

I was definitely an anomaly when I was a beauty editor at magazines like Elle, Glamour, and Lucky. There weren’t a lot of us in the room, and certainly not in beauty. There were definitely some challenges! I had to know everything about white beauty, while educating everyone on black beauty. I was sometimes mistaken for a dresser when reporting backstage at fashion shows. And then there were the publicists you only communicated with on the phone (this was the 90s and Aughts!), and then when they met you in person and saw you were black, suddenly you’d start hearing the “homegirls” and “girlfriends.” But I never saw this as anything deeper as being the silliness that comes with the territory of being an “only.” The upside is that you’ve gotten in the room, so you have the opportunity to make change.

ATN:

I grew up on Seventeen, Glamour and Essence as my “go-to” magazines for beauty and style advice.  And I’m talking paper.  I still subscribe to both print and digital editions of magazines and newspapers.  How has the digital age changed the fashion and beauty industry for the better and for perhaps, the worst? How has social media played into the job market for print journalists?

Tia Williams:

It’s changed everything. I grew up in the print magazine industry, and now digital rules. It’s a learning curve, definitely, when all you know is print. When I went from being a beauty editor at magazines to Essence.com, I had no idea what I was doing. What was a “clicky” headline? “SEO”-friendly key words? I was lost. And so is Jenna! After twenty years in print, she’s so in over her head at her new job, at a street style online zine. Everyone’s 23, and social media savvy, and she doesn’t even have Facebook. She thinks gifs cause strokes. She’s a rookie at 40, which is where a lot of my magazine editor friends have found themselves, with the industry changing so much.

ATN:

They say “40 is the new 30.”  Are “they” telling the truth?  And do you think that the older woman/young man relationship is still scrutinized more heavily than vice-versa?

Tia Williams:

40 is the new 27, girl. But only in terms of energy and spirit (and, in my case, musical taste – because all I listen to is Drake, Kendrick, J. Cole, and whatever, that Bieber album is fire). The value of being 40 is having the wisdom you didn’t have at 28. And yes, older women with younger men is always scrutinized more heavily. Which is a huge theme in The Perfect Find! Jenna falls into this wildly passionate, soulmate thing with Eric, who is almost half her age. Everyone is scandalized – and it’s because we live in a patriarchal society! Men are supposed to be the alphas, the ones in charge, the teachers, the leaders. So, it makes sense when older men are with younger women. When women are the older ones, it usually looks like a predatory thing, or sexual desperation. Which is ridiculous. Love is love. By the way, younger men absolutely adore older women. It’s kind of nice to be worshipped, now and then ☺

ATN:

Jenna “crosses the line” between her professional and personal life.  In your opinion, is that still a line you don’t cross or has society relaxed its feelings about that in the same way we embrace “business casual?”  

Tia Williams:

I don’t think workplace romances are encouraged. It reads as unprofessional. Like, you can’t control yourself in the office? There are zillions of men out there, you really had to pursue a thing with the dude in the next cubicle over? Control yourself! Jenna and Eric try to fight her feelings for as long as she can, but then they just explode. And it was so much fun building up that tension!

ATN:

Lastly, Anna Wintour has endured through the decades.  And for that matter, so has Iman.  Are they the exception or the “new norm?”

Tia Williams:

New norm! Women only get older, more interesting, sexier and richer (in experience and wisdom, not financially, though in many cases the latter’s true, too!) as they get older. I feel more self-possessed at 40 than I ever did in my 20s. I wouldn’t trade it. Though I would like my 1998 ass back. 

More About Tia:
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

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.

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

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.

"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!

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.

Public Service Announcement - Sharing Your Long Covid Stories Could Benefit Others

 

 

Wright Enterprises-Community Spotlight (Greatest Message of All time)                        August 20, 2022

 

W.E. COMMUNITY NEWS

 

Equity & Inclusion   Can Picking Up the Phone Save Lives & Provide Long COVID Cures? UCSF & Partners' Study To Find Out

 

 

UCSF Source: Suzanne Leigh; (415) 680-5133  suzanne.leigh@ucsf.edu   De Alba Communications Sources: Victoria Sanchez De Alba; (650) 270-7810 victoria@dealba.net   Jackie Wright; (415) 525-0410 wrightnow.biz@gmail.com   San Francisco, San Mateo Co. Residents Urged to Share Long COVID Stories Patient Responses May Influence Services and Funding; Help Experts Understand Causes, Treatment, Prevention   UC San Francisco, San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and San Mateo County Health (SMC Health) are partnering with local community groups in a quest to learn about long COVID. To achieve this, researchers from the project, Let’s Figure Out Long COVID – Tell Us Your Story, Bay Area, will be calling local residents of all ethnicities and backgrounds who previously had COVID.   Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-COv-2 (PASC), refers to both physical and mental health symptoms that last long after an initial infection. Those symptoms may start during infection and never go away or may appear weeks or months afterwards. Common complaints include fatigue, shortness of breath, pain, problems with concentration, depression and anxiety.

 

 

The goals of the project are to learn how common long COVID is in the community -- information that is critical in impacting funding for local health departments and services for those debilitated by the condition -- as well as to learn what causes it, and how to prevent and treat it.   In Phase I of the project, researchers will call San Francisco and San Mateo County adult residents who had COVID at least three months ago. Whether they have fully recovered or still have symptoms, their experiences will inform researchers about the frequency of long COVID. All ethnic groups and neighborhoods will be represented, and researchers are especially interested in hearing from Black/African American, Latino, Pacific Islander and Native American communities who have experienced higher rates of infections, hospitalizations and deaths than other groups.   UCSF

 

 

In Phase II, some people who were previously interviewed will be asked to join a more detailed research study sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This study, called RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery), will last three to four years. Study participants will be compensated for their time.    For Complete News Release Click UCSF Website Post: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2022/08/423451/san-francisco-san-mateo-co-residents-urged-share-long-covid-stories   Can Picking up the Phone Save Lives?-PRLOG.ORG

 

3rd Annual "Juneteenth In the Town Jubilee" - Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Oakland, California

 

Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-in-the-town-jubilee-tickets-325413970947

Revisiting a Classic: Terry McMillan's "Disappearing Acts"

I hear people say that blogs are dead.  I disagree.  I hear people say that newspapers are dead.  I refuse to let them die.  I hear people say that physical books are dead.  There will never be anything that compares to the feel of a book in your hand.

And while I never intended for this to be a blog about books, I ran across an interesting Twitter conversation this week that made me realize that there are some people who are totally missing out on some great works of art because we, as a society, are always looking for the next "new thing."

I'm so excited to see so many new Black authors and books out there, but I wanted to remind folks that there are some classics that have yet to be discovered by a lot of people.

One such book, "Disappearing Acts" by Terry McMillan should be required reading for all Black women.  

If you're not familiar with Terry McMillan (you probably won't be on this page), you're really missing a wonderful writer.  And if you haven't read "Disappearing Acts," do yourself a favor and pick up a copy from your local library or bookstore.  It's a story like no other.

Book Review: "All Her Little Secrets" by Wanda M. Morris

It's rare that a debut novel is as good as "All Her Little Secrets" by Wanda M. Morris.

Thankfully, I stumbled across it on social media.  

If you know me, you know I love a good mystery.  And when I can find a good mystery by a Black author, I'm thrilled.  Pun intended.

And while my personal "secrets" aren't as intense as those of Elice Littlejohn, I can relate on many levels.  It's really hard to navigate corporate America while trying to keep as much of your private life private as possible.

But when Elise, a corporate attorney, walks in and finds her secret lover dead in his office one morning. . .well, you can only imagine how crazy her life becomes.

This book is so fast paced that I had to stop myself from reading it all in one sitting.

It's a perfect read for chilly weather and hot coffee (or your favorite warm beverage).  

It's a real roller coaster.

Available online and in independent bookstores.  

Once Upon a Time Before "Black Owned Business" was a Trend

I am feeling a bit nostalgic today.  I know a lot of it has to do with being a person of a certain age, but a lot of it has to do with our current state of affairs.

I grew up in a time and a community where we loved being Black.  We loved living as a community.  We all knew each other's names and we could shop freely within our own communities and were treated with respect.  Whether you were a single mother on welfare or were one of the professionals in the community, maybe you worked at the bank, or the post office or you worked in an automotive plant and made "good money" for our time.  We didn't discriminate against each other.  We were united by God, our community and our southern roots (never forgetting from whence we came).

We didn't have to be reminded to spend our money with folks who looked like us.  We wanted to spend our money with folks who looked like us.  We didn't do it for "likes" or "clicks" or because it was "trendy."  We did it because we did.

I realize that tech has taken over and we don't even have to leave our sofas to order up groceries on our smart phones.  There are very few Black owned small businesses because the owners have passed away and the children are now all well-educated and enjoy successful careers.

This is just a friendly reminder that we can still support each other - even if it's not at the corner store.

(Bonus points if you can spot the pig feet)

"Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams

I first discovered Tia Williams when I read "The Perfect Find."  Liked it so much, I read it twice.

"Seven Days in June" was so different from "The Perfect Find."  I expected it to be a spinoff.  I'm glad it wasn't.  

So completely different and intoxicating.  I love Black Love.  If you've ever had a teen love that you've never forgotten, you'll totally get it.  I think we sometimes forget how hard we love in our youth.  I needed to remember what that was like.  Age can jade you. It can also make you see what you weren't able to see when you're living it.

A multi-layered love story.  Like peeling an onion.  

I especially appreciated the flaws in the characters, the fact that it was realistic, not sugar-coated, erotic, poetic and so many other adjectives I could use to describe what is one of my favorite reads of this year.

Highly recommend.

"The Other Black Girl" by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Can you say "on point?"

I've always been super excited to see a sister girl join the company (every company I've ever worked at) and unfortunately more times than not, it hasn't resulted in the bond which I yearned for.  That doesn't stop me for being happy for and celebrating and in the words of Issa Rae "rooting for everybody Black."

For me, "The Other Black Girl" was one of those "It's a Black Thang, You Wouldn't Understand" moments.

This is for all the Black women who have ever tried to "fit in," "code switch" and just plain old survive in Corporate America.  Zakiya Dalila Harris "sees" you.

In fact, I don't know when I have felt so seen.  And, for me, even though I'm not at the beginning of my career, it made me realize that whether you're just starting out or winding down, the game never changes.

Witty, engaging and just a great read.

BOOK REVIEW: A LITTLE BIT OF KARMA - Reshonda Tate Billingsley

A LITTLE BIT OF KARMA

If you like urban fiction and mystery - this one's for you.

Shannon and Jay Lovejoy have the entire package.  

They're a beautiful power couple dispensing advice on their radio advice show.  

On the outside, they seemingly have it all together.  But, there's more to the story than meets the eye.

Kind of reminds me of something my mama used to say "Don't do as I do, do as I say do."  Which often works, until it doesn't.

It's got romance and suspense and a twist at every turn of the page.

So good that I took my time reading it because I didn't want to see it end.

Reshonda Tate Billingsley is one of my all-time favorite authors. A great writer with an incredibly descriptive writing style.

"A Little Bit of Karma"

Available on e-reader and in hardcopy - or you could do like me and get both.

Long Time, No Blog - Time to Wake up and Smell the KAHAWA 1893 Coffee

KAHAWA 1893

It has been far too long since I retreated to my little corner of the blogosphere.  I will be honest.  Pandemic life has not been easy for me.  It's hard to focus and I just have been in a holding pattern.

But, today's the day.  I'm back!

Good news.  

THE FIRST BLACK OWNED, WOMAN OWNED

COFFEE BRAND HITS TRADER JOE'S SHELVES 

THIS MONTH!

Kahawa 1893

This is big news for all coffee lovers.  And if you're not a coffee drinker, buy a bag to gift to a friend or colleague.

Whew, Chile - The Digital Dictionary Finna Add New Words and I Just Don't Know What to Say

 The newest additions to the "digital dictionary," dictionary.com has decided to add two new words to its database to represent the culture.

Both "finna" and "chile" will now be official.

I could add my two cents' worth about what this means and whether I think it's a good thing or a bad thing.  

Hey, representation matters.