Angela is one of the most driven people I know. Her randomness is consistently consistent. She is that friend who invades without being intrusive and provides comfort without being overbearing. What I love most about her are the same things she loves about herself: her humor, resilience, perseverance, and ability to visualize, realize, forgive, and… Continue reading Angela’s Journey: From Girl Talk to SHE.SPEAKS
Navigating Health Identity in Medical Dramas
The author reflects on their long-standing appreciation for medical dramas, recounting past shows and their personal health struggles, including various diagnoses. A newfound interest in a specific neurologist show emerges, yet emotional difficulties arise from relating to portrayed medical issues. Writing serves as a coping mechanism during these challenging times.
O Death: Navigating Grief and Loss: A Personal Journey
Death and I have an interesting relationship. The whole “death comes in threes” has been completely blown out of the water over the 18 months. Because of this, I have explored my relationship with death and grief. My Introduction Ella Jones, my paternal grandmother, died when I was six. My only memories of her are… Continue reading O Death: Navigating Grief and Loss: A Personal Journey
What’s Her Name
Names have meaning and it defines purpose. Take a trip with me as I unpack the meaning of my name.
Clutter-free is the way to be
Make the most of your Christmas break regardless of what age or grade your child is in.
My Sister Circle
A tribute to my circle of friends, my sisters.
Her Love, Dance
I found an old poem and decided to write about it!
Time brings about change
August 2023 marks two years since I quit my job. I was a part of the Great Resignation before I even knew it was a thing. I declared in 2019 that I only had one more year of teaching in me. I vividly remember standing at the counter preparing for the next week and feeling… Continue reading Time brings about change
Black History School is in Session
My experience at the 1st annual Black Lens Film Programming by T. Marie King.
Buy Black 365
Buy Black all day, every day! This is just a slice of black entrepreneurs that are offering excellence! Let's circulate the Black dollar!
Family Business
#BuyBlackBham in my family!
Giving and Gifting
It's the holiday season! Growing up, I could not wait to sit on the floor of the den with my pencil and an old notebook from school and thumb through the Sears or JC Penney catalog to make my Christmas wish list. My parents allowed me and my younger brother to create and post our… Continue reading Giving and Gifting
The Sick and Shut-In
This my health story. I share to hopefully help someone who is me or loves someone like me.
Small Business Spotlight: Wonderfulli Made Beautique
Meet Dr. Candace N. Clark - law student, photographer, friend, sister, daughter, your biggest and best support, and a beauty mogul.
Small Business Saturday Business Spotlight: A Little Joy & Grace
Read about A Little Joy & Grace, a t-shirt business of Courtney L. Sankey
Speak the Word Only: Give Thanks
Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstance may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revelator and Mediator of that will].1 Thessalonians 5:18, Amplified Bible It is my belief that holidays serve as a reminder of what is important.… Continue reading Speak the Word Only: Give Thanks
dear dope chick: this week’s focus word: switch
google.com Switch (noun) - definition 1: It sounds like I could be the device for making and breaking connections of the energy circuit flowing throughout my body. We possess gates that connect to our soul that influence how we feel, react, express, etc. The eye gate = what we see and witness The ear gate… Continue reading dear dope chick: this week’s focus word: switch
There’s Something About the Name…
There is no other name higher than the name of Jesus
Small Business Saturday Business Spotlight: Chic Gems
Meet Sonja Jones, a caring Birmingham preschool teacher and nanny, a dedicated dance teacher for Ursula Smith Dance Academy, an accomplished dancer apart of the Brown Sugar Nutcracker, future children's book author, a loving daughter, a supportive sister, and nurturing mother of a beautiful 7-year-old daughter. She has now added solopreneur/boutique owner to her list… Continue reading Small Business Saturday Business Spotlight: Chic Gems
Princess Truly
Fridays are dedicated to some of my favorite black and brown children's book characters. I have been a teacher for about ten years and a reader for about 30 or so years; therefore, I am reasonably familiar with the lack of diversity within children's literature. Oddly, I do not recall being concerned about diverse characters… Continue reading Princess Truly
Thankful Thursdays continued
This week has not been the best for me. Sleep and I have not been friends. That is nothing new for me. Talking to my friend/sister/life coach, she thinks that I might have too much on my mind. I started thinking about my night, and all I could is count the number of hours I… Continue reading Thankful Thursdays continued
Guilty Pleasures
Enter the romantic Christmas movie wormhole with me!
How the Mighty Have Fallen
Just a reflection of the deaths of pop and political icons.
dear dope chick: this week’s focus word: mistake
Rest and sleep should not be shamed.
#bloglikecrazy 2020
My writing struggle.
Small Business Saturday Business Spotlight: One Degree, MMM
Jacqui Jones is back and better than ever!
Bold Black Women
Some of my fondest childhood memories are full of my love of books. I remember sitting on my bed, listening to a tape on my pink radio, engulfed into the pages of a book. I was a big fan of detective/mystery books (Encyclopedia Brown, Sherlock Holmes), and series books (Mandie series books were my favorite).… Continue reading Bold Black Women
Thankful Thursdays
In a world where it is so easy to be negative, why not take a step back with a heart of gratitude and give your heart a reason to smile! I am thankful for... a sound mind, mobility of my limbs, and control of my bodily functions (after I thank God for waking me up,… Continue reading Thankful Thursdays
Speak the Word Only: Fear Not
With the presidential election results still pending, many Americans have faithfully watched the news with growing anxiety. I am not one of the Americans because I did not need anything to add to my own anxieties. I did my part, and there is nothing I can do at this point to change the outcome either… Continue reading Speak the Word Only: Fear Not
Too old and Too late – Part 1
Today is election day, and thankfully I voted early. Our presidential candidates are men in the 70s. Traditionally, 70+-year-olds are retiring. It is hard to believe that either of them thought it was too late for them to attempt to claim the highest seat of government. It is possible that someone in their circles told… Continue reading Too old and Too late – Part 1
dear dope chick: this week’s focus word: nourish
Nourish, a verb meaning (1) provide with food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition; and (2) keep (a feeling or belief) in one's mind, typically for a long time. One of my favorite influencers, Phylicia Sadsarin, aka @askproy, created a movement called dear dope chick. The motto, we inspire + energize… Continue reading dear dope chick: this week’s focus word: nourish
Dopeness
Words have power and carry weight.
Selah
2020 came in with so much hope and promise with an unusual air of unexpectancy. I am closing out my 30s this summer, so this new decade gave me so much excitement and anticipation. Now we are in a pause. During this time, I have wrestled with fear over so many things. I have never… Continue reading Selah
Living Life Unapologetically
In my opinion, she is currently experience one of her most challenging, yet rewarding assignments to date. She has to use all the tools she has attained. I hope this encourages her to keep on going!
Legacy continued in US
My friend and sister, Ursula Smith.
A Dream Deferred
What if waiting until you are a grown up is not necessary???
Jasmyn
Ja La Mo - a driven woman, diligent mother, devoted friend, financial whiz, curly hair influencer, funky framer wearer, and just a dope person
Justin, Jason, Isaiah, Isabella, Olivia
The simply amazing and unbelievably courageous, Courtney.
Oh God!
The phenomenal accuracy of God.
The Jacqueline Jones
Who is Jacqui Jones? Why does she put "The" in front of her name?
The Pen is Mightier
My hair has brought me more attention that I could ever imagine. It's always been thick (just like my thighs!), and the longer it grew, the more people stared. I never really saw it as a significant feat or accomplishment. It was just how God saw fit to create me. My hair and I have… Continue reading The Pen is Mightier
Metamorphosis
Last week in my classroom, we studied butterflies. Now, I must be honest, it is rare for me to do any additional research on our weekly thematic units. Any knowledge I pass on to my class is either information I learned in previous years or comes from a book I choose to read. The latter… Continue reading Metamorphosis
In my beginning, there is my Mom
Here's the 1st story in my new series. I tried to cram the importance of my mother in about 1000 words.
to be loved
God is blessing the works of my hands
The Equation for a Miracle
Thoughts on Women's History Month and how I tend to celebrate the women of my history
The Way I Think
Is there a theory behind love?
Treasure Hunt
Every Christmas since maybe my college years, perhaps my mid-20s, my dad has ended the gift opening/exchange with a treasure hunt. Each family member has a stocking that contains a clue/riddle. We have to figure out the hiding place of the next clue which may or may not have a present with it. Typically, the… Continue reading Treasure Hunt
What should Dreamers do
I vividly remember the night I sat on my parents' bed, rocking my niece to sleep, watching the news of the murder of a young teenager Black boy wearing a hoodie, clutching a bag of skittles. In my mind, I tried to visualize the scene. How fast was the boy walking? What song was playing… Continue reading What should Dreamers do
Clickbait aka Support
It's the annual after Thanksgiving event, Black Friday. An event that has steadily evolved from the opportunity to gain a head start on Christmas shopping by scoring some excellent deals to what just seems like capitalism and commercialism. But it was those thoughts and feelings that lead to Small Business Saturday. The consumer can "stick… Continue reading Clickbait aka Support
Focus on Thanks
In deep reflection on how God is able to perform miracles with what I have in my hands
What’s the reason
My 45th birthday did not move me to make a list of 45 things I've learned or what I want to accomplish before I turn 50 (SHEESH - how am I inching towards 50?!?) Because I am always reflective and introspective, I have begun thinking about my place in this world and how I am… Continue reading What’s the reason
The Ready Writer 