Living,Loving,Encouraging

I recently took a solo trip to Los Angeles, California. My soul had been wanting to go since I last visited in the Spring of 2021. I lived there for a little while in my late 20s and fell in love with the weather, the palm trees, the lifestyle, and the beach. I had it on my vision board to go sometime this year but kept putting it off. After praying about it in August and receiving confirmation from God, I booked my ticket to go for a weekend the following month. I made an itinerary, packed my bags, and headed to LA.  On Friday, September 6, I landed at the Los Angeles International Airport around 2 PM. The flight took five hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, and I stayed at the  Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel . Once I got settled in my room, I refreshed myself and headed in an Uber to my favorite soul food restaurant, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen . For lunch I had baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. It was so good. After eating, I walked ar...

I am a picky eater and grocery store shopper. On the weekends you can find me in the market with my list in hand, glasses on, head down, and reading the back of food labels. When looking at the food labels, I am searching for short ingredient lists with little to no preservatives, and checking the sugar and sodium contents per serving. Though this routine can take me about an hour or so, there are 7 items that I don't think twice about. 1. Egg-Land's Best Large Eggs- I love these eggs! They were suggested to me by my grandma and were the only eggs that my grandfather bought. For the past few years, I have purchased them for myself and like them because the hens are vegetarian- fed, the eggs are tasty and fresh, and they are affordable at $3.99 a dozen. 2. Grass-Fed Beef - I rarely eat beef but once a month I crave a hamburger. When giving in to my cravings in the past I would normally order a burger from outdoors, but after eating it my stomach would hurt. I believe it was...

  1)   Who are you? Marcus Burke, The Artist. Born in beautiful Beaufort, SC, and raised in Queens, NY. All-around multifaceted visual artist.  2) What is your blog, program, agency, or organization about? When did it start? Marcus Burke Artistry is an art-based business dedicated to pushing the beauty and passion for life. I started my business in 2016. I have been drawing and painting since I was a kid.       3) What is your mission? Why do you feel strongly about this area of interest?  My mission is to express myself and show others how to do it through the multiple aspects of art. It’s my purpose and passion and I’m so grateful to be using my God- given talents.  4) If someone asked for your feedback on how to live their best life, what would your response be in one sentence? “Follow your heart and intuition, believe in yourself, and execute your dreams into reality. Keep God first.” 5) How and where can people find...

1)   Who are you? My name is Kingahnah Nolligan (King-A-nay). I am a Software Engineer, mentor, blogger, and Blerd. I have been in the Tech industry for over 15 years with a Bachelors in Computer and Information Science. I currently work on a team as a Senior Engineer, advising colleagues; helping with code reviews, and helping with maturing our agility as a Lean Ambassador. I also recently volunteered as a mentor for an apprenticeship cohort with Road To Hire, where I meet weekly with my mentee to provide advice and feedback on his progress. 2) What is your blog, program, agency, or organization about? When did it start? I have been interested in technology ever since I was a kid. I used to play a lot of video games growing up, which eventually led to computers. In high school, I volunteered to help in the computer lab and set up PCs throughout the school. I knew then I wanted to pursue a career in Software Engineering. I started my blog, “A King’s Journey in Tech” mainly to help ...

"Sis, You're Her!" said a Black brother to me at my local lounge, one day. I was not feeling my best but went out to hear some music and shake off whatever I was feeling. He and I started a conversation after I gave him the eye and asked him to come sit with me from the bar. He had been sitting at the bar alone and I was at a table nearby sipping on a glass of wine.  He caught my eye, coming from the bathroom in his brown sweat suit, Cartier frames, and fresh line-up. Instead of coming over to my table, he pulled out a chair for me to sit beside him. When we started talking, he said “Sis, You’re Her!" Though I was looking good, smelling good, and had my hair done, the truth was, I was not feeling my best. I was depressed and thought that I would get some time outdoors. Though I smiled, he sensed what I was feeling. “Sis, You're Her!” he said with a big smile. As he continued to say it, I asked him why he kept saying it. He replied, “You are. You're it. I can ...

5 Years old, Natural 4c curls bussin out of the scalp, Momma got the Vaseline and straightening comb; she’s waiting for it to melt. Pulling the comb through, She tells me to hold back my ear. "Don’t move, don’t budge" she says as I wiggle in the wooden chair. "Ouch" I say, Though nothing even hurts. Something like a convicting message when the pastor speaks at church. Part by part, piece by piece, adding the finishing touches she adds a little grease. Dax Pomade , founded by Herman Bley, He came to the U.S. after escaping the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. At 8 years old I asked my mom for a relaxer, She wanted me to change my mind.  She told me that Black hair matters, Black hair mattered. She also told me that one day I would later regret it,  it would thin out my hair and possibly take out my edges. 15 years old, I found a stylist and started paying for my own roller sets, The stylist washed my hair, I thought I was Dominican when she wet it. Hitting up my ...