For those preparing to celebrate Halloween, I wanted to share a recent feature that I am included in as well as my Top 20 Fave Horror movies!! Now while I’m not necessarily an active Halloween participant (anymore), I am a fan of a great horror/thriller movie!! On this past Monday I was featured in a VCU News article, “What’s your favorite scary movie? A horror film watch list for October.” The article features recommendations from VCU faculty, staff, and students on their favorite horror movies! I selected the 1992 classic film, Candyman! See an excerpt below:
“Candyman”is a classic example of how a film can and does eloquently have a conversation surrounding racism, Black pain and historical memory. This in many ways is what separates it from other horror films, telling the story of a mysterious Black man who comes back to life after being brutally executed.
Lead character “Daniel Robitaille” (played by Tony Todd) from Candyman (1992)
In addition to the above feature, I wanted to share my Top 20 Fave Horror/Thriller films! You can watch these on Halloween or any other day when you need that horror fix!
Now this list is in no particular order, just simply a feature list:
Candyman (1992 and 2021)
The Blackening (2023)
His House [Netflix] (2020)
Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)
Master [Prime Video] (2022)
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)
Get Out (2017)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Ganja & Hess (1973)
Tales from the Hood (1995)
Us (2019)
Smile (2022)
Nosferatu (1922)
Midsommar (2019)
The Exorcist (1973)
Carrie (1976)
The Craft (1996)
So many stories to tell, so many viewpoints to share, and plenty of chills to crawl up your spine!! Try one, or try them all, trust me there is at least something for everyone!!
When are in full Autumn mode!! So what better way to finish out the month than to find a good book to dive into! Much like in the summer, I quite enjoy sitting on my balcony, feeling the cool breeze come through, while the sun hits my face! To get you in the Fall mood, I have a nice selection of literary treats for you to pick from below.
Get those coins ready!!
Check out this month’s recommendation below:
Family Meal ~Bryan Washington
Goodbye Earl: A Revenge Novel ~Leesa Cross-Smith
How Far You Have Come ~Morgan Harper-Nichols
Black Joy ~Edited by Charlie Brinkhust-Cuff and Timi Sotire
Holler, Child ~Latoya Watkins
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty ~Akwaeke Emezi
The Princess of Thornwood Drive ~Khalia Moreau
Danni’s Juke Joint Comfort Food: Modern–Day Recipes, Ole Skool Flavas~Danni Rose
As an extra bonus spotlight, check out this Black-owned bookstore in Houston, TX called “Kindred Stories”!!
Don’t forget to support your local bookstores and libraries!!
And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!
“The writer cannot expect to be excused from the task of reeducation and regeneration that must be done. In fact, he should march right in front.”
Mark Your Calendars BFF Family and Friends!! I wanted to make sure I shared this upcoming event with you that will be taking place next week! I will be giving a guest lecture/conversation to one of my good friend and colleague Dr. Julian Chambliss’ Afrofuturism course spotlighting Janelle Monáe.
During this lecture/conversation, I will discuss Monáe’s role and impact, as a musician and artist, within the framework of Afrofuturism. This event is part of IAH 207: Afrofantastic: Race, Power, and Gender in the Black Imaginary at Michigan State University.
Check out the flyer and registration details below:
Wow!! What can I say about today!! Today’s journey was all about spices, the creation of Stone Town, and the history of Zanizbar from the perspective of enslavement. It was a full day, so much so that I was literally worn out at the end of the day!
So let’s begin at the Spice Farm…
A handmade bracelet made of banana and coconut leaves
Words do no justice, the pictures above speak a thousand words!!
I was in second heaven while walking through this farm. Sooooo much goodness in its natural element! I think I take for granted what one can do with spices, there is a wealth of ways to make use of these herbs, roots, and spice. They hold sooooo much value everything from ice cream, masala, medication, a baby wash to ward off spirits from when babies are first born, and in some cases pillow stuffing (Karpak very similar to cotton) and furniture.
More specifically, I would learn that cardamom can be used to help babies go to sleep or as they say “lazy their baby’ and be a mouthwash, or that a small amount of nutmeg can be used as a spice but a large amount is used as a drug, or even that before Black pepper takes on a black color it goes through three other color phases (green, red, white), and lastly the Anatodye is a flower that can be used for henna and to make lipstick. Simply amazing!!!
Following the Spice Farm we would would drive through Zanzibar City or central city to get to Stone Town. Stone Town is considered the old part and oldest city of Zanzibar. It would get its name based on the majority of the buildings in the city being made from limestone and dead coral.
Approximately 36 km from mainland Tanzania, Stone Town was known as the capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate and was a flourishing city that was the center of the spice trade and the slave trade in the 19th century. While not many residents live in Stone Town it still maintains its importance to Zanzibar, particularly for tourism. There is much movement taking place in the city, whether it is music and arts or bustling businesses and markets (see below).
The markets are open every day typically from 6 am to 7 pm. Just seeing all of the fresh seafood, spices, fruits, vegetables….oh my!! The markets were always busy, especially considering that when people came they were typically buying for the day. This makes sense especially if you are not able to preserve or have regular refrigeration.
Part of our time in Stone Town included touring the East African Slave Trade Exhibit, which was another eye-opening experience. While I knew that slavery took place all over the world, I was not as informed about the Arab and Persian involvement particularly in Zanzibar. Stone Town in particular would house one of the largest slave market ports.
It still amazes me how much is being uncovered globally as it relates to slavery. Every country has their own story…
A memorial for the enslaved and the Cathedral Church of Christ that would replace a former slave market.
I will say this while many folks want to write out or even white out slavery learning about the operations of enslavement outside of the US is mind blowing. People are still in denial or minimize this multi-year global atrocity. While slavery was abolished in Zanzibar beginning in the late 1890s, freedom was still a complicated process for those who had been enslaved. There were many obstacles faced, including the fact that most likely you were separated from your family and children, any land that may have been acquired was forfeited, and there was also the risk of being declared a vagrant, imprisoned, or sent to hard manual labor. In addition, to this it was also highly unlikely that the enslaved on the plantations were illiterate, which meant many probably did not even realize they were even free.
So much stolen and never recovered fully…..
Taking a shift left….
Before COVID-19 there were over 500,000 tourists who visited Stone Town, since COVID-19 that number has increased to 700,000. Much like many places, tourism is the backbone of the Stone Town, and Zanzibar in general, economy. Some other interesting things to note is the main tourists who come to Zanzibar include French, German, British and Asian residents with very few African American. But according to our guide KP this is slowly increasing.
In finishing out our excursion for the day one thing that I also noticed not just on the Tanzania mainland but definitely in Zanzibar was the doors. These were not just any type of door, but intricately detailed, made of strong wood, and could identify wealth. The larger and more detailed the door, the richer and more significant the person. While many of the details on some of the doors serve as decoration, during the British and Arab invasions they served as weapons to keep the elephants from storming down the doors. Also, not only were their decorations, but the carvings in particular at the top were etched with various symbols that served as a way to ward off bad spirits.
Just admiring the details shows how much work goes into each door. The pride in the craftsmanship is very much evident!!
I have never seen doors like this before, and boy do I wish I could transport some back to the US. Talk about one of a kind!!
And just a little humor to close out the day’s excursion, the bootleg man still exists lol even in Africa…
The DVD Bootleg man still remains…
All in all, let me just say again how amazing this experience has been for me these past 8 days. So much has transpired beyond what I could even imagine. I cannot stress it enough the importance of traveling outside of your neighborhood, city, and state. There is truly a wealth of knowledge waiting for you to discover!
Tomorrow I will close out with some final reflections as I prepare to come back stateside!! As always I look forward to sharing!
So it is nothing like having good friends who keep you posted on new goodies that are dropping within the pop culture arena! While preparing for our weekly writing session, my colleague and friend Michael Hall shared with me a new Disney+ animated anthology series that dropped last week called Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire! Immediately I did a quick Google search and to my delight, I was hooked! Premiering on July 5th Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is a new series that blends elements of Africanfuturism, Afrofuturism, cyberpunk, sci-fi, and fantasy to tell 10 inclusive stories of African histories and cultures.
“This is Africa as you’ve never seen it before.” Advanced technology, spirits, aliens, and time travel…SIGN ME UP!!
Produced by Triggerfish Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, executive produced by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Rise of the Guardians) with Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston as supervising producers, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is what Ramsey describes as a series with “recognizable genres and recognizable aspects of contemporary culture, but they’re wrapped in African culture.”You got my attention! Plus the representation of the African diaspora is in full effect, with stories from such countries as South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe…GAME CHANGER!!
With a cast that includes Florence Kasumba (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Civil War, Wonder Woman, “Emerald City”), Kehinde Bankole (“Desperate Housewives Africa”, Blood Sisters), Nasty C (“Blood & Water”), Mo Ismail (“Star Trek Beyond”, ) and a plethora of up-and-coming African talent, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is definitely gonna change the game of how we tell animated stories!!
Now while I have not watched the series as of yet, I am already convinced this is legit greatness right here!! Just going off the trailer, the diverse representation, vibrant animation still shots, the voice cast, and the series direction, I’m willing to put my money on it sight unseen!
Photo Credit: Disney
This is totally in my personal and professional wheelhouse!! I am loving that more diverse African stories are being told and shared!! Cause trust me that content has and is there, the whole world just needs to see it!!
And just in case you need a little more convincing see the trailer below:
I am totally hyped about this series and siked that ALL episodes are available to watch!
I know what I will be binging on tonight!!
Hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think!!
Welcome back to our final Wednesday edition of #JoyfulBlackSpaces with guest blogger, Lauren N. Jackson!!
What are Black spaces? As a reminder, Black spaces are intentional spaces and environments designed to uplift and empower the Black community. These spaces bring JOY because they allow Blacks to rid themselves of the daily microaggressions, racism, and prejudices often experienced in society, and allow them to fully embrace their Blackness; their uniqueness, dialect, identity, and culture. Black spaces include spaces like higher education institutions, restaurants, churches, museums, and the like.
Today’s #BlackJoy moment we will focus on “Black Spaces in Movement”.
“I wanted to do the kind of dance that could be done for the man on the streets, the people. I wanted to show Black people that they could come down to these concert halls. That it was part of their culture being done there. And that it was universal.” – Alvin Ailey
It’s no secret that “every genre of dance has roots in Black culture and specifically African dance. From streets in the Bronx, where DJ Kool Herc grew the popularity of HipHop, to international stages and studios, where the likes of Misty Copeland and Alvin Ailey performed ballet and modern genres, the influence of Black culture can be seen from every angle of the dance world”
Celebrating and highlighting Black spaces in movement is an important way to recognize and appreciate the contributions and creativity of the Black community. I have highlighted “Black Spaces in Movement” that continuously celebrate and uplift the contributions of the Black community in dance. These spaces provide opportunities for Black dancers to showcase their talent, receive training and mentorship, and create a supportive community. They also serve as platforms to challenge the underrepresentation of Black dancers in mainstream dance and create spaces where Black artistry is valued and celebrated.
The Debbie Allen Dance Academy – The Debbie Allen Dance Academy is a “501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers a comprehensive dance curriculum to students ages four and up.” The Academy, known for its Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, has offered opportunities for students, mainly those from underrepresented groups to create opportunities, provide resources, and foster an inclusive environment to excel and thrive. Learn more hereand check them out on IG: @officialdadance
Dollhouse Dance Factory – The Dollhouse Dance Factory located in Jackson, MS, and established by Diana Williams, “promotes high self-esteem, determination, persistence, high academic achievement, community involvement and the importance of health in young women through the art of dance.” Their award-winning dance routines and participation in TLC’s hit show, “Bring It!” have brought recognition to their passionate and advanced dance skills, showcasing the excellence within the Black dance community. Visit the DDF site here and check them out on IG: @thedd4lbrand
HBCU Dance Teams – Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) dance teams are another important aspect of Black spaces in movement. These teams represent the spirit and tradition of HBCUs through their dance performances, embodying the excellence and artistry of the Black community. They showcase their talent at various events, competitions, and halftime shows, bringing the energy and vibrancy of Black dance to a broader audience. These groups have also built opportunities for members to build lifelong relationships through their sisterhood.
Check out the following HBCU dance teams’ routines:
NC A&T’s Golden Delights, and learn more about the “Delights” here and on their Instagram page @ncatgoldendelight.
By focusing on “Black Spaces in Movement,” we can acknowledge the rich history and cultural significance of dance and performance within the Black community. It is a way to honor the achievements and contributions of Black artists, dancers, and performers who have made an indelible impact on the world of entertainment.
I scream…You scream…We all scream for ICE CREAM!! With it officially being summertime, it’s nothing like cooling off with some smooth ice cream, gelato, or froyo!!
I am definitely a fan of two scoops of cake batter ice cream topped with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries nestled in a nice warm waffle cone/bowl, or on some occasions a yummy Oreo Blizzard. Enjoying this ice-cold treat is perfect for closing out a long day at work or school, or even just a great excuse to connect and bond with family and friends. Now if we throw in a little history, I would learn that there was actually a time when Black folks in Jim Crow South were not allowed to eat vanilla ice cream in public [Check out Michael Twitty’s Guardian piece], specifically, except on the Fourth of July. As noted in Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” she would explain,
People in Stamps used to say that the whites in our town were so prejudiced that a Negro couldn’t buy vanilla ice cream. Except on July Fourth. Other days he had to be satisfied with chocolate.
To think that ice cream was made to be a racial issue blows the mind!! But just like we do, Black folks resist and reclaim!
“Three Little Girls Eating Ice Cream Cones” (1936) ~Lucien Aigner
So today’s #BlackJoyMoment is all about featuring a few Black-owned ice cream stores and products. So as you prepare to go on vacation or just need an excuse to enjoy a creamy dessert, check out these amazing parlors, shops, and products below:
We are going into the last week of the series and this has been quite a journey! Being able to share all the different ways in which we find #BlackJoy has been an incredible experience. I often find joy in just staying at home cooking a meal, shopping for some new accessories to put in my office, or trying a new product that brightens and enhances my skin! On any given day joy can and does present itself and says “I’m Here, What You Gonna Do With Me?” So why not channel some of that joy into supporting a good cause or family-owned business.
Today’s #BlackJoyMoment is about highlighting Black-owned Brands!! Many of these brands I personally support for myself and others!! Whether it’s adding to my bar cart, finding a new sweet treat, or creating my vision for my living space, I am totally in support of the products and brands below!
Food & Drink
BLK & Bold Speciality Beverages: “A lifetime friendship, shared values, and an immeasurable love for coffee & tea serve as the foundation for BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages. Co-founders, Pernell & Rod created this company with the desire to unite coffee and tea lovers worldwide through a common interest of investing in community, specifically for the youth.”
Trade Street Jam Co.: “Fresh and funky flavor combos meet farm-to-table southern hospitality…Our jam kitchen started in Charlotte, North Carolina, but is based in Brooklyn, New York. Our in-house chef curates all of our jam flavors by pairing her knowledge of great flavor combinations with her fervor for taking risks.”
The Spice Suite: “The Spice Suite is the culminating vision of owner Angel Gregorio’s love of good food and people. Staying true to the motto “food is fashion,” Angel mixes spices and herbs to create couture blends and spice ensembles that inspire chefs and home cooks alike.”
Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm: Family-owned business Zach & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm offers a wide array of raw, flavor-infused honey harvested in New Jersey. The flavors include lavender, matcha, beetroot, ginger, and blueberry, which can be used in drinks, on breakfast foods and desserts, and incorporated into savory entrees.
Brough Brothers: A family-owned and managed distillery by the three Yarbrough brothers (Victor, Bryson, and Chris), that sell a medium body bourbon produced in the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in Kentucky.
Beauty& Skincare
Black Girl Sunscreen: “Black Girl Sunscreen was designed to start the conversation around sun protection and education. BGS took the #1 reason Black women weren’t wearing sunscreen and solved it in a way that connected with them specifically. BGS has you looking good and feeling good by leaving no white cast through incorporating moisturizing ingredients that also protect your skin.“
BEVEL: “Led by founder and CEO Tristan Walker, Bevel revolutionized the standards of male self-care and continues to cement its position as the most trusted grooming solution for him. On a mission to make products and tools accessible to all men with curly, textured hair, and melanin-rich skin.“
Solo Noir: “Solo Noir firmly believes that a man’s greatest asset is his confidence. With unfiltered confidence, everything is within your reach, but confidence can be limited by several factors, including personal appearance. The Solo Noir system was created to restore confidence through clear, healthy skin. Solo Noir products take the guesswork out of daily skincare and make it both easy to understand and simple to apply.”
KINLÒ: “Despite growing up on sun-soaked tennis courts, SPF was never top-of-mind for Naomi Osaka because she, like many others, assumed her melanin-rich skin was immune to sun damage.After learning the truth about the damage the sun inflicts on melanated skin, she set out on a mission to dispel old myths and educate others on proper sun protection.KINLÒ starts conversations about health risks for melanated skin tones and provides clean products designed to protect and nourish.”
Donna’s Recipe: “Donna’s Recipewasfounded by Tabitha Brown and Gina Woods. Together they sought out the mission to exclusively offer vegan, high-qualityingredients that work but also products that you look forward tofor a consistent hair care routine. The entire line is nutrient-rich, clean, vegan ingredients that keep you coming back and staying consistent with your hair care journey.”
Home & Accessories
Afro Unicorn: “April Showers is Founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn®️, a brand designed to represent the uniqueness of women and children of color in a truly diverse and inclusive fashion. April is a lead-by-example creator who works to uplift, advocate and inspire women and children of color to achieve greatness. She is focused on fusing her passions with her life’s purpose to help other female entrepreneurs on their journey.”
BLK MKT Vintage: “BLK MKT Vintage is a Brooklyn, NY-based antique/vintage concept shop, specializing in collectibles, cast-off’s and curiosities, which represent the richness of Black history and lived experience. Curated by founders Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart, the collection includes found items like vintage literature, vinyl records, clothing, art, housewares/decor, furniture and other goods. By centering black cultural artifacts via thoughtful curation and varying modes of accessibility, we’re communicating very explicitly to black folks that not only do we see you, but we love you as well. You’re worthy. What you’ve created is worthy. You are important here.”
Effie’s Paper: Stationary & What Not: “Effie’s Paper :: Stationery&Whatnot is a lifestyle brand presenting cool and on-trend accessories for fun at work, stylish travel and a chic daily life. We believe that from the door to her desk, a woman should be surrounded by pretty things that make her heart leap! Our products are a unique mix of casual elegance, motivation and social conversation that make using them fun and engaging.”
Pretty Honest Candles: “Pretty Honest Candles is a company born out of the founder Andrea’s desire to find a candle that truly filled my home with its scent, instead of barely filling a room. Her candles provide clean and high quality that look great on your mantle all while helping your space feel more like home.”
be rooted: “Jasmin Foster founded Be Rooted to create a space for women of color to see themselves in a place they hadn’t been. Weaving culture into every design and message, Be Rooted inspires customers to explore their inner muse and celebrate self. We want our customers to know, you are seen and you belong here.”
Today’s #BlackJoy Moment is about showcasing and highlighting the importance of Black-owned Bookstores!
During the 1960s and 1970s, many Black bookstores served as information centers for the Civil Rights and Black Power movement. Visitors would have access to a wealth of writing on Black culture, history, entertainment, and spirituality/religion. As public spaces, they also provide a space to feel free, organize thoughts collectively and individually, form communities, and support Black economics.
For me personally, Black Bookstores have become a space to work outside of my office, grab some yummy goodies and coffee, and link up with friends! Black Bookstores have also become a place to bring in authors for “Meet-N-Greet’s”, social gatherings, open-mic and game nights, and community dialogues!
Now as part of a personal mission a couple years back, I compiled a list of Black bookstores across the globe. This was done partly to provide a resource on the BFF site, to also set a personal goal of visiting as many as I could, and simply because I was just curious.
While on this journey of curiosity and joy, I have been able to visit a few local Black bookstores here in Richmond and the surrounding DMV, that I had to shout out!! See them below:
So make sure you check these out if you are in the area, or any on the above list!! You are bound to find a good book, meet some cool folks, find a place of peace, learn something new, and be a part of a good cause!!
We are moving and shaking through these weeks, but there is still more #BlackJoy to spread!! See you tomorrow!!
Portraits of Lorraine Hansberry (L), Maya Angelou, and Angela Davis are painted inside the Urban Reader Bookstore in Charlotte, NC
We got another week of #BlackMusicAppreciation on deck!! Today’s #BlackJoy curated playlist is all about literal joy in a song!!
Right now is a great time to get some feel-good, healing vibes!! Whether you are taking a morning walk with your dog, a run on the treadmill, or driving your commute to work, a joyful song can set the tone and mood! With everything going on in the world, we could all use some joyful tunes!!
Special shout out to my friend and colleague Shermaine Jones for helping curate this week’s list!! See this week’s #BlackJoy playlist below:
And as a special treat, we got a double bonus with the recent NPR Music #TinyDeskConcert performances from Babyface and Tank!!
Babyface
Tank
And remember if there’s a track or two that you think should make the list, make sure to drop it in the comments section!!
Black Future Feminist 