Here we are, June 1st, 2025…we are officially halfway through the year.
Now I know I have been absent, but I am getting back on track. 2025 has already been a whirlwind of a year, and it is only going to get better. Much of my time has been occupied with writing, as I am literally in the last stages, more like moments, of submitting my book manuscript. This has truly been a journey that I could never even imagine. The fact that I am so close to the finish line has me nervous and excited! Nervous because this project has been a part of my life for over 14 years. Excited because the project will be shared with the world! It’s amazing what happens to your mind and spirit when you step away, but still dive into the work that you love. When it is all said and done there has been a lot of moving and shaking, and I can’t wait to share with you all!
So, as we enter the month of June, let’s check out some highlights of what we can look forward to over the next 30 days…
All of June: Black Music Appreciation, Pride, National Soul Food Month
June 11th: Full Moon (Strawberry Moon)
June 15th: Father’s Day
June 19th: Juneteenth
June 20th: Summer Solstice/First Day of Summer
In addition to checking in with you all, I just wanted to let you know that I will be getting back into the swing of things, sharing my book recommendations, travel stories, pop culture news, film and tv trailers, and other exciting commentary.
It’s literally the first of the month, and I know I have been off the map…Life has been Life-ing! But what better way to come back than to drop some new trailers that you will definitely want to cash in on! Check out the trailers below:
Abbott Elementary (Streaming on ABC-October 9th)
Caddo Lake (Streaming on Max- October 10th)
Exhibiting Forgiveness (In theaters October 18th)
Venom: The Last Dance (In theaters October 25th)
Season 2-Lioness (Streaming on Paramount+ – October 27th)
CROSS (Streaming on Prime Video-November 14th)
The Six Triple Eight (Streaming on Netflix-December 20th)
Fall is Officially Here, but the reading doesn’t stop. This month’s list includes everything from a hip-hop memoir to a crime-thriller novel, historical fiction, and a yummy cookbook. Nothing like chilling on your porch, balcony, or favorite park, taking in the autumn winds with a cup of warm apple cider and a good book. Let me help with finding your next literary treat!!
Check out September’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:
AfriCali: Recipes from My Jikoni ~Kiano Moju
Razorblade Tears ~S.A. Cosby
Gods of Jade and Shadow ~Silvia Moreno-Garcia
We’re Alone ~Edwidge Danticat
First in the Family ~Jessica Hoppe
Who’s That Girl? ~Eve
Like Happiness ~Ursula Villarreal-Moura
Lovely One ~Ketanji Brown Jackson
We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People ~Nemonte Nenquimo
And as always, Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!
And just in case you need some stylish apparel to keep you warm as you read, check out this Black woman-owned site, The Trini Gee with some cute fits!!
We are deep into the summer as we close out another HOT month! You know I could not leave you without another list of literary goodies!! Plus it’s Leo Season! As we continue to dive into Summer let me make sure I share some more finds to get you through the next month! This list is packed with lots of romance, thriller, coming of age, some poetry, a literary manifesto, and trust me every one is a page turner!! So let’s not delay the wait any longer!!
Check out July’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:
Midnight Rooms ~Donyae Coles
Bluff: Poems ~Danez Smith
Beyond Policing ~Philip V. McHarris
Blessings ~Chukwuebuka Ibeh
Red at the Bone ~Jacqueline Woodson
Did Everyone Have An Imaginary Friend? (Or Just Me): Adventures in Boyhood ~Jay Ellis
Sounds Like a Plan ~Pamela Samuel Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples ~Carole Boston Weatherford and Mavis Staples
And as always, Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!
If you need a few recommendations check these out:
Another Fourth of July has made its way to us. Now folks that know me know, I’m not all for the traditional 4th of July celebrations. I am for the hanging out with family at a BBQ, watching homemade fireworks in the neighborhood, and enjoying a sunny day. This year I get to be in Senegal during the 4th, and in all all honesty I think it’s just perfect!! Regardless how you feel, just make sure you know/have as much info about the holiday as possible, because trust me there is plenty to learn!!
As a bonus, make sure to be on the look out for the daily post of my #WestAfricanTravelJourneys that will dive into what I did for the day!
And just to drop a little history and my own personal feelings/thoughts, check out a post I did discussing Frederick Douglass’ well-known speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
You can also find the speech in its entirety here!
Let’s jump right into it this week, 2024 Times 100 list honoree and Golden Globe winning actress Taraji P. Henson just dropped her debut children’s book. Her book, “You Can Be A Good Friend (No Matter What!) was released on June 18th and tells a story that “shows kids the great things that can happen when we approach others and ourselves with empathy, patience, and love.” It’s the perfect story for classroom story time, bedtime reading, easing those back-to-school jitters, promoting friendship over bullying, and embracing the importance of standing in one’s own uniqueness. You can find her latest book anywhere books are sold
Need a refresher on Season 1 of the Onyx Collective/Hulu legal drama Reasonable Doubt ? Check out this 1-minute breakdown featuring the show’s lead, Emayatzy Corinealdi:
Season 2 premieres on Hulu on August 22, with episodes dropping every Thursday. And while you wait you can stream the first season now.
Looking for a new wine to jumpstart your summer?? As we celebrated another Juneteenth on last week, Mother New York (of Mother Design) launched Auntie Whine, a limited-edition wine that honors all the aunties and their signature dance moves. “Named for how aunties whine their hips at family gatherings, this wine captures the essence of these joyful moments.” It’s the perfect blend of cocoa butter notes and a smooth, silk bonnet-like mouthfeel just right for your next BBQ! In addition to the wine it comes with a sweet, soulful Spotify playlist of songs!!
In some more good TV news, STARZ is dropping the “Down in the Valley” premiere a WEEK early!! Aww shucks, you know who is a happy camper…that would be ME!! It is set to drop on this Friday June 28th at midnight/ET on STARZ. Hosted and executive produced by Nicco Annan, who is best known as Uncle Clifford in STARZ’s critically acclaimed tv show “P-Valley,” the six-episode half-hour docuseries follows Annan as he explores the people, sensuality, music, culture and stories of the South. “The series confronts uncomfortable truths, challenges societal norms, and advocates for a more inclusive and enlightened future.” Check out the trailer below:
This Jeopardy! host for 37 years is being honored with a Forever Stamp…Who is Alex Trebek? The well-known hostess who passed away in 2020 from pancreatic cancer is getting his own stamp!! Each stamp will read “This naturalized U.S. citizen hosted the quiz show ‘Jeopardy!’ for 37 seasons.” And underneath upside down, you can find the answer: “Who is Alex Trebek?” The new stamp will become available on July 22nd.
For all my foodies, check out these Black-owned restaurants in the Fort-Worth area of Texas:
And to close us out we got Four Features blazing this week’s Tiny Desk Concert-Black Music Month, a nice mix of gospel, soul, r&b, country, hip hop and pop!! Yes to ALL of this, check them out below:
Books on top of Books, this is definitely something that you will not see a shortage of whether in my home or office (especially recently!!). Nothing like adding a new literary treat to your rotation! As I prepare for my upcoming trip, I have a few books that will be getting me through my vacay!! As summer is officially here make sure you don’t forget to grab a book for you, one for your friend, and an extra for good measure!!
Check out June’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:
The Bookshop Sisterhood ~Michelle Lindo-Rice
The Rich People Have Gone Away ~Regina Porter
Daughter of the Merciful Deep ~Leslye Penelope
The Lion’s Den ~Iris Mwanza
Between Friends & Lovers ~Shirlene Obuobi
Blackheart Man ~Nalo Hopkinson
Do What Godmother Says ~L.S. Stratton
Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant and Completely Over It ~Lester Fabian Brathwaite
The Volcano Daughters ~Gina Maria Balibrera
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read ~Rita Lorraine Hubbard & Oga Mora
And as always, Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!
Happy Black Music Month!! Happy Pride Month!! Happy Juneteenth!! and Happy Summer Solstice!!
Don’t forget you can always go back and check out previous lists in the “Resource” section of the website!
Another day, another dollar…well in this case another set of trailers!! Highlighting Black and Brown folks this week! Everything from sports to making herstory in the Mexican police ranks! Check out this week’s trailers below:
Sprint: The World’s Fastest Humans (Streaming July 2nd on Netflix)
Simone Biles Rising (Streaming July 17th on Netflix)
Women in Blue (Streaming July 31st on Apple TV+)
Season 3-Bel-Air (Streaming August 15th on Peacock)
Black Future Feminist 