As Black History Month comes to a close, I wanted to make sure you get a few literary gems to add to your cart!! An array of Black and diasporic stories waiting to be read!! Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!
Check out February’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:
The Neighbor Favor ~Kristina Forest
Long Way Down ~Jason Reynolds
Rise To The Sun ~Leah Johnson
How to Die Famous ~Benjamin Dean
Blood at the Root ~Ladarrion Williams
The Church on Ruby Road ~Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
Legendborn ~Tracy Deonn
Shubeik Lubeik~Deena Mohamed
Photo Collage of February’s Book Recommendations
As an Extra Bonus...Check out this queer Black indie bookstore in Vancouver, Washington, The Romance Era Bookshop!! Check out a quick tour from their IG page below:
And as always, remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!
Nothing like closing out the month with a couple of Black History Month events!! This week I am excited to share two events happening this week in which I’m taking part in!
First on the list is an event in which I will be celebrating with my sorors for “Delta Week” and serving as the featured speaker for their event, “Black Women in Hip Hop.”
This event takes place on today February 26th at 7:13 pm on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus (Richmond Salons I-II). Excited to take part in this annual event and drop some knowledge about a few Black women icons in hip hop!
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The next event takes place on Wednesday!! My department is hosting our annual Black History in The Making awards ceremony in which we recognize African American students at Virginia Commonwealth University, who exhibit what it means to be “Black History in the Making!”
The Black History in the Making Awards were founded in 1983 by Dr. Daryl Dance, the distinguished scholar of African American and Caribbean literature, who served as program coordinator during the 1983-84 academic year. Dr. Dance established the Black History in the Making Awards to recognize the achievements of African American students.In the founding year, Dr. Dance invited academic units and organizations to recognize a student who has made an important contribution. The nominating units established criteria for selecting recipients. Since the inaugural awards, more than 550 students have been recognized by more than 50 departments and organizations.
In addition to recognizing VCU Black students, this year our keynote speaker will be none other than Richmond-native, VCU alum and Chief Diversity Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives Dr. Sesha Joi Moon!
On last night I had an opportunity to attend the 24th Black History Month Lecture put on by VCU Libraries. Dr. Shirlene Obuobi, M.D., a Ghanaian-American physician (cardiologist) and cartoonist, served as this year’s speaker, delivering a lecture/talk on “Narratives & Identity: Comics As Tools for Advocacy and Self-Reflection.” Talk about being hyped!! As soon as I saw the announcement, back in January, I was already intrigued… comics …. medicine….Black woman cartoonist and writer…YOU GOT ME!!
Dr. Obuobi’s talk touched upon so many important issues and conversations. Many of these included being a Black woman physician, her experiences during pre and post medical school, patient-care, the big picture of traversing the medical field, battling insurance companies, universal healthcare, and the role of comics in telling these stories. I have always been of the mindset that comics are one of the greatest mediums for telling stories, giving voice to the voiceless, and highlighting global and national issues. And to see the way that Dr. Obuobi incorporates many of her own personal experiences within the medical field really shines a light that is often dim. In many ways through her comics we are getting a snapshot into her career.
Not only was I thoroughly impressed with her talk but to see how she has been able to weave her personal and professional through a variety of outlets, everything from her regular contributions on “Well + Being” (via The Washington Post), being featured in the Medical University of Vienna’s Art, Action, Attitude/Body exhibit, as well as numerous academic journal articles.
As a self-taught artist, Dr. Obuobi is exuding #BlackGirlMagic!! Check out some of the panels below:
When I say I was in a total #FanGirl moment watching this presentation/lecture, just pure amazement!! The little Black girl in me was jumping for joy!! Dr. Obuobi’s lecture was inspiring, entertaining, engaging, and super informative!!
#FanGirlMoment…Dr. Obuobi and myself holding her novel “On Rotation”!
In addition to her work as a cardiologist, Dr. Obuobi is a brilliant writer, her first book a romance novel titled “On Rotation” hit shelves June 2022. Her second novel, “Between Friends and Lovers” is set to premiere July 2024!
To find out more about Dr. Obuobi, check her out on the following social media outlets:
111 years ago today on January 13th, 1913 on the campus of Howard University 22 college-educated, distinctive, devoted, delightful, dedicated women lit the the torch into the eternal Delta light!! They envisioned a new day of more than just a social life, they desired a larger vision, purpose, and vision that laid a foundation to build upon. A strong and solid legacy that remains even today!
As I embark upon 21 YEARS in this AMAZING, ILLUSTRIOUS sisterhood, I just have to give thanks to #The22 founders!! Thank you for paving the way for a young woman like me to be a part of this wonderful sisterhood now and forever more.
May we continue the legacy of our founders of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, and Social Action!!
Oh to be a Delta Girl!! #SigmaMade #SoonToBe21YearsIn
As the days continue to roll in so do the years, and l welcome them all with open arms!! Can’t believe it has been three years since I launched the Black Future Feminist site, but I am so glad that I did!!
I am excited for what is to come, the new adventures and I look forward to sharing with new followers and my faithful BFF crew!
WE MADE IT!! I am so happy, thankful, and blessed to see another year!! Cannot wait to see what is in store!!
For 2024, I have two themes that I hope will guide me through the year… #FocusForward and #LightsCameraAction !! Regardless of what is happening good, bad, or indifferent I will not look back, but reflect and go forward. I have several goals that I want to achieve this year and it will be essential that I stay focused and always move forward. As it relates to the theme of #LightsCameraAction, I want to continue my life full of passion, excitement, and adventure, and through it all capture all the moments!! Both of these themes apply to my whole self personally and professionally!!
Where do I begin…2023 was another year to remember! It’s nothing like looking back on what happened in the world, what things I accomplished, where I’ve been, and what is in store. This is an opportunity to reflect on ALL that 2023 had to offer!! Traditions were made and carried over…tears were shed of joy and sadness…many lessons learned…new friendships made!! Now I know I will not cover everything but just think of this as an extended highlight reel.
So let us begin….
If I could describe 2023 in three words I would say Patience…Process…Breathe. These three words were very much applicable to me and all aspects of my life, and I would even argue to this year!!
Jumping right out the gate…AI has arrived no more hovering in the shadows. Not gonna say too much but not sure how this is all gonna shake out. Let’s just say it has shaken up a whole bunch of stuff. A part of me is like oooooo, and the other is like uh oh!
Continuing in this vein of the not sure where this is going, oh my, disappointments, and fails I’ll just drop a few names Elon Musk/X, The Flash movie, “Dilbert” cartoonist Scott Adams, Jason Aldean, Diddy, The Idol on Max, Jonathan Majors, Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare”, Ozempic, George Santos, the Met Gala cockroach, Jann Wenner, and how about 15 votes to pick a speaker of the House (for him to be later booted out)…trust me there are more, but I will spare you….
How about that Super Bowl performance from Rhianna and then the baby bump reveal?!? A new monarch and the coronation of Charles III, Damar Hamlin’s injury shaking the entire country on the first Monday of the 2023, Keith Lee vs. The City of Atlanta, Barbenheimer, Jeremy Renner being critically injured by his own snowplow, The Mega Millions jackpot tipped over $1 billion, Turkey and Syria were struck by a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake, India became the fourth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon, can’t forget the Montgomery Boat Brawl (will never look at folding chairs the same), Samara Joy earning the Grammy ‘Best New Artist’, no more cheap streaming, and then let me drop this mic…André 3000’s flute album [Listening to it as I type…Simply EPIC]!!
And one of my favorite movies of the year dropped this year Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!! And I will say this with confidence the BEST Spider-Man movie (both animated and live action)…I will fight you for it!
In some #BlackGirlMagic news …. Missy Elliot and Chaka Khan were induced in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Missy’s becoming the 1st female hip-hop artist to be enshrined. It was announced that Ida B. Wells and Althea Gibson will be featured on the US quarters in 2025. Issa Rae dropped her new prosecco ‘Viarae’. America’s first gourmet biscuit brand is a Black woman-owned business, “Mama’s Biscuits”. Dove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launched the “Code My Crown” initiative (a guide for coding textured hair and protective styles in video games). Racha Tahani Lawler-Queen made history in Virginia opening the state’s first Black-owned birthing center, Gather Grounded Midwifery [Richmond]. Fisk University made history not just with the first HBCU gymnastics team but also in hosting a meet with all Black women coaches. And in wildlife news, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant became the first Black woman in the U.S. to ever host a wildlife show on broadcast television, NBC’s Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.
Much like the years before, there was plenty to celebrate in 2023! Professionally, I would see several publications become available to the masses ranging from book chapters edited collections, an article on Black Gamers and Black Girls finding space in comic books, and several book reviews. I’d be featured in various media outlets while continuing to serve my community. I was selected as a Faculty Mentor Fellow for the VCU Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship and a Humanities Research Center Residential Fellow-Health & Medical Humanities…both of these fellowships I get to continue the work that I do on Black female representation in comics, media, and popular culture. I’m also building my mentorship and community networks. 2023 would also present several #ProudProfessorMoments, especially seeing my AFAM students participate in the VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity!! This among many other events would be reflected in being awarded the 2022-23 VCU Faculty Champion Award! Throughout this year, I continued to do work on my IG site “Black Girl Magic in Media” and even created a new site that focuses on the statements I make (professionally and personally) through fashion “DrGsTShirtCollection”. In addition to the fellowships, I would present at various conferences all across the U.S. Strides are being made and I’m excited about what is coming next in 2024…A few things in the works that I’m crossing my fingers on!!
Personally, I celebrated my 20th Delta Anniversary of being an illustrious member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and graduating from Clark Atlanta University (Go Panthers!!) Wow does time fly!! I got a chance to travel to Raleigh, NC to see the Ruth E. Carter exhibit “Afrofuturism in Costume and Design” as well as the AWESOME “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” exhibits both in Washington, DC. During the early spring, I served as the first keynote speaker for CulpeperCon (Culpeper, VA) as well as participate in numerous events in the 757 area of Virginia centered on Afrofuturism and comics. To jumpstart my summer, I got an opportunity to go camping in West Virginia (nothing like being in nature) and visit the historical site of Storer College (an HBCU in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, that operated from 1867 to 1955). And I started a new tradition of attending other HBCU Homecoming celebrations so that I can see how my fellow HBCU grads get it in!!
With 2023 being as one of my friends called it “The Jordan Year” I cannot help but think about how this year is like a four-quarter game of your favorite sport. There are multiple chances to get ahead, fall behind, and even come out as the winner. And speaking of sports, there were a lot of FIRSTS and REPEATS! This year we got to see the Denver Nuggets celebrate their first NBA championship, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII, Brittney Griner made her reappearance in the WNBA after being detained in Russia for almost a year, The Vegas Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup in only their sixth NHL season, Simone Biles makes history at the US Gymnastics Championships with her 8th all-around title [further cementing that she truly is a G.O.A.T.], Coco Gauff wins the women’s singles at the US Open, the Las Vegas Aces win the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty becoming the first repeat WNBA champions in 21 years, and the Texas Rangers win their first World Series in franchise history, just to name a few!
We went through a historical SAG-AFTRA (suspended its 118-day strike on November 9) and Writer’s Guild of America strike (suspended its 148-day strike on September 27) and for a minute we were almost at a standstill with television and film. However, even with the strike in effect, several shows shined through in 2023 that are definitely worth mentioning:
Found (NBC)
The Irrational (NBC)
Justified: City Primeval (FX)
Class of ’09 (FX)
The Bear (FX)
Hijack (Apple TV+)
The After Party (Apple TV+)
Special Ops: Lioness (Paramount +)
Lawman: Bass Reeves (Paramount +)
The Chi (Showtime)
Billions (Showtime)
Winning Time: The Rise of Lakers Dynasty (Max)
The Gilded Age (Max)
Rap Sh!T (Max)
Lupin (Netflix)
Beef (Netflix)
They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
Loki (Disney+)
Rye Lane (Hulu)
Poker Face (Peacock)
The Continental (Peacock)
With the conclusion of several great series like Succession, Billions, Snowfall, Jack Ryan, and Loki I can only hope there will be more greatness in store for 2024!!
In the music world, Beyoncé went on her Renaissance World Tour (highest grossing to date) and let’s just say folks are STILL talking about it. She put new meaning to “traveling for what you want to see!” Ohhhhh and let me tell you about the NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series, they were killing it with the features this year!! I was like a kid in the candy store every time I got an alert on YouTube!! Some of my faves for 2023 you can check out below:
2023 was also a HUGE celebration for Hip Hop! As we know Hip Hop is not just a genre of music but a WHOLE MOVEMENT!! It would start with a Questlove curated a hip hop tribute at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Hot 97-WBLS hosted the Hip-Hop Forever concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium, Boom Bap Atlanta: Hip Hop 50 Fest, the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s (NMAAHC) hosted its annual Hip-Hop Block Party in Washington, DC, the Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle, WA) would showcase an exhibit Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, along with a host of events all around the world. Closing out the year of hip-hop celebration, it was a true treat to see Queen Latifah become a part of the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors!
Shifting gears…Self-care…This year I was more intentional about making sure I listened to my body more while taking care of it. I have said it before, I’m no spring chicken and my body has definitely reminded me of that recently. Starting over the summer I began booking monthly appointments for 60-minute full-body massages (Shout out to my girlfriends Antoinette and Shermaine). And MY GOD they have worked miracles!! Every month is a heavenly treat! That on top of my monthly loc maintenance appointments are just a few things that have become a part of the regular self-care routine. In 2024, I am hoping to add a few more things.
In addition to stepping up my self-care game, I plan to continue collecting more stamps on the passport. Now one thing that I got to do this year, which I LOVE, is travel (especially internationally)! Can’t quite pick a fave place but going to Tanzania and Curacao definitely warrants a return visit! You can check out my blog travels here!! I look forward to traveling the world even more in 2024 ( I already have a few more places planned)!
Switching gears to the music scene, I definitely got my fill of concerts….Catching Dru Hill, Jodeci, and SWV in Birmingham….Going to see Lauryn Hill in Denver for the 25th Anniversary of The Mis-Education of Lauryn Hill album tour (definitely one of the lucky ones)…Witnessing the greatness of Lakeside, Jermaine Dupri, Big Boi, and a repeat performance of SWV at Hampton’s Homecoming…All the way live!!
Now I will say there are several events that I am looking forward to in 2024 especially as it relates to Las Vegas Residencies. Here are a couple that I plan to put on my calendar:
Jodeci: The Show, The Party, The Las Vegas Residency
New Edition: Las Vegas
With the popularity of Usher’s residency, it seems like Vegas is becoming the HOT SPOT again!
This year we also lost a great many icons, many of which surprised me and hit me to my core. It never gets easier, but I do continue to be thankful for the legacies that they leave.
Fred White (January 1st)
Lisa Marie Presley (January 12th)
David Jude Jolicoeur ‘Trugoy the Dove’ (February 12th)
This year I celebrated turning “42” my Jackie Robinson year! Another year of blessings and good times with family and friends! I will always be grateful for life and another day to live it!!
Ahhhhh so before this post comes to a close I look forward to implementing a couple of new themes to guide me through the year… #FocusForward and #LightsCameraAction !! Stay tuned for how this will come to fruition!
So as we count down these last few days of 2023 I cannot help but think, Come on in 2024!!
It’s that time of year again when I share my Top Books of the Year! And once again the books do not disappoint. I am always thankful when I get some leisure reading in, especially with my busy schedule. Whether it’s on the plane, sitting poolside or by the beach, or while I’m under the hairdryer reading something new or revisiting a classic is very much necessary.
As an extra bonus a few of the books on this year’s list even got turned into Hulu and Netflix television series, now that’s pretty exciting!
So without further ado (in no particular order), check out Dr. G’s Top 23 Books of 2023!
As I always like to say ‘Happy Reading’ and make sure you support your local bookstores!! Look forward to sharing with you all in 2024!!
Now this is not a post about the best Christmas movies (although all my faves are on this list), but more of a celebration of Christmas movies. This is literally my favorite time of year when it comes to movies!! You have your classics that never get old and then the newbies that hopefully become classics! With this list, I made sure to include a good mix for both the kids, the adults, and everyone in between.
So as you continue to celebrate the Holiday Season make sure to take a little time to watch a movie or two with your family and friends, maybe even throw a Holiday Watch Party!! Nothing like starting some new traditions!
See my 25 Must-Watch Holiday Movies below:
Candy Cane Lane (Prime Video) [2023]
Dashing Through the Snow (Disney+) [2023]
The Naughty Nine (Disney+) [2023]
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix) [2020]
It’s that time of year again…Award Season is upon us!! With the releasing of the Golden Globe nominations on yesterday many of us could not wait to see who was in the running. Considering the lack of content (due to the writers and actors strikes) I was very curious as to who would get a chance at winning the golden statue. This was especially the case regarding Black excellence !!
So let me take a moment to highlight Black Excellence with the 2023-24 Golden Globe nominees, check them out below:
Best Actress in a musical or comedy (Film)
Fantasia Barrino, Celie in The Color Purple
Best Supporting Actress (Film)
Danielle Brooks, Sofia in The Color Purple
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Television)
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Best Actor in a Drama (Film)
Colman Domingo, Bayard Rustin in Rustin
Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy
Jeffrey Wright, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in American Fiction
Best Actor (Limited Series, Anthology, or TV Movie)
David Oyelowo, Bass Reeves in Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Best Original Song
Lenny Kravitz, “Road to Freedom”
Best Musical or Comedy Series(Television)
Abbott Elementary
Best Animated Film and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement in Motion Pictures
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Best Stand-Up Comedian On Television
Trevor Noah: “Trevor Noah: Where Was I”
Chris Rock: “Selective Outrage”
Wanda Sykes: “Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer”
The Golden Globes Ceremony will air live on CBS on January 7th, 2024, 8-11 pm/ET (You can also stream on Paramount+ and the CBS app).
Black Future Feminist 