Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Dr. G's Travels, On the Desk...

#TanzaniaJourneyTravels-Day 4: Soaking up the Serengeti!!

Today was one of those days where I got to check off a major activity on my bucket list…Going to the Serengeti!! I was like a kid in a candy store!! In many ways riding through the Serengeti (which in the Massai language means “endless plains”) I realized how much of the Lion King is based off of this region. It is also a protected national park that is one of the Seven Wonders of this World and spans across 12,000 square miles. It is also renowned for its massive lion populations, and this was definitely made evident on today…

While it was great to admire the many animals, riding through was also quite calming and peaceful. Considering all that has transpired for me personally and professionally this particular part of the trip was well needed. In many ways, riding through Serengeti National Park was like icing on the cake! It’s that sweet treat you’ve been waiting for after a great workout!!

Dr. G getting ready to enter Serengeti National Park!!

The Serengeti is home to a mass amount of grazers (elephants, gazelles, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, among others) and is maintained by the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments.

Some of the many miles of plains at Serengeti National Park.
Photo credit: Dr. G

In addition to visiting the Serengeti we got an opportunity to visit The Olduvai Gorge. Here at this gorge which is known as the “Cradle of Mankind” due to it being the site of the first human remains of the first human being to walk on Earth. Talk about seeing the first footsteps of mankind…

Dr. G standing in front of the Oldupai Gorge (also known as Olduvai Gorge)
Photo credit: Dr. G

Super glad I was able to share some more highlights with you all, I was not sure if I would have Wi-Fi, but I pulled out the W! Continue to stay tuned and I will see you tomorrow!

~Dr. G

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Dr. G's Travels, On The Radar

#TanzaniaJourneyTravels-Day 3: It’s Safari Time!!

Jambo!! (Swahili for Hello!) Today was all about the “Safari Life”!! For today’s excursion we spent the day driving up to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is a national park that consists of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodlands and forests.

Dr. G at the entrance of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

As a conservation area it also home to the Great Migration, a massive annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other animals, which we were fortunate enough to witness.

You know I had to get a selfie with the elephants #DSTinTanzania

This was truly a grand experience! Witnessing these animals in their natural habitat versus gawking at them behind a cage or fence. During this 6-hour safari (yep you read that right!) we would see four of what is considered Africa’s “Big 5” (Elephant, Water Buffalo, Lion, Black Rhinoceros) but also take in the calming landscape. The only one we missed today was the leopard, but hopefully we will see one at the Serengeti! In addition to see almost all of the “Big 5” we would also see flamingos, an ostrich, warthogs, giraffes, baboons, hippopotamus, wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and so much more!

A few of the animals even brought some comic relief…

Here is one the Big 5 in all their glory!! We were able to get pretty close this king and queen of the pride lands :-). Shout out to all my Leo’s in the virtual building!

I would find it very interesting how many of the animals had no issue with us driving in our 4X4 jeeps taking pictures and admiring their day to day. But as our guide Waziri would tell us, they see these vehicles everyday, they were born and coming out the womb seeing it, so it is just a part of the routine. However, the moment anyone would step out their vehicle, they scattered across the plain!

I will say taking a Ngorongoro safari is truly an eye-opening experience you will never forget, and the fact that it essentially has a unique micro-climate, one can enjoy it year round.

To close out the post let me share some #PostcardViews worthy images to start your day…

Now normally I would say “see you tomorrow” …. however I may be MIA due to the fact that I will be in the Serengeti, staying the night (with no wifi), but fret not I will have much to share once I am able!

So see you soon!

~Dr. G

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Weekly Trailer Alerts!!

Coming to the close of another month, but the trailers still keep coming! Check them out below:

Season 3: Volume 2-The Witcher (Streaming on Netflix July 27th)

Season 6-The Chi (Streaming on Showtime August 4th)

The Passenger (Streaming August 4th on Paramount Network)

Season 2-Winning Time (Streaming August 6th on Max)

Season 2-Rap Sh!t (Streaming August 10th on Max)

Retribution (In theaters August 25th)

Season 2-The Wheel of Time (Streaming September 1st on Prime Video)

Gen V (Streaming September 29th on Prime Video)

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Uncategorized

Enjoying Nature…

So this past weekend, I had an amazing opportunity to hang out with some Grad School colleagues and friends out in West Virginia!! And let me tell you it was perfect prescription that I didn’t realize I needed!!

To step away from the hustle and bustle in this manner is something that I need to implement more! Taking in the beauty of nature was soothing to my soul!

Don’t believe me see the pictures below…

Just taking it all in!!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 30-“The Grand Finale of Black Joy!”

As we close out this last day of the #BlackJoy series, I just want to thank you for joining me on this journey. Throughout each of these 30 Days, I hope that you learned something new, gained some new tips, added a song or book to your collection, prepped for a new film or television series, or just found some peace. Whatever you gained make sure you treasure it and if you can share and spread some of that joy to others!

Let me also give a special shout-out to our guest blogger Lauren Jackson for providing the weekly posts on Finding Joy in Black Spaces!! Thank you! Thank you!!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

While today is the last day, it is also Friday!! Which means, this is our final #BlackJoy curated playlist is “A Joyous Finale”…a culmination of #BlackJoy!!

And just in case you want to refresh your memory on the past curated #BlackJoy playlists, see them below:

While this was a celebration that took place during June, just know that this can be a year-round effort!

Remember you are entitled to Joy every day…ALL Day!

Till The Next Time!!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration, Resources

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 29-A Mixtape of Black Joy!!

Before I let (you) go (nod to Frankie Beverly & Maze), let me leave you with a few reminders and nuggets that can give you your perfect dose of #BlackJoy!!

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
  • Black Joy is a movement of celebration! It’s what John Blake (CNN Enterprise writer/producer) calls ‘trauma-free Blackness!’
  • Black joy as an act of resistance is healing!
  • Black joy is global and open to all! As noted by author Sophie Williams, “Read books about Black and brown people living, not just dying. Engage in content where they thrive, rather than just survive. Remembering the full and complex range of lives and emotions in marginalized people is humanizing, and a lot of fun. You’ll feel better for it.”

Today’s #BlackJoyMoment is a mixtape of #BlackJoy resources!!

  • A Beautiful Resistance. … A collection of short films, long-form stories, and Q&As that celebrate Black Joy, Black dreams, and Black living. 
  • Black Joy and Resistance, … A digital photo book of Black joy and resistance by Adreinne Waheed
  • Museum of Black Joy … A borderless exhibition and interactive archive of non-traumatic Black life in Philadelphia and beyond.  It utilizes the traditions of storytelling and emerging technologies to acknowledge and advance experiences rooted in Black joy.
  • Reckon-Black Joy … Energize your mind, body, and spirit every Monday and Friday with a newsletter highlighting stories of Black liberation from across the nation.
  • The Black Joy Project … A worldwide movement of healing, community building, and resistance curated by Kleaver Cruz
  • BlackQueerJoy … A curated IG page that showcases images of Black LGBTQ+ people around the world in moments of pure joy. 
  • Blavity … A site that posts daily uplifting news and commentary.

Black joy isn’t about erasing the difficulties of the Black experience, but showing the whole truth by creating balance. ~Kleaver Cruz

Photo by Henri Mathieu-Saint-Laurent on Pexels.com

See You All Tomorrow!!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 27-“Embracing the Simple Joys and Pleasures of Life!”

What is a chill day like for you? How do you relax? Where do you find your inner peace? These are all important questions that have an array of answers.

Simple joys engage our senses, they make us feel present, and even bring out our inner child. Simple joys also remind us to slow down and notice all the little things in life. These simple joys can be taking a walk in nature, turning to Spotify to listen to your favorite song, or connecting with family and friends.

Thus, today’s #BlackJoyMoment is all about Embracing the Simple Joys and Pleasures of life…and proposing a new challenge from @heratlas!!

Test it out and see how far you can go! And remember to take a moment to step back and acknowledge the little things in your life – you never know how much happiness it may bring to you.

See You All Tomorrow!!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration, Feature Spotlight, On the Desk...

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 25-“Finding Joy in a Brand!”

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.

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

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 Recipe was founded by Tabitha Brown and Gina Woods. Together they sought out the mission to exclusively offer vegan, high-quality ingredients that work but also products that you look forward to for 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.”

See You All Tomorrow!!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 24-Motivation Saturday!!

Joy is an integral part of Black well-being!! It is truly necessary. I often find that self-motivation can lead to self-joy! For many motivation leads to action, creates movement, leads tp growth, and can result in change.  As a result, motivation can and does give purpose to one’s life and promote happiness!

Today’s #BlackJoy moment is all about spreading some motivation to get you through the weekend!! Just a few motivational quotes from an array of Black figures! Think of today’s post as a “mini pep-talk”!

Just a few nuggets to add to your affirmations and to further aid in finding and protecting your peace!!

As we close out another week, know that the above motivational words can be used at any day of the week, not just on Saturday!!

See You Tomorrow!!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 23-Black Music Appreciation-“Global Sounds of Black Joy!!”

As we continue our celebration of #BlackJoy and #BlackMusic, I wanted to step away from the U.S. and bring in some #GlobalBlackJoy!

So, today’s #BlackJoy curated playlist is all about the “Global Sounds of Black Joy!” Some of these sounds include old-school dancehall, Afro-beats, and reggae!! One of the great things that I love about each of these musical genres is how they each uniquely speak to and ignite the passion of the people who perform it. Dancehall, Reggae, and Afrobeats culture has and continues to make such a major impact on the music industry so much so that we see it presented not just in music videos, but TikTok, YouTube, a Verzuz battle, festivals, and of course annual carnivals/festivals.

To get a little taste, see this week’s playlist below:

Now you know I got a #TinyDeskConcert treat for you this week too (a Tripleheader), see below:

  • Adam Blackstone
  • Ambré
  • Amaarae

And don’t forget, if you would like to listen to the previous week’s list, you can check them out here:

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

See You All Tomorrow!!