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

#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!!

Posted in Celebration, On The Radar, Resources

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 6-Finding #BlackJoy in Nature!

Yes, Black People like nature!!

We go camping…We go biking…We like to hike and walk trails… We go scuba diving…And we go fishing!! Nature has always been a place of healing and joy for Black communities. This healing has been disrupted with incidents like the killing of jogger Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and the racial targeting of Christian Cooper in Central Park, both of which occured in 2020. However, Black people have made distinctive contributions in the outdoors, while also finding joy. Nature is supposed to be a “great equalizer” whose services are free, universal, and accessible to all humans without discrimination.

Today’s #BlackJoy moment is all about finding Black joy in the great outdoors!! If you are looking for some inspiration or want to find some fellow nature lovers, check out these books and Black nature influencers:

  • Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors ~Rue Mapp
  • Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors ~Carolyn Finney
  • Rooted in the Earth: Reclaiming the African American Environmental Heritage ~Dianne D. Glave
  • Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry ~Camille T. Dungy
  • Undercurrents of Power : Aquatic Culture in the African diaspora ~Kevin Dawson
  • Outdoor Afro
  • GirlTrek
  • Black Girls Hike RVA
  • The Black Outdoors
  • All Mountain Brothers
  • Black Outdoor Adventures
  • Black Powder Crew
  • Outdoorsy Diva

See you outside and See you tomorrow!!

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