Letter to My Son

My dear Gavin, I am so honored that you are in my life because you have brought so much joy, happiness and purpose to my life over the past 3 years. I’m still working on becoming the women and mother I need to be to mold and shape you into the strong, smart young man that I know you will be one day, thank you for loving me unconditionally anyway. I want so much for you like any mother should; not only do you deserve the best, but you deserve my best.

Now that you are talking, walking, running, jumping and your personality is shaping you’ve made me realize some areas in myself that I need to work on. You’re teaching me more about life than I’ve obviously taught myself. Son, I thank you. One day when your old enough to read this letter and I hope you will not understand, because I would have made the transformation into the woman I hope to be. A woman you can look up to, be proud of, learn from, respect, trust and admire.

I don’t want to fail you son, by being too nice, by letting you get away with things the world won’t allow, by tolerating your misbehavior, because as a black man in this world the odds are against you. So it is my responsibility to buckle down, stand firm, and raise a son who will be able to withstand all of life’s harsh realities, who will understand the true value of hard work, who will embrace education, and who will garner respect and will treat people with respect and the consideration that they deserve.

I can buy you many presents on this day but my ultimate gift to you is to vow to be the mom that you need me to be, so that you can become a great man. Happy 3rd Birthday Son, I love you with all my heart.

Let's Move Campaign!- Michelle Obama fight against Childhood Obesity

Earlier this week Michelle Obam joined President Obama and Cabinet members as he signed a Memorandum on Childhood Obesity. The Memorandum established a task force, headed by the First Lady, to encourage children to exercise more and adopt healthier eating habits. Later she was joined by local students, cabinet members, and athletes to kick off Let’s Move, a new nationwide campaign to combat childhood obesity. Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one third of American children. We spend $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing.

Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents. We need to get moving. Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.

Let's Move! has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Let’s Move will give parents the support they need, provide healthier food in schools, help our kids to be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available in every part of our country. for more info http://www.letsmove.gov/

The Obamas Cover Essence

"Malia will tell you, my attitude was, if she came home with a B, that's not good enough because there's no reason why she can't get an A..." --President Barack Obama, ESSENCE

ESSENCE kicks off the first of its three-part education series, "Teaching Our Children," with a White House exclusive--an interview with President Barack Obama. In his first interview of 2010, he talks tough with ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray, Deputy Editor Tatsha Robertson and Washington Correspondent Cynthia Gordy about holding teachers accountable, closing the education gap between Black and White students, how he and First Lady Michelle Obama encourage daughters Malia and Sasha to love learning, and how you can do the same with your own children. Source:www.essence.com

Black Love: Kimora, Djimon & Kenzo covers Ebony **Updated

In the February Issue of Ebony MagazineThe celebrity couple discuss ‘marriage’  and life in their own way "For high-profile duo beauty maven Kimora Lee Simmons and actor Djimon Hounsou, the term “marriage” is not defined by an official license. The two, who sealed their relationship during a “commitment ceremony” in front of Simmons’ daughters, Ming and Aoki Lee, while in Benin, Africa, said they are married.

Armed with their new baby boy, Kenzo Lee, the two say they feel very fortunate. In fact, Simmons says her ex-husband and father of her two daughters, Russell Simmons, is actively involved in her bicoastal life. “I feel like my life has fallen into the right place in a great way,” she said. “I’ve been very slow and deliberate, and I feel like it has paid off for me in ways that I could not have imagined.” (p. 68)

Djimon on Meeting Kimora
“She turned around and said, ‘Hi, my name is Kimora Lee,’ and I said ‘Right, you don’t need to introduce yourself. I am quite aware of who you are.’…We were having a deep conversation about our families, about kids, about this and that…And then the eyes meet….and I realized, there’s so much more to her. I never thought she would be as grounded as she seemed that night…As I was giving her my number, I said, ‘Well, I hope you would enjoy the number for something other than your fashion shows or get-togethers or parties…First thing in the morning, I sent her a text. I wanted to catch her because she was to leave and go back to New York. I wanted to get, as we say, a good conversation in before she took off. I sent a text and said, ‘Hey, if you are up for dinner…’ And that’s how we started it. I said to her, ‘You’re one very successful woman. You have it great. You have two kids. You are married to one of the most iconic men in the world (Kimora and Russell were separated before she and Djimon met). What else could you need? Or want?’ I was much more skeptical of where she was coming from than I was about what I had to offer. I realized that she was looking for a great foundation as far as relationships are concerned and that really hit me. No woman has ever made me feel the way she makes me feel. She makes me dream big.


Kimora on Djimon
He’s just different. I can’t explain it. If you meet Djimon, to know his personality and his sentiment. (she sighs) I don’t know. He’s just different spiritually. I just never would have thought a life could be possible like this. Me and Djimon can be in a room full of people or we can be in a room alone and we maintain a connection. I feel like he’s my long-lost friend. Something about him is really nourishing for my soul and makes me very happy. I don’t feel like I’m keeping up with any Joneses. I don’t feel like my hair or my clothes have to be a certain way. I don’t feel like I need anything. I feel like I’m more than a complete person, Djimon really completes me. I feel like my life has fallen into the right place in a great way. I’ve been very slow and deliberate, and I feel like it has paid off for me in ways that I could not have imagined.”

I’m a family girl with children, and that’s really the goal and the life I want for myself. I have everything a girl could ever want. I have everything that you could buy. I have every diamond in ever color. That’s not important to me now. I have it all and I could do fine without it. And that’s what’s important to know.

KIMORA ON HER & RUSSELL
"Russell and I had a great relationship....but I think coping with or adjusting to my life, which was becoming very big and very busy was tough for him. When you get older, when you get wiser, when you get busier, when you start to create a career for yourself, a life for yourself, I think that certain issues or topics or indiscretions or whatever you want to call them are not going to be OK as when you were a teenager in love. Nothing's the same when you hit that mid-20s, late-20s stage. And when you're in your 30s, you kind of know what you want for yourself. I felt like I owed it to myself and to my children to obtain the best life possible. People may have thought the break-up was because my personality is so much bigger than life. I'm loud. I'm over the top, whatever. I'm a family girl with children, and that's really the goal and the life I want for myself. I have everything a girl could ever want. I have everything that you could buy. I have every diamond in ever color. That's not important to me now. I have it all and I could do fine without it. And that's what's important to know.

I cannot say that Russell wants something different, but I want different in a partner. I expect different in a partner. I expect an equal playing field when it comes to matters of family and raising children."

Source: ebonymagazine.com & necolebitchie.com for the article updates

Coupled Up on the Carpet

It's been a busy week in the event world and it's only Wednesday. I love love and here are a few pics of celebs this week on the red carpet showing some love. 

Mary & Kendu

Monique & Sidney

Forrest Whitaker & Keisha

Paula Patton & Robin Thicke

Discipline: Is Yelling The New Spanking?

I have a very active 2 year old son, and those of you who have met him know exactly the level of energy he has. I will admit I yell at him at times, and I notice he yells at me or at his imaginary friends while playing. I get embarrassed when he does that because I realize he is only mimicking me.

 Gavin Taylor at Chucky Cheese over the Summer

I've tried getting at eye level and talking to him calmly, I've tried time outs, I've tried spankings and he still does not behave the way I think he should. He gives his dad a little less problem, but nerveless he still has issues with him to when it comes to listening. I refer to him as a selective listener, because he listens when he want to.

It's so hard not to get frustrated at a child that you know is smart and understands exactly what you say, but chooses to do what he want to do. The Bible says "Spare the rod, spoil the child" and “Train him up the way he should be taught" but society says otherwise, so what is a parent to do? I recently came across this video on CNN, and posted it because I want to know what other parents think about discipline methods especially what is appropriate for a 2 ½ yr old.

Is Yelling The New Spanking Discussion on CNN

Disney May Owe You $15.99

If you've purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 2004 and September 2009 you may be eligible for a refund of 15.99. Disney is finally admitting that the so called educational DVDs that were marketed to parents as educational tools that would make your baby or toddler smarter is bologna.

Baby Eiinstein DVD Collection included in the suit

As a result of the Campaign For a Comercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) 2006 Federal Trade Commission complaint, Disney stopped claiming that Baby Einstein videos were educational for infants, but the company made no attempt to compensate parents who purchased the products. CCFC’s ongoing campaign to stop the false and deceptive marketing of baby videos finally persuaded the Walt Disney Company to offer a full refund to anyone who purchased a Baby Einstein DVD in the last five years. The refund is only available for a limited time, so please spread the word. I have a few claims to make myself. Click here for refund guidelines

The Obama Family Portrait

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009.

(Official White House Photo)

Shout Out to the Obama Family for all of there hard work, dedication, sincerity and leadership they have shown us. They are our real life Cosby show; they are paving the way for so many generations behind them and setting a good example of how powerful any black family can be.

It's moments like this in history we must not forget, or take for granted because for so long our history has been taken away from us, or belittled, but this is a major development of our history coming full circle. We always have and always will be able to accomplish anything we want to in life. We just have to get out of our own way. If you have children remind them of their history and why they should be proud to be an African American, educate them instill in the history of there ancestors so when they go to school they can walk with there heads held high. Let them know they come from a victorious heritage, the same heritage that you too belong to.

Photo by Annie Leibovitz/Released by White House Photo Office

Students show their excitement at meeting President Barack Obama during his visit to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School in New Orleans, La., Oct. 15, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Stella McCartyney for Gap Kids

Stella McCartney has joined forces with babyGap and GapKids to create a 70-piece collection that will be launched on November 2 at select Gap stores in the US. The collection’s sizes run from newborn to children up to age 12 and prices ranges from $14 for wool tights through to $128 for a military-style jacket.  Cute stuff, I will have to see what I can pick up for Gavin. Here are some pieces from the collection.

Get Familiar

I’m up to my eyeballs in packing, purging, appointments and running errands, and I feel guilty for not posting as normal; but a gals gotta do what a gals gotta do.

As most of you know I’m in the process of relocating from Atlanta to Baton Rouge, and this is the week that it all takes place, so please understand my content will be lighter than normal from today till next Tuesday Oct 6 2009. By then I should be somewhat settled in and will be back to regular posting schedule. My DSL should be hooked up by Monday fingers crossed, but don’t fret I will be back before you know it.

This is almost the end of my 3rd week blogging; I’m enjoying myself and looking forward to the growth of my content, opportunities, and audience of my blog.This is a great opportunity to go back and read some of my older post from the past two weeks in case you’re a new reader. I appreciate feedback or comments in regard to the topics I cover, let me know if I’m on the right track.

In Case your Wondering Why Baton Rouge?
- My fiancé is from there, he's currently worrking out there and still have tons of family there including his parents
- Its 45minutes from New Orleans, 4.5 hours from Houston, & 8hrs from Atl
- Cruise ships port out of Nearby NO and Biloxi—Woop!
- Seafood is my favorite kind of food and it’s fresh and amazing in that region
- One of my good friends is also relocating to nearby Gonzalez with her family
- It’s a very big college sports town thanks 2 LSU & Southern University
- I’m looking forward to bring some new ideas and energy to Baton Rouge & New Orleans areas
- Hopefully I will remain this enthusiastic after the dust clears LOL :-)

Thanks for your support, I look forward to blog with you.

Oh one more thing- I added a music player to my blog should I keep it or is it distracting while reading. Let me know thanks.

Is Our Criminal Justice System Failing Us Again?

An attorney for the family of Mitricce Richardson says the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is responsible for the 24-year-old's disappearance. Richardson, a Los Angeles resident, was last seen leaving the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Malibu/Lost Hills substation Sept. 17 after being released following her arrest, for suspicion of being in possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and failing to pay for dinner at a local eatery.

Even though Miltrice exhibited signs of disorientation she was released on her own recognizance due to overcrowding at the jail. According to the police they offered her a stay overnight in the jail lobby, but she declined and decided to walk home on her own.

Later on about 6:30 a.m., a homeowner in the Malibu Canyon area called to say a woman was resting in the backyard. When deputies arrived, she was gone. Whitmore said the department is almost certain it was Richardson but she has not been seen since. Her parents and attorney are spearheading a search and plea to find Miltrice, and get to the bottom of who is responsible for her disappearance. Here is video of her parents on GMA today.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

3's a Crowd

With all of the recent media frenzy surrounding the Kardashian/Odum wedding over the weekend, you would have thought Khloe might have finally claimed her own time to shine. Not so much, since she had to share the cover of OK magazine with her husband & more popular sisters. I thought the wedding was about the bride and groom; poor Khloe will always live in her sister’s shadow unfortunately. At least she had a free wedding, let's see if Kim or Kourtney can top that. I don't know what to make of this relationship but If they like, then I love it. Like Tim Gunn says "Make It Work."

Real Housewives IN Atlanta part 3

Dee Dee Cocheta, Husband & some of their Children

To some she's Dee Dee Cocheta, and to others she's the Hip Hop Mama; either way she is a great woman of integrity that has a really big heart, a natural love for hip hop and even greater love for friends and her family. You almost have to wonder how a woman who has been married for 20 years, a mother of 7, and owner of ABC publicity Firm still has so much love to give and show others; somehow she does it.

Dee Dee is one of the first women who embraced me after starting my magazine during my early years in Atlanta, she was so genuine and helpful to me and she introduced me to everyone I needed to know. She shared a wealth of information with me and I as our friendship continued, I realized that this is not something she only did for me, she helped countless others. Truth be told, she was also influential for the careers of many of Atlanta's publicist and entertainers. At one point or another she's mentored them, worked with them or influenced there want for being a publicist or entertainer.

Last December Me and my family went to a Kwanza celebration at her home, and we all joked how she should have her own reality show. Until she gets one, I want to share with you her thoughts on being a REAL housewife IN Atlanta.

NUAL: We know you have 7 children what are there names? Alkebulan - 19, Kadir - 18, Bomani - 13, Kmt - 11 (Only daughter), Katamba Lumumba - 10, Adafa - 9 Jonas - 5

NUAL: How do you balance work/parent/spouse relationships and time? I just go with FLOW, like my hometown NIKE's slogan I just do it...Every day is different, to whom is given...much is required.

NUAL: What can you do to be a better housewife? Great question, I can't honestly say I had put any thought into this nor ever given anyone advice on this...I would say BALANCE is the key...also knowing how to say "NO" and lastly being able to find YOU time in the midst of it all. This should make for a well rounded housewife to be able to take on the challenges of family, work and personal time.

NUAL: What words of advice can you share with other married or engaged couples? COMMUNICATION - never assume, always ask and be honest no matter what you think the other person will feel. If you are able to do this, LOVE finds the place there.

Who is your favorite Housewife from the Bravo Housewives Series & Why? Lisa Wu Hartwell, I love her personality, she's courageous, a great mother and wife (I LOVE Love & seeing her and ED together is so romantic). Lisa is also a strong entrepreneur in meeting demands & her goals which to me she seems to have balance in all that she does. Plus I have come to know her personally and observed her around others, she's a genuine spirit!

To find out more about Dee Dee Cocheta follow her on Twitter - www.twitter.com/abcpublicity or visit her website A.B.C. Associates Entertainment Firm - http://www.abc-aef.com/

From Boys to Men and Vice Versa

Me and my son Gavin

As a mother of a toddler boy going through the terrible 2 stage, I often get frustrated with his behavior, and don’t always know the right thing to do. What I am sure of at this stage is I want him to have a bright future, with many possibilities to become whatever he choose. What I don’t envision is any outlandish problems with his behavior in school, with the law or with us at home. I know what you’re thinking, boys will be boys, but that’s not an excuse I’m accepting. So although I don’t have it quite figured out right now while my son is 2 me and his dad are working on it together and are going to have it figured before it counts.


When I came across the clips for this Documentary “MenIIBoys,” I immediately took notice because I am raising a boy, and after watching the clips I can identify with some of the attitudes reflected in the film. Rather from family members, a friend, or news stories we all know young men like the ones interviewed. Personally what I think we need to do as a community is uplift them, and let them know they have more options other than entertainment and sports. If you don’t have a positive male figure in their life, link them up with a mentor through a local organization in your community. Or encourage dialog between him and his friends at various stages in their life. Kids will open up if you respectfully give them an opportunity to share there thoughts as they did in this film.

In the award winning documentary “MenIIBoys," producers Janks Morton and LaMarr Darnell Shields opens a new door for honest dialogue amongst Black Men and Women that communicate critical information on film about the attitudes and mindset of young men. Visit http://mentoboys.com/ for more information. You can watch the clips below.

Resourceful organizations for young men

http://www.100blackmen.org/
http://www.raisinghimalone.com/
http://www.coseboc.org/


MenIIBoys Trailer



MenIIBoys part 2

REAL Housewives In Atlanta pt 2.

The Reed Family

Last week I got a little flack from a reader in regard to the family I featured on my post “They Really Do Exist…Housewives in Atlanta,” which is apart of a series that I am putting together to feature housewives in Atlanta.  I think it’s a great idea to profile housewives who are “Not So Average” to see how they make it work, other than to speculate on what we think is going on, as the tabloids often do.

This week I got a chance to catch up with a self made media mogul in the making, Tammie Reed. Most people know her as Talking With Tami, but I know her as the lady who juggles a full schedule being a producer of her own TV show, blogger, tweeter, a mom to 2 pre-teens and a wife to a husband who is supportive of her very busy schedule.

How long have you been married?
Tammie: Married 10yrs

Do you have any Children?
Tammie: Yes, two Tyra 12 Terrell 9

What is your profession or what type of business do you run?
Tammie: I'm a Talk show host

How do you balance work/parent/spouse relationships and time?
Tammie: It’s all about communication and prayer. We pray over everything. My husband and I tag team a lot, it’s a collective effort.

What can you do to be a better housewife?
Tammie: I can cook and clean a bit more, I’m always traveling or on red carpet, but we all chip in. Everything else is pretty good I guess lol.

What word of advice can you share with other married or engaged couples? Tammie: Talk to each other; have date a nights, that’s very important. Sometimes when people get married they forget to keep dating.

Who is your favorite Housewife from the Bravo Housewives Series & Why?
Tammie: My favorite housewife is Lisa Wu Hartwell. She is also a good friend of mine maybe that’s why. I can relate with how she tries to handle home life and the entertainment business.

For more information on Tammie visit www.talkingwithtami.com/blog
or follow her @ www.Twitter.com/TalkingWithtami

Destroying the Legacy of the King Family

Dr. King had a dream that his four children would one day be judged by the content of there character. His dream is being fulfilled, but not the way he would have wanted it to be. According to CNN Rev. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III allege Dexter King took “substantial funds” out of Coretta Scott King’s estate and “wrongfully appropriated” money from their father’s estate. Dexter King is denying these accusations and they are battling it out in the Fulton County court system. This week the judge rightfully ordered the siblings to resolve this matter in a meting outside of the courts. I do not know what will come of this matter, but I sincerely hope they will not continue to destroy their family legacy.

Dr. King & Coretta S. King with children in better days

I selected a few words from Dr Kings "I Have a Dream" speech that his children need to listen to; I pray that they can resolve this issue outside of the public eye as the judge ordered. If not for there selves, for the hard work and justice there parents fought and eventually died for.

Selections from I Have a Dream speech:

"But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force......

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

They Really Exist... Housewives In Atlanta

Although I love the drama that is “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” they are giving a new meaning to Atlanta wives, so I wanted to remind everyone they really do have drama free and successful housewives in Atlanta.

                                  Natalie & Derrick Alexander

Meet Natalie Michon Alexander, she is a restaurateur of a St. Louis style Smoked Meats & Seafood Restaurant in Atlanta, Michons. Guess what? She’s a housewife. Natalie has been married to her husband Derrick for 1 & ½ years now and together they have 2 children Carrington Alexander (1 yr Old) & Carson Alexander (3 mos) and she has 6 Step children: Christen (19), Derrick Jr. (16), Tori & Dedrick (14), Devin (12), & Kennedy (6).

Recently I caught up with Natalie to ask her a few questions about life as a married and busy woman and what she thinks about the ladies on RHOA. Here is what she had to say:

NUAL: How do you balance work/parent/spouse relationships and time?
Natalie: Very Delicately! I Am Specific With Work Time And Family Time. I Try Not To Intermingle Them. I Get Up Early While The Kids Are Sleep And Complete Any Work Task That I Am Able To Do At Home -Such As Pay Bills, Make Phone Calls And Email, Etc... I Am Usually Home At A Decent Time To Cook. I Take An Hour Out To Myself In The Evenings For A Little R And R Or Read A Book. After Playing With The Kids For A Little While I Spend Time With My Husband... We May Sit In The Theater And Watch A Movie.

NUAL: What can you do to be a better housewife?
Natalie: There Is Always Something I Could Do Better... Let Me Pick One! I Would Say Be Able To Do The Laundry Myself... I Am Always Missing Clothes! (Teenagers!)

NUAL: What word of advice can you share with other married or engaged couples?
Natalie: Do Not Fight Over Money... Either You Have It Or You Don't

NUAL: Who is your favorite Housewife from the Bravo Housewives Series & Why?
Natalie: I Am A Cross Between Ne Ne And Lisa. Ne Ne's Is Always Consistent. Lisa Is Like Me... Not Into Too Much Drama And Always Smiling. But She Will Get Down To Business When Necessary!

For more info on Natalie’s restaurant visit http://www.michons.com/ and you can follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/michons