Changes

It's been about a year and a half since I walked across the stage at West Virginia University's Cultural Arts Centers and received my college diploma as the only African American student of the class and since then so many things have changed. I was never one for cliche's especially one's that pertained to friends, being that I had so many ups and downs with friends since I was young enough to know what a real friend was. Looking back on my life's turning point and the point where I began to fully understand who I am as a person I become more appreciative of the old antage "You meet your true friends in college"; yet again not taking anything away from the few friends that I have from elementary and high school whom I am still close with.
Thinking back, I left my mountaineer home with what seemed to be the best group of friends a college experience could have pumped out; three amazing best friends all of different upbringing, races and roles in my life... teammates who seem to this day to still be my everyday sisters, confidons and rocks and girls and guys who are more like sissie's and bro's. One year where are we all? All out living life doing our thing some moved on to be professionals, athletes, parents or continued studies. One thing I realized today was that no matter what, we all hone an experience that no matter the changes or directions our lives take can not be distorted.
I am forever thankful for the late night food runs to Sheetz, Working Womens Wednesday, 2am Food Fights that turn into winter spring cleaning and cop visits, snow fights and mattress rolls down the hills, random road trips, drunken stuppers or even 6am wieght lifting.

I can't wait to look back in 10 years and laugh at how amazing life has been to me! And even more appreciative of the people that I meet in that small West Virginia town who helped me grow into the person I am today and have a genuine acceptance of me for me....


Inspired by Tiffany Evans- Changes

Drake's Letter to Aaliyah...

Yesterday August 25th, marked the nineth year anniversary of the passing of songstress Aaliyah and in my opinion the best commemoration came from rapper/singer Drake. Although he never meet her, like many of us she touched his life with that ever lasting impact that she so delicately had. Check below for the letter! (Well put Drake!! I'm never dissapointed with your sincerity and openness to be mushy)

Drakes Love Letter

xoxo Brooklyn Girl xoxo

Top Ten Songs

Hey everyone in Blog world! I know I've been MIA for a while but I'm back to live action and ready to hit ya'll with a great post!

I'm a truely huge music fan; no matter what the genre or debut date. I see myself as a sort of afficianado but hey I'll settle with "Avid Music Lover" to be simple.
Lately I've been gathering music for my family's annual BBQ and in doing so I decided to share with everyone my Top 10 songs (in no particular order)!

• Boyz 2 Men- Motown Philly
• Jay-Z- Hard Knock Life
• Aly-Us- Follow Me
• Tony Toni Tone- Whatever You Want
• Common- I Used to Love H.E.R.
• Foxy Brown ft Blackstreet- Gotta Get You Home
• Notorious BIG- Sky's the Limit
• Jeff Redd- You Called and Told Me
• Kid 'N Play- Ain't Gone Hurt Nobody
• Jay-Z ft Alicia Keys- Empire State of Mind

Bonus: Keith Sweat- I Want Her (When I was growing up my whole family had me believing instead of him saying "I Want Her" he was saying "Ayana" and still to this day when this song comes oon the whole family sings "AYANA"! Amazing howmusic can bring a family together!

Bonus: Gil Scott-Heron- The Bottle (At the time I first heard this song I was too young to know exactly what it meant but I loved the song none the less. Great precussionist and a great voice singing what I now know is great lyrics! This is a song years after it's debut that it can still be relevant!)

Please always remember music can be a key to the soul and your favorite song speaks of you and to you! Happy listening everyone!!!!!

xoxo BrooklynGirl xoxo

GOOD NEWS

It's always great to hear good news no matter who it's about and today's news was no exception... My usual perusing of websites, top city newspaper sites, etc. brought me across a story that touched my heart at it's core; being from an environment of similar expectations. It was recently announced that Chicago's first all-male, all-African American charter high school Urban Prep Academy for Young Men had reached it's ultimate goal of attaining a 100% college acceptance rate within it's first senior class. Located in Chicago's Englewood section an area known for it's paroxysm and poverty, the outlook on life and it's possibilities don't stretch as far as the next neighborhood in which the schools director knows first hand being a native of the neighborhood and determined to make change.
During the March 5th ceremony of changing the mandatory uniform red school uniform tie to a gold and red stripped one to represent college acceptance a gift was given to these hard-working and well-deserving young men. Making the surprise announcement was Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and city school Chancellor Ron Huberman, granting this special class a free prom! A reward often overshadowed by costly tickets would now be covered, allowing each young man to enjoy the festivities no matter socio-economic stature; all because of hard work!!!!!

Congratulations to the brave Young Men of Urban Prep Academy... you have each defied the first road block! Continue on with determination and faith, letting nothing deter you from success.

♥Love LIVE Life♥
Brooklyn Girl

Wilma Rudolph...BLACK HISTORY To Know

Sorry all for my absence these past few weeks.... But I can't let this Black History Month go by without sharing some African Americans whose lives have influenced my own.




Wilma Rudolph:
Many people know her story but yet and still many don't appreciate the perseverance, dedication and triumph that was her life. From humble beginnings in Tennessee a young Rudolph overcame several illnesses including whoping cough, mealses, chicken pox, scarlet fever and most notably polio. After being labeled disable as a result of the polio Rudolph went on to become a world class athlete in basketball as well as track and field. Making her Olympic debut at the age of 16 and returning at the age of 20 Rudolph became the first American female to capture 3 Olympic medals (100 & 200 meter dashes and 4x100 meter relay)
As a former Collegiate Track and Field athlete Wilma's strong will to overcome all obstacles gave me the motivation to also believe anything was possible.

Blue Michael Cosmetics

All Natural, Vegan, Home-made, Biodegradable... GREEN!!!

All these adjectives describe what may be my one of my favorite products out right now: BLUE MICHAEL COSMETICS. Made right in NYC (Washington Heights to be exact!) this brainchild of renowned makeup artist Blue Michael is ready to take the make-up world by storm. His work has been seen on magazine covers, runways, and television screens all over; now his expertise of what skin really needs has transcended into his own make-up and skin care line.
Still in it's beginning stages, Blue Michael Cosmetics has in my opinion mastered every woman's favorite accessory... LIPGLOSS. My everyday touch of kissable red comes from my own tube of I.U. Kiss. that never leaves my purse. With five available shades (I.U. Kiss, Babygirl, Thea, Na Na & Brown Sugar) every woman is bound to find a tube she loves!

In addition to the amazing lipglosses, Blue Michael offers Body Scrubs, a "Green" T-Shirt and Make-up Services.

As an advocate of Blue's amazing talents I encourage everyone to check his work out! (He created a masterpiece on my face for my birthday, as well as life long tips on our many meeting during "Model City" shoots!)

If you LOVE the earth and LOVE your skin just as much...try BLUE MICHAEL Cosmetics... Once you go Blue you'll never go MAC!

xoxo Brooklyn Girl