“The Fourth”

Many Americans will celebrate July 4th with parades, cookouts and of course fireworks. And since  America will be turning 250 this year it will be very historic. However there are past events and current ones for that matter where our history has not been inclusive of all of our citizens. In July of 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his famous address,”What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. He was invited by the members of the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. Although Douglas’ original speech was more than an hour long, actor James Earl Jones read a portion of it on the TV broadcast of “Democracy Today” which aired on July 4, 2025. No matter your political views I hope you will listen to these words from our American history.

https://youtu.be/xX-AlsQcZgs?is=rAWPWN4NsU_8MM0d

Daddy Day

I love my Daddy so much! And although he passed away in 2009, I still carry his love in my heart. He was the most patient, most loving and most handsome man I ever knew. And as many people prepare to celebrate Father's Day this month, it doesn't mean I still won't find ways to honor my Father: Norris Allen Barton. I'm not naive to think everyone had a positive relationship with their Father. However, if you were blessed with a supportive Father or have a Father-figure who has been a friend and mentor, you can still find ways to honor him too.  Here are a few suggestions:

1) Honor Dad's Love of Sports: Take him to see a game in your hometown or honor his memory by gathering friends and family together to replicate one of his favorite pastimes.

2) Support Dad's Hobby:  If Dad enjoys painting, go to a painting class together. Take him fishing or hiking if he likes being outdoors. You can also honor Dad by planting a tree in his memory. There are various local and national non-profit organizations dedicated to reforestation.

3) Enjoy Dad's Favorite Foods: Take Dad to his favorite restaurant or attend a cooking class together. Honor Dad's memory by hosting a potluck with family and friends as everyone shares stories about their Father. 

Hope you have a Happy Father's Day celebrating the Dads in your life.

Another Motivating Message

It's so hard to believe I've been on this "Mommy Journey" for more than 20 years! Both of our daughters are now young adults, preparing for their future. They are completing college, looking for career opportunities and praying for which path to follow as they leave home to begin life on their own.  Although their hopes and dreams have changed over the years, I still stand by the following "Motivating Mommy Messages" I wrote many years ago to inspire myself and others. And I hope no matter where you are on your parenting journey, you will find these words are still relevant for you too!

1) Ask for Help:  You don't have to aspire to be a "Super Mom" to be a great parent. Reach out to others you can trust. Many Moms are not just managing their children, but they are also care givers to their elderly parents. Learn to ask for help from family members and friends so you can enjoy some well deserved me time.

2) Be Prepared:  Planning ahead can save time and money.  Get help as you plan your day-to-day schedule and your future.  If you have young children, prepare their school lunches the night before and set out their clothes. Get financial advice for your child's college plans and for your retirement. You may want to meet with experts or read reliable resources in the areas of physical health, organization and mental stability.

3) Complete your Tasks: When you start something, finish it. Keeping your promises will show others you can be trusted and it also shows you are reliable. Having a consistent track record can also make you a stand out candidate when it comes to promotions on your job and being recommended for leadership opportunities in your community.

4) Dress for Respect: It doesn't matter if your clothes are from the mall, a friends closet or the thrift store. Don't focus on the designer label. When you dress in a respectful way, you will gain respect from others. 

5) Encourage Someone: You never know who may need your support. Simple acts of kindness may make a big difference to a Mom who is having a tough day.  A smile, a positive word or a hug can make a Mom feel better. Give encouragement to another Mom and tell her she matters.

I hope these messages will uplift you as you travel your road through Motherhood.

Happy April

Welcome to April! A new month with new opportunities. Lots of great things happen in April:  April showers bring May flowers, we celebrate Easter, and for some of us, we can't wait to pull our annual prank on April Fool's Day.  Although these events may immediately come to mind, the month of April also includes other ways to celebrate, including: 

*Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-18): Many of us have heard the sad statistics: Black Moms in the United States are more than 2 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than other mothers. This week was initiated by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) based in Atlanta. This year marks the organization's 10-year anniversary. The 2026 theme is "Rooted in Justice & Joy". Their campaign has launched awareness, policy changes and provided platforms to discuss education and activism. You can use this month to support organizations in your community with a similar mission or donate to national organizations like the March of Dimes or Queens Village.

*Stress Awareness Month: Since 1992, Stress Awareness Month has been observed in April. It's a nationwide campaign to educate people on the importance of stress management. Take the time to practice self-care through meditation, exercise or journaling. All of these can have positive effects on your mind, body and spirit. 

*National Jazz Appreciation Month: Jazz is an art form rooted in Black America. It grew out of the deep south at the turn of the 20th century. Use this month to introduce yourself to Jazz history, listening to some of the originators like John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald. Play the tunes of Grammy Award winning modern-day jazz vocalist Samara Joy. You can turn on the soundtrack of the Disney/Pixar movie Soul and enjoy the music written by composer and pianist Jon Batiste.

 

*Earth Day (April 22): Earth Day began on April 22, 1970. It started as a way to bring environmental issues into the national spotlight. And if we don't work to keep our planet healthy, who will? And even small steps can make a big difference.

1) Community Clean up: Organize or join a local cleanup event;             remove trash from a park, beach or your neighborhood;

2) Go Green with Transportation: If possible, instead of driving, ride     your bike or walk to your destination;

3) Conserve Energy and Water: Take shorter showers and turn off electronics to save energy.

Find your own special way to celebrate the month of April.

Women's History Month: Spotlight on Judge Yvette McGee Brown

Raised by a single mother on the Eastside of Columbus, Ohio, Yvette McGee Brown may not have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But as Proverbs 18:16 (NIV) says, "A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great."

I first met Yvette McGee Brown when she was the speaker at a luncheon sponsored by our sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was so polite, professional and poised; just what you'd expect from a member of AKA. 

Ohio has some amazing Women. One of them is Justice Yvette McGee Brown. Throughout her life, she has celebrated many First experiences:

*She was a First-generation college graduate;

*She was elected the First African-American women to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court; and

*She was the First African-American woman to serve as a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court.

Justice McGee Brown graduated from Ohio University with a degree in journalism/public relations. She would continue her education at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she earned her juris doctor. Justice McGee Brown also received honorary doctorate degrees from Ohio Dominican University, Wilberforce University and Central State University. 

Although Justice McGee Brown could have rested on her laurels, she chose a path of service. She has served as an active community and corporate leader, with the common theme of advocating for children and families. Justice McGee Brown served on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Ohio University, the OSU Wexner Medical Center and the National Council of the OSU Moritz College of Law. She is the former chair of the United Way of Central Ohio, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and the YWCA Columbus Board of Directors. Justice McGee Brown was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2008.

Yvette McGee Brown is married to Anthony Brown and at the time of this writing, they have three children and two grandchildren.

For more information on Justice Yvette McGee Brown, find books at your local library.

Women's History Month Spotlight: Marilyn McCoo

Many of us may remember Marilyn McCoo as the lead singer of the 5th Dimension, a popular singing group in the 1960's and 1970's. But her career began many years before that. I met Miss McCoo at a concert when I lived in Atlanta. It was such an awesome "sing-a-long" as the audience joined in to her big hits like, "Up,Up and Away", "Stoned Soul Picnic" and the song based on finding the love of her life, her husband Billy Davis Jr, entitled "Wedding Bell Blues".  She was phenomenal!

Marilyn McCoo was born on September 30, 1943 in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of 7, her family moved to Los Angeles. That's where Marilyn began to take dance, piano and vocal lessons and also modeling. By the time she was a teenager, she was already starting a professional career, making her debut on the Art Linkletter Talent Show. She would graduate from UCLA with a degree in business administration. In 1962, she entered the Miss Bronze California Beauty Pageant where she won Miss Grand Talent.

With her amazing gifts on display, Marilyn was asked to join various singing groups, which would eventually lead her to The Fifth Dimension. That's where she met her future husband, Billy Davis Jr. They were married in 1969.   The Fifth Dimension had much success, winning the Grammy for "Record of the Year" in 1969 for a melody of "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In". "One Less Bell to Answer was another memorable hit.

Although Marilyn and Billy parted from The Fifth Dimension in  1975, they continued to win awards including the Grammy for Best R&B Duo for "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)". They were also the first African American married couple to host a network television series, The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show on CBS in summer of 1977. Through the years, they have performed around the world. Remember when they appeared on The Jamie Foxx Show as the parents of Jamie's love interest, Fancy? Marilyn even starred on Broadway in a production of Show Boat.

And despite now being in her 80's, Marilyn McCoo has not slowed down. She recently appeared in the remake of the Christmas special: The Waltons' Homecoming. 

For more information about Marilyn McCoo please find books at your local library.

Women's History Month: Spotlight on Susan L. Taylor

If you are a Black woman of a "certain age" and you lived through the 1980's, you remember the hair styles, the fashion and the monthly editorial in Essence Magazine. And what made those editorials so memorable were the words of it's Editor-in-Chief, Susan L. Taylor.  Although she had worked for Essence in various capacities prior to that appointment in 1981, that opportunity is where many felt she became the face, voice and vision of Essence. 

She was brilliant, beautiful and bold! I so admired Susan Taylor. I wanted to be Susan Taylor! Her monthly "In the Spirit" message brought the Black woman's narrative to life. She shared exactly what Black women were talking about: Empowerment and Dignity, Social Justice and Action, Black Love and Unity. And when you saw her on television, she would captivate the audience with her poise and her voice. She was and still is such a role model for women of any age.

When I had the opportunity to meet her, I was more than thrilled! Susan Taylor was so urbane and polished. She spoke as if we'd known each other for years. It was like talking to one of your girlfriends over lunch. Such a self-assured, confident woman. At that time she had just written her book "In the Spirit" and when I asked her for her autograph, she didn't hesitate. The book was so transparent. It showed that real life has real struggles, however if we hold on to our faith, we will make it to the other side! I still reference that book to this day when I'll looking for inspiration.

Susan L. Taylor was born in Harlem New York on January 23, 1946.  She is an author, journalist and writer. Susan served as the Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine from 1981-2000. American Libraries magazine has called her "The most influential Black woman in journalism today". Various organizations have honored her over the years including the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, New York Women in Communications and the American Society of Magazine Editors. Susan was the first African-American woman to receive the Magazine Publishers of America, Henry Johnson Fisher Award; considered one of the industry's highest honors. 

Although she has had some health battles along the way, even now at the age of 80, Susan continues to have influence. She is the Founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement, established to recruit, train and deploy mentors for Black children; with a focus on breaking cycles of inter-generational poverty.

For more information about Susan L. Taylor, please get books at your local library.