Buy Black

August is a time when many prepare their children to get back to school. It's also a great time to plan one more family trip before the Fall. But August is also National Black Business Month! It's an awesome time to support Black businesses and services. Black Business Month was established in August of 2004 by engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and historian John William Templeton to, of course, help Black businesses grow. But it's also a great time to discuss why many Black businesses struggle to receive bank loans and to identify ways to advocate for public policies to help their economic growth. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States. Finding ways to finance those Black-owned businesses shouldn't happen just in the month of August.  Here's a few ways to support Black entrepreneurs all year long:

*Shop: Be intentional when buying goods and services from Black companies. Check-out websites like The Black Wallet and WeBuyBlack.

 

*Share:  When you purchase from a Black-owned business, post on social media. Use #NationalBlackBusinessMonth to emphasize the item or event.

*Support: Invest in Black entrepreneurs through crowdfunding campaigns or by attending virtual or in-person events that celebrate them. 

*Stand up: Advocate for policy changes that promote equity and access to resources. Connect with local, state or national representatives to fight for changes.

Don't delay the chance to contribute to a Black-owned business. Who will you support today?

    

Triumph Over Trauma

Please see the latest edition of “Empowerment Magazine” attached . It is an awesome publication produced through First Church of God in Columbus Ohio. It includes great info, insights & an article I contributed. Enjoy

https://issuu.com/1stchurchempowerment/docs/empowerment_-_summer_2026

“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 Douglass’ 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.