If you know me, you know I LOVE black men. This project is dedicated to all of them. Those who are currently in my life and those who will enter in the future. For this project I simply asked; "What feelings or negative ideas has society placed on you as a black man? Also, what do you crave and need that would counter these negative emotions? These things are not hidden. These derogatory terms are blatant and common. There is no hiding the stereotypes. It is written all over their bodies and infused into the skin they cannot hide. But, that's just it. It is only skin deep. The experience of a black man in America is incredibly unique. As a black woman, I understand how crucial my role is to provide what is needed. Trust, joy, beauty, a family, and a sense of home. I feel responsible and even eager to do so. Whether it be as a mother, a sister, a lover, or just a friend, I help to create resilience and thick skin.

 Malcolm

 Jerome

 Woody

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My signature piece and what it means to live in a poet's world

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Baby sis has done it again! With her killer modeling skills and our duo fashion sense, we've created  three knock-out looks that will definitely be sticking around for 2016.

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Faux fur screams nothing but class when paired with a simple color palette. Slim black jeans can be dressed up or down and are complimented by sophisticated accessories and killer black booties.  

Jeans | Sizzle

Shoes | Bong

Top | Ali & KRIS

Faux Fur Vest | Decree

 Rings | Icing
 Necklace | Burlington Coat Factory
 Rings | Icing

Afro | Gawd and Jesus himself did that twist out!

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This cute, yet edgy outfit takes a staple item and gives it flair. Every girl has/ needs that little black dress for multiple occasions. Paired with block sandals and a well-cut biker jacket this is a go to look for 2016.

 Dress | LUSH
 Jacket | Charlotte Ruse
 Shoes | H&M

 Necklace | Charlotte Ruse
 Rings | Icing

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The school girl look that is always fun to rock. This skirt gets an "A" for A-line and adorable. Knee socks and oxfords push it just far enough to feel extra girly, but the oversized collar puts the perfect fashionista flair on this outfit.

 Top | Forever 21
 Skirt | Charlotte Russe
 Shoes | Mossimo Supply Co.

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This weekend I got the chance to attend the Million Man March 20th Anniversary: Justice or Else March on Capital Hill with an amazing group of my peers from UF. I regained an intellectual focus on history, and was submerged in a healthy display of Black Excellence.

I was filled with excitement just to finally be in Washington D.C., plus getting to tour my dream school, Howard University. The diversity of the city and the attendees was extremely refreshing. I felt a sense of belonging, and a sense of home even though I had never set foot anywhere near the D.C. metropolis. 

Attending this historic event was an immense wake-up call, as well as a source of hope.  The march was a platform for several prominent figures including the leader of the Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan, Sharon Cooper, the sister of Sandra Bland, and Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin.

We often forget how important we are as individuals, but it is the individual that makes up the masses. It is the single, solitary voice of one person in combination with millions that creates the rumbling chants of unity. I am now fully aware of my personal responsibility to push this movement for justice forward. A motif that lingered over the crowd and throughout the speeches made, was the emphasis placed on education of self and others, as well as creating an action plan. We all have different stories and qualities about ourselves that can contribute to the justice movement. 

We must awaken whatever it is that excites us about movements such as this. Whether it be starting and hosting conversations that help to educate, or actually putting together and presenting speeches. For me, it is being able to capture and share personal experiences with the masses. I can only hope my words and images generate the feelings that I have been exposed to.  

It was an honor to capture the people that were part of this historic event.

...

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Visiting my childhood park right before I left for my sophomore year of college was nothing short of heart wrenching.  The swings were much shorter, the jungle gym much tighter, and the monkey bars-- I could walk across them now. I shouldn't be surprised, right?  The memories of spending hours upon hours frolicking in the mulch covered space with my sisters was vivid and fresh. Time has allowed me to grow mentally, spiritually and of course physically! Of course my style has evolved as well. 

From days in the sand box with light up flip-flops, overalls, and cartoon tees-- a much more sophisticated version of this look has emerged in the form of rompers and statement sandals!

I could think of no better place to do a summer photo shoot. 

 Life will spin you 'round and 'round, just keep smiling.

 Baby sis got legs for days!

 The perfect pair of go-to sandals!

Loving the shades!

The summer sun has done me well! #BlackGirlMagic

 I was definitely channelling Meredith from 'The Parent Trap' to get this shot. lol

Details, details, details!

Feeling at home.

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Whoever you are; new beginner, novice, intermediate, or expert, always continue to have fun with your craft!

Unknown

I can only hope you approve
Since you are constantly telling me of all the great things I can do
I wait under your canoe
For nuggets of wisdom to come floating down into the ocean
And I remember every last word
I even remember taking flight
In airplane window seats,
then being asleep in hammocks,
then sitting front row
As the finals stage beckoned our next project
You forced me to project
My goals and dreams
for the sons and daughters of my new community
I will eject antiquated ideals of surrender and replace them with spirituality and self-discovery

Because of you
I can imagine a world where everyone has mastered self-confidence
Filled with emotions that are heaven sent
I can soar over those assumed prisons
Running to catch the wind under wings you have tailored personally
Waiting in line is no longer an option for me
so I just keep swimming

I am happy to get caught in your hooks
Tangled up in spoken word
It has transitioned and shifted my whole world
I’m glad you don’t catfish anymore
You have bashed in and broken doors
Although I’m not sure if they even existed at this point
Imaginary boundaries surrounded me every day of the week
Except for Saturday
The day I met you
And the first day I said I love you
This make for the 101^st

So When you are at your worst
Don’t say a word
You don’t have to

I learned the summer after my senior year
That staining your papers in blood doesn’t make you a poet
And I had to experience it just to know it
That crying in public will not always yield healing


My elder
I feel sheltered
In our early mornings and late nights
I am no longer oblivious to the signs
Our paths have crossed and aligned 
perfectly
And in all due time
You swing and cast out your line
Dripping stardust as bait
Warm endings await


I’m glad you don’t catfish anymore

Unknown

He said,

there were no sparks.

Our moment lacked the expected fireworks and

anticipated galactic bursts of internal supernovas.

Or so you say.

My lips were limp, so only your side of the story remained

Out of fear I figured we shouldn't dwell on it

And to proceed

We agreed:

It was late, we were horny, and it didn’t mean--

anything

But what if…

I always do this

crave feelings, and then just….

Honestly,

I’m glad you tried it

You gave it a shot

slinging for something

you thought was your giant

I should have known

the signs were there

one hug too many

one second too long

eyes locking, I still find it shocking

that you said you admired me

Ironically,

I admire you

Of all the people you encounter

I’m glad that I can

read beyond your cover letter

and biographical elevator pitch

So Let’s stay together

but as friends

A dynamic that demands dedication all the same

Why was your first reaction to blame?

Yourself

How could you ever be ashamed of attempting to be honest?

I promise

to never lie.

unless you consider holding onto the truth dishonesty

I didn’t ever want you to feel uncomfortable

So reluctantly I went along

I was wrong

our song

I guess

was never meant to be a duet

We are parts of an orchestra

you would think the balance of our friendship

can withstand an unstable kiss

Maybe some things just aren’t worth the risk,

but isn't that what life consists of?

I’ve tried

a variety of strategies

all failing me

maybe I’m too damn picky

because this overly sticky situation

got me stationed

uncomfortably in the friend zone.

Where sugar ain't sweet

and honey tastes bitter

Listen

I’ve reconsidered

Is it petty of me to ask for a second chance

I catch myself stealing a glance and

double takes on our group dates

How could I possibly resist a black man in a suit

Let alone one who knows their roots

and values a woman who waters them

you smooth criminal you,

stealing kisses

don’t worry, I won’t turn you in

so please don’t create distance

You seem to have gotten...lost

But remember, I’m just a knock away

I’ll bust down doors

bring you up to my level

like we lived on the same floor

We can gaze together,
sit back and be amazed together as we rise even higher

So maybe there were no sparks...

but fireworks are over rated anyways.

They are only loud bursts that distract from our appreciation of the simplest moments

Swirling smoke clouds can easily blur

what may be standing right in front of you.

Unknown

All good things happen in shades of pink

I think

and dream in shades of bubblegum

familiar roads are paved in bricks of rose

We are all born kicking and screaming

in hot shades of off red,

We've all experienced carousels with fluffs of cotton candy in hand,

we’ve all become flushed with

blush stained cheeks from a lovers touch

then half of us

are bred to conform to a gender specific tone

Lord forbid we were the wrong one

An intended color for the powerfully extroverted

do the others deserve to be

deprived of sunrise

never to witness

the mingling of snow and cardinals

the coming together of blood and angels

We act as if barbie has a patent on a shade its

no wonder

our generation lacks enchantment

What if we all had a spirit the color of fruity champagne

Eloise would be so proud

all the way at the top of her tower

Audrey would have even more to believe in

The plastics would let you sit with them

Even if it wasn’t wednesday

Victoria would finally spill her secrets

Her over priced panties and lotion

would cause a new age revolution

that will be televised

not in black in white,

but in PINK

Imagine

magenta marches

and plum protests

would it make the mundane days a bit more livable?

Imagine

A world where

there’d be no chemo

Breast cancer survivors reach full remission

they would thrive

staying alive to witness the birth of granddaughters

passing on this fondness

of a hue that saved their lives

Flamingos have fooled us all

Who doesn't crave 
to be tall, graceful, representations of tainted tangerine

While Starfish and piglets 
have naturally mastered the art of blossom and coral

Im jealous, because I have to work at it

If only living in a realm of sparkles and glitter

was practical

the truth

I’ve been afraid of falling out of youth

I don’t think I’m very good at growing up

There is a sense of shelter in hot pink thinking

A pallet that just may take over the world

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