Raised by Miss Novella (Novella Moore Lawyer)
A Camptown legacy of love, truth, and lavender Her name was Novella Moore Lawyer. Most people in the neighborhood called her “Miss Novella,” even though
January 20, 2026
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A Camptown legacy of love, truth, and lavender Her name was Novella Moore Lawyer. Most people in the neighborhood called her “Miss Novella,” even though
I love how hip-hop has grown — but what I love most is this… No matter the era… hip-hop always finds a way to tell the truth. And somehow, every stage of my life has a beat attached to it.
From “Rapper’s Delight” to right now…grooving to 21Savage and ASAP Rocky new albums. I didn’t just grow up with hip-hop. I was raised on it.
Mark Curry’s Dancing with the Devil is a deeply researched, revealing, and emotionally complex account of one of hip-hop’s most powerful empires—and the human cost behind it. What makes this book stand out is not just what Curry exposes, but how carefully and methodically he connects the dots, filling in the gaps left by documentaries and surface-level reporting.
Members Only: Palm Beach is entertaining. It’s binge-worthy. It’s messy. But it’s also a quiet study in race, class, access, and American contradiction. Watching it as a Black woman who lives right there—who sees both sides of the bridge every single day—made it more than reality TV.
Healing abandonment starts with honesty—and kindness toward yourself. It’s not about blaming others or rushing to “get over it.” It’s about understanding what happened, how it shaped you, and how you can begin to feel safe again in your own body and relationships.
What’s rarely known is that African Americans also lived and worked in Hawaiʻi’s plantation system, many recruited directly from the U.S. South — including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Some of the places where they lived became known informally as “Alabama camps” since the majority of them, were from Alabama.
When You know Better, You Do Better! I’ve made the conscious decision to no longer participate in Thanksgiving as I have in the past. My
This topic stands out as one of those I wish I had included in “Heal Ourselves” — abandonment! Many adults, including yours truly, carry the echoes of childhood and adult abandonment wounds that still shape relationships, choices, and sense of self.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that the brain stays in the adolescent phase until our early thirties when we “peak.”
Hampton Virginia’s Own. For some, it calls up a song, word nostalgia for an Old South that never really existed. But for others—especially Black folks
The More We Uncover By Tena The Kingdom of the Happy Land began as a roving band of freed slaves from Mississippi who earnestly set
The Science of Denial. I’ve always been someone who looks for the rhyme and reason — the “why” behind everything. My mom used to call
Discovering the Kingdom of the Happy Land: A Hidden Chapter of History By tena The Kingdom of the Happy Land began as a roving
Only about 17% of all Americans report having ever served in the military. Among men, around 33% have served. Among women, only about 4%. As of 2023, women make up roughly 17.7% of the active-duty force.
I’ve come to believe that manifestation isn’t magic — it’s prayer in motion. It’s the daily, intentional act of asking — not just once, but
Ten days after disembarking from Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady in Miami, I’ve had time to reflect — and I can honestly say, this cruise was
For many African-American women, hair is more than beauty—it’s identity, culture, and confidence. But when alopecia strikes, the loss can feel like losing a part of yourself.
(Lost blog from 2023) This kind of detox and weight-loss plan is right up my alley: eat as much as you want of something you
Traveling has a way of mending parts of us we didn’t even know were broken. It’s not just about sightseeing or checking destinations off a
The More We Uncover Series. Christopher Columbus is often credited with “discovering” America in 1492—but this popular narrative isn’t true! Let’s dig into the facts
(A Repost from 2023) Recently I was watching the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and I was reminded of Frentorish Bowie, or “Tori” Bowie,
A True Behind the Scenes look into the 2024 Presidential elections. If you’re going to read this book, know this is an official “Spoiler 🔔
The More We Uncover Series. It was a meeting of hope. A small church in Hoop Spur, Arkansas, filled with Black sharecroppers who had had
The More We Uncover Series. From the “Devil’s Half Acre” to the “Yellow Wife” —Remembering Lumpkin’s Jail When I closed the last page of “The
🌟 Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955) Mary McLeod Bethune (the educator, activist, and founder of Bethune-Cookman University) was affectionately nicknamed “The First Lady of the Struggle”
It’s a lie dressed-up as truth, and it’s still being sold today. When I think about polarizing, public figure Charlie Kirk, and his very public
The More We Uncover Series. When enslaved people gathered for worship — whether in plantation “praise houses,” outdoor brush arbors (“hush harbors”), or even in
A proud actor, veteran, and snowbird! As soon as I crossed the railroad tracks, I spotted him turning the corner of Quad and Clematis streets
Sub: Who Suffers the Most? “The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) report underscores that workforce reductions were concentrated in agencies where women and people of
Ten Things to Unlearn Now! Many of the lessons people were taught in older generations were about survival, not thriving, and they often carried silence,
Unlearning often involves reprogramming. Not everything we learned as children was truth. Not every lesson passed down by parents, teachers, or elders was the right
The More We Uncover Series – America’s Troubling Past with Racially Motivated Research When we think of racism in American history, images of slavery or
The More We Uncover Series. Highways were meant to connect us, but in city after city across America, they were also used to divide. In
American History. *This video is being shared from a social media platform. I do not own it – it’s worth sharing 👏🏽😃 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C69qXALG9/?mibextid=wwXIfr A bit
The More We Uncover Series. Cornrows are not a trend. They are an ancient tradition of beauty, resilience, and encoded survival that Africans braided into
As a kid, I used to look at him to find the resemblance. The clues to help determine if he was my father. My mother
The More We Uncover Series. The “Sugar House” in Charleston, South Carolina, was a notorious site of punishment for enslaved people during the 18th and
The More We Uncover Series. Dorothy Dandridge, one of the most groundbreaking Black actresses and performers in American history, lived a life filled with both
— A Life Coaching Reflection on Grace, Grit, and Letting Go Sometimes the best life lessons come from nature — and one of the most
The More We Uncover Series. Ryan’s Mart was a slave market in Charleston, South Carolina, and is one of the few remaining physical sites in
I didn’t just wake up one day and become my true, authentic self. It’s been a process that came with growing pains—a process that started
Hitting Your Head Against a Wall When you care about someone and want better for them—and they keep reverting to the same destructive patterns—it can
This spoke to me because we are all flawed one-way or another, yet we seek perfection in others, particularly our partners. By Andrew Boyd We’re
Story Matters “Biddy’s life is a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and the transformative power of perseverance —“ If you haven’t seen “American Primeval” on
“Is Black Dandyism a form of Politics of Responsibility (POR)?” https://images.app.goo.gl/yJdcpQtcLxGNzj5P6 Black dandyism in my humble opinion is a specific form of the “POR” which
Who is Cathay Williams? Born in Independence, Missouri, around 1844 (some accounts say 1842) to a slave mother and a free father, her name was
Time on my handsSince you been away MaI ain’t got no plansNo no no no…And the sound of the rainAgainst my window paneIs slowly, slowly,
That feeling—when people around you shift from admiration to subtle (or not-so-subtle) green with envy—is painful, especially when you’re just being yourself, doing what you
Here are some real-world examples from different periods where the politics of respectability showed up: 1. Early 20th century — Black Women’s Clubs Organizations like
It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year since you left this world, Ma. The days have passed so quickly, and yet each one
Three years ago, while browsing Ancestry.com, I discovered something life-altering:
I am related to Lillie and Beulah Burke—two of the original nine founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., – I pledged AKA in 1981 at the University of Marland Baltimore County, Lambda Phi Chapter in Catonsville, MD.
We share the same great-great-great grandmother, Sally Rooks. I never knew that the women whose names we memorized pledging, are my cousins.
Legacy found me before I knew how to name it.
Proud. Humbled. Grateful. 💗💚
Skee-Wee #4Spr81
Dear body, I am so grateful for you taking me into 2023. In January of 2022, I caught COVID 19. What a way too start
http://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-03/staying-hydrated-could-mean-less-disease-slower-aging. “Staying well-hydrated may slow down aging, prevent or delay development of chronic diseases, and therefore prolong disease-free life,” said lead investigator Natalia Dmitrieva, a
Chattel houses in Barbados caught my attention on the very first day of our vacation this year (2022). They are 1-3 rooms, tiny houses, with
Perfect for allergies, flu symptoms, colds, and COVID. It just some delish, nutritious soup ? 1/2 cup chopped carrots 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup
Hey! I’m doing a free 15-day New Year Challenge and I’d love for you to join in too. https://gratitude.onelink.me/sQxx/ofz7b068
This is me. Not everyone understands this, especially those who love you and want to be around you. They must. It’s a necessity – #selflove
WOW! When I read this article, I almost fell out of my chair. I know one of my parents was a narcissist, but I’d never
Love this article on the different types of Coaches – life, career, financial, sex, health, and even friendship; it’s very informative ???? Lots of folks
amp.issuu.com/tidewater/docs/superheroes/s/17329123 from 2022 Superheroes My Hometown Newspaper Tena Lawyer by The Tidewater News BY TITUS MOHLER STAFF WRITER After becoming acquainted with Tena Lawyer’s story, it
If you find a person who consistently demonstrates respect, makes you a priority, and understands you – Bonus baby! ??
Traveling alone leaves me alone with my thoughts and observations of people I see – I watch. Wondering what their lives are like. Seen tragedy.
While vacationing in Barbados, we ventured from our hotel in St Lawrence Gap to Bridgetown to shop for reasonably priced souvenirs. We went where locals
I’m so grateful for my vacay/holiday in Barbados for my recent birthday ?? I’m grateful to be back home with the amenities, comforts, available services
I think I’m slowly becoming a vegetarian or a pescatarian, paleo, pollo-pecans or something! Something is happening to me, and I like it! I can’t
In December of last year, I created my virtual vision board. I shared it and encouraged my friends & family to do the same. Every
Loved this short article about stress eating. Research says the majority of humans eat or nosh when stressed for the feel good hormones produced by
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChXSgbelShL/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= I fell in love with this hairy, little guy when I met him in January of this year. Two days after I brought him
http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2022/09/26/2011-obituary-glenda-cleveland-who-alerted-police-dahmer/8118749001/ I tried, but I couldn’t watch Netflix’s new “Monster.” The thoughts of what Jeffrey Dahmer did to his victims was too gruesome to watch.
Detox With Greens This kinda detox and weight loss regime is right up my alley – eat as much as you like of a dish
These are man-made disasters, and yet, Americans are barely aware of the suffering caused by racist policies and climate change. � Read on http://www.thedailybeast.com/were-seeing-the-devastation-of-environmental-racism-from-mississippi-to-pakistan Copied
http://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/hbcu According to USNews.com. Thoughts? I was surprised to see Spellman as #1.
I didn’t write this, but dammit I wish I had. My thoughts and feelings precisely. I believe the sentiments here are needed in every family
trapmusicmuseum.us Perfect for a rainy afternoon in ATL, except there’s little covering to protect patrons standing in line outdoors. Now for a faster entrance at
Long-term relationships can stagnate without the people in them realizing it. But with counseling/therapy, people can fall in love all over again. I could not
We all have goals- lose weight and get in shape, make money, buy a new car, to have that dream house. It adds up to
You show people you love them when you listen to them. You support them when they need you. You offer assistance when they don’t ask
In my humble opinion, based on research and experience, of course…. 1. Compromise is key. Give & take! No one wins…you both do. 2. Be
Release your wiggle with 16 reads inspired by Beyoncés Renaissance Read on http://www.nypl.org/blog/2022/08/08/born-free-renaissance-reading-list
I’m slowly, yet surely loosing all faith, trust and expectations of what a man in relationship is suppose to BE and DO. You see, for
Time and time again, I see parents yanking on children. Pulling. Tugging on little shoulders. I hear them cursing at them. “Get yo “a$$ over
* Trips: Three (3) Essence Festivals; a short trip from Pensacola when I attended AIT; and an overnight stop driving from Texas to Florida. Places
Reading “Atlas of the Heart” by Dr. Brene’ Brown Stop ? ?? Comparing! Chart your own unique path! Findings of noted studies/research suggests “Comparing self
1- Accept all of your flaws. 2-Be yourself in all you do. 3-Open you mind to new ideas, possibilities & information. Learn…grow! 4-Open your heart
? Realize that your feelings exist for a reason and cut yourself some slack about it. ? Working through negative judgment means you can release
adviceny.com/2021/07/22/how-to-encourage-employees-to-take-time-off-and-recharge/
Set in Texas, a 22-year-old, white, unmarried pregnant woman (Jane Roe) challenged the constitutionality of the state’s abortion laws in the 1970s. Then Texas laws
I decided to wrap-up this years’ little known black history facts, with the question, “Why BHM, at all?” You’re probably thinking, this topic is suited
Do you remember the children’s television series “Gullah Gullah Island?” Well, while the island is a fictional place, the culture and people that inspired the
Mrs. Henrietta Lacks was an African-American woman whose cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line – the first immortalized human cell grown
Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, there was a brave 15-year-old who chose not
This all-too-often-forgotten African-American cabaret singer named Baby Esther gave birth to the cartoon character, Betty Boop, rarely receives credit for it, and whose story in
James Armistead was a slave in Virginia in 1781 when he got permission from his owner, who helped supply the Continental Army, to join the
Hush Puppies The enslaved planning an escape to freedom in the wee hours of the night would mix a concoction of cornmeal and water which
A$AP Rocky, rapper and boyfriend of R&B hit maker Rihanna, is not the first spokesperson of color for Dior – he’s the second after fashion
Lonnie Johnson (born 1949). The engineer developed the mega water gun in his free time while working at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. And once the
The first Black woman to become a pilot! Born to sharecroppers in a small Texas town, Elizabeth Bessie Coleman became interested in flying while living
1st Black Woman to WIN Speedskating Gol Jackson became only the second Black skater to medal at an Olympics in speedskating, joining Shani Davis, who
If you watched the Super Bowl halftime show last Sunday, you probably saw this “woke rapper” perform on the field. In 2004, 17-year Compton, CA
I’ve always admired this brave woman! Most of the civil rights movements’ leaders were Black male preachers with impressive degrees and big churches. Fannie Lou
I’m reminded of the 1995 romantic movie, “The Bridges of Madison County.” Horace King, a man born into slavery on a South Carolina plantation in
The attached article is worth the read. Very Informative! As a novice or neophyte author, I couldn’t do it the justice it deserves. Lots of
What do Tom Brady and Charles Haley have in common? Five Super Bowl Rings! During the stunning Super Bowl LI victory by the New England
Bernard W. Pryor is believed to be the first African-American hired by the Army’s Signal Intelligence Service which would become the National Security Agency (NSA)
Day 12- Black History-Ava DuVernay – Creator of Queen Sugar breaks Records! Director, producer, screenwriter is why she’s extraordinary. With films like 13th, Selma, and
SixTripleEight, the only all-black female battalion to serve in Europe during WWII. https://images.app.goo.gl/ifrQ9xfpiVw96hSL6 In February 1945, the U.S. Army sent 855 black women from the
The 369th Infantry regiment was the first Black regiments to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The regiment was originally nicknamed
Now I understand why black people take pride in perfecting the perfect cheesy, slice and stand, Macaroni & Cheese! I only know a handful that
Bass Reeves was an American law enforcement officer! Bass Reeves was born a slave in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. His master/enslaver was Confederate Colonel
Even today cycling is viewed mostly as a non-black sport. But one of the fastest men ever to race on two wheels was Marshall Walter
The Guerrero was an “illegal” slave ship operated by Spanish pirates headed to Cuba with 560ish Africans aboard. The Guerrero wrecked and capsized during an
Riveting Storyline Makes a Comeback – Remake with a New Cast! Alice Walker’s soul-stirring novel The Color Purple depicted the lives of African American women
Day 3- Black History Month The “Chitlin Circuit” story is really their story – the musicians, crew members, managers, and the bus drivers/mechanics. If you
From slave to sailor to Congressman, read on for more about this extraordinary person. Robert Smalls (April 5, 1839 – February 23, 1915) was an
Here’s a photo of an actual Green book. The Negro Travelers Green Book or the classic Negro Motorist Guide was a travel guide published (1936-1967)
Ever considered rescuing a pet? I hadn’t until my ever so socially conscious daughters rescued a cat each…my grand cat daughters, I call em. Cousin
For all the boxes I’ve packed, slid, pushed, picked-up and drugged. For the 6 moves I made in 5 years accommodating & supporting your a��,
I’m a Vet (Ret. 1SG), an Author, an Educator, Life Coach, Performance Consultant, AKA Believer, hip-hop enthusiast, Reality TV lover and a Grandma. Why I
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