I am still attempting to wrap my mind around the #SuperTuesday results that’s occurred in 2016. The country is divided, and I’m baffled that people are not exercising their right to vote. I know it’s a choice for you to vote. I guess because I know my history I look at my right to vote as a privilege to do so. The right to vote was not always accessible to my community, and the road was quite tumultuous getting there….
I love when this day comes around every year. Say it aloud, “March Forth.” Move forward. How does that statement resonate with you? For me, it motivates me to keep pushing to the next level of my dreams. We are almost ninety (Yes 90) days into the new year and how are we doing with our goals for 2016? I’ve been reflecting on the goals I have on my vision board, and I’ve made progress. Don’t get me wrong, I…
I think it’s safe to say after the last three weeks I am exhausted! The pack/unpack cycle has concluded for at least a month, but I’m definitely grateful for the Historical Tours w/R.J. that were completed. You know I love a good road trip. Can you believe of my many road trips on the east coast I’ve NEVER been to Philadelphia? I rode through Pennsylvania heading to Virginia but never visited any historical sites in the state. Our nation’s first…
There’s something special about this time of year. I can talk about history all day every day, but it’s extra special during the month of February. The community comes together to celebrate black excellence in all areas of history. It’s truly a beautiful thing. If we could just keep the momentum going after February, can you imagine how amazing that would be? Okay, so what’s a trip back to North Carolina without visiting my old stomping grounds. I had a…
Okay…Let me explain the title. My alias online used to be Carmen Sandiego. In all honesty in some places I still use the handle. I’m known to pop up anywhere. When my friends check-in or snap a photo of me to post on social media the response is usually, “Ronnika was there!” On top of that my favorite color has always been red. So, in my head I’m really Carmen Sandiego, add melanin and stir! My friend found $80 roundtrip…
Dreams can sometimes seem impossible. Or does it only seem impossible because everyone says that it is? As I stated before I’ve heard others attempt to downplay my hopes and dreams but also had to realize you’re not able to share your deepest thoughts with everyone. This morning I thought about Miss. Barbara Johns, a 16 year old girl from FarmVille, Virginia was the driving force behind the desegregation of the Moton School. The Moton School was apart of the…
Don’t get too freaked out, this post is rated PG – Past Generations. I know millennials aren’t carrying around books anymore let alone a little black book. Our little black book can be found on our clouds account or stored under nicknames in our phone, but those baby boomers that’s a different story. Well, my parents are baby boomers so I’m still prone to writing everything down, except for phone numbers and addresses. After losing many of my contacts in…
I spent some wonderful summers in Richmond, VA as an intern. I learned a great deal, featured in the local newspaper and news station. It was truly an amazing experience. #SteeleThankful for it. I wanted to master the art of reading 19th Century manuscript before I departed my final summer in Virginia. It wasn’t until I came across primary documents with black borders that I became more intrigued. My good southern friends would refer to it as, “mourning” stationary/letter. What…
It’s the last day of 2015. This year has taught me so much about myself. I have everything within me to be great, and I need to step it up a notch in the new year. It’s no secret that I grew up in the church, but I’m amazed at how much things have changed. I’m not sure if we ever discussed where “Watch Night Service,” derives from. Do you know? Also known as “Freedom Eve,” happened for the first…
For the last year in my 20’s I decided to take on an adventure every month until my 30th birthday. The last weekend in my 20’s I decided to embark on a mini road trip from North Carolina to Maryland. I didn’t care if I went by myself or with a group of friends. I was determined to get to the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore. It was overwhelming from the beginning to the end. That is…