50x50 2nd Quarter
June ending means it’s the summer …the best time in NYC…Smorgasbord, Dance Africa, Movies in the Park, walks in the Botanic Gardens, Vegan Night Market, Bronx Night Market, Stoop Parties in Harlem (MY FAVORITE), and so much more.
These last three months have been a world-wind for me…learning that life is what you make it! So enjoy the big and small moments; there is joy in them.
Grateful for the walks in Shirley Chisholm Park before or after work
Noticing when God opens doors and creates opportunities.
A P R I L…
April was my month of rest. Every night and weekend, I rested. I don’t know the last time I didn’t have dinners, lunches, brunches, etc… it felt new, refreshing and healing. I walked in Shirley Chisholm Park, sat by the water and journaled, day dreamed, and healed. Emotionally and physically I’ve been exhausted and since healing is the children’s bread, I healed
Tricia Hersey says, “I want us to understand that nuance is freeing and freedom. There is no such thing as cookie-cutter healing. Everyone brings with them an origin story, a history, and identities that are interconnected. There is room to rest in the freedom of managing your own deprogramming journey. It is never either/or and always both/and. You don’t have to grind, hustle, accept burnout as normal, and be in a constant state of exhaustion and sleep deprivation. You don’t have to kill yourself spiritually or physically to live a fruitful life.” Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto
M A Y…
May was a blessing as I saw family and friends, and their love is a healing place…
On May 2, I spent time with my sister, Nicole. She is 28 years young!!!
The first week of May, my first hire at the Foundation started, she’s amazing!!!
The second week, I traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina for the National Funders Group convening; where I met her (my new team member) in person and spent time learning about how funders organize to support BIPOC communities.
On Thursday, May 11, I spoke on a panel for the Clinton Global Initiatives, Too Small to Fail ….I blew in, blew it up and blew out. I realized it was the first time I’ve presented in person since COVID…I loved every minute
On Saturday, my dear friend Sidney had an event where Tricia Hersey spoke…I was able to get my book signed and hear about rest from a leader in the field…grateful!
On Mother’s Day, my mom and I went to visit Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. The church my brother, Sam, and I grew up in. As my mom loses her memory, she enjoys returning to places in her past. We saw people I haven’t seen in years, my Sunday school teachers, Girl Scout leaders, and families I knew when I was a kid. Maybe returning to the church was for both of us ….as it brought back memories of my childhood with my brother Sam (whom I miss dearly) and my mom was reminded that she preached there and was a leader.
The fourth week of the month, I spent in Chicago. I did yoga 4 out of 5 mornings at The Space Between; where I meditated, breathed, and healed. I walked the Riverwalk each day and did some earthing in the parks. Oh, Chicago your skyline is magnificent and the hotel suite I stayed in showcased your beauty. I ate at two GREAT vegan spots; Planta Queen (2xs) & Fancy Plants, and talked and laughed while eating some delicious fare. Anyone who knows me well knows that Planta Queen is my favorite spot in NYC, so I had to visit while in Chi town. On my last day in Chicago, I saw my niece, Shaun, nephew, Samson, my bonus nephew, Bean, and their moms. They were in Chicago …My nephew will graduate high school next year, so we walked the River Walk discussing goals and dreams. Then we went on an architectural boat tour of Chicago; my first. Though I visit Chicago a couple of times a year for work, I have not done any tours. Let’s see what I do on my visit in July
When I got back to NYC, I saw The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, the last play written by Lorraine Hansberry. I have been enjoying seeing Broadway shows, I realized I actually missed attending them in the first quarter, so I will see as many as the year continues.
On Memorial Day, I attended Dance Africa, an event not to be missed each summer in Brooklyn. The beauty of Black people, crowns in all kinds of styles, outfits popping and the music-life drums and all …and somehow I was blessed with a beautiful headshot that I LOVE . The month ended with me seeing my brother Aaron in DC…it was such a treat …I got to laugh and talk with him, before heading to the Bolger Center, where I attended the ZTT Diversity Collective. The grounds of the center were beautiful, I walked, breathed and prayed my way through.
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Me and my Mommy on Mother's Day
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Me and my sister, Nicole! Happy B'Day!
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Me and my niece, Shaun!
J U N E…
On June 1, I returned to NYC! That weekend, I saw A Doll’s House on Broadway with my friend Samantha. It had me thinking about the “roles” of women in our society…how we are seen…or not seen…
On Monday, June 5th, I presented, virtually at Executive Undoing Racism Collective…Dr. Lisa and I presented on …”The Myth of the Shattered Glass Ceiling: Making Space for Black Women in Leadership.” As we planned to present we noted the pain, hurt, and need for healing for Black women who lead and are starting a group (healing space for Black women who lead). Super excited for our dream to invite Black women leaders into a healing space. That weekend, I had lunch at Ras Planted, a vegan Ethiopian spot that you MUST try if you love good vibes and Ethiopian food and I danced at Lisa’s birthday party, @Freehold Brooklyn, where her husband dj’d and her friends laughed and loved on her.
On Juneteenth, My mom and I saw our chosen family, the Saunders and Mitchells at a BBQ, where we celebrated Gigi’s 3 birthday! Oh how time flies …it feels like just yesterday Bebe (my goddaughter) shared she was pregnant.
On June 23, I flew back to Wilmington to look at apartments…I stayed the night at Dreamers by DW, it was such a cozy place to dream…and the hotel of my dreams as it was served only vegan food …I woke up ready to see apartments, rocked on the porch until it was times to head out and basked in the sun on the Riverwalk. Will Wilmington, NC be my home for a year? Still processing… I was back in NY by the 25th and got to spend time with Shondra at the Smorgasbord, be sure to visit it’s open Saturday and Sunday all summer . Shondra and I continue to dream about the retreat we are planning for next summer, in Tobago, details loading
I finished up this quarter, having dinner with a mentee for his 28th birthday. The young people in my life teach me so much about dreaming, freedom, and living…
I am so grateful for the time to share and process my life out loud with each of you, thanks for reading this installment , reaching out to me, and making plans to spend time with me. I hope this quarterly review finds you all well and moving towards your goals for 2023 and feeling healthy and at peace!
With love and sass,
Tonia
“We must believe we are worthy of rest. We don’t have to earn it. It is our birthright. It is one of our most ancient and primal needs.”
Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto
