Just realized I hadn’t spoken today! I started writing this morning and forgot to finish my thoughts. This has been one busy week!
Anyhoo… Here’s what I shared today under Shaun’s Daily Inspiration.
“So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul—then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.” –Deuteronomy 11:13-15
Listen, the latter rains of autumn are coming. You will eat and be satisfied! Amen
I pray you have a great rest of your evening. May it be peaceful and relaxing.♥️
Mara Brock Akil (television producer and writer) posted a video about how the television and film industries are changing, just as the world around us is changing. She believes this change is a good thing and necessary, and so do I. In the video, she says the old ways of doing things are slowly dying, giving us the chance to shape the future we want to see. And I couldn’t agree more!
I believe we are here in this time and space for a purpose. It’s not to sit, watch things happen, or complain, but to shape and create the future we want to see. We’ve been tasked with doing what no other generation could do, and what future generations need us to do. If you’re unsure of your task, assignment, or purpose, ask God to reveal it to you. From experience, it’s associated with something you’re already passionate about doing, or that lifelong dream you just can’t shake.
As God’s children, I believe everything we touch is a song, and we have been tasked with creating something meaningful and beautiful. What we create today will not only enhance our lives but also sustain future generations.
Sooo… Are you on board with shaping our new future—with shaping the world you want to see?
This is all I have for now. I pray you have a relaxing day. May it be peaceful and filled with joy.♥️
Thought I’d share another glimpse at how God works in my world. How He loves on me!
In yesterday’s post (see Clyde Kennard and JET Magazine), I wrote that after attending a lecture on Clyde Kennard, I was inspired to find my copies of JET Magazine. I said that I would take a moment this week to begin reading them. Well, I began yesterday, and here’s what I found! Y’all, when I tell you God knows exactly how to make my heart smile, dance, and sing.☺️
JET Magazine, March 22, 1999
This article highlights the work of the late nutritionist Dr. Alvenia Fulton. As a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)—a Black RDN—I’m curious to learn more about her story and journey to becoming a nutritionist. You see, her story matters to me because when I began my undergraduate degree in 2003, Black dietitians made up less than 3% of registered dietitians nationally. Now here we are, over two decades later, and this percentage hasn’t changed (2.6–3%).
In graduate school, I wrote my thesis on the importance of multicultural counseling competencies in our profession. I remember mailing over 600 surveys and receiving nearly 300 fully completed returns. Although the return and completion rates were great (yes, this is beautiful in the research world), only 5% of respondents were Black, while 92% were White. Sadly, the majority of the respondents who had never received any culturally competent counseling training (~70%) did not believe cultural competency was necessary to counsel people of different races, ethnicities, or cultures. Back then, our state had, and still has, the highest Black population by state in the U.S. (~38–39%), and also one of the highest rates of health disparities (America’s Health Rankings: Mississippi). In 2016, I became the first Black president of our state’s dietetics association. It’s not something I ever mention. It’s not something I ever wanted highlighted. But now, after learning about Dr. Fulton and seeing that the national percentage of RDNs hasn’t changed, I think it’s worth mentioning. Our association was founded in 1948. In 2016, I became the first Black president, and in 2025, I became the second.
I have to explore Dr. Fulton’s story further. God didn’t drop that article in my lap for nothing. We can’t move forward and grow as a profession if we don’t start addressing the underlying issues and challenges behind the lack of growth in the number of Black RDNs nationally. There’s so much to explore… I have work to do!
This is all for now. I’ll keep you updated on whatever I find about Dr. Fulton. I was gifted a copy of the book from the lecture, “Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard,” and can’t wait to begin reading it.
Wishing you a wonderful Wellness Wednesday! Please take care of yourself.♥️
Last night I attended a lecture about a local civil rights icon, Clyde Kennard. Clyde Kennard was the first African American to attempt to enroll at what’s now the University of Southern Mississippi. Although he became part of civil rights history, he wanted to enroll for the same reason as everyone else—to get an education.
Clyde Kennard’s story is one of segregation, mistreatment, betrayal, imprisonment, illness, and unwavering hope. Until his death, Mr. Kennard hoped to see a world where everyone was treated fairly, equally, and had the same educational opportunities.
Research on Clyde Kennard’s story was conducted by Dr. Sherita L. Johnson, Dr. Loren Saxton Coleman, Dr. Cheryl Jenkins, and Dr. Rebecca Tuuri. Their latest project is the book “Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard.”
So, you may be wondering why I included JET Magazine in the title. Well, much of the information gathered for the book came from the scholars (mentioned above) following the work of journalists and photographers who documented Clyde Kennard’s story in JET Magazine. Last night, they explained how Jet Magazine was the only national publication that humanized Mr. Kennard’s story.
From their lecture, I also learned that JET Magazine was one of the few national publications that conducted extensive research to present African American stories. For me, learning this was one of those indescribably beautiful moments. You see, I still have copies of JET Magazine. I look through them from time to time, but rarely stop to read the articles. I’m pretty sure I read a few of the articles when I purchased them, but I never considered the work that went into presenting those stories. This week, I plan to take a moment and read a few articles with this thought in mind.
I also have copies of Ebony, Essence, and Sister 2 Sister magazines.
Y’all, I truly love my life! If you only knew what I’m feeling right now. The only way I can describe it is Forrest Gump-ish—I’m surrounded by and standing in the midst of history.
My life and MY GOD! I can’t express it enough, I just love the way He loves me. I am truly blessed.🥰
This is all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by and reading. I pray you have a wonderful day!♥️
This morning I woke up with Whitney Houston’s I Didn’t Know My Own Strength playing over and over in my head. Truthfully, how I have made it thus far is a blur. As I look back over my adulthood, I’m amazed at how many challenges I encountered and actually overcame.
Just finished reading the post that’s quoted and linked above. It’s a post I shared on this day five years ago (October 13, 2021). Smiling through tears (happy tears) because I made it through some really tough times. When I tell y’all I am so very blessed. If you need a little inspiration, click the Wednesday Writings link in the quote above. Listen, life does get better.
Yes, life does get better. I refuse to believe otherwise.
Five years ago, I was listening to Whitney Houston’s, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” The song says—
I didn’t know my own strength And I crashed down, and I tumbled But I did not crumble I got through all the pain I didn’t know my own strength Survived my darkest hour My faith kept me alive I picked myself back up Hold my head up high I was not built to break I didn’t know my own strength
For years now, I have had LaShaundreaB’s Wellness Wednesdays on my calendar; however, I seldom take my wellness day. Well, today, I can’t take the full day, but I plan to take at least half the day to focus on my wellbeing. Yay Me!
Anyhoo… Back to the song of the hour. The song that I’m singing this morning is Yolanda Adams’ song “I’m Gonna Be Ready.” The song says—
I say a prayer every night Whatever I do, I’ll get it right With no regret, no guilt or shame this time No not this time
Once I surrender, I won’t dare look back ‘Cause if I do, I’ll get off track Move ahead in faith, and patiently await your answer What will it be?
Sight beyond what I see You know what’s best for me Prepare my mind, prepare my heart For whatever comes, I’m gon’ be ready Strength to pass any test I feel like I’m so blessed With you in control, I can’t go wrong ‘Cause I always know, I’m gonna be ready…
Y’all, God has been so good to me. I’m so thankful for sooooo many chances to get this thing called life right. I’m finally at the stage in life where I’m moving without regret, guilt, or shame—all three!
I’m so looking forward to where this next stage of my life will take me now that I’m truly committed to taking care of myself first. I know I’ve been stressing this a lot lately, and I wish that I could fully explain what this means to me. Maybe one day I’ll be able to find the words. Just know that I’ve reached another level of freedom that I never imagined possible.
Feeling grateful and blessed.
This is all for now. Remember to take care of yourself, because when it’s all said and done, besides God, you’re truly all you’ve got! Others can only do so much. The rest is on you.
Where you begin rarely looks like what you envisioned. Give yourself space, time and grace to grow. Don’t give up. You’ll get there!♥️
Recently, I decided to prioritize myself and my needs first. In doing so, one of my goals is to get 5-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Right now, it’s about 3-4 hours. When I wake up, I usually stay awake for 1-2 hours before falling back asleep. Then, I only sleep for another 30 minutes to an hour.
Y’all, this new self-focused version of me is something I must be intentional about working on because it’s definitely not something that is happening naturally.
Yes, growth is a process.
This is all for now. I pray you have a wonderful weekend. May it be filled with lots of love, laughter, peace, and joy.♥️
You must be logged in to post a comment.