Thursday, April 5, 2018

March Happened


Our Easter Family Photo - self-timer FTW!
Happy April! What a hiatus, right? It's a testament to how blogging has changed so much for me and speaks to the point I made in my Quiana in Action post that Harlem Lovebirds really has transformed into a springboard into projects that have taken me from behind the screen. By the time I think sit down to consider putting a post together fifty-eleven other things have transpired and I'm moving on. 

Here's what I've been up to...



African Women's Leadership Conference - I was back at Wellesley to catch the closing evening keynote with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia (2006-2018) and Nobel Laureate. 


Toastmasters International Spring Competition - I made it the third round (the farthest I've gone!) ending with a 2nd place finish at the Division level. I've really appreciated the support I've received from so many of my followers so thank you! Here's a clip of my winning Table Topics speech I gave at my Club (from there I went to the Area contest then the Division contest).

Still my favorite moment from our Disney Cruise last year!

Spring Break Prep - I'm so excited to unplug for 10 days when we surprise the kids with a 7 night cruise followed by Disney World. They have been talking about going on another cruise since last February when we did our first Disney Cruise so I can't wait to see their faces when we arrive at the ship!

With Boston Mayor Marty Walsh


Moms Demand Action - I stepped up to speak at the Boston chapter's March 8 meeting the day after an epic snowstorm. Our regular meetings typically have maybe 30 or 40 people, but we ended up with nearly 1,000 attendees. You can watch the recorded livestream here. I'm excited to ramp up my role as Boston's Community Outreach Lead including preparing to support the Louis D. Brown Institute's Walk for Peace on Mother's Day. 



NOT Marching for Our Lives - This may warrant its own post (which I've been mulling over in my head), but I've had fatigue of sorts from "showing up" not being reciprocated. Similar to the fallout that happened after the Women's March and the drama of the Pink Pussy Hats, I decided to sit this one out. That day Uka treated Nia and I to her first Alvin Ailey performance which emotionally felt more in line with where I needed to be that day.  Reflecting on the day I was thrilled to hear Naomi Wadler's viral speech and also the recognition by the Parkland students that the media's coverage and public's focus on the student activists has excluded black voices especially those in Chicago working towards the same goal of ending gun violence. It echoes of the bridges I want to gap in my work with Moms Demand Action.

My Mater Mea Instagram Takeover - ICYMI this is a website that I've been following for years and beautifully portrays images of black families that are often missing from mainstream media. You can still see my takeover over on their Instagram account and the website has in depth profiles as well. It's definitely worth following!

Prepping for Mom 2.0 - I can't believe I can officially say I'll be back in California in a few weeks and this time with Uka in tow (kid-free!). It will be a continuation of the conversation Fostermoms and I started at Altitude Summit (you can follow our work at www.like2action.com). 

Then here are few things coming up here on the blog this spring:


  • A review of Just Add Cooking - this just might be my family's favorite subscription dinner box service 
  •  A WELL Summit Boston ticket giveaway - I'm so bummed to miss this year's Boston conference on April 21, but excited to give one lucky reader a ticket (stay tuned!)


  • My Altitude Summit recap - it feels so long ago, but I really want to capture what it was like returning after a 4 year hiatus (for now check out my Instagram Highlights!)



  • A review of Petit Collage - I've been following them for years and was thrilled that not only were they a sponsor of Alt Summit, but that they sent a few goodies to the kids!

In between all this the one thing that's really helped keep me balanced are my consistent workouts. Between Barre and the YMCA I've been proud of my progress and I feel stronger than I have since having Grayson. I'm going to keep it going...

Did March fly by for you too?