Happy New Year 2022

{Photo credit: Angle formerly Shoot My Travel}

It's been a minute, hasn't it? I've been in a reflective mood and wanted to return to this space for a "where I've been post." 

Let's start with my Word of the Year:

July Feature: I'm on Work Like a Mother Podcast!

Today I look a look at my schedule and realized the summer is basically over! One stop in Staples and seeing all the school supplies perfectly lined up seemed to solidify that. 

It's been quite the hiatus here in this space! I'm most active on Instagram - specifically my stories - but am excited to share that I was recently featured on Work Like a Mother Podcast produced by Neighborhood Schools. 

Check it out (you can also search "Work Like a Mother on Spotify or Apple too!):

Here's a link to the summary transcript here! 

I'm excited to be doing a lot of cool projects offline, but please check out my personal website Quiana for all things brand me. 

For now I'm settling into 2 more weeks of camp for my kids then a few fun family adventures as things continue to re-open and we safely reunite with family and friends across the US. 

Safe travels to those of you traveling this summer as well!

Happy April!: Where I've Been

I had this post as a draft to go up last week and was going to say how excited I was to post monthly but alas, here we are at April! It amazes me how much social media has changed since I started this space in 2009 as a digital journal of young family life. While I continue to stay most active on Instagram, I'm grateful to still have this space to return to document important updates.

Here's where I've been lately...

Kicking Off 2021 with MEFA's U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MEFA's U.Fund College Investing Plan; all opinions expressed are my own. 

A New Year feels like a fresh start and 2021 feels like it is even more so than years past. In place of traditional resolutions, I like to create a list of 10 things I’m looking forward to each year and this year it definitely looks different. 2020 reinforced how important our family connections are as well as the importance of forward thinking. In sponsorship with MEFA's U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan, I’m sharing three things I’m looking forward to this year that center around our family’s plans for the future.  

Welcome 2021: Time to Align (& a Giveaway)

{Mug via Mud LOVE}

Exhale.

That's exactly what this Monday feels like to me.

I was over on IG TV this morning with a Happy New Year message explaining a bit more.

Check it out...

A Holiday Update with Comcast

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Comcast; all opinions expressed are my own.

{Image via Comcast}

As the year ends my family and I have been putting Comcast to the test with our remote learning and working from home! We have so many devices running at any given time and as longtime Comcast customers it’s been really great to see all they’ve been up to with improvements to service and beyond. 

I’m excited to share a few updates with you so check them out…

Zoo To You with MEFA’s U.Fund College Investing Plan

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MEFA's U.Fund College Investing Plan; all opinions expressed are my own.

One of my family’s challenges this season has been staying engaged with many of our favorite sites including our local zoo. Thankfully, ZooToYou, brought to you by MEFA’s U.Fund College Investing Plan, brings the zoo experience right to you via Facebook Live!

The Gift of Education with the U.Fund College Investing Plan and MEFA

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MEFA and the U.Fund College Investing Plan; all opinions expressed are my own.

In 1999 my husband and I met as 18-year-old college students and 20 years later when we became first-time parents, we knew saving for our children’s college education was crucial. During the current situation we are giving more thought to our future, and a college savings plan is a great way to help friends and family contribute to your children’s future this holiday season.

 

A Very Special Family Election Moment

How has it been a week since the announcement of the election results?!

Tee via @always.southern (and updated here!) 

I'm popping in briefly as we finish up a weekend at safe at home to share a bit of post-election joy...

Black Girl Joy Indeed

Nia had been baking and the TV was off when we got the big news in the family text. We turned on the TV and she lept for joy! 

My daughter's tears of despair 4 years ago have now turned to tears of joy.

This is when I really got choked up...

Our Family's Boston Globe Feature

This past Friday, October 23 my family was included in the Boston Globe's "In the Family Way" feature showcasing how 3 local families are currently coping given all that's going on. In it I shared a day-in-the-life including what it's like balancing remote and hybrid learning for Grayson and Nia, respectively, as well as managing with Uka recovering from surgery. 

Planning Ahead with World Sports Camp

Disclosure: This post is a paid partnership in collaboration with World Sports Camp. All opinions expressed are my own.   

As the end of the year approaches, I’m starting to think about my kids’ plans for next summer, especially because we're a big sports family. My husband’s former professional basketball career has definitely inspired the kids to lean towards basketball, and this school my 5th grader has successfully taken up intramural tennis, Covid-19 precautions and all. When I recently learned about World Sports Camp right here in Massachusetts and their plans for Summer 2021 I was excited to learn more!

A Round-Up: Where I've Been

{via Images by Amber Robinson}

The silver lining of the social unrest this year is that I've been invited to share my voice in more prominent spaces. It's been both gratifying and unnerving as for the longest time I felt unheard and unseen, but even still in the face of Black Lives Matter as a trending topic interest is indeed waning. 

I'll still be here, steadfast whatever happens beyond this "awakening."

Anyway...

Here's a round-up of a few places I've been showing up ICYMI:

OK 40

For the past few years, rather than make New Years resolutions, I've curated a list of 10 things I'm looking forward to. As 2019 ended I had trepidation about creating my list and as the first quarter ended I realized it was good that I didn't. Most things I would've put on that list ended up canceling. Now, a few days into 40 years old, I'm recommitted to continuing to be thankful for my family and my health.

I'm Speaking: Mom 2.0 Everywhere

The past 3 years I've attended Mom 2.0 - a conference for moms, marketers and media. This year's a bit different: it's later in the year and it's virtual, renamed to Mom 2.0 Everywhere. As much as I'd miss being there in person, I'm excited for this new format that allows attendees to take advantage of so many awesome sessions without the flurry of running around from place to place.

My session Creating a Multicultural Community: How To Create A Diverse, Inclusive Online Space was pre-recorded and airs Wednesday, September 16 at 1p.m. EST. In it my co-panelists Paulita David, Nailah Blades, Anne Vorrassi and I share insights from our collective experience fostering diverse communities virtually - a topic that is so important right now given all that's going on. 

If you haven't snagged a ticket, you can follow the #mom2summit hashtag from September 15-17 to get bits of wisdom from the session. There are always so many resources and amazing insights shared! 

Curious about my previous Mom 2.0 experiences? You can check out my past posts here and here. 

Back-to-School Snacking with Hood Milk

This post was sponsored by Hood as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Remember that color-coded schedule going around during the first round of distance learning? My kids' favorite color was "snack time!" With a few more weeks left until school starts, I'm partnering with Hood Milk to share my family's back-to-school snacking strategy. Hood Milk contains no artificial growth hormones and has important nutrients for my growing kids!

Here's what's working for us this back-to-school snacking season...

Check it Out: I'm on The Riveter's List!

Yesterday, I mentioned The Riveter's list of "10 Black Womxn Activists You Should Know" and today I wanted to come back and share the post itself! This summer has been a juggle of sorts between business and family obligations, but I'm thankful that I had opportunities like this in between. Visibility like this has yielded other opportunities, and I'm thankful to my followers who share and amplify my work.

Click here to read the post!

While my activism work isn't a professional designation for me, it absolutely is inherent in my role as a mom. It's how I became activated! 

Earlier this summer I stepped down from two formal volunteer positions I held with Moms Demand Action and the Wellesley Racial Justice Initiative for the past 3 years, but I continue to champion their work and remain active in other areas within my local community. 

Join Me at Power to Fly's Allyship to Impact on September 10

 

Happy September! It's officially my birthday month, and I have a couple exciting speaking engagements coming up. The first is Power to Fly's Allyship to Impact conference on September 10 - 11. My session "Building Connections in a Virtual World" is on September 10 at 4p.m. EST and my co-panelist Toya Lillard, was also featured with me on The Riveter's list of "10 Black Womxn You Should Know."

Our session will talk about how we're building community in the midst of social unrest and Covid-19. I'm excited to share my experience at the crossroads of parenting, activism and entrepreneurship. Beyond my session there's a whole host of engaging topics over the 2-day event and you can get your FREE ticket here.

Even if you can't attend both days, I still think it's a great idea to sign up and try to pop in and out as your schedule allows! There will also be networking opportunities as well. 

Learn more about Power to Fly on their website here. 

I'll share my next speaking engagement soon...

Growing Up Strong with Hood Milk

This post was sponsored by Hood as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I recently took my children to their annual wellness visits and thankfully they received healthy reports, and our doctor also confirmed something we see every time we visit: their heights are nearly off the charts! Staying on top of their health is something that's important now so more than ever and continuing to focus on nutrition is top priority for my family. Thankfully, Hood Milk has been a staple in our home and I'm confident in knowing that each serving provides my kids with 8g of protein and 9 essential nutrients. 

Back-to-School with Comcast Internet Essentials

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Comcast New England. #ad

Image via Comcast

After a local staycation, my family like many around the country are now turning our attention towards the start of the school year under the continuation of distance learning. This means that technological inequities brought up in the spring remain to be of concern for many families. Thankfully Comcast's new Internet Essentials program is bringing high speed Internet access to families in need including 60 days of free service for new Internet Essentials customers through the end of 2020.

Learn more about Internet Essentials and how to apply...