Did you know that something as simple as getting your hair braided could help promote AIDS awareness? Yes, it’s that easy. Earlier this month I had a short but informative chat with Stachen Frederick – the founder of BrAIDS for AIDS, and she was more than eager to speak with me about her charitable…
Tag: Toronto
Morgan O. Smith: Talks About Meditation & His Spiritual Awakening
Ever have an intense feeling that you needed to connect with someone that you barely knew, who probably didn’t even know YOU existed? Sounds weird, right? I know. That’s how I felt about reaching out to Morgan O. Smith. I don’t know him personally, but something kept telling me, “You need to speak to…
Nneka Elliott: From News Reporter to Lifestyle Entrepreneur
As you can tell by the number of phenomenal people that have graced my 4-year-old blog (Yes, Words With Michelle turns 4 tomorrow – woo hoo!), I am genuinely in awe of people who fearlessly follow their dreams and path – no matter what. In 2016, Nneka Elliott, a well-known media personality and news reporter,…
Karen M. Lowe: Wants You To Go After Your Dreams!
Have you ever wanted to start your own business but felt scared? Overwhelmed? Confused? Or, are you a budding entrepreneur who would like to take your business to the next level? I suggest you to talk with Karen M. Lowe! Karen M. Lowe is the CEO of Epigram Consulting – a business consulting…
Kofi Frempong: Creating Positive Black Images
Creating and presenting positive black imagery is so essential – more so than ever today. Judging from the major fail from that retail store that shall remain nameless (they do not deserve to have their name mentioned on my blog!), I think it’s crucial that we see ourselves and represent ourselves in the most uplifting…
Makini Smith: Author, Speaker & Loving Mom
I didn’t have the chance to meet with Makini Smith face to face for this interview, but we did actually meet briefly 2 years ago. We were both in attendance at the #HowSheHustles pop up market – I was hanging with a friend, who also happens to be a friend of Makini’s. My friend discretely…
Jae Cabrera does #1songadayfor2017
I love watching people work on their hustle – grinding and putting in the effort. This is why I am happy to feature singer, Jae Cabrera. I have watched him over the past few months perform songs – original and cover songs, on his Instagram account, where he proudly displays his hashtag #1songadayfor2017. It…
Like TrapSoul? Like Yoga? Read This
I have never taken a yoga class in my life. I’m serious…..I have done some stretching exercises via YouTube videos, but I haven’t taken a formal class. I’m not opposed to it or anything; I just found it a little too slow paced for me. But when I heard of TrapSoul yoga (trap music…
Toronto Events: Afrodelik Comic Book Launch
Desiree Marshall (aka Dezi) and I go way back. Okay, not way, way back, but I’ve known her for at a little over 10 years. I met the diminutive entrepreneur over a decade ago at a natural hair show where she debuted her clothing line Afrodelik. Taken by her unique and funky pieces, I did…
Toronto Eats: Bobbette and Belle
What do you do right after you’ve scarfed down a fatty meal at your local diner? Take a nap? Exercise? Umm… go for dessert of course! I’m not kidding. After a friend and I had a hearty lunch, she mischievously leaned over to me and asked if I wanted to go for cake. I thought…
Richard Cazeau: From MuchMoreMusic to Cultural Curator
Not sure if it’s because my birthday is quickly approaching, but I’ve been feeling kinda nostalgic lately – thinking back to the things that I enjoyed when I was younger. One of the things that came to mind was watching music videos. I can recall when MuchMusic was the ONLY place to watch videos….
Marci Ien: Trailblazing Woman In Media
I appreciate Marci Ien. I appreciate what she has done for women of colour in media, I appreciate what she represents, and lastly, I appreciate that she’s really nice. Seriously, she may be the most gracious person I’ve ever met! Just in case you’re unaware of the fabulousness that is Marci Ien, let me…
MeBookz: Storytelling With A Twist!
Do you read to your children before they go to sleep? Wanna add a fun twist to storytelling? I’m pretty certain you’re wondering why I’m writing about bedtime stories since I’m not a parent. Well, I have a very precocious 5-year-old nephew, and I enjoy reading to him whenever I see him. About…
Sheena Blake: Helps You Tell Your Story Through Discovering Diversity Publishing
Have you ever met someone and knew that you were destined to become friends? Although they don’t exactly possess the same personality as you, but they are just as quirky as you, giggle at your silly jokes, and basically just get you? (Think of the characters J and CeCe from the outrageously funny web…
#HerstoryinBlack: A Document of 150 Phenomenal Black Women – Part 2
In part 1 of #HerstoryinBlack: A Document of 150 Phenomenal Black Women, I wrote about the excitement I felt conducting a few interviews at the monumental photo shoot organized by #howshehustles founder, Emily Mills. I had no clue that a few weeks after that, my life would change. THE EMAIL A couple…
#HerstoryinBlack: A Document Of 150 Phenomenal Black Women – Part 1
When Emily Mills – founder and CEO of #HowSheHustles, contacted me early on this year and asked if I would assist her with a project she was organizing…ummm, I didn’t really need to think twice about it. All I asked was, “when and where?” When I received her email, Ms. Mills shared with me that she…
Black History Month Pop Up Market
Throughout the year, I like to attend events that are in support of black contributions, but I make an extra special effort to attend during Black History month. It was suggested that I attend the Black Owned: Black History Month Pop Up Market by Justice Achampong – Founder of Ananse Clothing, and I took him…
Raoul Juneja: Social Activist & Anti-Bullying Advocate
I want to say a big THANK YOU to Raoul Juneja. Over the years, he has generously connected me with numerous talented people in and out of the city. To say thank you, I wanted to feature him on the blog and speak about the charitable work that he is involved in. If Raoul…
Keith Hill Jr. Speaks About Fighting Fear & Doing Discipline
One of my favourite events of 2016 was attending the Author’s Coffee Meet Up hosted by Sheena Blake, Founder and CEO of Discovering Diversity Publishing. I shamelessly attended the event even though I haven’t written a book……(yet), but jumped at the chance to interact with other writers. During the course of the night, I…
Events: Connecting With Writers, Authors & Bloggers
November has been creativity overload for me. I was fortunate enough to attend two fantastic events that allowed me to connect with writers, authors and bloggers. Here’s a bit about what they were about. Black Bloggers United Power Hour, November 19, 2016 Although this event took place on a cold, windy, rainy Saturday…