Reality Check - Empowerment 1.2

"You don’t become what you want; you become what you believe."- Oprah Winfrey

Empowerment isn't a strength we were born with. It is the ability to allow yourself to be lifted to another level of choices. We then have the ability to transform those choices into desired actions and life altering outcomes. In REALITY, we have to believe in ourselves and the lives of others. We are constantly searching for better opportunities to appear in our lives. I have been blessed to recognize the power of influence and network. I've been surrounded by so many powerful people. I am especially blessed to have so many positive black women in my mist. You have to believe in yourself, listen with your eyes and not your ears. I look at all the black women I encounter and learn from them. I may have wanted to become many things but I hope to become like many of the black women I believe in....

Reality Check - Entrepreneurship 1.1

As women of color we should always try to learn from other women. As black women we have difficulty with allowing ourselves to be guided. The REALITY is that we should strive to open our mind, especially to professionalism. There are not enough black women entrepreneurs in our communities. The first step is to learn what entrepreneurship means, and find out are we equipped to be entrepreneurs. First we have to create our own opportunities. Here is good advice from Bobbi Brown- Founder and CEO, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

"I started working as a freelance makeup artist in 1980, and I worried that I didn't have enough money. My father told me I'd just have to figure out a way to make more money. So I started looking through the Yellow Pages and calling agencies, magazines, photographers - anyone I could offer my services to. I'd work for free until I proved myself.

Soon enough, I was getting regular calls to do their makeup. My father's advice made me feel that I was in control of my future. I realized that it was my job to find more opportunities."

Reality of a Black Womans Transition

Being a woman in this society has its limits. Being a black woman in society today should be limitless. In contrast, we are, black women, the limited. When we are placed in environments out of our expected element, we have many challenges. I am just an average young black woman, with a little education under my belt. I have been blessed with a pretty good, reasonable, sound mind. For me i get comfortable in my own element, which has cultural restrictions. I love being around my people, good southern country folk. The thing that most confuses people about me is my ability to transcend. I can put myself or avail myself to other elements and still remain that black woman. I feel the hardest thing for a black woman is making a transition from comfortableness to professionalism. I'm referring here to career seeking, job placement, go getters. We need more black women in our school systems, medical field (professionally), financing and lawmaking powerful positions. The REALITY is how do we cope with transition? Do we put forth the effort to transcend or do we live in our own element?

Reality Check - Empowerment 1.1

As a black woman I know it sounds crazy but I find it hard for women of color to have just a great day. I myself have a very different personality than other black women. I mean I breath easy so to speak. I love being a black woman. We are the best species on this planet. It is because we are so complete because of our circumstances. We are not only mothers to one child (without given birth) but to a whole community. Our life is hectic due to obligations placed on us by society.
We as women of color have to get with REALITY. Given our ability to be stronger than our counterparts we have to take advantage of that. We have to capitalize on our own strength. Okay food for thought, If we can make a dollar out of fifteen cents just what can we do with knowledge?

A Beautiful Reality Check Part 1

By viewing my post and my interest you've more than likely discovered that I am a very REALITY conscience person. I love music so there for I need to adjust some of my settings on this blog. I just wanted to write a post about India Arie for a little while. She is very talented, categorized as Neo-Soul music. I just wanted to speak about her song, Beautiful Surprise or at least share the lyrics for now. Read over the lyrics then I will discuss them later, leave a comment about the lyrics.


[It's like yesterday
I didn't even know your name
Now today
You're always on my mind
I never could have predicted that I'd feel this way
You are a beautiful surprise
Intoxicated every time I hear your voice
You've got me on a natural high
It's almost like I didn't even have a choice
You are a beautiful surprise

Whatever it is that you came to teach me
I am here to learn it cause
I believe that we are written in the stars
I don't know what the future hold
But I'm living in the moment
And I'm thankful for the man that you are, you are, you are
You are everything I ask for in my prayers
So I know my angels brought you to my life
Your energy is healing to my soul
You are a beautiful surprise
You are an inspiration to my life
You are the reason why I smile
You are a beautiful surprise]

Donnie Hathaway Serenades Reality

Donnie Hathaway is one of the strongest vocalist I've ever heard. But, before i go on with my personal opinion, I'll give you a brief summary of his music history. He was born in Chicago and shortly after was raised by his grandmother in St. Louis housing projects. At the age of 3 he became known as a child prodigy because of his vocal ability. He received a full music scholarship to attend Howard University. Not completing his Fine Arts degree he moved on to further his music career in 1967. In 19701 he wrote and recorded the single that went on to be the urban anthem, The Ghetto.
Listening to his music you could feel what he was singing. He had a strong emotion and pain behind he voice. He repeatedly composed songs about the empowerment of his people in the 70s. He realized the harsh REALITY of poverty, deprivation and injustice. He died at an early age. He suffered from depression and was found dead in front of his apartment complex, suicide was concluded.
If you ever listened to any of his recordings what did you conclude?

Rap Music Meets REALITY

Yes, believe it or not I am a big fan of rap. The most important message that I want to convey to my readers is I love the message not the image. I want to get one thing clear, I love rap artist not rappers. Rappers feed off the image and the latest trend. Rappers just babble on and on, making no sense. That is exactly why people say,"I don't understand a word!" A rap artist delivers a message, tells a story. A rap artist career has longevity. Included among the list of rap artist are Tupac Shakur, Biggie, Nas, Jay-z, Common etc. In REALITY what is the difference between a rapper and a rap artist?

Watch this video of a real rap artist.

Afeni Shakur - Speaks Reality in Memphis

Afeni Shakur is a urban reality. She offers empowerment to college students in Memphis. She delivered the reality of urban living. She urges them to use their mind and think for themselves. I really felt what she was speaking about. She urged the audience to think of others than themselves. She brought the reality out about individuals that are so hopeless that they take their own lives.
I am especially fond of her, her words, her movement and empowerment. I am a huge fan of her son Tupac Shakur. Through his music you can hear what she instilled in his mind as a youth. She is very liberated from her past life as a Black Panther activist, former drug addict. From listening to her speech she has a new found hope, spirituality and joy.
Listen to her speech, did she not speak on REALITY!

Lauryn Hill - Reality Education

Lauryn Hill is one of the greatest artist to me. She was able to education my generation. I remember when I was in high school she just released her solo album entitled, 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.'
The album cover design was a very creative piece. It was an old wooden desk with the pencil holder and engraved was her self portrait. Her expression was as if she was seeking a higher understanding of what she had been taught all her life. I know for me it was like she had just realized that she had been miseducated.
The message she delivered in her lyrics was an eye opening REALITY to the black youth at that time. The whole scenario of the album was a black male teacher educating his students allowing them to think for themselves, you know use your brain. Her message was so subliminal that if you weren't listening for it, you still got educated.
Did you listen to the album, if so was it a REALITY check?
Post a comment and let me know what you thought of the album.
Reality of the matter is that every young black woman should own a copy of this album!

Musiq SoulChild Delivers Reality Music

Lyrics play a vital role in the success and longevity of music. A successful songwriter delivers timeless music. I know timeless music when I can clearly remember word for word songs more than a decade old. I remember back in the 90s still in high school when Musiq SoulChild came onto the mainstream music scene. It was the introduction of Neo Soul to my generation. I'll never forget his song, LOVE. The lyrics were so powerful, meaningful and most importantly REAL.

Musiq is a timeless artist who composes his own lyrics. His lyrics offers a glimpse into his personality. My favorite is 'Who Knows' which is a very thought provoking song. One of the verses is as follows -
"know that love is not just something to do
It’s the moment that transcends
Our physical into a more spiritual level of understanding"
from 'Who Knows' written by Musiq SoulChild
Who knows what these lyrics mean, do you? Well leave me a comment on what you think he is trying to say and keep posted for my response to these lyrics.
Musiq SoulChild writes REALITY.

Reality Shows- In or Out?

In this everchanging world people have opened their minds to other alternatives, REALITY. People are more open to what was once shunned. It seems that circumstances and pressing times have caused many to expose themselves more. Many have thrown caution to the wind so to speak. In our new age generation the media has capitalized on our openess by introducing reality shows.

I really enjoy viewing people personal lives and experience because I am a real person so to speak. Many people have different views on reality shows and people exposing their personal lives.

Do you think reality shows are in or out?