Some of you probably don’t recall or never had any books as a child that had black girls as the main characters. Thanks to Marley Dias going around that tough terrain mountain; trailblazing her way to make #1000BlackGirlBooks the main characters in the hearts of black girls and children everywhere, it has changed. I encourage all educators, especially those who work as teachers in black communities to ensure having a selection of books where black girls and children are the main characters. I mean, why not! It is imperative to have healthy representations of black children as the main characters in books where they can make connections to characters that is about them! It is not equivalent if all of the black and brown kids are only reading books about everyone and everything else with them being absent. It is crucial to know the background and culture you educate.
MARLEY DIAS Exceptional black girl magic has graced our society affirming powerful sprinkles of inspiration to the world, one book at a time. Her name is Marley Dias. In fifth grade (2015) she was required to read books like ‘Shiloh,’ 'Old Yeller’ and ‘Where the Red Ferns Grow.’ All of these books were about little white boys with dogs. Marley was starving and thirsting to see images in books where little black girls were the major and not the minor characters. She was not alone. In her proactive efforts to feed her hunger; making black girls as the main character, she launched her campaign for #1000BlackGirlBooks and to her surprise she received an overwhelming support of 11,000 books. Marley Dias fantasticated her love for literacy making history. Some of you probably don’t recall or never had any books as a child that had black girls as the main characters. Thanks to Marley Dias going around that tough terrain mountain; trailblazing her way to make #1000BlackGirlBooks the main characters in the hearts of black girls and children everywhere, it has changed. I encourage all educators, especially those who work as teachers in black communities to ensure having a selection of books where black girls and children are the main characters. I mean, why not! It is imperative to have healthy representations of black children as the main characters in books where they can make connections to characters that is about them! It is not equivalent if all of the black and brown kids are only reading books about everyone and everything else with them being absent. It is crucial to know the background and culture you educate. Marley Dias has the recipe we all need to use. If you don’t like something then change it. She didn’t like reading about white boys and dogs all the time. She wanted to see reflections of herself in story elements so she did something about it. Marley Dias is a Sancti-Fly Mama who has lifted the ban on excluding black girls as the main character and given hope to a culture of diversity inside and outside of the classroom. She was only 10 years old when she started on her mission to make black girls the main characters in books but ain’t no stopping her now. At the compassionate age of 13 this Power-Pretty little mama has written her own book. What is it that you don’t like and want changed?
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DOVES CRY LOVE
Kenya: (happily grinning) He’s the coffee that I need in the morning! I’m his water when he’s stuck in the dessert or at least that is what he tells me. Selena: OMG! Does he really say that? You and Ken are so much in love, it’s sickening (lol). I can’t wait for the wedding in September and our girl’s trip in the morning! Kenya: Yes, he does! He tells me I am the sunshine of his life daily. He is the sweetest. He never changes. He’s my sunshine in the rain when it’s pouring. Oh, how I LOVE that man! LaTina: Well, we shall see in about six weeks. I am truly happy for the two of you Kenya. If your life was a movie, you and Kenneth are definitely the best part. Your love story is the best part of life right about now. I wish I was in love. Kenya: (smiling) Thank you, my wonderful Dove Sisters. When Sylvia finally gets here, we can decide if we are going to stay in and chill or go out to a local spot near by my house. LaTina: Since we have to catch an early flight in the morning for our girl’s trip, I vote to stay in tonight. Selena: Yes, me too! I am feeling a little karaoke coming over me. Of course, we have to wait for Sylvia, or we will never hear the end of her nagging about us voting without her. LaTina: I wanna be in love. As the sun rises in those big brown eyes of yours Kenya, it’s easy to see that Kenneth is the one you desire. You’re glowing girl! Selena: Tina, we have to wait for our turn. It will come. I thought you and Derrick was super serious. Sometimes I wonder if life will take me under. Will I grow old alone? I don’t know. Kenya: Thank you! I stand in agreement believing it will happen for the two of you. It will. It’s just a matter of the right timing. Timing is everything with the creator. Continue living your life to the fullest. LaTina: If I ruled the world, I’d free all my sons. Some men really need to grow up. I really do love Derrick. He’s, my baby. He’s my black diamond and pearl. He doesn’t want to commit. We are on two totally different pages. In a few more years I will be 30. I want marriage and a family. If he could be mine, we’d both shine. Derrick is still living for today in these last days and times. He is not going to change. I have accepted it. Kenya: What about your love life Selena? I think I just heard Sylvia pulling up. Sylvia: (walking in the door) HEY DOVES! Kenya, Selena, LaTina & Sylvia: (They are all united in excitement; hugging and laughing with each other) Sylvia: What are we doing tonight? When is our flight again? Kenya: We were waiting on you to see if you wanted to go out of stay in. Our flight to Atlantic City is an 8 A.M. early flight. Sylvia: Oh, I think we should stay in and relax. We need to catch up on all the extra details with Mr. Kenneth, the love doctor. I’m so happy for you Kenya! Kenya: Speaking of love. Before you walked in Sylvia, I was asking Selena about her love life. Selena: I am 26 and killing it in the dating scene. Nothing serious. Mario would have been the one. Dig if you will the picture of Mario and I engaged in a kiss publicly. Can you guys picture a hot humid day in the sun with sweat covering our bodies? All of a sudden Mario just leaves me standing. I felt so alone. He did me so cold (so cold). I tried to call him the next hour and he flipped the script. He said maybe I was just too demanding. All because I didn’t want to kiss in the heat, but I did do it. I told him maybe he’s just like my father, too bold. He told me I was just like his mother. He said she’s never satisfied. Why did we continue to scream at each other for hours on the phone before I hung up? I am done with him. LaTina: He sounds like he got caught up. He was probably cheating on his girlfriend with you Selena. It doesn’t make sense. I bet when he was outside kissing you, one of his girlfriend’s family members or maybe his girl saw it and he ran away. He was busted! That is what happened. Sylvia: Tina, you of all people would know about men cheating on women when they have a family to care for. LaTina: What is that supposed to mean, Sylvia? Maybe you need space or some time. Your attitude is unpredictable. Sylvia: Just beat it LaTina, okay. Just beat it! Why are you even here? You didn’t grow up with us. LaTina: I am here because Kenya invited me! So, what, I didn’t grow up with you guys. I have invested years of loyal friendship during our high school years and beyond. I am still a Dove Sister. If you’re not happy then you’re free to go on because I don’t want, you to stay around if I make you so miserable Sylvia. I am not going anywhere. If you don’t want to talk to me then don’t talk to me. Go ahead and free yourself if you have to. Sorry, I am not leaving! Sylvia: LaTina you wanna be tough? You better do what you can so beat it, but you want to be bad. Just beat it! LaTina: No, I am not trying to be tough or bad. I have to show you that I’m really not scared of you Sylvia. You can no longer bully me about the past. That stuff is ancient! You’re playing with your life this ain’t no truth or dare. I wish you would let it go. I only wish for peace between us, as sisters. Kenya: (emotional) It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right. Just beat it, Sylvia. Just beat it Tina. Cut it out! This is our time for positive energy, love, laughter and good memories only. I don’t know what happen between your parents. I don’t care. Please stop NOW! Sylvia: (crying) I saw you (and him, and him) walking in the rain. You were holding hands and I’ll never be the same. He was my dad first Tina! It was my mom’s birthday. We went looking for him. My mom missed my dad so much she followed him that day. We saw him with you and your mom. My dad left my mom to be with you and your mom. It wasn’t right; it wasn’t fair. Do you know how many sleepless nights I’ve had? One minute I had my dad. The next minute he leaves us to be with you and your mom. My mom was so upset with my dad. She didn’t know what to do. Her first impulse was to run up on him and do a Rambo; whip out the jammy and flat blast you all. I was only 11 and talked her out of it. LaTina: (crying) I am so sorry Sylvia. I promise you I didn’t know the whole story. I was a kid too! I am innocent. You can’t blame me for this. I didn’t have a father. When your dad started coming around, I felt special. I had a dad. Yes, my mom was absolutely wrong for messing around with a married man. Your dad did the same thing to us. He left us. I didn’t know I would move to the same town and end up going to high school with you. Time and time again, I’ve tried to be your friend. Please forgive me for any pain I have caused. We are grown women now. It was 8 years ago, Sylvia. Can you please love me today and hate me tomorrow. This is supposed to be about Kenya and Kenneth. Put all the bad feelings aside; not for me but for them. Why should we lay in all this sorrow? We have the choice to forgive and be free, Sylvia. Sylvia: (silent, crying) Selena: (crying) This is what it sounds like when doves cry. I am so sorry both of you were caught in the middle of what your parents love triangle. Do you know everything you do has a reaction in kind? What you give is what you get, since the beginning of time. If you hurt someone it’s fair to say sooner or later, it is coming back your way. You can’t play games without risk. What goes up must come down. The things this man did to the both of you is coming back around to him. I think you guys were meant to be in each other's life! Kenya: (crying, hugging) Can we please get a sister Dove group hug? It’s going to be alright! Let healing and forgiveness take place, right now. I am glad you got it out Sylvia. All these years you’ve been holding it in. I knew there was something going on between the two of you. I didn’t know all the facts. I am so sorry you had to go through that. Sylvia: (still crying) You’re right Tina. Thank you for saying what you said. I forgive myself. I forgive you! It wasn’t your fault. I am sorry as well for holding a grudge against you all these years. Sylvia and LaTina begin to hug again, talking in private. Selena: (getting karaoke ready) Let’s sing it out! I’ll go first. You know I’m passing the mic to you guys if I don’t know the lyrics. “Doncha wish your girlfriend was raw like me. Doncha wish your girlfriend was fun like me. Doncha. Doncha.” Okay that is all I know. Your turn Kenya! Kenya: (happy) Okay, we ready! I don’t like the Pussycat Dolls like that. “I’m every woman. It’s all in me. Anything you want done baby, I do it naturally.” Selena: “I ain’t bragging because I’m the one. Just ask me. Oh, and it’s done. And don’t bother to compare. I’ve got it!” Okay why we just skip an entire verse (lol). Come on Tina and Sylvia. We are about to change the song. Get on out here! LaTina: (smiling) I have one. “Ain’t no stopping us now! We’re on the move! Ain’t no stopping us now! We’ve got the groove! There’s been so many things that’s held us down. But now it looks like things are finally coming around. I know we’ve got a long, long way to go. And where we’ll end up, I don’t know. Sylvia: (joyful) “But we won’t let nothing hold us back. We’re putting ourselves together. We’re polishing up our acts. If you’ve felt we’ve been held down before. I know you refuse to be held down anymore!” Kenya: (enjoying the moment) Don’t you let nothing, nothing. Stand in your way! Selena: I want ya’ll to listen, listen. To every word I say, every word I say. LaTina, Sylvia, Kenya & Selena: (jamming on the mic; good vibes, good times) “Ain’t no stopping us now! We’re on the move. Lyrical Storytelling is fictional storytelling using musical lyrics to help tell a story. Some of the lyrics are: H.E.R, NAS, Prince, Fantasia, Michael Jackson, Oran "Juice" Jones, Zhane, Pussycat Dolls, Whitney, McFadden & Whitehead. Can you find the lyrics in the text? What would your Lyrical Storytelling be if you told one? What artist music would you use? Try it! :0) Below are my Sancti-Fly Tweets of the week. I cruise around Twitter sometimes and shine a light on some random tweets I think are really significant or funny.
RawStory Jul 4 This family had 911 called on them because a Subway employee thought they were going to rob her. Trending recently on Twitter was #LivingWhileBlack. This first tweet is from RawStory. I have combined a few stories from this particular trend. The Dobson family was traveling back from their grandmother’s birthday party in South Georgia to their hometown in North Carolina when they stopped at a little town known as Coweta County in Georgia to get some Subway for dinner. The employee at Subway felt threatened by their appearance or skin color. In light of the 7 Dobson family members entering Subway and going to the washroom, she feared for her life and thought they were all going to rob her! The police was called after the 911 call. The officer was very nice. He met the debonair family and apologized. The owner of the Subway also apologized. The Dobson family thought the employee should be fired for racially profiling them. The Appeal Jul 1 A white woman called the police on Reggie Fields, a black 12-year-old, for mowing the lawn in Maple Heights, Ohio. I was really looking for positive stories on Twitter this week. This situation ended up being very positive for Mr. Reggie Fields. A woman called the police on him for accidentally mowing her lawn. When people heard about this ridiculous incident, Mr. Reggie’s sales and clientele increased. As a 12 year old entrepreneur, he is making a great name for himself and helping his younger family members in his business. The Appeal Jul 4 Janelle Bynum, a black Oregon state representative, was canvassing alone in a neighborhood she represents when a woman thought she looked suspicious and called the police. Maybe Ms Bynum should have had more people with her for safety reasons. I am not saying this is acceptable. We are living in crazy times. Kendra Desrosiers Jul 2 Kendra Desrosiers Retweeted The Root Serena Williams has been drug tested more than all the top five American male athletes and 2x more than top American female athletes this year. In some cases, she’s tested twice in a week. Some of her peers haven’t been tested at all. Kendra retweeted this tweet from The Root (off of their page). While Serena Williams is living while being a black woman she is tested more for drugs than her male counterparts and other women. I am not surprised by this (I STAY WOKE). She still represents greatness! They can’t take that away from her. Of course, if this is happening it is not right! Tamika D. Mallory Jul 5 I joined 200 black women leaders in singing this letter to @SenSchumer & @NancyPelosi expressing our indignation & disappointment at their failure to support @RepMaxineWaters. Tamika D. Mallory tweeted about the Democratic Party not fully supporting Maxine Waters. Maxine Waters encouraged her supporters and anyone who would listen to protest against President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members publicly. I don’t agree with harassing anyone. I do agree with peaceful protest. What if members of your own party disagree? It happens! I could care less what party you belong to. I don’t think it benefits either party to go around harassing folks in public. Vote them out! Flo McAfee Jul 4 Letters from black women leaders (attached) and white women leaders (link) were sent to @chuckschumer & @NancyPelosi expressing their disappointment in them for not defending the unnecessary attacks against @RepMaxineWaters by the GOP & Trump admin. Flo McAfee promotes her voice on the issue as well. This is the actual letter that was written on Maxine Waters behalf in support of her for not receiving support from Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. There are so many other important battles going on in this world. I am just saying! REALLY! NowThis Jul 3 The Trump administration is forcing children as young as toddlers to represent themselves in immigration courts. NowThis tweets about the Trump administration making immigrant children prepare for court without representation. I hope this is not true. The video has actors playing the role of the actual events that takes place. There is nothing righteous about this! I understand it is not right for immigrants to come over here illegally. There has to be another solution to this problem. I hope this is not true! Jon Cooper Jul 5 A former wrestler who has come forward to report sexual abuse by an Ohio State University doctor says GOP Rep. Jim Jordan witnessed the doctor commit “lewd acts” while showering w/ athletes when the lawmaker served as the school’s assistant wrestling coach. Allegedly, Jim Jordan is running for office and is being accused of covering up sexual abuse by students at Ohio State University when he was the assistant coach for the wrestling team. The accusers have said he was a witness and did nothing. What do you think about this? It appears there is so much abuse going on with teachers and coaches. We want our kids to be safe. Check on your kids. Ask them questions. Make sure you go to their games. Talk to their coaches and teachers. All coaches and teachers are not predators but you should be able to discern if something is not right. Joh Cooper isn’t the only one talking about this on Twitter. I have a few more tweets. Chris Hayes "Yetts had protested to Jordan and head coach Russ Hellickson after Strauss tried to pull down his wrestling shorts when Yetts went to see him for a thumb injury." This tweet by Chris Hayes states that one of the victims informed the coaches about the doctor trying to pull down his pants. Please try your best to investigate when you are told about this kind of abuse. No one wants folks to be falsely accused (it does happen) but we should not hesitate to look in to the matter. Dr. Dena Grayson WHOA A 4th #OSU wrestler (Shawn Dailey) contradicts Rep @Jim_Jordan's LIE of having "no idea" that the team doctor was MOLESTING athletes. Dailey is a #Republican: "To say that he had no knowledge of it, I would say that’s kind of hurtful.” It does not matter if they are Republican, Democrat or whatever. It is wrong to molest children; young adults, kids. We should be united on THAT! Parents please start paying more attention to your kids; their teachers and coaches. Talk to them. When was the last time you sat down and had a talk with them? What’s on their minds? Do you know? If they are away at school check on them. Institutions, universities and all schools have to do better. Don’t take for granted that it could not possibly happen at your school. Open your eyes…guys! Check I wonder how they're going to spend all of that Black Panther thunder that made 700 million at the box office. Well, money isn’t everything but it is very beneficial when someone you love disappears and the theme of your family is titled as weird. Abuse and greed does not discriminate. As a matter of fact it’s in full effect from Nigeria to Europe; gormandizing in sick traffic. I am thankful for Power-Pretty Mamas who make the world better! Please pay close attention to these very interesting mentions. BLACK PANTHER MONEY The success of Black Panther has inspired Disney (owner Marvel Studios) to donate quite a lot of money to the curriculum of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). I am pleased to know Chicago is one of the states included in receiving some of the grant money. Disney's million dollar donation motivates children in underprivileged communities at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (and everywhere) to explore more opportunities with STEM. If kids are exposed to the information, they can envision themselves being and doing it! I certainly welcome the investment! Kudos to you Disney! TIMOTHY CUNNINGHAM DISAPPEARED Can you image waking up and finding out someone in your family is missing with no trace of where he/she might be? Timothy Cunningham's parents and family are exactly in this chapter of their lives. Timothy Cunningham went missing almost a month ago on February 12, 2018. The Atlanta police said his dog, and lots of his personal belongings were left at his home. There are plenty of theories and conspiracies concerning Cunningham’s unexpected departure. He was employed by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and left early from work that day stating he was feeling ill. As an epidemiologist, Cunningham is an asset to his Atlanta community and the CDC, as investigator of diseases and human injury. Timothy Cunningham has an innumerable amount of love poured into searching for him; family, friends, strangers and the police are petitioning awareness on his behalf. The family has teamed up with the Atlantic Crime Stoppers for instructive tips leading to some of their unanswered questions in hopes of finding him and finding out what happened to Cunningham. There is a 10,000 reward. If you know anything please contact the Atlanta Police Department at 404-577 Tips. If you have loved ones; children or parents who live alone please be mindful to check up on them from time to time. When someone is constantly on your mind it’s a good sign to give them a call. NIGERIA TO EUROPE Africa is a voyage I plan on visiting one day. I also desire to visit Italy. I can’t conceive being smuggled illegally into either of those countries. I want to go but not in those kind of conditions. In Edo State, Nigeria there are so many people who desire to have a better life other than what they currently have. They willingly allow themselves to travel on a dangerous route from Nigeria to Libya, and then hopefully to Europe. As noted in CNN, Edo State is renowned for trafficking immigrants. During their pilgrimage some Nigerians don’t make it to Europe because they are deceived and told to pay more money when they reach Libya. When they don’t pay they are sold into slavery; treated with the highest arrangement of inhumane behavior. This kind of ugliness is in every country; greed and money! The smugglers even have a VIP travel package for those who can afford it. This includes contraceptives just in case the women are sexually abused; which happens often but they don’t care, they risk it all unpleasantly, to travel to Europe. Most Americans are clueless to these international issues; however, individuals from other countries are way too familiar with illegal trafficking in their countries. What do you think about this? POWER-PRETTY MAMAS
In the beginning God created Sancti-Fly Women with Power-Pretty Mamas to continue on the menu. Sancti-Fly Mamas always represent for Women's History Month. If these two beauties look familiar, they most likely graced your view on SFM last year when I did a tribute to various women for Women's History Month. I purposely chose to honor ordinary women doing extraordinary things. This year I will be adding Power-Pretty Mamas to Women's History Month. It all came about when I was on Instagram and Gina (lady with microphone) said she always get compliments on how she looks. She appreciates all nice gestures but she also articulated how she wanted people to pay attention and know she is a wife with five children; has her own business, cooks dinner daily and works a 9-5 job. The second young lady (Ms. K) has the quality of a confidence builder; business savvy and always on her grind. She had a very pretty picture and I commented on it; stating her photo was a power-pretty picture. I thought about both of these ladies and came up with a combination of Power-Pretty Mamas. Power-Pretty has absolutely nothing to do with the looks of a woman. Colorism, sexism, and racism are all ineffective on Power-Pretty Mamas. They remain soaked in focus to build and create what they were purposed to do! It really has everything to do with the strength they empower. It is such a beautiful thing! I will be highlighting known and unknown Power-Pretty Mamas this month. Will it be you? Thank you to Queen K and Queen G for being my inspiration for Power-Pretty Mamas. July gives us 31 personalized ways to embrace hot and spicy love days (birthdays). The month of July is totally Sancti-Fly with amazing engagements for summer collaborations; family reunions, farmer markets, cookouts and the remembrance of American Independence. I get overly united in Sancti-Fly excitement when I am able to honor my family and friends who rock harder than the wind for their July birthdays. The explicitness of adornment I have for celebrating birthdays is rather extreme! In light of being surrounded by so much love in the shade or the sun, check out all the doubles (July 9, July 10, July 21, July 22, July 23, and July 26) I have this month. I almost ran out of breath saying all of that! Whoa! I have to let you know about my 7 in a row (July 20-July 26). Bam! I am appreciative for all the birthdays I can show Sancti-Fly Love to: July 2, July 3, July 9, July 10, July 12, July 16, July 20, July 21, July 22, July 23, July 24 July 25, July 26, July 30 and July 3. There is a foison of birthday love to pray over for the month of July. I counted 24 darn birthdays. Wow! Smiles! If your birthday is in July, I celebrate you too!
I challenge you to start praying for your family, friends and loved ones on their birthdays, not just any prayer. Say a special JULY birthday prayer. You know they need it! Never stop the presents and special surprises from flowing. Please keep those plans in existence! Prayer is also an important gift! I enjoy special celebrations. Start with the basics; pray for their health and strength, protection for them and their families, also their spiritual maturity. Happy birthday to all the SPECIAL Sancti-Fly JULY Mamas and Papas + youngsters! May the goodness and blessings of God chase the July birthdays all the way throughout the New Year! Something SANCTI-FLY is going to happen to the people in July. July looks like miracles and favor on YOU! HEALTH AND STRENGTH Thank you Lord for the opportunity to show your light and love for these July birthdays. May the wind of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) blow on your children born in the month of July. Let your spirit and presence of health and strength take precedence over all ills and unhealthy routines. Thank you for giving these men, women and children the activities of their limbs, daily. Let your spirit of healing manifest itself in the lives of these July birthdays; in their blood and in their joints for good health reports. Let your healing flood throughout their veins as your anointed stain; covering them as they sleep and when they wake. If their might isn’t right Lord, increase their strength as you renew their minds against faint. May the individuals who are celebrating their love day be free in your strength Lord. Break every yolk Lord and loose every chain for self-love and self-care to take place in the lives of these July celebrants. I declare it in abundance over their lives (self-love and self-care). So shall those who are standing in the way of their breakthroughs be removed! PROTECTION Let all of their enemies' plans be unsuccessful and consumed by you Lord. Thank you for watching over these birthday plans whether they are celebrating alone or in groups. Arise God and let their enemies be scattered on their special day and always. Let those who hate them flee before them. As smoke is driven away, drive away all negative forms of energy from them on their special day. They shall have peace! Let any and all wicked swords enter their own hearts and the bows they have for the JULY birthdays be broken; die in Yeshua name. Thank you Lord for your protection covenant for the July birthdays. Let all evil spirits be cast down; destroyed with a double destruction. Let them know you are with them as their shield; blessing them through their RIVERS and their FIRE walks. These July birthday delights shall dwell in safety! Slay the thoughts before the weapons even try to form for these JULY birthdays! SPIRITUAL MATURITY God be merciful unto all of the July birthdays; bless them according to their individual needs and cause your face to shine upon them right NOW! So shall they be full of hunger to seek your truth. Let their hope be only in you father God and not in man. Never shall they cease from yielding the fruit you predestined them to engineer in their purpose. Give these July birthdays a mind to thirst for your righteousness so they can be strongly seasoned to produce their cause in their spiritual gifts; filled with the riches of sacrifice and a made-up mind. So shall the word of God abide in each of their hearts to fight in the endurance they were made of. For he who promised is faithful; the builder (God) and the maker (God). Prayer is a BEAUTIFUL birthday gift to give to those loved ones who were born in the month of JULY! To all the intercessors who are always on the other end of my prayers, thank you! Thank you very much! Elijah McCoy Canadian-American is the nationality of Elijah McCoy. Incidentally he is also an African American man. Mr. McCoy is renowned for his 57 inventions during the 19th century. He was a patrician of mechanical engineering; giving the world the luciferous wisdom it needed to lubricate steamed engines; trains and ships. McCoy razzle-dazzled the industry making an automatic lubricator for oiling engines. He worked on his craft and designed it better, one patent at a time. Yes, I said 57 patents graced the stardust of his ingenuity. This was a big deal back in his time. All 50 of his patents originated from lubrication. McCoy also had patents on a lawn sprinkler and a folding ironing board. Although Elijah McCoy was born a free man in Canada, his parents (George and Mildred) were fugitive slaves from Kentucky and benefited from the Underground Railroad in hopes of instauration; a new life in Ontario Canada. “The Real McCoy” is the terminology given to Elijah McCoy in light of so many other lubricant patents being on the market. McCoy’s oil-drip cup invention was superlative and in high demand so if there was a request for it, folks would say they wanted the real thing, the real McCoy! So when you are driving in your car and a train comes, please don’t think you are stuck by a train. Instead, look at those railroad trains and remember it was McCoy’s invention that helped them to run faster and better. Elijah McCoy’s legacy proves to black children and to all people that no matter how hard your beginning is, you can have a palmy middle and ending. His father was a farmer and his mother gave birth to 12 children. It inspires all of us to know we can be the antithesis of a maladroit group of people that some wish to attenuate black history with. Elijah McCoy attended a segregated school in Colchester Township in Canada. When he turned 15 he was blessed to attend Edinburg, Scotland for a chance to study mechanical engineering. This was the beginning of the benevolence McCoy would give to the world. He went from being an oiler to an inventor. There is the possibility that your children can and WILL do heartsome things; leaving their mark in this world. You don’t know who your children will be one day so please share African American History with them so they can see themselves in Elijah McCoy. The connoisseur of good black music will never end. This week will conclude my admiration to Black Music Month. I hope your spirit enjoyed all those gospel lyrics. I know I took you back down memory lane with old school House music. I wanted to feature a local Chicago artist for this last week. Derrick Robin Sampson is a Sancti-Fly Papa songwriter who has been on the music scene for over 20 years. Robin used to be in the background producing and arranging dope beats for other artist in the Chicago metropolitan land area. He still does! He recently started producing his own music for himself. He produced his own album. I named his album ‘Good Love Music’ because that is exactly what you inhale when you hear his melodic, peaceful voice and tunes. I sat down with Robin to ask him a few question about his musical journey. SFM: What inspired you to produce the Sancti-Fly Music you've loosed into the world? ROBIN: What inspired me to produce music and what has always inspired me is, I love music! I love creating stories through my music. SFM: Finish this statement. The look and likes of beauty... ROBIN: The looks and likes of beauty is being creative! SFM: If God gave you the power to change one thing in this world for one day (24hrs), what would you use your power for and why? ROBIN: Wow that is a great question. If God granted me the power to change one thing in this world for one day I would use love because love gives us compassion for life. We really need it! SFM: What message would you like to share with other inspiring artist regarding your musical journey? ROBIN: I would tell them never to give up on their dreams. Believe in yourself when no one else sees your vision. SFM: Are there any upcoming events for Derrick Robin Sampson you wish to overshare? ROBIN: I don’t have any upcoming events currently. I am working on some in the near future so please check back with me. SFM: I sure will. Thank you for your time and for sharing your love and light with SFM! ROBIN (CHANCE) Listen to Chance by Robin. The beautiful thing about music is how it connects us all together. Robin's music certainly has that element. It doesn't care what your religion is, who your parents are, what nationality you claim or where you live. It actually reminds us we are all human. We love humanly and we groove to the best tunes humanly. I named Derrick Robin Sampson's music 'Good Love Music' because it is positive energy covered in love. His music makes ways for you to have good days when you listen to it. DANIEL CAESAR (BEST PART)
I also wanted to add this song for the final week of Black Music Month. Have you ever been in your car and heard a song that you instantly LOVED on the radio; not just liked, but loved? Well this happened to me with this song. I was trying my best to find out who the heck the artist was (Daniel Caesar Featuring H.E.R) when I heard it. This song is filled to the brim with so much love. The Sister Circle Girlfriend Chats is a fictitious online radio show hosted by 5 women who happen to be girlfriends. It is a platform where women come together to support each other during human issues they have in life. They laugh, they cry and they get real girlfriend solutions if they choose to take heed. Sometimes they don't take heed. The sisters sit in a circle each week and talk about the issues they want to discuss. They allow callers to call into their show to share their feelings, concerns or comments. Nothing is off limits! The continuation from the last show (January 2018) begins as Valeria, Constance, Kayla, Trisha, Iona and Dr. Toussaint allow callers to call the show regarding Dr. Toussaint’s ideology that black women and their poor choices with men are destroying the black community.
Valeria: Okay we are back from a short break. We have one of our very favorites as our first caller. Hello Mr. Zalvaski! You are very welcome to chat with us. Iona: Hey Mr. Zalvaski! Where have you been? Mr. Zalvaski: Hello ladies! I try calling in all the time Iona. Today was a successful day for me. I was able to get through the lines. I think this is a very uncomfortable conversation that we must have. I won’t give away my age but I grew up around the time of 1935. I have to say, I agree with a little bit of what all you fine folks have said. I am a Polish American man. I lived through the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Welfare was instituted after the Great Depression to help Americans get back on their feet. It was terrible. It really isn’t about race, it’s about class. Public assistance is for the poor and needy. If people need help we are supposed to help them! I was raised to help my fellow Americans if they need food, shelter and clothing! Now, if people want to take advantage of it, I don’t agree with that. I agree with Dr. Toussaint when he mentioned how God gives each and every one of us unique gifts and talents to help us better ourselves. If you don’t use the God-given talents you were blessed with, you might lose it. You might feel like you are stuck but you are not. You have to believe in your abilities. You have to take another chance, then another! Dr. Toussaint: Thank you very much for your comment Mr. Zalvaski. I wanted to know if you had something to say about black women and their dependence on public assistance. I kind of want to stick to the topic. Mr. Zalvaski: Sure well, I might not be able to give a lot of insight on black women and public assistance. I think I am a bit sheltered and secluded from that topic specifically. Most of the families I know who benefited from welfare the most are white and were white folks. I have lived side by side with black families and none of them are on welfare. I try to comment on what I know Dr. Toussaint. I do understand that a lot of folks want to comment so thank you ladies for allowing me this time. Good day sir! Iona: Thanks Mr. Zalvaski! You are always welcome to express yourself in how ever way you want to. I don’t think your comment was off topic considering your life experience. I bet your comment helped someone. Okay, our next caller is Marjorie. Marjorie you are very welcome to chat. Marjorie: I have two things to add. Number one, I agree 100% with Dr. Toussaint and Mr. Zalvaski. I can only go by my own experience because I do not wish to comment otherwise. I was married and my husband passed away unexpectedly. I was left with four children to raise alone. I was instantly a single mother. I was devastated. My husband was the breadwinner. I worked in education. My schedule was perfect because when my kids at my school got out I was able to pick up my own kids from their school. The insurance money played a major role in us being able to live in our home comfortably. I was able to pay all of the bills and put aside money for our children’s college education. I was a little short with money for food so I had to apply for public assistance to feed my family. I stayed on public assistance for about 3 years. I don’t understand how some people can endure it longer than that. Some of the people in those places often mistreat the recipients but that is another topic. I started tutoring a few students at my school and that turned into a business. I own my own tutoring company and I employ about 20 other people. I used the gifts and talents God blessed me with to help others and myself. I needed the service but I did not stay on it. I wanted better for my life and my kids. I sacrifice my time and talents and it paid off big time. Yes, I believed in myself. Trisha: That is an awesome, amazing story. You are an inspiration! Thank you Marjorie for calling in. Marjorie: I do understand we are pressed for time but I also wanted to add how I employed two of the women who were on welfare for years. They were very bright ladies. They work for me now and they are getting their degrees in education. The other thing I wanted to add was concerning Dr. Toussaint. I really felt that you were a little undiplomatic to Mr. Zalvaski. Please watch yourself. Dr. Toussaint: Now, that is what I am talking about. How did that come about; you employing the two young ladies that were on public assistance? I do agree with you about Mr. Zalvaski and will do better. Marjorie: I was tutoring their daughters at my school and working on an exit plan to get my own thing together. I am very sociable so I would try to have a little gathering at the school to encourage the parents to get more involved with their children academically. I met them at one of our gatherings and got to know their situations. Ironically these two women were drowning in their own pain. They were having babies with relentless men and lived unstable lives. I saw something in them. They wanted something better. I pushed them into the greatness that was already there. (Pauses)…Sorry, I get so emotional when I talk about this. One thing led to the next and here we are. Valeria: We wish you much success! Okay time is ticking and we have so many callers who want to comment. Next up is Douglas. Hey Douglas. You are very welcome to chat, my brother! Douglas: Thank you very much. I will keep my comment short and sweet. I agree with Kayla. I think Iona was very unprofessional to state that Kayla could not comment because she is a white woman. Whether you like it or not, everyone is entitled to comment. It is their opinion. Iona you really need to apologize for dissing her on the air like that. Kayla: Thanks Douglas for your support and comment! We have another caller. I hope I am pronouncing your name right. Is it Yeeki or it is Yeki. Okay, Thanks Constance. Yeki you are welcome to chat. Yeki: Yes, hello sisters! I am from Nigeria. I don’t understand some of these American women. In my country we don’t allow this. It is very rare to find a woman without her husband. We believe in marriage first. I agree with Valeria. I don’t understand how or why an American black woman will continue to allow herself to be used and abused by men and dependent on a welfare system that keeps her lowly. Sisters, you have the power to rise! Trisha: Thank you so much for your comment Yeki. We have a Robert patiently waiting to speak. You are welcome to chat Robert. Robert: I agree with Dr. Toussaint. I have a cousin who does exactly what he talked about. She wasn’t raised to depend on public assistance. All of my aunts, sisters and other female family members do not agree with her lifestyle. It’s not like she hasn’t had the best examples. We try to help her get jobs and to better her environment but she will NOT take our help. She has 5 kids by five different men. She is only twenty-six. None of the men are in their life. It’s disgusting and it hurts us as a family. Some people like what they do. Some people don’t want any help. Dr. Toussaint: It sounds like she is depressed. Is she abusing some type of drug? Robert: Nope. People always ask that. Well, not to my knowledge. I believe she got hooked up with the wrong group of people. There are certain black women who bring their own communities down with their choices and behavior. It may not be you but it is out there. Dr. Toussaint is right. My cousin is very smart. She can draw her but off. She loves her lifestyle. Iona: Well if she is depressed that is the reason why she is acting out. We really don’t know but we have another caller. Justine: Hello my name is Justine. I am fifteen. My mom needs help. I was wondering if Dr. Toussaint can help me…well my family. My mom is on public assistance. She has a lot of issues. I believe she wants to do better but she needs some kind of help. I am the oldest of three other kids. I believe in a lot of what Dr. Toussaint has said because I live it every day and I am tired of it. Dr. Toussaint: Justine, please don’t say anything else on the air. I am going to call you after the show and see what I can do. I am certain to get you some help. Don’t hang up. Valeria: Yes, don’t hang up sweetheart! We are going to help you. Please hold on for a few seconds and we will get all of your information. Justine: (Crying nervously) Okay…okay! Thank you all so much! Constance: You never know what can happen and what kind of callers we will encounter on this show. Kayla thank you so much for taking down his information and using your expertise to further assistance Justine. We have another caller. China Doll, you are very welcome to chat. China Doll: I just want to say that as a black woman, we represent and work hard. Not all of us are on public assistance. Not all of us depend on a MAN! We work with our men to build with them and to help them grow higher if we have them in our life! We represent a wealth of women who are not dependent on a system that was not created for us. We are independent women; independently driven to make a difference in our communities. We do it every day! Thanks! Iona: Right on sister soldier! I feel her! We have to keep this passion going. BJ you are up. You are very welcome to chat BJ. BJ: I feel very welcome when you say it like that Iona. I just want to co-sign on what the last caller said. I believe her name was China Doll. It is very important on a platform like this, that we emphasize the relevance of black women who are shaping their communities and lives in a positive way. Black women represent very well. I understand Dr. Toussaint stance on those black women who choose not to use their gift and talents to live in their purpose. Iona: Is it me or was BJ getting his flirt on with me. Thanks for calling in BJ. Tony you are very welcome to chat, my brother! Tony: I know the topic is about black women and the bad choices they make. I really enjoyed listening to the woman who called earlier. She was able to not only build her business but she also pulled two other ladies up with her. Maybe this is something you can start doing Dr. Toussaint. You talk a lot about these women but to me you haven’t giving a lot of solutions other than them using their God-given talents. That is not good enough. What are you doing? What have you done? Dr. Toussaint: Thank you for your comment Tony. I am working on solutions that would help these particular women understand how they have the power to change their own lives. Kayla: We have to keep it moving as we only have about 45 minutes left in our show. Hello Nicholas, you are very welcome to chat. Nicholas: Dr. Toussaint might be on to something. I know a lot of females black and white who fit his description. All they want to do is party and have babies by men who are no good for them. The areas they live in are infested with high crime, drugs and domestic violence. As someone said earlier, some folks don’t want help. Valeria: Thank you Nicholas. Musa you’re up next. You are very welcome to chat. Musa: All I know is those type of black women are good for business. Hey, they’re not the only people in America who use and abuse the system. What about corporate welfare. What about criminal welfare and spiritual welfare. I pray it never stops. They keep my pockets fat; in the clubs and on these streets. Peace! Iona: Well, Musa is a big time narcotics dealer. I bet that is not even his real name. Lord have mercy! Charisa you’re up next. You are welcome to chat! Charisa: I just want to say to any of the black women who are listening to this show that you are somebody. I was a young girl who lived off of welfare for years. My grandmother was on it, my aunts and mom was on it so I joined the club. I had 3 kids before I was 21. I am now 31. I changed the history of my bloodline and you can do it to. If you are hurting and want to move forward with a new life please give me a call. I am part of an organization that works to help reform you. I will leave my number with one of the sisters off air. Thank you. Trisha: I really like the fact that we have a wide audience of callers who are being part of the solution. This is what it is all about. Thanks guys! Lerone you are very welcome to chat with us. Lerone: I was calling in to commend all those callers who are offering assistance to the listeners which is more than Dr. Toussaint has done. He seems to be all talk and no solutions. Iona: I can’t say I disagree but our next caller is Erica. You are very welcome to chat Erica. Erica: I have to say I disagree with the folks who insist on saying that people don’t want to get help and like what they are doing. That makes no sense! If these individual black women have mental issues or deep depression they are not in their right judgment to say that they don’t need your help. They don’t know what they need. I understand you can’t make a person do anything but this does not mean give up on them! Dr. Toussaint: No…no…no! We will never give up on them Erica! Kayla: Thank you for your comment Erica. Zyiar is on the line. You are welcome to chat with us. Zyiar: I agree with Valeria. If you continue doing something stupid like having babies by men who don’t love you enough to help you raise your kids you deserve what you get. Black women who allow this get what they put out into the world. It is their own fault! Valeria: I don’t agree with all of that Zyiar. You seem rather young but you are entitled to your opinion. Tremesa you are welcome to chat. Tremesa: It is not about giving up on black women. This is about those black women who make their communities hard to live in by continuing a bad pattern. It is about them taking responsibility for their own actions. It is about them growing up. Earlier a young boy name Justine was breaking down crying because of his mother’s trifling lifestyle. I hope they are listening to this show because they need to do better. Trisha: Thanks Tremesa for commenting. We have another caller Mr. Lord. You are very welcome to chat with us. Lord: It is Lord not Mr. Lord, just Lord please and thank you. I just want to say that our black women are hurting. They are the most disrespected and neglected group of women in America. Dr. Toussaint is doing nothing but trying to bring them down. Dr. Toussaint is exploiting them not helping them. America has way too much dirty laundry than a few black women hooked on a welfare system that they purposely created to enslave the black woman. Iona: Well, Dr. Toussaint says he does not want to comment behind Lord. We have all of our lines overheating. Kendra you are up girl. You are welcome to chat. Kemaa is going to call in next watch. I know my callers. Kendra: What’s up Iona and hello to all of the sisters. I don’t agree with Dr. Toussaint. I think your focus is way off. I believe we live in a rich country. America has money. America is not going to crash because a few black women are doing what they have been trained to do; abuse and destroy. Iona: Thank you Kendra. Kemaa is on the line. You know they are twins right? Kemaa go soft on us. You are welcome to chat. Kemaa: We are becoming the land of liberty in mass shootings. We kill, still and destroy lives with mass shooting yet Dr. Toussaint is concerned about a small percent of black women who are dependent on public assistance. What kind of legislation do you propose to help fix a welfare system? The poor and needy will always be with us. Boy Bye! I don’t agree with you! Valeria: Thank you Kemaa. We have Mya on the line. You are very welcome to chat Mya. Mya: I hope a change can come where we as a society can help people instead of harming people and belittling people. I think everyone’s voice should be respected. Iona: Thank you Mya! We only have a few minutes left. You are welcome to chat Annatelya. Your name is so pretty. Annatelya: I agree with Valeria! Iona I do not like what you said to Kayla either. Kayla: Thanks for your comment. Please call again Annatelya! We have a Romeo. You are very welcome to chat. Romeo: Some of you are so full of contradiction. If Iona feels that Kayla has no background knowledge to comment on black women then that is her choice to say. If we are going to respect one another’s opinion, let’s do it then. I think a human being is able to comment on any topic and give their opinion. If you agree or disagree, let’s agree to do that respectfully. As a people and as a country, we all need to get our stuff together. Constance: Thank you Romeo. We have to keep it moving as we only have a few minutes. Some folks may not be able to comment. Sorry guys. This topic has a huge audience. Lil Mama you are up. You are welcome to chat after Donald. Go ahead Donald. Donald: What was that last caller talking about? Can we please stay on the topic? I think those black women who are using and abusing welfare are making their communities go down. I agree with Dr. Toussaint. They really need to wake up! Lil Mama: I want to let the audience know that I was on public assistance for five years. I had two kids at the time but I was also in a program that was helping me pay for my education. I agree with Dr. Toussaint. I did want to have a healthier life for me and my kids. I had a lot of support and plenty of prayer. I made a mistake of having babies by two men who didn’t care less about me. I didn’t love myself. Now I adore me. Thank you. Trisha: Thanks you Lil Mama and Donald. We will continue to try to take as many calls as we can. Barry will be up next and then following him will be Sushae. You both are welcome to chat. Barry: You know what, out of all of the callers and comments Lil Mama hit a homerun to me. She said she had a lot of support and a lot or prayer surrounding her. That is my comment! Sushae: Hello…am I on the air? Oh, okay, well my comment is that I do not agree with Dr. Toussaint. There is more things in the world to fight against than black women on welfare. I also would like to say to Iona that Kayla or anyone else has the right to their opinion whether you agree to it or not. You let your personal feelings make you look very foolish. Kayla: Thank you to Barry and Sushae. Up next we have Carolyn and Tnukema on the lines. You are very welcome to chat with us. Please make it quick as we are going off the ear in a few more minutes. Carolyn: I think supporting all of our young women who feel that they are stuck on a system that gets them nowhere is the key. Prayer can never hurt either. I would like to offer my social services to any young women who want my help. I will leave my number with one of the sisters off the air as well. Thank you. Tnukema: I am thankful for this platform. I agree with Dr. Toussaint but most importantly I understand it is not hard to leave a lifestyle you have succumbed to all of your life. I pray that individuals who need help will receive it and those with solutions will step up more. Thank you. Constance, Iona, Valeria, Trisha, Kayla: That wraps up our Circle. Please join us next week (April 2018) for our next Sister Circle Girlfriend Chats! Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in all of the characters and the advice is not real. It is fiction. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
The lengthening of some people’s ignorance is fully disturbing. A saporific garment of graceful diplomacy is an attainable goal for all people (believers) who wish to work on being more wholesome with their tongues; grammar, speech. I understand bad habits. I realize we are not perfect; however, bulling, profanity and violating a person’s trust only begets division. It is in our best interest to be stewards reigning in a tree of life; healing spirits not breaking spirits. Enlighten your summer horizons just a little bit more. Take some time to relax! Watch a groovy Sancti-Fly movie. You HAVE to watch these 7 movies before the summer turns into fall. Well, you can watch them in the fall but I encourage you to watch these movies while taking in the summer breeze. You will not regret it. Overboard is such a great twist of magical love. I was told this was a rendition from another movie. This was all new to me. You will absolutely love this movie. You never know where you might find love or find it again! You have to see this movie! You will recommend it to others. Now & Forever is the BEST love story ever! Do you hear me! EVER! You will certainly appreciate your love even more after watching this story. You will feel so good and a little sad at times. It will be a good kind of sad. True love never ends! Power and grace = Lena Waithe! The Chi is definitely relevant as it illustrates a different perspective of the South Side of Chicago. You will not be disappointed. None of us are perfect we are human and we can all learn from each other. You have to check this drama out! The Chicago Way is a documentary by Mr. Washington. In it, he explores all the inner city corruption, violence and the folks who are inspired to change the narrative of their streets in Chicago. Mr. Washington also has a YouTube channel that he host daily called My Life In The Chi. I just want to say how all the positive things he does gets hardly any views but the wretchedness gets all the views. I surmise there are a lot of us who love violence. SMH! Writer and director Lawrence Lee Wallace does it again. He is so Sancti-Fly! Mr. Wallace has everybody wanting a piece of David in this movie! Pieces of David is like a dateline comedy with a Deep Production win-win spin. I love all of his movies. You will too once you taste a little bit of it. Don’t you dare watch it alone! Hana’s Suitcase is more of a documentary about a little girl name Hana and her family during the Holocaust. The pain and inhumane treatment they endured in the Auschwitz concentration camps; the survivors and those who did not survive. The suitcase is very significant but you will have to watch it to find out. It is such a sad moment in history. It teaches us how to be better towards each other and appreciate everything in life. You and your entire family need to see this movie. You know I have to say it! Yes, WAKANDA FOREVER! If you have not seen this movie, shame on you! This movie did quite well. A lot of folks have purchased this movie since it came out on DVD in May. Now they can watch it as many times as they desire; kind of how we all did when the movie first came out. I know you saw it more than once! Me too! Black Panther was a funny exploratory family movie.
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