Seek Help - 16th Edition

I can't believe it's already almost the end of August (I wrote this in July)!! I celebrated Juneteenth 2 with some friends on the Avi8ted Holdings, Inc Rooftop and got to see the city show off!! We got a 365 Firework display as neighborhood competed to outdo each other with their displays. As a friend said that night, "there's a lot of money in the air" cause there were not little sparklers. It was perfect for my inner local child. I also had year 2 of the Higher Conference which I could call a major success even though Peerspace tried to play with us with a TERRIBLE rental but thankfully American Express had my back!!

I also recently went to The Hue Society Wine & Culture Fest on the recommendation of my favorite wine loving friend (Tiffany of Avec Amour Tiffany) and had a great time!! I'm definitely going to be paying attention to what they are doing next!!

I've been in Massachusetts for almost a month now in my happy place - Martha's Vineyard. It was everything I needed to reset and recharge. I was feeling a bit out of sorts before I arrived. Off center without totally being sure why but I think that's what happens each year. I come cup empty and slowly fill myself back up. So I'm getting ready to come back swinging and hit the ground running!! One of the things I'll be working hard on is a new Real Estate deal we've got in the pipeline so if you're looking for investment opportunites, hit me up!!

Seek Learning

There are two videos I watched recently that I've been encouraging others to watch because they are both sooo good!! Clark Atlanta University had Dr. Daniel Black give the commencement address and the way he poured it out and gave life to everyone was amazing!! I definitely think everyone should watch and enjoy!

The other video was this amazing Sunday Service at Union Chapel Martha's Vineyard with Pastor Otis Moss, III that is probably one of my favorite services to date!! Definitely something I've been telling everyone to watch!

He's just Talking about Trees yall!!

Seek Doing

This years Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival was another epic adventure!! I had a blast moderating a panel for the Documentary "The South Got Something to Say" with Directors Ryon Horne & Tyson Alan Horne , Ernie Suggs and the esteemed former mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms . My mom took a video which means it's a little off center but working on an edit so I can share our convo which was so good!! A friend reminded me I was meant to do this so excited for more opportunites to shine.

Shoutout to all the amazing sponsors and brands that supported this years festival!! HBO Max Library of Congress Boston Globe Media 欧莱雅 A24 Tiffany & Co. Planned Parenthood Federation of America Netflix Simply Mielle Hulu Onyx Collective ESPN Peacock

There were some amazing films!!! I've never watched anything I didn't enjoy at the MVAAFF. I'm super sad that I missed Sing Sing with Colman Domingo!! Some of my favorite films and moments from the festival were:

• An Evening with Abbott Elementary with Sheryl Lee Ralph (who was incredible, looked incredible and was everything I imagined.
• "Daughters" which is now out on Netflix so everyone should watch!!
• "How to Die Alone" with Natasha Rothwell which is premier on Hulu Sept 13th. We got to watch the first episode and I cannot wait to watch the rest. It's going to be so funny and relatable.
• Of course "The South Got Something to Say", would highly recommend for all, especially if you love hip hop.
• "A Radical Act: Renee Montgomery" which was followed by a coversation with Renee Montgomery Monique Rodriguez and Julee Wilson that was soooo good!!
• "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat" which you can watch now on Hulu!
• "Superman Doesn't Steal" by Tamika Lamison was deeply relatable
• "Emperor of Ocean Park" was so good and left us wanting more (might have to get MGM now)
• "Luther: Never Too Much" by Dawn Porter had the whole audience singing and dancing and missing Luther bad!!
• "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist" was a story I'd never heard before and is a star studded cast that I can't wait to watch more of.

Seek Eats

When I come to MV, the first thing mom and I do is go to Net Result and get a whole lobster. My other favorite meals are the warm lobster roll from Lookout Tavern, anything from Red Cat Kitchen and a burger from Fat Ronnies or sandwich from Tigerhawk!! So many great choices while we are here when I don't feel like cooking (which I also do a lot of here too!).

Seek Nature

Go touch some grass!! This month I have been up in the water every morning as a volunteer instructo for the Polar Bears. If you come to Martha's Vineyard and have never done the Polar Bears, you are missing out and I highly recommend coming to join us one morning!! I know 7:30am is early but it's worth it.

Seek to Help Others

Here are a few things to help yourself or those around you!

• I've relaunched my podcast at Eaton DC - Lit & Other Things - so all my author friends, hit me up, I'd love to feature you!!
• Still trying to decide what merch to do and for which brands - (I've got too many brands but welcome to ADHD) but I'm working on some merch for my brands which should be fun. Probably going to start with some stickers, water bottles, pens, maybe a fanny and a sweatshirt. Open to feedback!!
• I shall be dropping the podcast I'm recording with Earl Wyatt soon and I think you're all going to really enjoy (more details coming!!).
• DCFunemployment is getting ready to relaunch the interview series as well as some IG Lives soon which should be a lot of fun.
• Been writing a book (which feels long overdue).
• As It Happens is still dropping weekly happenings posts and event coverage.
• Black & Neurospicy, my new Substack Newsletter - which is kind of on it's own neurodivergent journey.