How Sharing Your Personal Story Can Heal Emotional Pain

How Sharing Your Personal Story Can Heal Emotional Pain

Photo Credit: grandriver via iStockPhoto.com

By: Jamila Gomez

There is something powerful about a person deciding to tell the truth about their life. Not the polished version they offer in passing, but the real story. The one that still sits heavy in their chest. The one they have edited and reedited in their head because they worry how people will react. That kind of honesty can save lives. And it does more than help the listener, it reshapes the storyteller too.

We live in a world full of quiet suffering. People hold their breath through their days. They pretend they are fine because they think they are supposed to be. They convince themselves nobody else is going through what they are going through. So when someone speaks up and names their experience out loud, it cuts through all that isolation. It lets people breathe again. It gives them language they did not have. It lets them know they are not as alone as they assumed.

But we rarely talk about the other half of that truth. Telling your own story is not just generous, it is healing. When you bring your pain into the light, it loses the hold it once had on you. You stop carrying the weight in silence. You stop hiding the parts of yourself you think make you unlovable. You begin to see your life from a wider view. You see what you survived and how much you have grown. There is freedom in saying, “This happened, and I am still here.”

People hesitate to tell their story because they think it needs to sound brave or inspirational. It does not. Real stories are messy. They come with contradictions and confusion and things you wish you had done differently. That is exactly why they matter. Perfection does not save lives. Honesty does.

Someone out there needs to hear a truth that you have been sitting on. They need the reminder that they are not strange or weak or alone. They need proof that people survive things like theirs. They need hope from someone who understands from the inside. And sometimes, the person who needs that proof the most is you.

Telling your story is not about reliving the pain. It is about reclaiming your voice. It is about choosing connection over shame. It is about refusing to shrink just to keep other people comfortable. And in a world full of quiet hurting, speaking up is one of the most lifesaving things any of us can do. It has the power to heal the listener, and it has the power to heal the one who finally decides to speak.

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Access Free Food Resources in Los Angeles During the Federal Government Shutdown

Access Free Food Resources in Los Angeles

By: Omar Cook

With the federal government shutdown ongoing, food security has become a serious concern for vulnerable populations across Los Angeles, including youth, seniors, and families. The loss of SNAP and CalFresh benefits has created a critical gap in food access, leaving many residents at risk.

LA County Parks is stepping in to help fill this gap by expanding its food programs at parks, teen centers, and senior centers. These programs have long been a vital part of the county’s food safety net, and now more than ever, they are providing essential meals and snacks to those in need.

Available Food Programs:

• Free Healthy Snack Program for Youth – Offered at 48 parks Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 4 PM for children ages 17 and under.

• Free Hot Supper Program at Our SPOT Teen Centers – Available at 16 parks Monday through Friday at 7 PM for teens ages 12 to 18.

• Free Senior Food Program – Serving older adults at 9 parks Monday through Friday for anyone age 55 and older.

Due to the shutdown, CalFresh benefits for November may be delayed, making these programs an essential lifeline. LA County Parks encourages everyone to take advantage of these resources so that no one goes hungry while communities work to protect democracy.

Click here for Locations 

LA County Parks & Recreation  

Additional Resources:

• LA Food Bank

• Call 211 for food assistance and local programs

Make sure to spread the word—everyone deserves access to healthy meals.

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Learning to Accept Pain: Not All Pain Has a Purpose

By: Jamila Gomez

We’ve all heard the sayings. “Everything happens for a reason.” “There’s purpose in the pain.” “This is just a lesson in disguise.” These phrases get tossed around like lifelines, especially when someone is going through it. But let’s be real: sometimes pain has no grand design. Sometimes it’s just pain. It’s not always a sign. It’s not always a test. And no, it’s not always a setup for something better.

Some pain is senseless. Some pain is caused by other people’s cruelty, carelessness, or unchecked power. Some pain is the byproduct of systems that were never meant to protect you in the first place. And trying to assign purpose to it—to spiritualize it, moralize it, or explain it away—can leave you feeling more confused than comforted. Especially when you’re already hurting.

There’s a quiet violence in telling people their suffering is meaningful when they haven’t been given the space to feel the weight of it. When they haven’t had the chance to say, “This shouldn’t have happened.” When the wound is still fresh and someone tries to slap a purpose on it like a Band-Aid. Sometimes we do this to ourselves, too. We scramble to make sense of what broke us because the thought of it being meaningless feels worse than the pain itself.

So we force meaning onto it. We tell ourselves, “Maybe I needed that to grow,” even when deep down, we’re not sure we believe it. And while it’s true that growth can come from pain, that doesn’t mean the pain had to happen in order for growth to be possible. That’s the distinction we don’t talk about enough.

We like to call pain a teacher. And yes, there are times it does teach us something—about ourselves, about the people around us, about what we will no longer accept. But there are also times when pain doesn’t teach anything. It just lingers. It disrupts. It steals. It silences. And the pressure to find meaning in those moments can feel like yet another burden to carry. The truth is, not every hurt has wisdom on the other side of it. Some pain just needs to be felt. Witnessed. Survived. We don’t need to tie a bow around every breakdown. We don’t need to alchemize every ache into a breakthrough. That’s hustle culture spirituality dressed up as healing.

Here’s where it shifts. While pain doesn’t always have a purpose, you can choose what to do with it. That doesn’t mean you’re obligated to “turn your pain into power” the way social media loves to glorify. It just means that somewhere in the aftermath—when the dust settles, when the sting dulls—you get to decide how this pain will or won’t shape you. You get to ask: Do I want to carry this forward, or set it down? What do I need to unlearn from this experience? Who am I now that this pain has passed through me? None of those questions rush the healing. They honor the fact that something happened, and you’re still here. That’s it. That’s enough.

Not every storm is followed by a rainbow. Some things don’t get wrapped up with clarity or closure. And that doesn’t mean you failed to “find the lesson.” It means you’re human. So if you’re in a season where you’re asking why—why this happened, why it hurts, why nothing makes sense—know this: you don’t have to give your pain a purpose it never asked for. You don’t have to find beauty in what broke you. Some pain just is. And surviving it is more than enough.

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Behind The Strength: The Overlooked Reality of Depression in Black Women

By: Jamila Gomez

We know how to show up. We know how to smile through it, handle the details, meet the deadlines, send the check-ins, cook the meals, run the errands, answer the texts, and follow up when no one else does. We know how to get through the day without falling apart. And to most people, that looks like being “fine.” But high-functioning depression is what happens when “fine” is just a mask that fits too well. It’s what lives underneath the competence, the caretaking, the survival mode. It’s the part no one checks on because we don’t “look” like we’re struggling.

For Black women especially, high-functioning depression often goes unnoticed—not just by others, but by us. Because we were raised to be strong. We were raised to hold it down, hold it together, hold everybody else. And when you’ve been taught that rest is laziness and sadness is weakness, you learn to suppress, minimize, and keep it moving. You don’t get the luxury of falling apart, so you never let yourself consider how tired you actually are. Even exhaustion becomes something you normalize. Even numbness becomes something you ignore.

The danger of high-functioning depression is that it hides in plain sight. It doesn’t look like staying in bed all day. It looks like showing up to work and still feeling like a ghost in your own life. It looks like replying to every message and still feeling disconnected. It looks like accomplishing things that don’t even feel real anymore—like you’re just going through the motions on autopilot. It looks like success that doesn’t feel like success. Joy that feels like work. Laughter that feels borrowed. And it’s heavy. Heavier than most people understand.

What makes this even more complicated is that Black women are rarely believed when we name our pain. We’re told we’re “strong,” as if that means we don’t struggle. We’re told we’re “resilient,” as if that means we don’t need rest. Our high functioning becomes our hiding place. And the world rewards us for it. We get praised for being dependable while quietly breaking down. We get affirmed for being “the strong friend” while no one notices we’re slipping. And because we don’t fit the typical image of what depression is supposed to look like, we get overlooked—by doctors, by therapists, by systems, by our own people, and sometimes by ourselves.

But just because you’re still standing doesn’t mean you’re okay. Just because you’re handling it doesn’t mean you should have to. Just because you’re functioning doesn’t mean you’re thriving. We have to stop equating productivity with wellness. We have to stop confusing performance with peace. We have to start asking ourselves not just “Did I get it all done?” but “How am I actually doing?” And we have to be willing to answer that honestly, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

Living with high-functioning depression doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’ve been surviving. It means your body and brain have adapted to pain in a way that kept you moving when slowing down didn’t feel like an option. That’s not weakness—that’s resourcefulness. But survival isn’t the same as healing. And I know we’ve been taught to put everyone else first. I know we’ve been taught that self-care is selfish. But the truth is, ignoring your needs doesn’t make you noble. It makes you disappear.

So here’s the reminder: You are not alone in this. You are not the only one who feels this way. You are not the only one who’s been smiling through the ache, pushing through the fog, showing up while feeling empty. There are more of us than you think. And you deserve spaces where you can be seen, not just for what you do, but for who you are. You deserve rest. You deserve softness. You deserve to be supported—not only when you’re falling apart, but also when you’ve mastered the art of holding it together.

Let’s stop making pain invisible. Let’s stop wearing strength as armor. Let’s start checking in on ourselves and each other in real, honest ways. Not the “you good?” texts, but the “how’s your spirit?” kind of check-ins. The kind that give us room to not be okay and still be loved. This is how we create community. This is how we come home to ourselves.

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'Find Your Passion': The Career Advice That Keeps Women Exhausted

Career Advice That Keeps Women Exhausted

Photo Credit: LaylaBird via iStockPhoto.com

By: Jamila Gomez

“Find your passion.” It’s the line that’s been etched into commencement speeches, career panels, and motivational posts for decades. It sounds noble—who wouldn’t want to spend their life doing what they love? But for many women, especially Black women and women of color, this advice has become another kind of trap. Instead of leading to fulfillment, it often leads to guilt, burnout, and the endless pressure to turn passion into proof of worth.

The message behind “find your passion” assumes privilege. It imagines a world where people have the time, safety, and resources to explore what lights them up—and to walk away from what doesn’t. But most women don’t live in that world. They live in one where bills are due, children need care, parents need help, and stability isn’t optional. Passion sounds lovely, but it doesn’t pay rent. And yet, women are constantly told that if they’re not doing what they love, they’ve somehow failed themselves.

What this advice rarely admits is that passion work often becomes more exploitative than traditional labor. Women who turn their gifts into businesses or creative careers are told to “monetize what you love,” only to find themselves working longer hours for less security. Their emotional investment becomes part of the job description. The line between purpose and labor blurs until both feel heavy. Passion becomes another way to justify unpaid work, low pay, or burnout—because if you “love it,” you’re supposed to keep pushing through.

This is especially true in care-driven professions—teaching, social work, counseling, nursing, and nonprofit roles—fields dominated by women. Passion is treated as both requirement and reward: the very thing that makes the job meaningful is also what makes the exploitation easier to ignore. Employers don’t have to offer adequate pay or support when they can point to passion as the moral substitute. “You’re here because you care,” they say, as if care alone should cover the cost of survival.

It’s time to tell the truth: passion is not protection. Loving what you do does not make you immune to burnout, underpayment, or being undervalued. Purpose is not a shield—it’s a responsibility that still requires boundaries. The idea that passion should carry us through exhaustion has left too many women working twice as hard for half the return, still questioning whether their effort is enough.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting work that feels meaningful. But meaning shouldn’t demand martyrdom. The better question isn’t what’s your passion? It’s what kind of life do you want your work to make possible? That’s a question about sustainability, not sacrifice—about balance, not branding.

Work doesn’t have to be a calling to be worthwhile. It just has to leave room for you to live.

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The Power of Black Art: Using Music and Creativity to Heal and Elevate

Omar Cook Performs “Spiritual War”

By: Omar Cook

Art is powerful. Every note, every lyric, every visual we put into the world carries energy. As Black artists, we hold a unique platform to influence minds, hearts, and culture. Unfortunately, mainstream Black entertainment has often been steered toward negative agendas—glorifying sex, drugs, and materialism—rather than uplifting, healing, or inspiring. This imagery and messaging aren’t harmless; they shape how people think, feel, and act.

Music is spiritual. It affects the soul whether we acknowledge it or not. When hate, destruction, or death are the themes we amplify, that energy is released into the world, and eventually it comes back to us. Every song, every performance is a choice. It doesn’t have to be gospel or a political speech, but it should be intentional. Ask yourself: Does what I’m creating benefit others? Does it uplift, heal, or inspire, or does it add to the destruction of our people?

The youth feel the impact the most. They attend concerts, watch videos, and consume music on a massive scale. They are receiving this energy, absorbing it, and it becomes part of the environment they grow up in. As artists, we have a responsibility to be conscious of that influence. The music we create isn’t just entertainment; it’s shaping the mindset and spirit of generations.

Promoting positive, high-vibrational artistry starts with us as creators. It starts with being a catalyst for change and holding ourselves accountable for the legacy we leave behind. I want my art to exist as a source of healing, growth, relatability, and inspiration—something that gives people strength to keep going despite life’s challenges. That is the power of intention in art.

But the responsibility isn’t only on artists. As consumers, we also hold power. Where we put our energy—what we stream, share, and support—determines which artists rise and which messages dominate culture. Supporting artists who inspire and uplift is just as important as creating that content.

The shift starts now. It’s time to check ourselves, both as creators and as audiences. Black entertainment can evolve. Our art can carry the vibration of hope, love, and unity. Our legacies can be measured not only by hits and streams but by the healing and inspiration we leave behind. The question is simple: what energy do you want to leave on this planet, and how will your gifts serve the people?

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From Empowerment to Exploitation: How Companies and Culture Exploit the Word | Oped

When Empowerment Becomes Exploitation

Photo Credit: pixelfit via iStockPhoto.com

By: Jamila Gomez

Empowerment is everywhere. Companies claim they empower employees. Brands promise their products empower women. The word saturates ad campaigns, annual reports, and hashtags. But the more it circulates, the more hollow it becomes. Too often, what’s sold as empowerment is exploitation dressed in affirmations—demanding more while insisting you should be grateful for the chance.

The workplace is the clearest case. Employers boast about empowering staff with “flexibility” or encouraging “ownership.” In practice, flexibility means being reachable at all hours, and ownership translates into absorbing responsibilities without pay, support, or decision-making power. You’re told you’re being empowered to grow while your job quietly expands into what used to be two jobs. Autonomy becomes a brand name for overwork.

Consumer culture runs the same play. A fashion label celebrates “empowered women” in glossy ads while underpaying women of color who sew its garments under unsafe conditions. Wellness companies sell supplements, apps, and retreats as tools for empowerment, telling you peace is a purchase away. The burden lands on individuals to buy, optimize, and “fix” themselves, while the forces driving their stress—precarious wages, long hours, unaffordable housing—stay untouched.

The gig economy perfected the script. Platforms talk about empowering workers to “be their own boss,” but what many actually get is fluctuating pay, opaque algorithms, and the risks of employment without protections. The freedom to choose your hours often means stitching together income across multiple apps with no benefits. Again, the language elevates choice while the structure limits it.

This rhetoric doesn’t merely mislead; it relocates accountability. If you don’t feel empowered, the diagnosis becomes personal: you didn’t lean in, hustle harder, manifest correctly, or maintain the right mindset. Structural barriers fade from view, shielded by uplifting copy. Meanwhile, the people with the least control over their time and safety are told to self-improve their way out of systems designed to exhaust them.

Real empowerment is not a slogan. It is structural. It looks like fair wages, predictable schedules, safe workplaces, paid leave, and accessible healthcare. It means transparent advancement, independent recourse for harm, and a voice with teeth—unions, worker councils, tenant protections.

We should retire the applause lines and adopt testable questions: Who decides? Who benefits? Who bears the risk? How quickly can harm be remedied, and by whom? If the answers still point up the chain, that’s not empowerment—it’s marketing. Power that can be taken away without due process or a collective say was never power to begin with.

If institutions are serious, they should stop using empowerment as camouflage and ask harder questions: Are we shifting control to the people most affected, or simply rebranding extraction? Until “empowerment” is tied to actual power—time you can protect, money you can live on, safety you can trust—it will remain a flattering mask.

And masks, no matter how inspirational the slogan across them, cannot clean the air we’re forced to breathe. Real empowerment changes the air. Everything else is costume.

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Who Gets Saved? Cancel Culture’s Double Standard Against Black Women in Media

Who Gets Saved? Cancel Culture’s Double Standard Against Black Women in Media

Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock

By: Jamila Gomez

“Cancel culture” is often framed as a cultural reckoning where public figures are held accountable for their words or actions. But the reality is far messier. Who actually gets “canceled”—and who gets forgiven—has less to do with the offense itself and more to do with power, race, and gender.

Take the case of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. After making disparaging comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Kimmel found himself facing backlash that could have easily ended his career. For weeks, social media buzzed with calls for his removal. But then something telling happened: hundreds of people, from loyal fans to high-profile allies, rallied to his defense. Petitions circulated, hashtags trended, and a narrative quickly formed that Kimmel was “too important” to lose. In the end, his job was saved.

Contrast that with what has happened to several Black women in media. Joy-Ann Reid, the host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut, has been targeted by controversy more than once, including resurfaced blog posts from years earlier. Each time, instead of a broad public outpouring to defend her, she was left to navigate the storm largely alone. While Reid still has her show, the scrutiny has been relentless, and her career hangs under a different kind of spotlight than her white male peers.

Tiffany Cross faced an even starker example. As host of The Cross Connection on MSNBC, she brought sharp, unapologetic commentary to the weekend lineup. Despite cultivating a dedicated audience and providing a platform for voices often excluded from mainstream news, Cross was abruptly dropped from the network in 2022. The “why” was never clearly explained. What stood out most was the silence that followed. No widespread campaigns. No petitions. Few celebrities stepping forward to demand her reinstatement. For all her impact, Cross was treated as dispensable.

This disparity is not accidental. It reveals a cultural double standard in how cancellation and forgiveness are distributed. When white male hosts stumble, institutions and audiences alike often bend over backward to frame them as redeemable. Their platforms are considered essential, their voices too valuable to lose. But when Black women in media face controversy—or simply push against the status quo—the instinct is to cut ties quickly, with little effort to preserve their place at the table.

At its core, this is about power. Late-night television has long been dominated by white men, who benefit from built-in networks of institutional loyalty and public goodwill. Meanwhile, Black women in journalism and broadcasting often fight uphill battles just to be heard. They are scrutinized more harshly, penalized more quickly, and defended less fiercely. The question isn’t whether cancel culture exists—it’s who it protects and who it erases.

The broader consequence is chilling. If Black women know their jobs can disappear without public defense, the incentive is to self-censor, to avoid being “too bold” or “too controversial.” That silences perspectives we desperately need. It narrows the range of stories told in mainstream media and reinforces the notion that some voices are disposable while others are indispensable.

Jimmy Kimmel was saved not just because of his talent or popularity, but because he belonged to a group that society has already decided is worth saving. Joy-Ann Reid and Tiffany Cross didn’t receive that same grace. Until media institutions and audiences confront this uneven playing field, cancel culture will continue to function less as accountability and more as a mirror—showing us, again and again, whose voices are valued and whose are easily erased.

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The Complicity of Disengagement: Why Silence in the Face of Injustice Isn’t Neutral | Op-Ed

Complicity of Disengagement

Credit: Prostock-studio via Shutterstock

By: Jamila Gomez

Every time the world cracks open—another killing, another war, another headline that makes your stomach drop—I notice the patterns. Some people respond with outrage. Some respond with grief. And some respond with silence. That last group—the ones who consistently turn away from tragedy as if distance will protect them—often treat disengagement as harmless. But turning away isn’t neutral.

Avoidance is a privilege, and it’s a privilege not everyone has. Some people can shut their laptops, mute the conversation, or scroll past the news without consequence. They can walk through the world buffered by race, money, geography, or status and convince themselves that the pain doesn’t touch them. But for others, there is no buffer.

For Black communities, for queer folks, for people already living at the margins, the news cycle isn’t just headlines—it’s lived reality. We can’t mute another police killing when that victim could be our cousin. We can’t ignore another law erasing rights when it chips away at our very existence. We can’t dismiss violence in a far-off country when our families are still there. To look away, when you have the option, is to quietly decide the pain belongs to someone else.

The silence that follows isn’t empty—it’s heavy. It doesn’t just shield the one who chooses it; it shifts the burden onto others. Those who keep showing up, speaking out, and carrying the weight end up carrying it alone. And silence sends a message. It signals that injustice can go unchecked. It suggests that grief doesn’t need acknowledgment. It tells us that distance is an acceptable substitute for solidarity.

None of this is to say we don’t need rest. No one can live in a constant state of crisis without breaking. Boundaries matter. Self-preservation matters. But there’s a difference between stepping back to catch your breath and building a habit of avoidance. Rest is temporary; disengagement as a lifestyle is something else entirely. When silence becomes the default posture, it becomes complicity.

And the truth is, people don’t always need perfect words. They don’t always need a plan. What they need is presence. A simple acknowledgment: I see what happened, and it hurts. A check-in: Are you holding up? A refusal to normalize harm by pretending nothing happened. Presence doesn’t solve the problem, but it communicates something critical—that suffering matters enough to witness, even if it can’t be fixed. To show up is to affirm that we are not as alone as the world often makes us feel.

Turning away may feel like self-protection. But it comes at a cost, and others pay it. Witnessing is hard. Staying present is harder. But neutrality in the face of suffering? That’s not neutrality at all.

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We Made a Way Out of No Way: How Black Creativity Saves Us

By: Jamila Gomez

“We made a way out of no way.” It’s a phrase passed down through generations, born in pulpits and whispered in kitchens, a declaration of faith and survival. And it’s not just about getting by, but how we transformed impossible circumstances into something beautiful. At the center of that transformation is creativity. Black creativity has always been more than talent or art. It has been the medicine we reach for when life feels unbearable, the tool we use to carve space in a world that tries to squeeze us out.

From the rhythms of a drum that carried coded messages across plantations to the call-and-response of the Black church, creativity has always been a way to cope with what was placed on us. What looks like music, slang, or fashion on the surface is often the echo of generations finding ways to breathe under pressure. When the world gave us silence, we sang louder. When doors closed, we built our own. When grief was heavy, we danced to remind our bodies that joy is still possible.

Creativity is how we metabolize what would otherwise break us. Think about how often we laugh at pain. The jokes that come out of tragedy aren’t just jokes; they’re survival tools. Black Twitter doesn’t just create memes—it creates release valves for collective grief and stress. And in everyday life, it shows up in smaller ways too. The auntie who turns Sunday dinner into a feast, stretching little into plenty. The barber who turns a haircut into therapy. The teenager who flips thrift-store finds into fashion. These aren’t just skills—they’re coping mechanisms disguised as culture.

This is why our creativity is never just entertainment. It’s not frivolous, it’s not extra—it’s medicine. Art, music, fashion, food, humor, even the way we remix language—all of it is how we keep going when life feels unlivable. Creativity has always been both expression and exhale.

And it’s not only about survival. Creativity is prophecy. It doesn’t just help us live through what is; it gives us vision for what could be. Every beat, every line, every invention is both therapy and blueprint. It points to a future bigger than our circumstances.

That’s the power of making a way out of no way: Black creativity saves us because it reminds us we’re more than what we’ve endured. It takes pain and transforms it into power, despair and reshapes it into possibility. We are not just survivors. We create our way into tomorrow.

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Angel Guice Releases Intimate New Book: ‘My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024’

Angel Guice at the Release Party of Her New Book: My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024

“If there’s no enemy within, the enemy outside can do you no harm.”

— Angel Guice

By: Omar Cook

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actress, creative, and visionary Angel Guice invites readers into her heart and mind with the release of her newest literary work, My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024, now available on Amazon.

Part diary, part self-reflection workbook, and part soul-to-soul conversation, this book is a bold and vulnerable journey through Angel’s daily thoughts, emotions, and revelations throughout one transformative month. With raw honesty and poetic rhythm, she shares what it feels like to live, to question, to love, to overthink, and to grow.

Angel Guice Reads Her New Book: My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024

“Take a trip with me,” Guice writes. “You will see how I battle with myself on different topics and subjects that I face on a day-to-day journey in my world. Experience how I see the world THROUGH MY EYES, and sometimes how I see other people’s worlds through my eyes.”

At the end of each entry, she poses reflective questions, gently encouraging readers to examine their own lives, emotions, and intentions. It’s an exchange of trust and Angel shares her secrets, and you’re invited to make your promises. Promises to yourself. To your healing. To your growth.

“As I share my secrets with you, I want you to share your promises with me,” she says. “Now you don't have to share your promises with me at all. But since I'm baring my soul, why not bare yours!?!?!”

Readers Enjoy the Release of Angel Guice’s New Book: My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024

Whether you’re navigating emotional highs, inner conflicts, or simply trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, My Secrets Your Promises offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and breathe.

This book is perfect for anyone craving realness in an era of filters and perfection. It’s about showing up honestly, healing out loud, and learning how to live more intentionally, one day at a time.

“I wrote this book initially to slow down and reflect on my thoughts and feelings and learn about myself, with hopes that my readers would do the same and to help them understand that they aren’t alone in their thoughts and feelings” Guice says. “I wrote this book also for my successors/legacy, so that when I’m long gone they’ll know who I was through my own words!”

Angel Guice shares that her intention for My Secrets Your Promises is to encourage readers to truly learn themselves and to dive deep into their inner world and build a strong, authentic relationship with who they are at the core. She emphasizes that the most important connection we can have is with ourselves and the God within us. Through her vulnerability, she hopes to inspire self-awareness, spiritual alignment, and a deeper sense of self-love, because as she passionately reminds us: SELF-LOVE IS THE BEST LOVE!

Grab your copy of My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024 today on Amazon
🔗 Click here to purchase

Let the secrets be shared. Let the promises be made. And let the healing begin.

Angel Guice Signs Her New Book: My Secrets Your Promises: My Diary – The Month of October 2024

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The Power of Storytelling: A Black Experience

Photo cred: SeventyFour via iStockPhoto.com

By: Jamila Gomez

Storytelling has always been the heartbeat of Black existence. Before we wrote, we spoke. Before we recorded, we remembered. And even in the face of forced silence, we sang. Our stories—whether whispered between kinfolk in cotton fields, laid down in Harlem Renaissance poetry, or coded in the rhythm of a drum—have been the means through which we preserve our history, affirm our humanity, and shape our future.

For Black people, storytelling is not just art—it’s survival. It’s resistance. It’s power.

Memory as Liberation

Our ancestors understood that history, when controlled by the oppressor, becomes a weapon. It erases, distorts, and rewrites until our truths are buried beneath someone else’s lies. But storytelling has always been our tool for reclamation.

The griots of West Africa held entire dynasties in their memories, passing down the names, victories, and struggles of our people long before European conquest. This tradition lived on when we were stolen from our lands—through folktales like Br’er Rabbit, subversive spirituals, and oral histories that ensured our ancestors were never truly lost.

Even today, Black storytelling pushes back against historical erasure. From writers like Toni Morrison, who resurrects the ghosts of our past, to filmmakers like Ava DuVernay, who refuses to let history be sanitized, we use our stories to carve our truths into the fabric of the world.

The Power of Our Voices

For centuries, Black people were denied the right to tell their own stories. Enslaved people were forbidden from reading and writing, and when they spoke, their words were dismissed or criminalized. Yet, our voices persisted.

Frederick Douglass wielded his autobiography as a weapon against slavery. Zora Neale Hurston captured the raw beauty of Black Southern life. James Baldwin’s words still slice through America’s conscience like a hot knife.

But storytelling is not just for the published and the acclaimed. Every grandmother who tells the family’s migration story at the dinner table, every barbershop debate that transforms into a history lesson, every spoken-word poet who pours their soul onto a mic—these are all acts of cultural preservation. Every time a Black person tells their truth, they disrupt a world that was built to silence them.

The Future Written by Us

Black storytelling is not just about looking back; it’s about shaping the future. When we tell our own stories, we define ourselves outside of the white gaze. We remind the world—and ourselves—that we are not just trauma, not just struggle, not just footnotes in someone else’s history book.

We are joy. We are love. We are creators of worlds, builders of dreams.

This is why hip-hop became a global phenomenon—because it was the raw, unfiltered voice of a people who refused to be ignored. This is why Afrofuturism is so powerful—it dares to imagine a world where Black people are free beyond the constraints of history. This is why we must keep telling our stories—because no one else can tell them the way we do.

So whether it’s through literature, music, film, or simple conversation, keep speaking. Keep writing. Keep remembering. Because every Black story told is a world reclaimed. And when we control our narratives, we control our destiny.

Our stories are our power. Let’s never let them go.

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HBCU Marching Bands Take Over SoFi Stadium for Historic Honda Battle of the Bands 2025

Feb. 1, 2025 - Hampton University Marching FORCE performing SoFi Stadium at the 2025 Honda Of The Bands in Ingelwood, CA.

By: Sharmaine Johnson

The Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) just made history, and SoFi Stadium will never be the same. Six powerhouse HBCU marching bands brought the house down in a first-of-its-kind West Coast takeover, turning up the energy and setting the perfect tone for Black History Month. The 19th annual showcase wasn’t just a performance—it was a cultural moment, a celebration of the rhythm, resilience, and legacy of HBCUs.

Nick Cannon held it down as host, keeping the crowd hyped, while GRAMMY-nominated rap star GloRilla had the stadium rocking with a performance that had folks out of their seats. 

The Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) press conference at SoFi Stadium on February 1, 2025, brought together GRAMMY-nominated artist GloRilla, HBOB Project Lead at American Honda Jasmine Cockfield, and multi-talented entertainer and entrepreneur Nick Cannon for an exciting kickoff event.

The Bands That Shut It Down: 

● Alabama A&M University | Marching Maroon & White Band 

● Alabama State University | Mighty Marching Hornets 

● Hampton University | The Marching Force 

● North Carolina A&T State University | The Blue and Gold Marching Machine ● Southern University | Human Jukebox 

● University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South 

From the precision footwork to the booming drumlines, these bands brought that undeniable HBCU energy. The dancers, the musicians, the pure showmanship—it was a full-on spectacle that had the crowd roaring from start to finish.

Bigger Than the Bands: Investing in the Culture 

Honda didn’t just bring the bands to L.A. they also invested in them. Each participating HBCU walked away with a $50,000 grant to support their music programs and career development. On top of that, Honda dropped a $500,000 grant to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, keeping the pipeline of HBCU musical talent strong. 

Before the showcase even started, Honda linked up with the Black College Expo™ for a massive college and career fair. Over 200 schools, including top HBCUs, showed up, handing out millions in scholarships, on-the-spot acceptances, and career opportunities that will change lives. 

Keeping the Momentum Going 

Honda’s dedication to HBCUs doesn’t stop here. The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) is coming back in April, giving HBCU students another stage to shine—this time, academically. 

From the first drumroll to the final cheer, HBOB 2025 was a moment HBCU culture won’t forget. Tap in at www.hondabattleofthebands.com or hit up HBOB’s social channels to relive the magic.

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Actor Kareem Grimes Headlines Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Actors Adonis Armstrong, Omar Cook, and Kareem Grimes Speak at the Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

By: Omar Cook

Leimert Park was alive with energy and excitement as the Future Leaders of America Forum kicked off its first-ever event, hosted by 247 Live Culture in partnership with OFA CA for Kamala. With 247 Live Culture CEO Omar Cook and President Adonis Armstrong at the helm, the event brought together young entrepreneurs, community leaders, activists, and entertainers for a night of inspiration, networking, and deep discussions on the future of America.

Actor Kareem Grimes Speaks at the Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

The turnout was fantastic, with the Leimert Park community showing up in full support. Attendees were treated to an evening of connection, starting with a networking session that featured delicious food and a chance to engage with like-minded individuals. The heart of the event, however, was the panel discussion that explored how young people can get more involved in their communities, the importance of voting in the upcoming election, and how entertainers can use their platforms to advocate for social change.

Adonis Armstrong and Omar Cook Speak to the Crowd at the Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

The panel was headlined by "All American" TV star Kareem Grimes, whose heartfelt reflections on his upbringing in Los Angeles resonated with many in the audience. Grimes shared personal stories about his mother, who was a member of the Black Panther Party, and how her legacy of community involvement inspired his own passion for giving back. He emphasized the responsibility of entertainers to use their voice for advocacy, highlighting how powerful it can be to influence social change from a platform of influence.

Doctor Karra Manier Writes an Encouraging Message at the Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

Judge Georgia Huerta, currently running for Superior Court Judge, also took the stage. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, she spoke about her deep-rooted commitment to serving the community and making the justice system work for everyone. With extensive experience in the criminal justice system as a Deputy District Attorney IV, she shared her vision for ensuring community safety while protecting the rights of both victims and the accused. Huerta’s campaign message resonated with the audience, particularly her drive to reform the justice system from within.

Judge Georgia Huerta Discusses Her Commitment to Community at the Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

Actor Mike Strong from "All The Queen’s Men" closed out the panel discussion by encouraging attendees to continue planting the seeds of progress that will grow to benefit future generations. He reminded everyone of the importance of unity and collective action in creating a better future for all.

Actor Mike Strong Speaks at the Future Leaders of America Forum in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

The forum wasn’t all discussion—guests were entertained by music from DJ Candace Manier and were also treated to a soulful musical performance by singer Ventage, whose powerful voice echoed the themes of the evening. The combination of music, community, and thoughtful conversation made the event both uplifting and reflective, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Ventage Performs at the Future Leaders Forum of America in Leimert Park

Credit: Alexa Carbajal

The Future Leaders of America Forum was the first of its kind, but certainly won’t be the last. Omar Cook and Adonis Armstrong announced plans to make this a consistent event, providing an ongoing platform to engage young people in the crucial issues that affect their future. The focus on bridging the gap between generations, advocating for social justice, and emphasizing the importance of voting made this forum an essential space for dialogue and action.

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Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Future Leaders of America Forum

By: Omar Cook

Los Angeles is set to host an enlightening event aimed at shaping the political landscape through the voices of youth and leadership. The "Future Leaders of America Forum," scheduled for October 20th from 6 PM to 9 PM, promises to be a pivotal gathering for young entrepreneurs, community leaders, activists, and celebrities discussing the potential impact of the upcoming elections.

Event Overview: The forum will take place in a dynamic setting conducive to dialogue and networking, with an expected attendance of 100 participants. The event will kick off with a casual meet-and-greet, accompanied by photo opportunities and refreshments, setting the stage for a night of insightful exchange and networking.

Panel Discussion: From 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the event will feature a panel of distinguished young influencers who will delve into critical topics like entrepreneurship, social justice, affordable housing, healthcare, and opportunities for youth within the potential Kamala Harris administration.

Interactive Q&A: Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions directly to the panelists from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM. This session is intended to encourage active participation and allow attendees to voice their concerns and ideas, enhancing the dialogue between the speakers and the audience.

Cultural Showcase: The evening will conclude with vibrant musical performances from 8:15 PM to 8:45 PM, celebrating the cultural diversity and artistic expression of the community. These performances aim to inspire and entertain, providing a fitting end to a night of robust discussions and networking.

Registration and Media Coverage: The forum is open to the public with mandatory pre-registration available through 247LiveCulture.com and Eventbrite to secure a spot. The event will be covered extensively by 247 Live Culture, ensuring that the discussions and outcomes of the forum reach a broader audience, including those who cannot attend in person.

This forum is not just an event but a launching pad for future leaders and change-makers to voice their opinions and make a tangible impact on society. By bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering a culture of dialogue and innovation, the Future Leaders of America Forum is poised to spark a movement that will resonate well beyond the confines of the venue.

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Celebrating the Fifth National CROWN Day: A Testament to Black Beauty and Brilliance

By: Sharmaine Johnson

Today, July 3, marks the fifth National CROWN Day, a significant occasion commemorating the inaugural signing of the CROWN Act on July 3, 2019. This act, designed to "Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair," has been instrumental in fighting race-based hair discrimination. This year, the celebration extends to the annual CROWN Awards, with a vibrant call to action encouraging everyone to join the movement and showcase #CROWNLove on social media.

The hallmark event of National CROWN Day is the annual CROWN Awards, presented by Dove. Hosted by Tai Beauchamp, the 2024 ceremony took place at the elegant Blackbird House in Culver City. This intimate gathering highlighted the extraordinary strength, grace, and impact of notable Black women and girls whose talents and leadership help advance the legacy of Black beauty and brilliance.

"Dove is proud to celebrate this major five-year milestone and all the progress made to end race-based hair discrimination in the U.S.," stated Tish Archie-Oliver, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Unilever NA. "While there is much to celebrate with 26 states and 50 municipalities that have passed CROWN legislation (or Executive Orders), there is still work to be done. We look forward to continuing to uplift Black women and girls and encouraging people to proudly showcase their #CROWNLove as part of this year's National CROWN Day celebration of Black hair independence."

This year's celebration is filled with inspiring moments and notable achievements. The 2024 CROWN Awards honored influential figures such as Emmy Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba, LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Graceyn "Gracie" Hollingsworth of "Gracie's Corner," activist LaTosha Brown, and Eunique Jones Gibson, Founder and CEO of Culture Brands and The Happy Hues Company. Special guests included actress Tina Lifford, actress Yaya DaCosta, Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad, Oscar Award winner Matthew A. Cherry, and actress Novi Brown. For the second year in a row, Dove will partner with the beloved digital children's series, “Gracie's Corner” to create a new custom short focusing on #CROWNLove. This initiative encourages Gracie's young audience to love and celebrate their hair.

On July 3, CROWN Award honorees, trusted messengers like Tabitha Brown, Dr. Raquel Martin, Tina Lifford, and others, along with national and local affiliate newscasters, will drive a swell of conversation with CROWN Day posts. They will encourage people to post photos of their natural or protective styles on social media using #CROWNLove. Visit Dove.com/CROWN to learn more about the CROWN movement and take action by signing the official CROWN Act petition. Be sure to tag @Dove, @TheCrownAct, and #CROWNLove on all CROWN Day celebration posts.

Formed in 2019 by Dove, the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, and Color of Change, the CROWN Coalition aims to create a more equitable and inclusive experience for Black consumers through the advancement of race-based hair discrimination legislation. This coalition, strengthened by over 100 community organizations, works tirelessly toward real, actionable change. The CROWN Coalition was founded by a team of Black women, including Esi Eggleston Bracey, Adjoa B. Asamoah, Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, and Kelli Richardson Lawson. Their efforts have seen CROWN Act legislation (and/or Executive Orders) enacted in 26 states and 50 municipalities, positively impacting the lives of more than 30 million Black people in the U.S.

Significant progress has been made, with states like California, New York, and New Jersey leading the charge in 2019, and Vermont joining the ranks in 2024. A CROWN-inspired Executive Order is in place in Arizona (2023) and Kentucky (2024). The state of New Hampshire awaits the Governor's signature to become the 27th state with CROWN protections. While these achievements are commendable, the journey continues. The fight against race-based hair discrimination is far from over. The CROWN Coalition remains committed to advancing this cause, ensuring that every Black individual can wear their hair with pride and confidence.

As we celebrate National CROWN Day, let's remember the power of unity and the beauty of diversity. Together, we can create a world where natural hair is celebrated and respected. Join the movement, share your #CROWNLove, and let's make a lasting impact.

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