An Oriki Tribute to Michaela Coel
Michaela of House Coel. First of her name. Ghana Goddess. Storytelling Savant. Cheekbones Connoiseur. Detachment Destroyer. Survivor Warrior. Soft Black Girl. Writing Wizard. Magical Misfit. 🪄💫💫💫 Tonight, she made history as the first Black woman to ever win an Emmy for writing in a limited series. She advised us “Write …
An Oriki Tribute to Michael K. Williams: In Memoriam
Michael Kenneth of House Williams Prolific Performing Powerhouse Cosmic Character Commander Sacred Scarred Sage Noble of Nuanced Narrative Exemplary Entertainer Trailblazing Thespian Vital Virtuoso He made his mark, not just in your roles but in the way he redefined manhood out loud in a world where masculinity seems caged. Beyond …
We Know Better (Re: COVID-19) But Still Aren’t Doing Better
There was a point in 2020, where we felt helpless to this strange new virus (COVID-19) that was taking so many lives so quickly that morgues ran out of room. One moment, people talked about feeling slightly under the weather, and the next, we were seeing their obituaries. The world …
An Oriki Tribute to Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna of House Fenty. First of her name. Bajan Billionaire of Beauty. Liege of Lingerie. Skincare Sorceress. Commander of Coin. Baroness of The Diamond Ball. Empress of Everything. You said “Bitch, better have my money.” but you didn’t tell us you meant 9 zeros! 😭😭😭 A whole queen! We …
An Oriki Tribute to Zaila Avant-garde, the Spelling Bee Champion
Zaila of house Avant-garde. First of her name. Phonetic phenom. Viscountess of Vocabulary. Bouncer of Basketballs and Big Words. Grand Princess of Guinness World Records. Multi-hyphenate Middle School Maven Celebrated champion. Congratulations on winning the ScrippsNationalSpellingBee 🎉 We charge you to dream so big that you make people uncomfortable. Break …
An Oriki Tribute to Nikole Hannah-Jones, the 1619 Project Architect
Nikole of House Hannah-Jones First of her name Shaker of Systems Rejecter of Racist Regimes Denouncer of Discrimination Pulitzer Prize Professor Baroness of Bucking Boards Teller of History’s Truths Agitator of Academia Frau of Fiery Fros Tycoon of team #TakeNoShit She told UNC to take their tenure, which she earned …
An Oriki Tribute to Sha’Carri Richardson, the Olympic Champion
Sha’Carri of House Richardson. First of her name. Fastest woman in America. Fly like Flo-Jo. Dame of 100-meter dashes. Taker of Tokyo 🇯🇵 Donna of dynamically dyed wigs. Archduchess of acrylics. Liege of long lashes. ❌ Don’t play with her! You bear a big name and even bigger “I’m THAT …
Kick Doors Open (with Gina Yashere) – Episode 25 of Professional Troublemaker
This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with comedian, producer, author, and fellow Naija queen, Gina Yashere. She was the first and only British comic to perform on Def Comedy Jam and has three comedy specials on Netflix that she co-produced. She’s also a writer and series regular …
An Oriki Tribute to Simone Biles, the Gymnastics GOAT
Simone Arianne of House Biles First and ONLY of her name Aerial Assassin Code of Points Champion Somersault Sorceress Flipping Fanatic Mocker of Gravity Duchess of Dismounts Obliterator of the Olympic Order Your biggest competition is yourself. THIS Glamour cover is what I NEED! May you never return our edges …
Do Your Best (with Jovian Zayne) – Episode 24 of Professional Troublemaker
We have another encore episode this week on Professional Troublemaker. I’m in conversation with Jovian Zayne, international speaker, professional development coach, leader of the OnPurpose Movement, and overall embodiment of epicness. DOWNLOAD EPISODE 24 TRANSCRIPT As a recognized thought leader in the professional development and diversity spaces, Jovian centers her …