An Oriki Tribute to Nikki Giovanni: In Memoriam
I learned of the passing of Nikki Giovanni and needed to honor such a giant with a proper Oriki. Yolande Cornelia of House Giovanni. THEE Nikki Giovanni. Second of her name. Poetry and Prose Priestess. Revolutionary Rhapsodist. Sage of Soul-Stirring Stanzas. Distinguished Delta Dear. Virginia’s Venerable Voice. Legendary Laureate of …
An Oriki Tribute to Quincy Jones: In Memoriam
Quincy Delight of House Jones Second of his name. Maestro of Musical Mastery. Architect of Ascendant Albums. Prodigious Producer of Pop’s Peak. Guardian of Grammy Glory (28 times crowned). Conductor of Creative Consciousness. Nobleman of Note and Needle. Sage of Sonic Symphony. Thriller’s Thoughtful Theorist. Chicago’s very own. Heaven is …
An Oriki Tribute to A’ja Wilson, the 3-time WNBA MVP
A’ja Wilson just got named the 2024 WNBA season MVP for the 3rd time. So I wrote her an oriki for the occasion. A’ja Riyadh of House Wilson. First of Her Name. The Thousand Point Trailblazer. Hooping Historymaker. Bestselling Book Boss. Dominating Defensive Diva. Top Tier Towering Titan.🪜 Bold Blocking …
An Oriki Tribute to Dawn Staley, the Undefeated WNCAA Championship Coach
Dawn Michelle of House Staley. First of her Name. Gamecock Gilded Goddess. God-Led Gold Getter. Anointed All-Star Athlete. Commanding Coaching Champion. Perennially Professional Powerhouse. Doubt Destroying Dame. Stylish Sideline Slayer. Final Four Finisher. Uncommonly Favored. Unyielding. Unbent. Louis Vuitton Dawn. An Olympian. A record-breaker. A humble servant. And ultimately, a …
An Oriki Tribute to Harry Belafonte: In Memoriam
Harry George of House Belafonte (Bellanfanti). Second of his name (he was a Jr.). Sultan of the Silver Screen. Champion of Calypso. Humble Humanitarian. Truthtelling Titan. Justice Juggernaut. Resistance Revolutionary. A true multi-hyphenate. A legend. An activist. The most PROFESSIONAL of Troublemakers. A man who epitomized the adage of “leave …
An Oriki Tribute to Angela Bassett, Wakanda’s Queen Ramonda
Angela Bassett played the incredible matriarch of Wakanda, Queen Ramonda. And it was an award-winning performance. Frankly, Academy Award-winning. Although that trophy went to someone else, she deserves her flowers. So I wrote her an Oriki. Angela Evelyn of House Bassett. First of her name. Thespian Arts Titan. Silver Screen …
An Oriki Tribute to Serena Williams: The Tennis GOAT
Serena Jameka of House Williams First of Her Name. Titan of Tennis. Compton’s Celestial Champion. Wimbledon Wunderkind. GOAT of the Grand Slam. Archetype of Athleticism. Sensational Slayer of Serves. Record-breaking Racket Royalty. Baroness of BAWDY. Olympia’s Olympian Mom. Powerhouse. Icon. Legend. Dope Black woman. The GREATEST of ALL TIME (GOAT). …
An Oriki Tribute to Ketanji Brown Jackson, the First Black Woman Supreme Court Justice
There is now a Black woman sitting in the highest court of the land and her name is Ketanji Brown Jackson. Appointed by President Joe Biden, Justice Brown Jackson is now holding a gavel, as the first Black woman to sit in that position. We welcome her with this oriki! …
An Oriki Tribute to Sidney Poitier: In Memoriam
Sidney of House Poitier. First of his name. Bahamian Baron of Hollywood. Trailblazing Thespian 🎭. Duke of Our Grandmother’s Dreams. Earl of Ease. Sultan of The Silver Screen. Liege of “Lilies of the Field”. An author. An activist. An advocate. You truly walk amongst Kings. May your legacy live on …
An Oriki Tribute to Betty White: In Memoriam
Betty Marion of House White. First of Her Name. Glorious Golden Girl. Viscountess of Variety TV Laureate of Laughter. Princess of Poker. White-Haired Wonder Woman. Comedic Centenarian. My fellow Capricorn. Not just a goat but THE GOAT. A pioneer that outlived so many of her peers. A legacy full of …