BHM Day 13: Beyoncé

Fun fact: I don’t think of myself of Beyoncé Stan. Yes, I own all of her albums and have forked over my hard earned coins to see her live on many occasions, but I don’t think I’m on the level of a Stan. I don’t really argue about Beyoncé, even when you hoes try and talk reckless just to get a rise out of me. When y’all go low, I cuss you out in my mind and then Tweet about you later. That’s what Michelle said, right? Anyway.. I feel like stans have an abundance of time, memes, and graphs to support his/her faves. I couldn’t tell you how many singles Bey has sold, or how many Grammy Awards she’s gotten. All I know is that the woman puts out music that I enjoy and consistently entertains me.
So I guess I said all of that, to let you guys know that I am not here as a fan. I can be objective when it comes to Beyoncé. Wanna see? Ok fine, you untrusting ass… I didn’t really enjoy the second disc of I Am.. Sasha Fierce. It bored me and I can’t remember half of the songs on it. See!?

Now that I’ve restored my journalistic integrity, can we PLEASE talk about Beyoncé at the Grammy Awards last night? Last night was the first time anyone would have seen Bey after her Instagram announcement of her pregnancy. What would she do? (EVERYTHING) What would she wear? (the garments fit for a bad bitch) Well Mama Tina came on the screen and I knew shit was about to go down. Beyoncé appeared on a large video screen serving up Oshun realness. Oshun is the Yoruba goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and prosperity. (I might be missing some things, but feel free to Google--it’s free!) She gave us Black Madonna. There might have been a Hindu reference thrown in there as well. Some people thought it be narcissistic, but I saw it as an important message to women. Somewhere along the line, women have forgotten their place in history as goddesses and Beyoncé is here to remind us all.

Beyond that message, Beyoncé proved that pregnancy isn’t going to stop her. Was she dropping down low and sweeping the floor wit it? Nope. Did she have two dancers help her as she walked down stairs? Ya damned skippy! Somehow she was able to evolve her show from full on, in your face choreography, to one of understated choreography and stunning visuals. Bey had the audience captivated for a smooth 9 minutes and she wasn’t even signing any of her biggest songs off the album.

Ultimately, Beyoncé was once again shut out of Album of the Year, but it’s just a Grammy.. I mean Kanye actually had a point when he called them out of touch. Plus, I think the notion of voting on something like art is kind of odd to begin with. Rihanna is constantly getting snubbed but she doesn’t care. Bitch showed up with a bedazzled flask and enjoyed the free show. She can rest easily knowing she’s selling out arena shows and is one of the most influential artists out right now.

Speaking of influential, let’s bring this back to Beyoncé and the influence she’s had over the past year or so. “Formation” came out and was unapologetically Black. I remember a (White) coworker saying how she didn’t like/understand it, and all I could say is “that’s fine.. It’s not for you”. The video featured Black women of all shades with natural hair and touched on police brutality. Bey was owning her Blackness and empowering us all to do the same. I think Adele put it best last night:


The Lemonade album, Beyoncé, was so monumental, and so well thought out, and so beautiful and soul-bearing. And we all got to see another side of you that you don't always let us see, and we appreciate that. And all us artists adore you. You are our light.
And the way that you make me and my friends feel, the way you make my black friends feel, is empowering, and you make them stand up for themselves. And I love you. I always have. And I always will.


So fuck a Grammy, today I am shining the BHM spotlight on you, Mrs. Knowles-Carter. You could easily stop right now and know that you’ve made a massive impact on this world, but something tells me you’re just getting started. Also, please don’t quit. I need you. Adele needs you. WE. ALL. NEED. YOU.


Please note the bad bitch moment that was reading an acceptance speech off a gold card that matched her outfit completely:

BHM Day 12: Viola Davis

EGOT= Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award Winner.

When one EGOTs, there is little doubt that they are the shit. I mean, to win accolades for film, television, theatre, and music? There are some people who are good at one thing, and then there are others who can just do whatever it is they want to do. To EGOT is to be part of a very small circle of elite performers. When it comes to POC (person of colour, keep up people!) who have achieved this feat, only Whoopi Goldberg comes to mind. Well folks, it looks like Viola Davis is trying to join that inner circle
I am not a big movie person, so I wasn’t aware of her critically acclaimed work until recently. I know she made waves with her role in The Help and that kind of made me sit up and take notice. Truthfully, I got to know her best for her role on How to Get Away with Murder. The show instantly grabbed me, and I lived for the badass Black female lawyer who was running shit. It wasn’t until I started seeing her do things like take off false lashes and makeup or get her natural hair combed on TV that I was like “Oh, she’s out here trying to win an Emmy” She was stripping down and giving the people raw emotion. It worked and she won the award in 2015 and became the first Black woman to win said award. Crazy, right?

Raw Emotion 101:



As for the Grammy, I’m not sure how that’ll work out, as I’ve never heard her sing. Maybe she could win whatever award Hillary Clinton won? OR, she could do something with Allison Krause, because the Grammy voters LOVE her. She STAYS winning awards.

The Oscar could very well happen this year. Her role in Fences has earned her numerous awards, one of which being her fifth SAG award. She’s the first Black woman to earn five. She also just got the Golden Globe, which can sometimes be a good indicator of Oscar voting. Speaking of Oscars noms, can we just talk about Viola being the first Black woman to earn three nominations? She’s clearly coming into her own in the acting world and people are appreciating her work




Since Viola knew she was the shit,she went ahead and got her Tony early on to get it out of the way. I didn’t even know she did stage acting, but then again I am just learning that she graduated from Juilliard. I am shining the BHM spotlight on Viola Davis for being multi dimensional enough to make an EGOT possible. I have faith in her (provided she reaches out to that Krause woman) and I’m curious to see what her career holds in store.

BHM Day 11: Shirley Ann Jackson

As long as phones have existed, there have been Black women who did, in fact, not like people playing on their phones. It’s nice outside and I don’t feel like doing extensive research, but I’m going to assume that’s what prompted Shirley Ann Jackson’s invention of caller ID. (People often credit her with the invention, but it was her research that paved the way. Here we deal in REAL FACTS, weird, right?) Thanks to Ms. Jackson, we no longer have to answer the phone with the fear of the unknown. Is that broke ass Ray Ray calling to borrow money again? Don’t answer it, sis! Are you broke ass Ray Ray and the person to whom you owe money is now trying to collect? You better Matrix on that ass and send them to voicemail!


Before we move on, I’d be doing you all a great disservice if I didn’t share this skit from the Chappelle show:




Shirley Ann Jackson might need her own “Hidden Figures” because her accomplishments are just that amazing and unknown. She was the first Black woman to earn a doctorate from MIT. That’s impressive right? No, earning a doctorate from MIT in NUCLEAR FUCKING PHYSICS in impressive. I’ll wait while y’all clap. She once again made history by being the first woman and the first Black person to serve as Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Committee. Other lessers would have been satisfied, but not Shirley! She went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to be their first Black, and first female president. Sista girl was about the coins, as this position also put her among the highest paid presidents of universities.

Shirley Ann Jackson’s resume would be pretty amazing for a white male. The fact that she’s been able to accomplish as much as she has is inspiring as hell. Stories like hers NEED telling, so today I’m shining the BHM spotlight on her.

BHM Day 10: Blackish

When I first read that ABC was putting out a show called Blackish I had some initial reservations. Although, I was happy to see another show on TV with a cast that looked like me, it had potential to be SUPER corny. Would they try to be Cosby 2.0? Would they be “too urban”? Would they not be “urban enough” I was curious to see what they did with the show, and knew the importance of a show like this. There aren’t many shows featuring a predominantly Black cast that focuses on family. In this genre, I can think of Good Times, The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and Moesha. When it comes to Black television, there just doesn’t seem to be many examples of positive Black families.


Despite my initial dislike of Anthony Anderson, I actually liked Blackish upon first watching it. It centers on a doctor and an advertising exec who have four kids and live in a nice house in the suburbs. The writing was witty and many of the topics were relatable to me. I mean, when I moved to the suburbs, my family was THE Black family on our street and I’m pretty sure we doubled the population of Black kids in my elementary school. I also liked how Blackish presents the perspective of three different generations of Black people. Additionally, through the character of Rainbow, we sometimes hear how a biracial person feels about certain subjects. The show tackles important issues like guns, interracial dating, police brutality, and therapy in the Black community. The show is real, but never feels heavy, as the issues are addressed with a mix of comedy.






Today I shine the BHM spotlight on Blackish for helping show another side of Black people. Somewhere between crack heads and Diddy exists people like the family on Blackish. Critics of the show felt that it wasn’t an accurate representation, but I feel like this might be one of the shows (and Gossip Girl) that best represents my childhood. Many of my other friends are of the same opinion. Hell, even people who aren't Black can watch it and get something out of it! This show is for everyone! Oh, and no, I do not work for Blackish or ABC, but I would gladly take any money they are wanting to throw my way.

BHM Day 9: Azealia Banks

Typically I use these BHM posts to shine a light on Black people who are or have made contributions to society; today I am shining it on a sista who needs us to lift her up. No, I’m not talking about Michelle Williams (the Black one)! She’s doing just fine and selling her linens to the masses! I am talking about Azealia Banks. She’s known for skin bleaching and fighting but there’s more to her than her stunty ways.
Azealia’s song “212” blew up and helped catapult her into the spotlight. Gwyneth Paltrow, Karl Lagerfeld, and a bunch of other cool people in entertainment and fashion co signed her. She had a line saying “I guess that cunt’s gettin eaten” and people lost it. She was so bold and had zero fucks to give! How refreshing! The gays of course, LIVED for her and the fashion moment visuals she dropped. What could possibly go wrong? Well, she started talking… Ugh.

Fast forward to today where most people couldn’t name more than “212” but they can name off the bullshit that has surrounded her. Fights on Twitter with Rihanna, Iggy Azalea, and Sia? Check! Yes, I meant, THAT Sia. Who TF fights with Sia? Fighting with a flight attendants and calling him a slur? Check! Getting banned from Twitter for more hate speech against a former boy band member? YUP! Endorsing Trump AND bleaching her skin? Oh you betcha! Getting into it with RZA and Russel Crowe? (how fucking random?) Duh.com!

What kills me is that she is actually seems pretty smart. I remember watching an interview where she explained her issue with Iggy came from the idea that it was okay for White people to steal Black culture and repackage it as their own. It only reinforced the idea of something not being cool or acceptable until someone white finally does it. (I SEE YOU, ELVIS!) She was well spoken and very passionate about her argument. I just get frustrated seeing someone so smart just kind of lose all credibility with the stunts and the shows. I don’t know if she has some sort of mental illness or if she’s just the literal worst, BUT I’m trying to cut her some slack. I mean, after all, 212 is still pretty fire six years later.

BHM Day 8: Teyana Taylor

I used to be OBSESSED with the MTV show “My Super Sweet Sixteen”. I watched most of the episodes and loved/hated the spoiled brats they’d feature weekly. It was this show that introduced me to Teyana Taylor. I remember her episode because instead of wanting a stunty car, she really wanted a bike. Oh, and on top of that she was down with Pharrell. She gave me super New York/tom boy vibes and she was refreshing as hell. Not too long after her show, she began dropping music. Sadly no one was really there to pick it up or give a damn. (please note: I don’t care what you say, “Google Me” was kind of genius and I will fight you over this.)



Teyana kind of disappeared for a minute. I saw she parted ways with her music label and went the indie route. She made some minor waves with her mixtapes (maybe they were albums? I can’t tell the difference anymore..) and ultimately ended up signing with Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music. Yay! He was killing it and signing the best talent, she was bound to be a hit with a larger audience, right? She was on the opening track to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and that made me think “Ok, Kanye is getting her name out so she can drop her own material.” WRONG. Teyana was also featured on the opening of G.O.O.D. Music’s compilation “Cruel Summer” I started getting the feeling that Teyana was signed just so Ye would have someone to sing a good hook.

Jumping ahead past an album release and a baby, Teyana starred in the video for “Fade”. THe video was her dancing around in very little, but it kept it all very artistic. Her body was banging and soon after she had the likes of “Vogue” being obsessed with her. She even landed a highly coveted (girl, I guess?) role on VH1’s Divas Live Christmas Special. Things are definitely looking up for Teyana and I’m curious to see what she does with all of this newfound exposure. I mean, the girl can sing, dance, write, AND take a bomb ass photo. Plus, any girl that can come out of a Rihanna feud with her edges in tact deserves the BHM spotlight. Brava, sis!

BHM Day 7: Ms. Jenifer Lewis

Today I am highlighting Jenifer Lewis. I first became aware of her when she played Will Smith’s aunt on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”. She was in a handful of episodes, but I remember always loving her one liners and the way she always commanded attention when she was on screen. I honestly forgot about her for a minute until I saw her on “Blackish”. Although I feel like she’s kind of playing WIll’s auntie at an older age on this show, I still love it. I don’t know the original plan of the show, but it feels like she was an ancillary character who morphed into a lead and one of the most loved on the show.

She’s had a long career filled with highlights like working on Broadway and being a backup singer for Bette Middler. She’s honestly one of those people that when you Google her, you’re hit with a feeling of “Oh right, she WAS in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It” and ‘Sister Act” She’s been steadily working and out here collecting checks left and right, which is hard enough for a woman of a certain again, and damn near impossible for a Black woman of a certain age. You guys, she is even listed as having appeared on “Friends” which is one of the whitest TV shows of all time. Talk about breaking down barriers!

I think what’s helped me fall in love with her even more, are these videos she’s been posting on social media. She’s like my imaginary, drunken (pretty sure she’s sober though), foul mouthed auntie, and I love it. The videos are funny, filled with good singing, and highly quotable. For blessing the youth out here in these streets with lyrical gems, I salute Jenifer Lewis and shine my BHM spotlight upon her.