Imagine Me Stories’ Post

Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature. She was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s, and her fictional essays about the experiences of Black Americans attracted national attention. Her quote delves into the essence of research. As writers, it's our nature to be curious, to want to get to the root, the truth and gain factual information. We are truth seekers. As someone on the Autistic Spectrum and as someone who was born with oodles of curiosity, research features heavily in my life. Fact-check, cross reference, citations, look at opposing views and sources, compare and contrast. Research is, as Zora says, 'a seeking that he who wishes may know the cosmic secrets of the world and they that dwell therein.' If you are writing anything, be it a book, post, a blog, a speech make sure you research thoroughly first and do it with the innocent curiosity of a child and with purpose and intention.

For Issue #438 of my Substack "Today In Black History," I detail the history of MY favorite Christmas song, "The Christmas Song" recorded by Nat "King" Cole. I included a video of him singing it live. Every weekday in our Substack publication "We Are Speaking," we publish an audio post about Black History. Black History IS American History, no matter how hard some people try to erase our history and contributions. Click (or copy/paste) the link to read or listen. To financially support our publication and have access to all of the articles, please consider subscribing at the paid level at no more than $5/month. #Substack #BlackHistory #AudioPost https://lnkd.in/d2c9HqPM

For Issue #438 of my Substack "Today In Black History," I detail the history of MY favorite Christmas song, "The Christmas Song" recorded by Nat "King" Cole. I included a video of him singing it live. Every weekday in our Substack publication "We Are Speaking," we publish an audio post about Black History. Black History IS American History, no matter how hard some people try to erase our history and contributions. Click (or copy/paste) the link to read or listen. To financially support our publication and have access to all of the articles, please consider subscribing at the paid level at no more than $5/month. #Substack #BlackHistory #AudioPost https://lnkd.in/d2c9HqPM

[BOOK NOOK] Black History: American Authors Throughout The Decades For centuries, many Black writers have helped prompt societal change and highlight systemic problems throughout America. Today, I will be taking a look at three influential literary figures, as well as highlighting some of my favorite pieces from their extensive catalogs. #universityoflynchburg #lynchburg #lynchburghornets #uofl #thecritograph #critograph #studentmedia #lynchburgnews #lynchburgva #lifeintheburg #studentvoice

Zora Neale Hurston is considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature. She was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s, and her fictional essays about the experiences of Black Americans attracted national attention. Her quote delves into the essence of research. As writers, it's our nature to be curious, to want to get to the root, the truth and gain factual information. We are truth seekers. As someone on the Autistic Spectrum and as someone who was born with oodles of curiosity, research features heavily in my life. Fact-check, cross reference, citations, look at opposing views and sources, compare and contrast. Research is, as Zora says, 'a seeking that he who wishes may know the cosmic secrets of the world and they that dwell therein.' If you are writing anything, be it a book, post, a blog, a speech make sure you research thoroughly first and do it with the innocent curiosity of a child and with purpose and intention.

Welcome to Day 26 of '28 Days, 29 Voices.' Today, we're engaging with the poetic and piercing words of Claudia Rankine. Her work, especially in 'Citizen: An American Lyric,' blends poetry, essay, and visual art to explore the subtleties and complexities of racial tensions in everyday life. Rankine doesn't just write poems; she creates experiences, inviting us to step into moments of racial microaggressions, to feel the weight of them. Her writing is a mirror showing us the often-unseen impacts of casual prejudice and societal indifference. What's compelling about Rankine is her ability to capture the unspoken, the moments that might seem insignificant but are deeply telling about our society's relationship with race. She challenges us to look more closely, to listen more intently, and to be more aware of the nuances of racial dynamics. As we explore Claudia Rankine’s work today, let’s consider the power of words and art to reveal truths. Let’s think about how we interact with the world and the roles we play, knowingly or unknowingly, in these dynamics. https://lnkd.in/gbcpQJDW

Good evening, everyone, and happy almost end of summer! As an author on their independent venture, I decided to start a Substack titled "Versed Vanity," a platform that empowers black artists, poets, and creators--myself included-- to share their works in a way that truly celebrates their unique voices and perspectives, while also building a supportive community for their art! Everything on 'Versed Vanity' is free, as it should be. I only ask that we all respect each other's work and the vulnerability it takes to create; as we all know, vulnerability is not a weakness but a transformative force in an artist's life. Versed Vanity's first post, "Do you have a minute?" will be released at 7:00 p.m. today. It describes the use, scheduling, ways to submit your art, if you are interested, and some beautiful funky art. If you have any questions, please message me here or on Substack. I am all ears and eyes. Thank you all, and remember that your art matters.

First day of black history month. Representation matters. Get your copy today in English, Haitian Creole, and/or Spanish. https://lnkd.in/dbpDhyMD #ebooks #iamnotbeinglazyijustdontunderstand #representationmatters #languagelearning #bilingual #bilingualkids #bilingualeducation #bilingualfamily #booksforkids #readingisfundamental

"Is justice on the horizon for Tupac Shakur, even years after his tragic passing? His impact stretched far beyond hip-hop, marking him as a visionary. His poetry, screenplays, and lyrics went beyond boundaries, reaching far outside the black community. Join me on this #InternationalPodcastDay to explore his enduring legacy beyond the media."

Throughout the centuries, Black writers have used their spirituality to understand both the joy and the brutality of the world around them. Through these books, enter into conversation with great leaders like Harriet Tubman and Howard Thurman. Explore our full reading list >> https://hubs.li/Q02lgpK_0