This is dedicated to my friend and brother, Azal Lockett; to our friends who’ve become Ancestors young; to Black mamas and babas who’ve buried their children; to the entire Lockett Family; to Oyá who governs change and assists us in transitions; and to those who remind us of the yumminess that is love. I amContinue reading “Forever Young”
Author Archives: Raina La'Shea
Village Baby Mama
This post is dedicated to my daughter, Zaheera, who called me to start strengthening the village for her from my womb and to my first great-nephew, Chase, born this morning. I recently decided to start opening the day with deep breathing and reflections. I do this with my 3-year-old daughter. After engaging in our newContinue reading “Village Baby Mama”
Daddy-Daughter Dance
Heather Nurse’s Recipe for Healing My Daddy became an Ancestor 10 years ago today. Grief really ebbs and flows. Some days it is invisible, untouchable, flat. I don’t see it, feel it, or experience it. Other days it shows up in my heart, in the grinding of my teeth, in everything I smell, hear, itContinue reading “Daddy-Daughter Dance”
Ready Rock
How old were you when you became familiar with the word crackhead? When you recognized they were in your family? When you began using the word as a colloquial insult amongst friends or even neighborhood enemies? I was very young. I was young when I learned that my Uncle was a crackhead, a thief, an addict.Continue reading “Ready Rock”
Giving Birth to Purpose
A few weeks ago, I got a spiritual download – What I’ve been called to do. I’ve known that I was meant to write since I was in elementary school As I’ve grown older, I recognized that my work goes beyond writing even though communication, language, words, and powerful storytelling are a part of whoContinue reading “Giving Birth to Purpose”
Before they know the meanings of their names
These words are dedicated to the Black bodies, children, young people who’ve lost their lives to gun violence and to Africans in America who’ve protected and served a country that does not honor them. On the morning of May 23rd my Mommy asked me if I’d heard a shooting in the middle of the night.Continue reading “Before they know the meanings of their names”
If There Is A Light That Shines
The past weekend was pretty magical. Intense for a number of reasons but also magical. Watching and listening to the conversation led by GirlTrek founders about survival, radical self-care, and freedom fighting featuring two of my favorites, Angela Davis and Nikki Giovanni, experiencing Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s battle turned moment of sisterhood and nostalgiaContinue reading “If There Is A Light That Shines”
