A Decade of War Pushes PTSD To the Forefront in Healthcare Concerns

Veterans are often viewed as exhibiting bravery and valor in the face of danger, all in honor of unity. But it is not uncommon for many of them to end up destitute, and stricken with mental illness and social withdrawal stemming from their days in battle, experiencing death as often as one might experience breakfast. […]

Courtroom Tug-of-War

I’ve lived two lives. The former was one riddled with despair, worry and constant frustration. The beginning of adulthood for me was a bite much bigger than I could chew. Just 22 years old, a new mother of twins finishing a BA at NYU, I found myself in the middle of a custody battle with […]

A Conversation With Actress and Writer Tanya Wright

My first thought upon meeting Tanya Wright at the 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival was “She’s beautiful.” My second thought, “I know this girl.” If you don’t know her by name, maybe you know her as Deputy Kenya Jones on “True Blood.” If not there, then surely you’ve seen her on “24”. You might even know her as LaMuzindah in […]

Eric Benet Talks Crying Men, Seventies Soul, and New Album

If Eric Benét’s newest single “Sometimes I Cry” is any indication of what is to come on his forthcoming album Lost In Time, due out November 30th, then we can expect soulful greatness packed with emotion and wrapped in passion. He is the epitome of a man in touch with his feelings and this album is a […]

“Champagne Life” for Def Jam Executive’s Birthday Bash

It was champagne life last Thursday night at Shawn “Pecas” Costner’s 40th birthday party hosted by Hot 97’s Angie Martinez. The Vice President of Def Jam Promotions and renowned music industry executive celebrated on the roof deck at Studio Square in Astoria Queens with a star studded crowd. The décor was beautiful with the white leather couches, the backdrop of Manhattan’s skyline, and […]

Love, Politics and an HIV Test

I sauntered in a black halter and purple peek toe stilettos, my summatime (sic) shoes. I walked over to the bar, ordered a complimentary specialty cocktail, aptly named “Love,” and sipped for just a few moments before I was joined by a gentleman dressed in red. A red tie that is, one of two colors […]

Why African-American Books Should Be Required Reading for All Americans

Black history is not just for Black people. Just as the world is not painted in “50 Shades of Grey,” and America is a melting pot of flavors, those aspiring to be well-cultured put on their technicolor glasses, stepoutside their comfort box, and expose themselves to something they may not already know.…Read more at Ebony.com

REVELATIONS: Finding Opportunity in Life’s Journey

We waited, the man and I, outside the courtroom for paperwork to be drawn up, and a court date set. Me, sitting on a bench, sipping cold coffee. Him, pacing the floor in front of me, talking on his phone to…someone…about what had just transpired. In that moment, I remembered how every area of my […]

[CONFESSIONS] Making Peace With My Mother (and Myself)

First, I thought I had malaria—the infectious disease born from parasitic mosquitoes that infiltrates blood cells resulting in death—but later learned the only parasite was a bundle growing inside me that pro-life activists called a blessing from God, but my mother deemed shameful. The excitement of spending 4 months studying abroad my senior year of college […]

Confessions: Lost Him Found Myself

It was in the nights I spent letting my tears trickle onto my lavender pillows, that I often wondered why Apple never created an app for heartbreak. iHurt seemed like a fitting name. The idea could hardly be novel in this time when anyone with internet access could upload, download, or Google all of life’s answers if they […]