When I invited the group of women whose words fill the following pages to contribute to this issue, I gave them a quote from Dr. Anna Julia Cooper as a a prompt to think about while planning their stories. Dr. Cooper said, “Only the BLACK WOMAN can say, ‘When and where I enter, in the […]
You could give your Valentine a box of ordinary candies from the corner store, but why be basic when you could be brilliant? We heart Rhode Island Spirits’ Rhodium Coffee Black Walnut Vodka stuffed truffles, enrobed in rich, dark chocolate. Whether you’re enjoying them single or with your sweetie, nothing says Valentines’ Day decadence quite […]
Eleven months into the pandemic, nursing home workers continue to bear much of the burden of Rhode Island’s front lines without much to show for it. In a field dominated by women of color, caretakers, RNs and CNAs make less than other healthcare workers for more work. On top of that, nursing homes have been […]
Salutations! H.L.Popinjay here with the second edition of The Cabinet, your monthly torrent of twaddle aimed at the high muckety-mucks in power in the so-called Ocean State. In case you missed my last missive, I should clarify that I am writing from the year 2121, one centenary hence, when, as a result of climate change, […]
George Cardono, the creator of our beloved Nibbles Woodaway (better known as the Big Blue Bug), died last week at the age of 88. Nibbles was the result of a brainstorming session Cardono had with the founders of the eponymously named Big Blue Bug Solutions. Their intent was to create something that would stand out […]
In my community people see me as mother, minister and leader. I am also wife, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, auntie, godmother and friend. In all of these roles I put my best supportive foot forward because I am in love with God. That is my foundation for survival. God has kept me through hard times, picked me […]
I have been in the service business for 35 years, yet I have never liked the word “service.” As a Black woman, the word feels demeaning. As a human, it feels soulless, transactional, and my experience working with folks is anything but transactional. It is deep and emotional. Blackness is magnificent. Womanhood is powerful. I was […]
My career as an educator includes responsibilities to myself, the discipline of dance, and Rhode Island College, the institution that I currently serve. I show up as an African American woman, prepared for the career that I have chosen. Today I am at a place where I accept, acknowledge and sit in confidence of my […]
Domestic violence incidents have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with reported emergency calls up by at least 70% . While social distancing, isolating and quarantining are mere nuisances for some of us, for others it’s a living nightmare. Victims of domestic abuse no longer have somewhere outside the home to go to, and the COVID […]
Measure twice. Cut once. Not just a rule for woodworking, but for life. If you have cable TV, you might recognize me. But probably not. In winter 2014, I was on a reality tv show on the SpikeTV network called “Framework,” hosted by Common. It was a reality show like all of the others, “13 […]