Success in America has always been subjective and dependent on a person’s socioeconomic status. Black Americans have never been granted equal, fair opportunities to achieve success which has led to disparities in income, generational wealth, education, and more. Despite this, many Black Americans have worked hard to fight through slavery, Jim Crow, Reconstruction, segregation, and racism to create their own version of success. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Fancy & Staple Groceries, the first high-end grocery store opened by Black American, Samuel T. Wilcox.

Throughout the course of history, there have been numerous Black American communities that have been targeted, infiltrated, and undermined by the dominant society. Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma was one of the most famous and prosperous communities that was destroyed and decimated. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Mound Bayou, Mississippi, one of the largest standing Black American communities in the United States.

Home ownership used to be one of the most vital parts of achieving the “American Dream.” However, with rising home costs and wages that are struggling to keep up with inflation, many families are forced to hold off on purchasing their very first home until much later in life or go without home ownership altogether. What used to be an accessible milestone has quickly become a Herculean feat only few can actually accomplish.

As Spotify Wrapped has broken the internet with crazy statistics about music listening habits, top artists, and other fun data, I’d like to take a stab at creating my very own 2024 Wrapped specifically for my blog. In lieu of 2025 gracing us with New Year’s resolutions, history yet to be made, and new goals, visions, and dreams, let’s take a walk down memory lane and celebrate how far we’ve gone this year in the final blog post of 2024!

Your health is something you should never take for granted. It should be cherished near and dear to your heart because it impacts everything you do. It determines if you can have kids, how long you’ll live, and how many complications you’ll suffer through. It also influences your decision making and can even lead to financial ruin. Don’t allow your life and wellbeing to be sabotaged by unhealthy vices.

Finding great shows to watch is sometimes difficult. It requires research, recommendations from others, and a stroke of good luck. My husband and I have very specific tastes in movies and shows that provides a challenge when finding new entertainment. We recently binged season 1 and 2 of The Diplomat on Netflix and it checked all of our boxes to get us hooked!

One of the best parts of coming home, outside of seeing my husband of course, is getting to see my fur babies after a long day at work. They always get so excited and are so happy when I walk through the door. Their tails are thumping frantically and they are trying their hardest to get rubs from me. It’s amazing just how much love and affection dogs can show their owners.

Getting elected to a public political office is no small feat. It often entails many hours of hard work and requires getting the broader population to believe in you and your ideas. Politicians can affect citizens’ daily lives by passing memorandums, adjusting tax rates, and instilling social and economic policies. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most well-known mayors of Washington, D.C., Marion Barry.

Earlier this year, my husband and I went on a journey to discover some of the classic movies I missed out on during my childhood. I’ve had the most fun learning about the iconic stories of Batman through the movies and video games. It’s safe to say, we’re pretty engrossed in the lore, so naturally, we were stoked when HBO Max announced a new series called The Penguin.

When I was younger, I always classified myself as an extrovert. I thought I liked talking to people, being involved in all kinds of clubs and organizations, and constantly wanted to have multiple conversations going on at once across a multitude of social media apps. I never truly felt like I was as popular as I thought I wanted to be since I was always seen as the smart girl in school, and we all know there’s an unspoken ceiling to just how cool you can be with that title.

There are a lot of conspiracy theories on the internet. They range from mundane topics like the quality of tap water to extremist topics like planning coups to overtake the government. Some are totally insane and have no real leg to stand on, but others have a semblance of truth that makes you question if what you think you know is really true. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the covert operations of COINTELPRO.

From the beginning of time, Black Americans have had integral roles in creating, inventing, and developing many of the modern luxuries we take for granted today. Unfortunately, many of the early Black pioneers weren’t credited for their hard work. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Nathan “Nearest” Green, the master distiller who created the original recipe for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey.

Being on code is one of the most important and powerful things a socioeconomic group can do in society. Not only does it foster camaraderie amongst individuals, but it also sends a message to the powers that be. Throughout history, Black Americans have had to rely on each other to fight through adversity in hopes of receiving equal treatment. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott and its long lasting economic and social impacts.

Going to school without fear of being targeted solely based on your race is a modern luxury that many fought and lost their lives for. Desegregation created volatile and oftentimes deadly mobs that stood in the way of integration of public schools and institutions. The Little Rock Nine were one example of just how dangerous integration actually was for many young Black Americans pursuing an education. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist who fought for change in Mississippi.

It’s the day after my 27th birthday, and whoever said when you start getting older, the years start flying, wasn’t lying. I’ll try not to get too sentimental, but it’s honestly difficult not to when I remember all the different phases of my life that I’ve gone through to make me into the person I’m proud of today. In true Jessica Marie fashion, I like to stay lowkey and out the mix as much as possible. To celebrate 10/10, I’d like to share 10 of my favorite memories from this past year. 

Staying healthy is a lifelong journey. There’s no definitive deadline for when you can begin to improve your health, and there are numerous studies, life coaches, personal trainers, nutritionists, and even doctors that can affect your health both positively and negatively. Healing, and the medical industry as a whole, has increasingly become a polarizing topic. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most well-known herbalist healers, Dr. Sebi.

Being an adult is tricky, especially when trying to be a responsible adult. There are often times when I’d love to completely change my life, but because of my pre-existing responsibilities, I have to be more strategic with the moves I make. While I don’t think dreams always have to be put on the backburner, it’s important to learn the beauty of timing that makes sense.

Life and death can happen in an instance and completely change our world. There’s no way to predict when a loved one will transition to Heaven, which is why it’s so important to give people their flowers every time we have the opportunity. We have to keep their memory alive even after death. Join me as we give an Earthly farewell to two greats who recently transitioned to Heaven, James Earl Jones and Frankie Beverly.

Racing is a popular sport around the world and has multiple different divisions for spectators to enjoy. No matter if it’s Formula One, NASCAR, IndyCar, or LMP, the object of the race remains the same - to cross the finish line first. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Black American Racers Association (BARA).

California is known for its beautiful sunny beaches, the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, the tech innovations of Silicon Valley, and the notoriously high cost of living that permeates every aspect of daily life for residents. Despite boasting a proud history of joining the Union as a Free State, there are multiple instances of California actually protecting the institution of slavery. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Bridget “Biddy” Mason, a slave who not only fought and won her freedom, but who also became one of the first prominent landowners in Los Angeles in the 1850s and 1860s.