20 plus books about racism in America that every adult needs to read – a starting point to spark a conversation on race, racism, and diversity in America James Baldwin said it best, “To be a Negro (black) in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the […]

Keep your preteen/teens engaged all summer long with one of these recommendations for ages 10 – 13 an ideal summer reading list with young authors from different genres. As my children enjoy the warm summer weather and outdoor adventures, we are making it a priority to keep them reading all through the summer months. We […]

No matter what stage you’re in life, these self-care books by black authors is a great read and welcome addition to your collections. Toni Morrison was on to something when she said, “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” That statement is true on so many levels. When it comes […]

It’s day 5 of Black Panther U.S release and the love is still going strong. Former first lady, Michelle Obama tweeted about the film yesterday morning, “I loved this movie and I know it will inspire people of all backgrounds to dig deep and find the courage to be heroes of their own stories.”  She covered […]

I am an African who has an accent. Although, I have lived in the United States longer than I have lived in my home country, my accent is still pretty pronounce. When I speak, people usually take notice and often times it’s out of curiosity. While most people compliment me for my accent, I have also […]

While in Los Angeles, we made a quick stop at La Placita Olvera, to explore the town and for a quick dinner with Anthony Gonzalez, Voice of Miguel in Pixar’s “Coco”.  Olvera Street is a historic district in downtown Los Angeles, known the birthplace of Los Angeles. So it was the perfect backdrop for our meeting with Anthony Gonzalez. Coco won […]

Can you fall in love on a reality show? Well, that’s what these 25 contestant are hoping to do on The ABC Television Network show The Bachelor Winter Games’ hosted by Chris Harrison. Two weeks ago during my trip to Los Angeles, I watched the first episode of ‘The Bachelor Winter Games’ and got a chance […]

Black Panther’s World Premiere Los Angeles, California. Our black limousine van with leather seat pulled up onto Hollywood Blvd. A few short walk and we were led to will call, where I spotted Garcelle Beauvais. Be still my heart!! Before I could say anything, she’s whisked away not to be seen again.  As we stood at will call […]

I can’t contain my excitement.  In a few days, I will be packing my bags and heading to Los Angeles for Marvel’s Black Panther press junket and I will also be walking the red carpet.  Yes, you heard right, little ol’ me will be walking the Black Panther Hollywood premiere red carpet. I am sorry, […]

“Don’t fear failure. Be afraid of not having the chance!” That quote is from Cars 3 (in theaters June 16). On my last Disney press trip, I got a chance to watch 45 minutes of Cars 3 and can’t wait to check out the conclusion this weekend with the family. From the few minutes I saw, it’s […]

If there is one thing to take away from the third installment of Disney Cars film, it’s that everyone can relate to the story line. In making the film, Director Brian Fee, Producer Kevin Reher and Co-Producer Andrea Warren researched extensively on how athletes and celebrities deal with being relevant and aging in an industry that’s always […]

Yes, I am still gabbing about my trip to San Francisco because a lot happened. Get an inside look into the creation of Cars 3 from concept completion. The behind-the-scene on how the film was made from the geniuses involved. We met the team in March and at that point, they were still working on […]

While I was in San Francisco a few weeks ago, I got a chance to hear from expert animators on how they used Art of Storytelling to bring Cars 3 to life. Granted Disney movies are known for having an interesting back story but it was fun to go behind the scenes and see how […]

Cue the excitement folks. Next week, I am heading out to the PIXAR studio in San Francisco for Cars 3 Event. I am beyond excited to work with Disney, Pixar, and ABC for this event. I have never been to San Francisco so I am eager to see what the city has to offer. Please follow […]

The first day of spring kicked off without a hitch. As the weather changes, I always find myself yearning for some me time hence today’s reading list. These are some of the books and movies everyone will be talking about this year. If you want to get a head start so you can have something […]

I think we can all agree that 2016 was pretty good to Disney. I mean seriously with the release of movies like Rogue One, Moana, Finding Dory, The Jungle Book, The BFG, Pete’s Dragon and my personal favorites Queen of Katwe, Alice Through the Looking Glass and Zootopia. Disney had a fantastic year. So it’s not surprising […]

The first official Disney/Pixar’s CARS 3 trailer is here and everyone is talking about it. Although the movie doesn’t hit theaters until June 16, 2017. Based on the trailer, you can’t really tell who is back.  I don’t want to put words in your mouth so I won’t say much about the trailer. Plus, it’s […]

This morning, on my way to drop the girls off at school, I saw women driving with a skeleton. At first glance, I wasn’t sure what to make of it, then it dawned on me – It’s Halloween. Weird things like that are totally allowed. Right? As much as I enjoy Halloween, the over the […]

Last week, I went to lunch with one of the graduates from Disney Dreamers Academy, a gentleman by the name Robert Jackson. Granted, I have seen a few folks share pictures from the Annual Disney Dreamers Academy but, to be honest, I had no idea what the program entails. However, after listening to Mr. Jackson […]

Do you find yourself excited that Fall TV Season is here? Glad, I am not the only one. If you’re looking for must-watch shows this season, then may I suggest one of these 5 TV shows you need to watch this fall. Check it out and don’t forget to bookmark, add it to your must-watch […]

Have you seen the movie trailer for “Queen of Katwe”? It stars Oscar® winner and Tony Award® nominee Lupita Nyong’o and Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo. I was invited by Disney to attend the red carpet premiere and interview the cast, but unfortunately, I had a schedule conflict. It was difficult for me to turn […]

Last night, the highly-anticipated One Africa Music Fest took placed in New York City, and it was fantastic. Even though I didn’t understand any of the non-English portions of some of their songs, it was okay because music is a universal language. To quote, Plato”Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings […]

It’s July 4th weekend; the whole family is coming over to your house to get some food and enjoy some quality bonding time.  You’ve managed to wrangle the best chef award with your carefully selected favorite easy 4th of July recipes; now you have the secret weapon to keep everyone laughing all night – by streaming one of […]

At the beginning of the year, if someone had said to me that I will be doing voice over for Disney’s Zootopia, I will call them a quack and ask for my money back. However, last month while in LA, I got a chance to do a voice over for one of the characters on Zootopia. We were […]

Zootopia was called “the best film Disney animation has made in 20 years” and it’s for a good reason. It’s a movie that resonated with everyone. It had lots of great messages, and it tackled an important topic. Most importantly, it was done in a way to make it easy for kids to understand. Zootopia […]

Have you ever had a conversation with a sloth?  Well, I did and you can imagine, my blood pressure going up with every word out of his mouth. Seriously, sloths are known to be the slowest animal ever. If you’ve seen Disney’s Zootopia, then you probably remember the scene with Flash, the fastest sloth in […]

It’s the weekend, and you probably know what I am going to ask next. Have you seen Alice Through The Looking Glass? If you haven’t, I suggest you make some time to check it out. You won’t be disappointed. Anyway back to the matter at hand, during my recent trip to LA, I sat down […]

“In Zootopia, anyone can be anything.” So when it comes to designing the characters, we had a chat with Disney’s Animators – Renato dos Anjos & Chad Sellers on how they created each character and what issues they had with each design. In speaking with the team behind Zootopia, one thing was certain – A lot […]

During my recent trip to Los Angeles, I stopped by The DisneyToon Studios where I got a chance to interview Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Clark Spenser. These three are the brainchild behind Disney’s Zootopia. During my interview with the trio, it dawned on me why the movie is so successful. It’s relatable to just about […]

Suzanne Todd is the producer of Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass, starring  Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Sacha Baron Cohen. While I was in LA last week, I got a chance to chat with her about Alice Through the Looking Glass and her upcoming project Bad Moms with Christina Applegate and […]

Should I take my kids to see Alice Through the Looking Glass Movie? That’s one of the questions people asked me when I told them I attended the LA premiere.  A sequel to 2010 blockbuster hit, Alice In Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass follows a now grown Alice Kingsleigh, who after returning from a […]

While in LA, I had the opportunity to Interview Actress Mia Wasikowska on her role as Alice Kingsleigh. She was very witty, engaging and easy to chat with. Mia reprised her role as Alice Kingsleigh in Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass, the sequel to the 2010 blockbuster hit, Alice in Wonderland. Alice Through The Looking […]

On Monday, I got a chance to walk the red carpet for Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass premiere that took place at the El Capitan Theatre. It all started a few weeks ago when I received an invitation from Disney to attend a 3-days press trip to Los Angeles. This would be my first time […]

It’s time for a little madness. I am heading to LA in a few days to interview the cast of Alice Through The Looking Glass and walk the red carpet at the premiere. I know, I am as surprised as you are. When I got the email a few weeks ago, the first thing that […]

Today, April 22 marks Earth Day. A time to reflect on our role here and how we can make it a better place for ourselves and further generations. Granted, there are many ways to celebrate Earth Day beyond recycling. For us, it’s about teaching our children the importance of preserving mother earth and showing them the […]

THE JUNGLE BOOK featuring Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyong’o, Sir Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken and Giancarlo Esposite is set to hit theaters on April 15 and my family couldn’t be more excited. Ever since we saw the trailer a few months ago, the girls are eager to check it out. I on the other […]

If you need to wallow in your heartbreak or just celebrate being happily single, then you will enjoy this Anti-Valentine’s Day Playlist. No love lost here if you’re simply not a fan of Valentine’s day turn your music player on repeat and get ready to dance. At the minimum, it will help you get through […]

Wondering what the Best Foreign Films Streaming on Netflix are? I’ve compiled a list of 10 best foreign-language films currently streaming on Netflix. I don’t remember Tom Cruise being a part of my childhood, but Amitabh Bachchan, Bruce Lee, and James Bond (Sean Connery). Those three I can pick out of a lineup. My family […]

Want to remind your kids that Thanksgiving is more than just a few days off from school and a pile of turkey? These 7 Thanksgiving books for kids talk about the spirit of giving — with a side helping of cuteness to keep them interested. Thanksgiving Books for Kids Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation follow Time-Traveling Twins, Liz […]

“Viewer’s beware! You’re in for a scare..” If you were a child of the 90’s or have a sibling who was, you know these opening lines very well. They immediately brought your attention to the screen and made you slide a little deeper into the blanket you were wrapped in. ‘Goosebumps’ Movie Review Yesterday, we […]

Does today’s hectic lifestyle leave you craving some down time? As the leaves change color, there is nothing more satisfying than a good book. If you enjoy a quiet morning, with a nice hot chocolate, warm blanket, and a good book, then this eclectic and diverse list of books will satisfy your fall reading list. […]

Sharing ten awesome TV Shows to Binge-Watch on Netflix Before Fall Premieres. I know you’ve a life, so obviously you might not be able to binge-watch these shows in time for the new season to air. I say add these shows to your Netflix list, so you can catch up on missed episodes from last […]

Are you a bold college student with a passion and love for entertainment. If you answered yes, then you should apply to join the ESSENCE College Ambassador program starting this fall. What is the ESSENCE College Ambassador Program? The ESSENCE College Ambassador Program is an amazing opportunity for college students to align their personal brand with the […]

Disclosure: I was invited by Sony to screen the movie early. However all opinions expressed are mine. Pixels Movie Review. ‘Pixels,’ Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Josh Gad, and Peter Dinklage hit theaters today. However, I was one of the lucky few who got a chance to preview it early. Pixels is a story about […]

Disclosure: I was invited by Sony to interview the cast. However, all opinions expressed are mine. Four days ago I had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with the cast of Pixels Movie – Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Josh Gad and Director Chris Columbus. The cast was what you would expect them to be, friendly, personable and eager […]

Patriotic Movies to Stream on Netflix for Independence Day Hello there, it’s that time of the month again  – when I share some Netflix stream suggestions. This month, it’s all about the best patriotic movies to stream on Netflix for Independence Day. If you don’t have any plans for the weekend, or you just feel […]

I was originally going to title this Laughing Through The Pain, but opted against it because frankly the list isn’t limited to comedy. It’s a varied list with a healthy mix of comedy, drama, romance, documentary etc. How do you deal with pain? Or better yet, what do you do when you want to get […]

What’s your plan for Mother’s Day? If you’re looking for something different to do, how about spending some much needed quality time with your mom. Invite her over for lunch and you guys can spend the rest of the day watching these carefully selected array of movies perfect for Mother’s Day. These Mother’s Day Movies […]

Thrilled to chat with Lara Akinsanya as part of our inspiring mom series, showcasing everyday mom doing extra ordinary things. If you’ve been following the site, then you’ve heard me mention Runway Moms for a Cause . So naturally, I was happy to get the chance to talk to Lara Akinsanya, who founded the organization. You’ve a Masters […]

How many books do you read a year? Every year, I make a promise to myself that I will make every effort to read a book a month. It’s only the fourth month and I have failed miserably. However, with Spring on the horizon, I can’t think of anything better than curling up to a […]

Did you know, April 22 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day? To celebrate I’ve complied a list of songs that brings awareness to the wonderful everyday beauty around us. I love music and these songs acts as a subtle reminder of our responsibility as humans. No matter what you’re doing on Earth Day, whether you’re […]

Easter weekend is almost here. How do you celebrate? Do you go to church or maybe you take the kids to see the Easter bunny. For Christians, Easter marks the end of lent and the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. No matter what you believe in, this is a great time to teach kids […]

In celebration of Black History Month, we are sharing 40-Thought Provoking Quotes by Famous African Americans. From civil rights activist  like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, to Maya Angelou. 40-Thought Provoking Quotes by Famous African Americans  “I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. […]

10 Children’s Books to Celebrate Black History Month. In celebration of Black History Month, we’re sharing awesome books you can read to the children and help teach them about African America history and pursuit of freedom. This is a collection of ten books dealing with various aspects of the African-American experience includes Henry’s Freedom Box, If […]

Are you stuck at home due to Snow Storm Juno? Same here, so I feel your pain. Our morning has been a tirade of tea party and “Mommy can I” and it’s only day 1. I predict many more hair pulling and screaming children the next couple of days. I understand your pain. Which is why I am […]

“Strange Magic,” is musical a fairy tale about finding love in unexpected places. It’s a story about a princess who has sworn off love, a vulnerable villain, a slightly nutty Sugar Plum Fairy, a tenacious and big hearted elf, a mischievous imp, and a knight who is no Prince Charming. Whether you’re a fan of fairy tale or […]

Did you know today is National Hugging Day? Personally, I don’t need a specific day to celebrate this huggable moment, being a mom of two little ones, I try my best to get as much hugs in as possible. I know once they get older, it will be few and far between, so until they tell […]

From Cinderella to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this year Disney has something for everyone. Watch these trailers then mark your calender and get ready for an exciting year. January 23, 2015 “Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs […]

Garth Brooks recently released a new song titled ‘Mom’, off his new album  – Man Against Machine. If you listen closely to the emotional lyrics, there is a lot to be said about the song. People often ask me, what my fascination is with country music and it’s simple. I started paying attention to Garth Brooks when […]

The first official trailer has been released for ‘Black or White’, the forthcoming race relations drama starring Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer. With the shooting of Michael Brown and most recently the death of Eric Garner, race relations has been at the forefront of most conversation at the water cooler and among friends and families. Academy […]

KidzVuz Holiday House Party 2014 . On Sunday Nov. 16th my daughter and I attended the 3rd Annual KidzVuz Holiday House Party. This is an event we look forward to every year. The moment we walked into the venue and spotted the Annie sign, we knew it was going to be a great event. Annie at KidzVuz Holiday House Party […]

Thanksgiving is upon us and If football isn’t your idea of a good time, then you’re in luck. Netflix shared some of their Friendsgiving TV shows with us. Whats Friendsgiving, you ask? It’s a popular take on Thanksgiving when friends come together to celebrate good food and great company. So whether you’re spending the day with your […]

Coming off the success of “Tornado,” Little Big Town debuts their new album appropriately titled, “Pain Killer.” To celebrate the release of “Pain Killer”, Little Big Town stopped by Walmart Soundcheck for an exclusive performance and interview. In the clip, the Grammy award-winning group chats about the album in a three-part series which also includes performance from their […]

When was the last time you celebrated a milestone? Life sometimes gets in the way, but we try to celebrate the little moment every chance we get. Our celebration isn’t limited to the obvious first Christmas, first dentist visit, or birthdays. We’re that weird family that celebrate pretty much all the quirky first from the girls first […]

Fostering Creativity with Amazon Creative Galaxy My girls enjoy arts and crafts but sometimes they need a little nudge to actually get it done. We recently discovered a fun and creative 3o-minutes amazon original series called Creative Galaxy. Creative Galaxy is an interactive art adventure series for preschoolers produced by the same people that brought us Blue’s Clues and […]

Over the weekend P&G launched #Peptocopter at Six Flags. Peptocopter will help guest who has overindulged in the park food to get back to the fun at Fright Fest. I was invited to attend on behalf of P&G’s Pepto-Bismol, so I could sample Frank’n Bacon Funnel Dogs as it makes its nationwide debut. While there, I got a chance to […]

Disney’s BIG HERO 6 Trailer + Free Activity Sheets. On a scale of 1-10 how excited are you to #MeetBaymax. My family is pretty excited as well. Disney’s “BIG HERO 6″  is an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of […]

If you follow me on Instagram, then you saw that I spent my Saturday at Oprah’s The Life You Want Tour at Prudential Center. I have to say, this was an impromptu attendance. I got an invite late Friday night and I debated going because I wanted my sister with me. Two years ago my […]

Review: Marvel Universe Live! Last week our family attended the opening night of Marvel Universe Live at Izod Center. We weren’t sure what to expect and we were pleasantly surprise. The story follows the super heroes as they attempt to prevent Loki from assembling & cloning the Cosmic Cube power and gain control of the universe. […]

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of spending an evening with Kristi Yamaguchi and Alpine Lace Deli Cheese. How did I get so luck you ask, well remember a few weeks ago, when I shared my Chicken and Cheese Crostini recipe. Well they loved my little creation, so they invited me for an evening of dining, dancing […]

 If you’re partaking in the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities then you will appreciate these 10 Delicious Alcohol-Infused St. Patrick’s Day Recipes.  From Irish cream infused brownies to a Guinness stewed pot pie these recipes will be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. St. Patrick’s Day or the Feast of St. Patrick is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It […]

’50 Shades of Grey’ Movie Poster Revealed Its official Fifty Shades of Grey poster has been released. What do you think? I like the clean look of it. The anticipation has been building even though the movie isn’t set to hit theaters till 2015. I’m not ashamed to say, I read the series and I […]

Hopefully you’re done with the chaos of holiday shopping and you’re starting to wind down and get ready to truly enjoy the season with your family. Our kids will be on vacation the next couple of weeks so there is no better time than now to reconnect as a family. At our house, we enjoy […]

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Join Macy’s and Vanidades in their salute to Latino culture, history, vibrancy and 2013 Icon of Style, Thalía. Thalía is […]

I had the pleasure of attending the 2013 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration last week in NYC. If you follow me on twitter you probably saw most of my tweets, shared in my excitement and read a few tidbit of lessons learned from the conference. This was my 1st Disney Conference so I didn’t know […]

A few weeks ago I got an invitation to the first ever Essence Magazine Mommy Meet Up, hosted by Essence Magazine and Candace of Chic Busy Mom.  When I got the invitation, I wasn’t sure what to expect, nonetheless I replied with a resounding Yes.  I mean this is Essence magazine we’re talking about. A […]

Disclosure:  I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own. My Mom is a lifelong Rod Stewarts fan, so as an early mother’s day gift, I decided to share with her his […]

I don’t usually blog about TV shows I watch but the last episode of ABC Scandal left me wanting to share  a few things.  You’ve heard of the show Scandal right? Well even if you haven’t watched it, you’ve probably heard it mentioned a few times on your twitter or facebook feed. I can’t remember which one of my girlfriends introduced […]