I Was Born on August 28th...

To be a black woman born in America on August 28th is to live in a paradox. Blessed by Dr. King's "I Have a Dream"... burdened by Emmitt Till's murder.  Overcome by Obama's presidential nomination... overwhelmed with memories of Hurricane Katrina.  It's like walking a tightrope, trying to find balance between a great pride for my people and a great pain for them, too.  

I want to be happy, yet sometimes I'm too horrified by our circumstances to celebrate. 

That's why in the days prior to my birthday I chose to post fun messages and throwback photos on social media. I needed to celebrate this season, but I didn't want to make light of this day.

It means too much.

When I look at this photo of myself, I see what I want all of us to see in ourselves and in our country.

Hope. Potential. Joy. Love.  

It reminds of my foundation, the GOD n Me. As a woman of color, this is the core of who I am now and the essence of who I hope to be.  

The baby in this picture is born from the seeds of strange fruit hangin' swinging in the southern breeze. 

From a young black boy's gaze at a white woman.

from a father with a knee on his neck, and an auntie playing video games with her nephew. 

Or, a young man out for a run.

Pain is part of our history and still, like the shadow in the photo,

God is ever.... so.... close. 

I pray His grace and mercy follows us as we seek justice.

I pray His presence always supersede our pain.

I pray His love for mankind not be in vain. 

The day is coming...

In the meantime, my prayer for you is that you take care. Be safe. Look like LOVE.

WRITER | MENTOR | TEACHER

LOVER OF CHOCOLATE |

PURPOSED TO EMPOWER |

30+ YEARS IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP |

PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL

Phillipa also the Founder of ilooklikeLOVE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization providing diaper assistance to families in need and opportunities for mothers to empower themselves.

Look for her upcoming book,

GOD n You: Finding Your Place in Forever.