alwaysaarona

[alwaysaarona]

These shows are the definition of my childhood. Will Smith was the best friend I never had, Laura was the love of my life, Claire Huxtable was my mom and Living Single was medicine through laughter. What I love most about these shows is that each of them at various moments would feature a character sporting paraphernalia from an HBCU to expose its younger viewers to the colleges and encourage them to apply. Prime example of using the platform given to teach, inspire, educate and uplift. These will ALWAYS be some of my favorite sitcoms. #Day11 #FreshPrince #FamilyMatters #TheCosbyShow #LivingSingle #BlackHistoryMonthPhotoChallenge

[alwaysaarona]

Now this is something I have not experienced in YEARS! #MerryChristmas #Blessed #GodIsEverything #GodIs (at My Brother's House)

[alwaysaarona]

#Ferguson

I was going to stay silent because it's too easy to get inundated with the hoopla and the emotion of the situation that we lose sight of the substance. That, and I can tend to be a lot emotional about situations like this and my emotions can tend to cloud my perspective and my judgement. (We don't need that right now). But then I read a post by one of my mentors Paul Carrick Brunson who said, "Are you fighting or doing nothing?? Do you have a cause you live for?? Do you actively work to advance the lives of people?? Are you producing something of value for the world?? In my (his) opinion, the definition of living is touching and reshaping things that will help people beyond our lifetime. It doesn't have to be on a grand scale but it must be something. Anything less means that you are a spectator of life. Please don't sit on the sidelines, get in life's game! We desperately need more players on the field." Here's the thing: Every single last one of us have a responsibility to shape, change, reform and remodel the future, as it relates to our children, youth and young adults. It is not the sole responsibility of parents to THEIR own children, because all children will NOT be reached by their own parents. It is OUR responsibility as a COMMUNITY to affect the lives of the youth by showing them that the role they play in this country and this world is so much larger than what they may have been exposed to thus far. While I appreciate the sentiments of boycotting Black Friday, that is NOT enough to change the system OR the future. Boycotts in the days of physical slavery and the civil rights movement lasted for months and even years before change was even considered in America and it's "way" of operating. One day or one weekend is NOT NEARLY ENOUGH to impact the economy on a scale large enough to cause a reevaluation of how this country treats people of color INCLUDING our own leader in the person of President Barack Obama. THIS call is for those of us who have a legitimate sense of self-awareness and identity; spiritual, natural and otherwise. THIS call is for US to TEACH and to MENTOR and to ADOPT and to lend a hand in RAISING young people to have an awareness of 1. WHO THEY ARE, 2. WHERE THEY LIVE (and all that comes along with it), 3. WHY THEY MATTER, 4. WHAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE to their community, their culture and the world and 5. HOW they can efficiently execute with excellence an impact on the aforementioned with EVERY single decision they make throughout their lives. Having mentors beyond my parents, having big brothers beyond my older blood brothers, becoming exposed to people who lived differently than what I saw every day growing up in the Bronx and Harlem, going to Morehouse and seeing that black men were not the entirety of ONLY what I saw and knew of us as a child, traveling to Europe and other parts of the world learning their perspective on race and culture and the acceptance thereof has ALL PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE in how I operate as a human being, how I interact with authority, how I carry myself on a daily basis and how I see the world! Most young people in our diaspora only live out what they have seen around them which can be purely circumstantial or otherwise. The point is, if those of us who have a greater understanding of self, don't assume the responsibility to teach that importance to at least ONE young person, then we are perpetuating the system and in no way changing it. This in my opinion, is one MAJOR PIECE of the puzzle that will bring about the change we desperately seek in this country. A change that is COMPLETELY necessary but WILL NOT HAPPEN unless we DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Not riots and boycotts (since I don't think enough of us have the same discipline as our ancestors who didn't have the convenience of immediate gratification that we do that it would take to cause a substantial change in the American system); but MENTORING and TEACHING and LEADING BY EXAMPLE on how to carry yourself, how to interact with authority, how to understand that there are consequences for every decision, action and reaction we choose to make. Is it the only solution?? Of course not. Are there other ways to create an impact?? Of course there are. But for those of us who have a TRUE understanding of who and why we are in this world, it is a start. It is something we can IMMEDIATELY put to action that I'm sure is guaranteed to reduce the statistics of young people who act out as products of their environments and their limited perspective. I don't blame anyone or anything for this entire #MikeBrown situation in #Ferguson. I do challenge us though to take into consideration the non-emotional REALITY of the situation and take action.

[alwaysaarona]

REPOST FROM @accessiblellc: "We are glad to offer project based administrative support to entertainment industry professionals. Email us today for a custom quote tailored to meet your needs! www.accessiblellc.com contact@accessiblellc.com" (via #RepostWhiz @RepostWhiz app) (at Gare de Strasbourg)

[alwaysaarona]

#grateful (at Eiffel Tower)

[alwaysaarona]

I think I literally smiled ALL day today! I have some of the BEST friends in the WORLD and I spent the ENTIRE day with some of them and it was non-stop laughter, joy and amazing memories. It was the perfect way to say "See u later!" b4 I leave for Europe in a few hours. The highlight though?? Unexpectedly getting to see two of my closest friends in @duggerii and @javonizkarisma and my lil man Phoenix!!! Epic is an understatement. Oh and the last pic is another highlight bc I been holding that demon in ALL DAGGONE DAY!!! Sike! Lol. Love u guys INCREDIBLY!!! @keynonlj @tee112 @_unfvckwitable Jay, Ma, Pop, NuNu, MyMy and my home church @fcbcnyc !!! Love all y'all!!!

[alwaysaarona]

REPOST FROM @accessiblellc: "#RP from @treysongz 's MD and world traveling drummer @amadeuspbm Get your business in order! Let us help you! Hit us up today! www.accessiblellc.com #singers #songwriters #musicians #musicbusiness #publishers #copyrights #royalties #bgvs #dancers #choreographers #models #actors #producers #managers" (via #RepostWhiz @RepostWhiz app)

[alwaysaarona]

I'm not yet where God showed me I will be but I am certainly on my way. Had to push pause and reflect on the doors God has allowed be to walk through thus far to remind myself that He will complete what He started. Grateful for EVERY opportunity: past, present and coming! #Reflection #Grateful #GoJesus #iPennedIt #20feetfromstardom #BGV #singer #songwriter #entrepreneur #author #leader #believer #dreamer #creator #FORWARD

[alwaysaarona]

Accessible LLC is here for you!

[alwaysaarona]

Link in BIO!! Follow @cappriccieo now, thank me later!! #Artists #Producer #Singer #Songwriter #Music #MusicBusiness #10StepsToSuccessfullyManagingRecordingArtists #MytrellRecords #SESAC #ArrowRecords #Mentor #Education

[alwaysaarona]

http://www.accessiblellc.com is HERE!! How may we help you?? mailto:Contact@accessiblellc.com

[alwaysaarona]

@accessiblellc www.accessiblellc.com

[alwaysaarona]

www.accessiblellc.com has launched!! Designed by @mschanteejackson of @joashgraphics Check it out!!

[alwaysaarona]

#MayaAngelou #Legendary #Angel #Love #Compassion #RestWell

[alwaysaarona]

Memorial Day is not necessarily a "Happy" day for many Americans - particularly for the loved ones of those who sacrificed their lives for this country. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon and wishing everyone a "HAPPY Memorial Day," I encourage u to say a prayer for the families of those who are no longer with us, and if you happen to know any of these people, give them a call to thank them for their sacrifice. We are ALL in this together. #Love #MemorialDay #ThankYou #Veterans #Soldiers #Family #Unity

[alwaysaarona]

THINK BEFORE YOU POST!!! #YouAreABrand

[alwaysaarona]

Tonight's Din Din with a theme of 'S' : Grilled Salmon, Sweet Potato Soufflé and Sautéed Spinach. #yum #JesusIsMyHelp #YoureWelcome