Click Start: Editor’s Preview
Wow, that first fall feel just hit the outdoors! With leaves beginning to turn color, the temps surely reminded us what time it is. Some love this time of year where the season’s change provide a fresh reminder that we can change too. Maybe there’s a lesson for matters of social impact and public affairs.
In this month’s Homecoming Edition, we celebrate in the Celebrity Row column, someone who’s the third faster female sprinter ever. We also introduce a new column called Heroes & Sheroes with a double spotlight. Visit the About page to learn more on how this portal of ‘Family Line Influencers’ came to be.
There’re different ways to experience homecoming. A few years ago, Beyoncé gave us her rendition with an album of the same name. Often on college campuses it’s a time to revel with alumni and cheer for the Homecoming Queen. Some folks might even start thinking about plans on visiting family during the Holiday season, with a homecoming feast on the cards.
If you’d like to be among the families covered each month, then link-up by dropping your email below. Hope you’ll enjoy the stories and feel free to leave your comments. Thank You!
Celebrity Row: Here for the Culture – “A Tiffany Crowning Moment”
The GOAT is in the building! Obviously we’re not talking about the 4-legged kind. In this case it’s someone who’s the most decorated 100-meter sprinter ever (male or female) in Track & Field, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. As she puts it “18 years ago I started on a journey that began in Osaka Japan, and now I ended my career after performing at the World Championship in Toyko Japan. It felt like it was time.”
While she’s the third fastest woman in history having run 10.6 sec, she’s making the shift from the track to bigger things in the business world. She’d already been an entrepreneur with her specialty in hair care and fashion wigs. That’s not much of a secret if you’ve watched her perform over these years, with hair looking like the Jamaican flag.
She wants to continue elevating the sport by using her voice, but in another lane. As a tribute to her legacy, she had a “Tiffany crowning moment” and was recognized with those jewels at the ATHLOS NYC event for her massive accomplishments. This was being made possible by the event’s founder, Alexis Ohanian, with a special guest to do the honors, his wife, another GOAT, Serena Williams.
Fraser-Pryce certainly isn’t done yet. While there were reports of a Netflix deal, that didn’t come up in her CBS appearance, and the Jamaica Gleaner says the Netflix story was false. Her homecoming must feel bittersweet as she’s made lots of folks proud. Even Usain Bolt admits that Fraser-Pryce lasted in the sport longer than he did. If you missed her visit to the CBS Morning News, check it out below.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on CBS This Morning: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/alexis-ohanian-and-shelly-ann-fraser-pryce-spotlight-womens-track-at-athlos-nyc/
Lead Story: “A Battle in Mind and Spirit, Not Just Body!”
Well, The NFL season is in full swing, and players are dropping off the roster like flies in a bug zapper. In the first couple weeks, the injury reports themselves became painful because of the big-name players affected. Whether at the QB, RB, WR, DL or OL positions, it’s been a rough go for teams that were banking on their stars.
That’s what also happened last season in the NHL with cousin Anthony Duclair, the NY Islander hockey star. He had to head back home to Canada before the season ended for rehab after a major groin injury. It took a toll on him and as athletes know, it turned out to be a battle in mind and spirit, not just body. Then to add insult to injury, he had a misunderstanding with his coach which didn’t go over well.
The downtime back home with family, helped in the physical and emotional healing process. Things are now good between him and the coach. His journey back hasn’t been easy, but he’s on track and in his words “working to be the best he can be, with his speed and skating as his main asset.” Checkout his media availability interview ahead of preseason training camp. Welcome back Anthony!
Anthony Duclair media interview: https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/duclair-details-injury-recovery-process-ahead-of-season
Island Vibes: Scoops on Roots & Culture
Who knew there was a ‘Jamaica Town’ in Costa Rico? https://www.instagram.com/p/DO9LfRoD4wE/?igsh=MWVlbnNlMnVkdnI0NA==
Google Translate made Jamaican Patois an official language. https://www.threads.com/@kiyongtai/post/DPm2DtBlfO0?xmt=AQF0VaawhLF2FkH-Y0wKCax6F2sLLWGIyWHzhbrAgjMxqA&slof=1
Any sport we play, we can win! https://www.instagram.com/p/DOOrnUijqao/?img_index=2&igsh=MWdlNGloYzlsYm5naA==
Family Feature: “A ‘Fro and Step-Show”
Well, with the loss Walter had recently of his dad, things might feel a little out-of-sorts. They were like buddies as much as father-son. Years ago, when Walter’s grandmother was taken from the family at the Mother Emanuel Church shooting in South Carolina, Walter used that time to pour-into his family. This was his way to manage the grief from pain that’s hard to heal.
So, it’s great to see him out and about when the question went out, “who’s got an afro these days and is proud to show it?” And the J5 Crew said, amen! If you also got yours high and wide, then you prob already know it was World Afro Day recently. Some folks might have let out their braids just to be in the afro number. No surprise to see the J5’s together in ‘fro-mation.
That might have been their first meet-up since Chloe went off to college. Not sure if Texas is the ‘fro capital of the world. Then there was the recent step-show competition at Johnson C. Smith University where Jasmine took the top prize with a trophy almost as tall as her. Maybe that was just the warmup for the Homecoming turn-up. That’ll be just in time before Winter hits and things get ‘fro-zen’. Let it ‘fro!
Turn Up Tips: Notes on Trusting the Process
“Clocks measure hours. Builders (of vision) measure moments.” – Garett Campbell-Wilson
“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by a majority.” – Booker T. Washington
“People can fake charm, they can fake competence, but they can’t fake integrity.” – (shared on LinkedIn)
Heroes & Sheroes: “A Doctor for the Doctors, Player for the Players”
Ever wondered where doctors go when they need a doctor? They could start right in their workplace backyard among colleagues. It’s been said that a doctor might be the hardest ones to go to the doctor. But under emergency circumstances there isn’t much choice. That’s what happened in history many years ago when Dr. King was out doing his thing during the civil rights movement.
He was stabbed in the chest, with the tip of the knife being millimeters away from the aorta artery of the heart. He was rushed to the hospital and had surgery done by a team of doctors that included Guyanese born Dr. Aubre de Lambert Maynard. King was told if he had sneezed that would have hit the artery which would have been deadly.
Dr. Maynard was seen as a hero in his time. So was Jamaican soccer player Ricardo “BIBI” Gardner, who’s getting hero-like recognition during this month’s National Heroes Day events. He went from watching his brother play the game to representing Jamaica on the world stage. This included being part of the Reggae Boyz team that was the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the World Cup.
Like Shelly-Ann-Fraser, he’s among the many ambassadors in sports for the island nation. His Wolmer’s Boys High School days have served him well on the field and in international affairs. See more below on Dr. Maynard’s story and Gardner’s honor. If you feel like giving a handclap even if they won’t hear it, then there’s something in you that feels proud too.
Dr. Maynard’s story: https://nyulangone.org/news/doctor-who-saved-preacher
Ricardo “BIBI” Gardner’s Honor: https://share.google/2QGR9vZRALrF59y42
Other Mentions: Added Touch Like Gravy
Well, in this homecoming season, look who’s all dressed up? Young cuz Jon pulled out the suit and tie for an event at his high school. He’s looking like one of the ‘big boys’! Now, is that his sister Sara lurking in the background behind the French doors? We see you!
Patricia was in a nostalgic mood when she shared this pic of her with our grandmother ‘Miley’. Looks like they were headed to a fashion show with them dressed to the max. But who knows, maybe grandma might have planned on finding a date!
With birthday shoutouts flying across the text thread among the Steele family line to Michelle, Sheldon, Nichelle and Yolanda, here’s Yolanda hanging with her brother Paul at a NY hotspot when she was in town recently.
Deja was in town too for one of those quick ’trips outta Boston’. We got to hangout at brunch to catch-up on things. It’s almost like class was in session where the parents were getting ‘schooled’ by the children on buzz in music, culture and social media. Think they love feeling like there’s something they know more about than we do!
Look who’s getting back on her feet. After going through knee surgery, Jewel is on the comeback. She’s been making phone calls like Cardi B making new music. Soon Jewel will be back on the dance floor trying to drop it like it’s hot!
Well, cuz Terri and Husband Norman jetted from Louisiana to Atlantic City to see what’s shaking. After a trip this Spring to NYC and a stop at the Broadway show Hell’s Kitchen, Terri took sick. We couldn’t link-up then so we tried it again, by taking a Boardwalk stroll. That was some good Chinese food, right Norman?
A few of us took the ride down to Maryland to pay respects to the Davis family and the passing of ‘Uncle Devo’. We even linked-up with cousins from different family lines. Is that Charmaine (who’s now retired from her time as Dentist) in the pic?
Lastly, shoutout to Junior who returned home to Queens NY to be near his mother. Yea, it’s where he grew up. He made a big decision to drop everything in NC to handle this responsibility. Hey cuz, now that you’re in town, mom gotta be happy that you already got ribs ‘smoking’ on the grill!
Smile Emoji
Different ages walking down the stairs. Which one’s you, lol? https://www.threads.com/@sofit_ngr/post/DPj-CqEjFZ1?xmt=AQF0q3lkx4w3YJTGRO5AZt8Igsu9csk4x86Ooy7u7KoJ7w&slof=1
Praise & Worship at a White Church vs Black Church! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO3jFLcjqzx/?igsh=am8xY3pqcGkyZnQ%3D
Life & Times Flava (Chill Sauce for the Grind): “What’s Going On!”
These days for some of us, it feels like we’re living back in time. Remember when folks were singing ‘We Shall Overcome’? Remember when Dr. King said he had a dream? Remember when hippies were protesting the hot-button issues of the day? Maybe even more recent, remember when we celebrated the first Black President? Then it seems like things went south.
Back in the day, Marvin Gaye sang by asking a more probing question, “What’s Going On?” With all the drama nowadays around government shutdown, finger pointing and political jostling, the news is exhausting. It’s impacting people’s lives even among our own family lines. History has a way of repeating itself. But if we miss the lessons, we’ll find ourselves in the same mess, or worse.
Now, if some aren’t sure what that flashback all means, then we gotta have them pull-up and know. Since young people were the catalyst, bootstrap, jump-off during past times, then maybe there’s a disconnect today among everyday folks and the ‘Now Generation’. So, we might start by asking “what’s America missing?”, or maybe even “What are we missing as a family?”
When a loved one passes, people come from near and far to pay their respects. The dearly departed was a shared link among many. What if we had a shared link, not so much in a person, but an idea, a project, a movement? Would that help answer what’s going on or what’s America missing, or what we’re missing as a family? As American/family history might show when “these truths” become missing/misplaced, we end up in a bad spot. So, let’s try to lock-in on a shared link for resolving things as a family line and country!
(For a deeper dive into the issues, checkout https://SeeAmericaInColor.com).
Line Jams
Stephanie Mills – Home – https://youtu.be/cnKQN7TF4hQ?si=i8fP68DPV-Ge2qCN
2Pac ft. Dr. Dre – California Love – https://youtu.be/omfz62qu_Bc?si=wyaG0uxy2TryynTl
The Family Line Motto: “Open Door to Good Cheer.”
The Family Line 