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As we wind down 2024, it’s hard to imagine that it just went by in a poof. We’ve gone through four seasons in the blink of an eye. We’ve had an election where some kinda closed their eyes. In a few weeks our eyes are gonna be looking skyward with the dropping of the ball.   

As we set our sights on the new year and spend more time indoors, we’ve got a Celebrity Row profile of a sports figure. Also, there’s the new Lost & Found column, along with this month’s Family Feature and Line Jams that might make you wanna move and groove with an old-school new-school combo. You can visit the About page to learn more on how this portal came to be.

We remember the reason for the season and the “Son who was the One”. The dust might still be settling on the recent presidential elections. The inauguration will soon follow and whether we’re ready or not, there’s gonna be some turbulence. Stay buckled-up and prayed-up as we wise-up on issues of our time. Meantime, on behalf of the families that make this portal possible, and from my fam to yours, Happy Holidays!

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 – “Let Him Cook!”

Hey fellas, what time we rolling by the spot? Well, it depends on which game we gonna watch. With the sports season in full stride, we got options over the holidays. Just think, if you’re feeling for some NFL, then they’re doing a first, with games on Christmas Day.

In college football they’re trying something new too. A slate of games as part of a playoff series. But real ballers know that there’s nothing like NBA games on Christmas Day. There’s enough coverage to go around from noon all the way to late-night on the West Coast. Among those teams will likely be the Golden State Warriors.

But will Steph Curry suit up? He’s been nursing a leg injury but plays anyhow in the line-up. Curry is an athlete thru and thru. His golf game is nothing to laugh about. But it’s his shooting skills on the court that’s got him on top in 3-point scores. He holds the record for the most three-points made in NBA history. He’s even become a major brand influencer too.

So ‘let him cook’ isn’t about Curry being in the kitchen for the holidays. It’s about watching him hit shots from corner to corner on the court. His name might make you think island food, but it’s his wife Ayesha (who is of Jamaican descent), that’s holding down the fort on the 6-burner stove. They keep us thrilled, fed and focused on rising to the top.

Lead Story: “Family Reunion in the Making?”

It’s been great having the chance to celebrate the families featured. What each family brings to the table is a snapshot of what’s happening in their broader family, and what’s possible as a larger collective. We see similarities across each family line that shows how we are connected by African roots.

One of the ways that’s true is in family reunions, which have links to our shared history. There’s the New World aspect of being separated from the Motherland. The Salami family based in Togo Africa host their own reunion every few years to welcome those near and far who live beyond homebase.

Then, there’s also the movement of African Americans in the south who headed north. And of course, there’s the Third World aspect of family separation where some of us were dropped off on Caribbean shores. After Emancipation and the Great Migration, family reunions became a thing for coming together.

For the next family reunion in the making, we might come together around history, geography and community, which help drive legacy. So, if you’re wondering, some families might have a few thoughts to share. Yasmine has already provided the ‘Top 5’ tips from their reunion playbook.

Lost & Found: Stories from the Streets, Archives or Family Feed

So, the holiday season is here, and the Rockefeller Tree is lit. After her recent Atlantic City trip for Thanksgiving, wondering if our Aunt Cynthia gonna setup a real tree or artificial tree at home? In pre-retirement days she worked in midtown near the Tree. While thinking about that, came the reminder of a confession I should make about my social media game needing some work (back to that in a second).

Moving along, and after later talking with senior members in the Steele family, they shared a few things that brought out a ‘holiday hhmmm’. Like Aunt Sheila sharing Steele family ancestry back to the early 1900s tied to siblings Lena, their brother (who died) and Mildred (Miley). It’s the descendants of Lena and Miley that have become multi-generational.

Patricia mentioned how she’d help our grandmother Miley when she was alive, so she would have money to buy gifts at Christmas for her grandchildren. Carol noted doing some clean-up work recently at one of the family properties. She chuckled about them once having had Thanksgiving dinner on a ping pong table in the basement (how far the Steele family has come).

Well, back to social media and ongoing chats on family history/dynamics with my daughters, as they try to school me on the gram. We stumbled on ‘lost & found’ items from the family feed where we’ve got “people who know people”. Maybe there’ll be a time to have our people link-up with your people (or vice versa). See if you recognize below two of those players who bring legal and biz status to our family feed.

Video feed: We’ve got a ‘Judge Karen’ (in a good way).
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8NdmL4U/

Audio feed: We’ve got ‘Docs’ to go around in the fam, but this one isn’t medical. https://www.instagram.com/share/p/_j_nI6Od0  

Family Feature: “Welcome to Greek Land!”

Who’s thinking about traveling to Greece? Or taking that Mediterranean Cruise? There’s still time to get your money right! Well, the Jackson family didn’t go that far for Thanksgiving. But recently they celebrated with friends and fam from the Carolinas as their oldest daughter Jasmine got welcomed to ‘Greek Land.’

Thanksgiving was more special as Jasmine became an official member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. She joined her mom who was already part of the sisterhood. Plus, over the holiday, air temps might have been warmer so knowing folks down south, there could have been a feast with a fried turkey on the platter.

For many, the Greek Organizations (often called the Divine Nine) are a cultural part of the HBCU experience. A few of the organizations got their start on the Howard University campus and have been instrumental with activism. They sure are gonna be on deck in this new season of ‘social issues watch’. Alright Jasmine, we see you got your red and white gear.

Speaking of the Carolinas…below is a quick hip-hop note on J. Cole, a rapper who’s a namesake in the Steele family.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fC1jbWuakba2Cqj4/

Turn Up Tips: Notes on Trusting the Process

“A family (or country) that stays together and strives for better knows that its history and legacy are tied forever.”

“Holidays might be a time for shopping, eating and relaxing. But it can also be good time for dreaming, planning and stepping.”

Good Stuff: “Adding 50 to 5G’s!”

At a young age, a question often asked is, “what do you want to be when you grow up!” For some, you’ll see the answer in their Yearbook. Then maybe at the class reunion when folks see old friends and new faces, some will reminisce about past times and how life has unfolded since.

Then, in later years folks start to think about ‘bucket list’ items. These are usually based around people to meet, places to go, or adventures to experience in their lifetime. Well, maybe that wasn’t quite how Devon saw things playing out in his recent experience, but he made it to 50 and 5G’s force of sheer exhilaration.

His wife Samantha made the birthday surprise happen, pulling strings within her network. He took a break from his role as CEO/Owner at Anytime Fitness in Delaware to enjoy the jet ride. Now that he’s back at ground zero and his heart is back in place, he’s gonna have a story to tell and memory to cherish (see his flight below).          
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/BWUqozzyGgv9dj5R/

Other Mentions: Added Touch Like Gravy

Holidays aren’t just about giving gifts. It’s also a chance to pray for family and remember those who paved the way. The Steele family had its own session recently, that even included praying for the nation. Then things went sideways. Gonna leave it there with folks in pic below, since what happens on zoom, stays on zoom.

On a different note, there’re some in the fam who’re moving on in their college career, while others are trying to lock-in the college of their dreams. Nick had his last game as a grad student on Senior Day with his auntie, parents and sister on hand (think that’s the GF on the right next to mom).

Then there’s Matthew who’s looking to package his basketball skills with his academic interests. He’s been accepted to three schools so far with Harvard being among them. With the parents he’s got and Grandmother Sheila who’s known for rolling out the red carpet, he’ll be ready for wherever. Wonder what’s gonna be his final choice?

Lastly, for those who wanna reminisce on times traveling to Jamaica for the Christmas holidays, checkout link below for a little flashback on the party scene back in the day.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/eJkDSTn4xTfxJCgt/

Smile Emoji

Looking for a new way to get around this holiday?
https://www.threads.net/@isneakers_store_360/post/DCtl-FzM9uS?xmt=AQGzUE-ip_FPSR-ZnICYzdJ8mu7PooI8qc0KqAblBkdz3g

Wanna try a fresh look for the new year? Just don’t go crazy with it!

Life & Times Flava (Chill Sauce for the Grind): “Dream, Plan, Step!”

Who’s gonna visit the Rockefeller tree this year? A vacationing family said on the news it’s what they always wanted to do. They dreamed about it, planned for it and made it happen. Maybe there’s something else you’d like to do whether for the holidays or beyond. This is as good a time to “dream, plan, step.”

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, and dreams don’t happen with the snap of a finger. But things must start somewhere. What’s your dream for career, family, country? In my case, it’s been about writing to express, passion to empower, as well as calling to impact roots & culture. I’ve dreamt it, planned for it, and with God’s timing been working at it.

In terms of family and country, this blog portal was a reboot of an earlier effort. It was expanded to share how we touch others’ lives and how others’ lives might touch us. There’re times in a family when drama, struggles, conflicts, squabbles and bad vibes might get in the way. But at the end of the day, it’s gotta be about paying-it-forward and upward.

Thanks to my fam and others who help make this possible each month. With your support I can grow as a person, professional, father, husband and more. So, let’s roll into 2025 with new moments to dream, plan and step. And when it comes to the issues of the day, if things get a little heated on zoom, at the family table or among friends and colleagues, see below as you know where to holla! So, sending holiday wishes to y’all. Here’s a possible slogan going into 2025; “Let’s Go [Steeles]: Be That”! (you can substitute your family name).

(For a deeper dive into the issues, checkout https://SeeAmericaInColor.com).

Line Jams

Black Sheep – The Choice is Yours – https://youtu.be/K9F5xcpjDMU?si=X1f_TUbdSe-RyfG9

Pitbull Ft Stephen Marley – Options – https://youtu.be/xALCpLXcIYY?si=GNlcqi0v-mlRCztL

The Family Line Motto: “Open Door to Good Cheer.”