grant holloway – The Family Line

Click Start: Editor’s Preview

In this issue we’ve got stories from some of our main families. We also give props to the Miller Family from Maryland. They’ve been ride-or-die friends for 30+ years and are among our MVPs (Many Valuable Peeps). Then, there’s another story that we didn’t see coming. It can only be described as a ‘divinely ordered’ moment for the Family Line Portal.

Checkout the ‘Good Stuff’ for more on a member of the Mitchell family from Delaware being named Entrepreneur of the Year. Also, you’ll find the ‘Family Feature’ and ‘Milestone Spotlight’ where members of the Salami family from Togo Africa, are in the mix. As a reminder, you can click the About page to learn more on how this portal came to be.

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!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Lead Story: A Bigtime Celebration

Folks traveled from near and far to celebrate the birthday of a matriarch in the Steele family. When our Aunt Cynthia arrived at the scene, she might have thought it was just another party among family. Now, she was the honoree at this all-white event. In turning 94, she’s our oldest surviving family member. But don’t tell her that, because she still wants to dance with diva-like moves.

The planning that went into the event took a long time coming. Maybe as early as the beginning of the year her sons Dennis Jr and Dave were thinking about doing something special. Then her nephews Andrew and Paul jumped in, along with a few other guys in the fam, who started to plan for a bigtime celebration. And boy was it a good time across multiple generations.

Folks showed up and showed-out, some maybe reminiscing on old times, others making plans for future times. Those ‘next gen’ in the fam seemed to have a sense of anticipation and new appreciation for family ties. Plus, there was a special picture montage and video tribute by R&B artist Tyrese to Aunt Cynthia.

It was a casino-inspired theme as one of her fav spots is Atlantic City. The planning team even got a DJ from the south, taking a break from his role as an urban radio producer and ‘shot caller’. In a way it felt like a trial-run for a future family reunion. Our dear Aunt was surrounded by love since many of our immigrant roads crossed paths through hers, as one of the first in the fam to land on these shores.

Frontpage Column: Douette Meet Douette…A Real Namesake

Written by: Douette Pryce

My name Douette, I always thought was different and wondered if I was named after an ancestor and/or an original. True to Jamaican tradition, a folklore of sorts, every Jamaican though they will have a formal name, is always called by a nickname. My birth certificate says Douette, but among family and anyone who knows me in Jamaica I’ve always been called Shaun. One can always tell who is addressing me whether they say Douette or Shaun. If they say Douette that means they are not family. If they say Shaun, I know they are family.

Now let’s go to the summer of 2022 in Orlando, Florida. I was invited to be a conference speaker by a close college friend, Britta Eriksson. As I entered the event Britta spoke to me about meeting one of her colleagues that was running the show. When I met the colleague, Nadine Cunningham, she asked me where the name Douette may have come from and whether I was Jamaican. When I mentioned that “yes I was”, she stated that her brother was also named Douette and she has never met anyone else that had the name, spelt the same as his.

That night I called my mom and told her the story of this young lady I met who was from Jamaica and had a brother named Douette. Mom got very excited and asked if their last name was Cunningham and whether they had lived next to an elementary school when growing up in Jamaica. Told her I would ask the next day. I searched for Nadine and upon finding her, asked the question and her response came with a twinkle in her eye, a huge smile and an affirmative “yes.”

It was then I relayed to her the story I had learned the night before that my mom (a teacher at the time) had a young boy in her class at two years old, who she thought was one of the most well-behaved students with a unique name. Fast forward a few years, when mom had her first child she named him after that same little boy. I stated flatly to Nadine “well it seems the reason my name is spelt the same as your brother’s is because I was named after him.” I had goose bumps as I came to realize the connection being made.

Two years later, I am still amazed of that chance meeting with Nadine and still marvel at the circumstances by which we were brought together 50+ years later.

Family Feature: Dream Africa Rollout

Dream Africa is back on the block, or better yet the continent. The concept is the brainchild of Yasmine from the Salami family. It’s based in Togo Africa and was inspired by her wanting to connect kids of African descent living in the U.S., with family and residents in the Motherland.

After debuting the project last year, the feedback received pointed to parents wanting to have a similar experience. So they added an adult component to expand the programs. Across a 2-3 week stretch, there’re educational, social and development programs for the young’uns. There’s also the cultural aspect where attendees get to experience the music, food, dress and culture in an up-close and personal way.

**Yasmine (right) with Dream Africa Team**

At the end of the program, certificates were handed out in various categories of recognition. It was also a chance for them to feel like ‘I was there’ in a memento. As Yasmine returns to the U.S., she’s gonna reset things around a vision that invites more partners. They’ve already had some initial discussion with the Mitchell family, based on their interest and contacts. For more info visit www.DreamAfrica.Africa.

Star Sightings: Hanging with the Who’s Who

It seems the Paris Olympics was a let-down for Jamaica. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce scratched from the women’s 100-meter semis because she wasn’t allowed into the warm-up area. Kishane Thompson got out-leaned by Noah Lyles in the men’s 100-meter final. And for the first time in 20 years, the men’s team didn’t make the finals of the 4×100 sprint relay.

It’s not all ‘down in the dumps’ though as there were surprises for Jamaica in field events. We did much better there, even winning gold in men’s discus. Well, Deja wasn’t at the games, but she had a chance to take pics with some of the players at a previous indoor track meet.

**Deja with Ato Boldon, NBC Olympics Announcer**

On the social and political front, there’s a new burst of joy and energy. VP Kamala Harris joined the presidential race; Newark Mayor the Honorable Ras Baraka is in the NJ Governor’s race; Princeton University Professor Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. is doing his thing as a MSNBC commentator. Had a chance to catch up with them recently at their events. You’ve heard of OG in pop culture. Well, Mayor Baraka is like the OC (Original Champ) as he ran for City Council over a dozen times before finally winning a seat, and later becoming Mayor.

Turn Up Tips: Notes on Trusting the Process

“Don’t be impressed by money, power, degrees and looks. Be impressed by generosity, integrity, humility and kindness.” – (Store sign from a biz on Linkedin).

“Sometimes there’s ‘family fog’ that blocks our view on things. But when light and love shine through, it will help clear the fog so folks can fly higher.”

Milestone Spotlight: From 0 to 50 in a Flash!

It’s August already, where did the time go? As a child, folks would often say “enjoy your youth because when you’re older, time just flies”. That expression makes lots of sense now for many of us. It was a year ago that we did a family trip to Togo Africa and were treated like royalty by the Salami family. That was a life-changing experience and a milestone moment.

Well, this year, with the Salami family headed back to Togo for their Dream Africa Project, it was time for Farida to celebrate her 50^th. She’s the ‘baby’ of the bunch and as a nurse her role works well with making sure health & well-being are handled like you’d get from medical professionals.

Speaking of medics, it felt like yesterday when Damara was born as we’d hangout at her house with her parents and siblings. Fast-forward 30 years and she’s celebrating a milestone too. We also get to call her Doctor Miller. She’s about done with residency and is looking to shift towards her fellowship work in a specialty area. Happy birthday ladies!

**Farida on left, Yasmine on right, with student**

Good Stuff: Entrepreneur of the Year

It was one of those black-tie affairs. Folks came together to celebrate the www.StartUpAfrica.org efforts to support young adults in the building of business skills that foster financial independence, create jobs and grow economies. As The Family Line would have it, our own Samantha Mitchell was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year.

The organization is dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation prowess of African youth. Their programs empower young minds with the skills and mindset to transform their communities for a brighter tomorrow. StartUpAfrica founder/CEO Erastus Mong’are was on hand to honor Samantha for her work as founder/CEO of Black Women in Aviation. The Mitchell’s had their daughter Naomi there to cheer on mom.

The group’s Board of Directors is a distinguished set of biz leaders, some with African roots, but collectively with African hopes & dreams. It was a proud occasion for our Devon Mitchell, owner of Anytime Fitness in Delaware, not just for his passion in this area, but also for his co-partner in biz and life. They’re an inspiration to The Family Line and a resource in ways that make working together electric.

Other Mentions: Added Touch Like Gravy

So, the Mitchell family is off to their family reunion and Africa trip. But there’re more happenings that folks might not know about. In the ‘Line Jams’ feature below, checkout the music video by Mickey Guyton, which celebrates Black Women in Aviation. If you look closely, you’ll see Samantha Mitchell in the video. You go girl!

Then, there’s Gary from the Steele family who took a trip to Arizona with his crew. The ‘hostess with the mostess’ was our Aunt Sheila, who relocated there a few years ago after a long stay in Maryland. Think there’s a cavalry coming to Phoenix if she keeps this up.

Smile Emoji

Even kids know when math ain’t ‘mathing’ (sent by Nadine)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6sG0Q7uvLH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Beach tanning and surf-watching (shared on FB by Serge Dupoux)

Life & Times Flava (“Chill Sauce for the Grind”): “Bahama Mamas and Cajun Brothas”

Friends & family moments can bring some inspiring ‘life & times.’ It’s not always about what we do to make that money but also what we do to make it more meaningful. One way we get that from the creation story is in these words: “Let there be light.” It’s the first meaningful shift in awareness from bringing light.

Well, the ‘Bahama Mamas and Cajun Brothas’ got a chance to experience some of that on their recent trip. When on vacation, it just seems like the ‘light of day’ has a different sparkle. Plus, the convo was enlightening. If it seems like we were having too much fun, blame it on the pina coladas by day and ‘gin & juice’ margaritas by night. At the end of the trip, we were already thinking about the next time.

Thankfully, tropical storm Debbie didn’t mess things up. Now it’s back to the grind, the political headlines and a chance to “Turn. Up. Big.” in roots & culture. As November draws closer, make sure to check your voter registration and polling location before the NFL season gets going. We owe it to our ancestors. (For a deeper dive into the issues, checkout http://www.SeeAmericaInColor.com).