Category: Events

We Never Skipped a Beat


by Victoria J

I think the first friend I ever really recall having was Melanie.  Our mothers both sang in the choir, so we’d be there under some pews in choir rehearsal trying to stay out of trouble.  On Sundays, we’d be sitting on the pews running our mouths trying to stay out of trouble during church.  On the weekends, we’d be at one or the other’s house playing with our Barbies and trying to stay out of trouble.  At some point, her mom got assigned to Minot, ND, but we continued to stay in touch.  Then my dad got stationed at Grand Forks, ND, and Mel and I were reunited.  After we moved back to Texas, Mel started making yearly visits to Texas and every time we saw each other, it was as if we never missed a bit.  Well, I don’t think I’d seen her since 2000 or so, and this past September, God allowed our paths to cross as she had a lay over between Japan and Germany in Baltimore.  It was as if we never skipped a beat!

Mel

Going Back Home


by Victoria J

Even though I have not technically lived in Texas for over 10 years, I still feel so deeply connected to that state.  Perhaps its because I love the weather there and have never fully adjusted to the “cold!”  Or maybe it’s because I have such an affinity for real Tex-Mex, and have not been able to find anything that compares outside of the TX border (I can never get enough bean and cheese tacos – please do not knock it until you try it).  Maybe it’s because being there is so nostalgic and being up north gives me scenes of urban city centers with bricks and concrete and row homes.  I am not sure, but I always love my trips back home!  On my last trip, I ate some of my favorite food, spent time with some of favorite people, saw old friends, played games with new ones, and just enjoyed my time off!

bean and cheese tacoJonathan's music studioChristmas DinnerPlaying ScrabbleDad with the KidsOpening PresentsThe FellasFriendsPayne FamilyThe Whole Payne Family

My Little Cousins…


by Victoria J

As a person that does not yet have any children of my own, I look forward to seeing my little cousins in Texas each year that I venture back.  With each year, I see more growth, my academic prowess, larger vocabularies, and more personality!  This trip was no exception!

I definitely feel that there is something in each person’s names that has some bearing on their personality.  When I see little Victoria in action (and in poses), I see myself in my baby pictures where I stood there with a serious face.

Me and the KidsAll 3Just the GirlsIn Tears

Even though I know these tears had nothing to do with my departure, partings from these beautiful children are always such sweet sorrow!

 

HBCU Meetup


by Victoria J

A few weeks ago, I attended an HBCU Meet-up event in Washington, DC at the Tabaq Bistro.  This event provided an opportunity to network with other alum from historically black colleges and universities and see a few artists showcased.  Among those showcased was a very talented poet, Karega Bailey, and an impressive Alter Ego Photographer, Ivory Lawrence. One of the neatest things for me about the poet was the fact that he too is an educator and I started at Howard at the same time that his fiance began her PhD program at Howard’s School of Education.  So as they collaboratively presented this spoken word piece that spoke to the environment that many of youths are impacted by, there was a relevancy in their words.  Well see select images from this event are posted below, and if you’d like to here the spoken word piece, visit Karega’s youtube page.

 

Tabaq BistroSigning InPhotographer and PoetPoetry on DisplayPeopleChattingPeopleGroup Photo