‘I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table when company comes. Nobody’ll dare say to me, eat in the kitchen, then. Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed. I, too, am America.” Langston Hughes
“It’s in the arch of my back, the sun of my smile, the ride of my breasts, the grace of my style. I’m a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me. Dr.” Maya Angelou
An A-List of phenomenal women gathered at my home on a gorgeous Saturday for a day of pampering hosted by Brenda Sykes and me. The ladies sipped sparkling champagne, drank martinis and dined on egg salad with caviar, oriental chicken salad, salmon mousse, assorted dips, chocolate strawberries and other delicacies while enjoying spa services provided by Robert Morris of Washington DC and Damien Cameron of the Red Door Salon and Spa.
It’s in the reach of my arms, the span of my hips, the stride of my steps, the curl of my lips. I’m a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman that’s me.
The phenomenal women enjoying the spa services were Lydia McCargo-Redd, Blanche Templeton, Brenda Baker, Myra Queen, Deborah Peterson, Debbie Allen, Anita Hunter, Jackie Robinson, Susan Ellison, Dee Tarter, Pat Roselle, Dr. Charlene Cooper- Boston, Deleanor Boone, Sheilah Davenport and Betty Hines. The laughter and tinkling of crystal glasses drifted throughout the house as we enjoyed body massages, body wraps, foot reflexology, foot sloughing and wax paraffin.
“Now you understand why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about or have to talk real loud. Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally.”
Kudos to my niece, juris doctorate candidate at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Brittany Pritchett on being elected president of the Black Law Students Association and being on the Dean’s Honor List.
“Infatuation can only hold the mind for a maximum of four months. If it exceeds that point then you are already in love.” unknown
Congratulations to faithful readers Bill and Gloria Brown on Gloria’s 82nd birthday and their 62 years of marriage. The Browns were recognized for the longevity of their “love and marriage” at the Fairfax County, Virginia, Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi’s annual Sweetheart Affair. Thanks Gloria and Bill for being great supporters of Living for the Weekend; “keep on keeping on.”
“We want to reach a time when there won’t be Black History Month, when black history will be so integrated into American history that we study it along with every other history” Maya Angelou
I joined my dear friends Dr. Samuel & Lydia McCargo- Redd at the Constance Moore Memorial Scholarship Committee’s musical at Sharon Baptist Church. “Lift every voice and sing” as 100 vocalists under the directorship of Dr. Marco Merrick made “a joyful noise unto the Lord.” Marco’s musical talents were evident as the choir performed Negro spirituals, anthems and hymns. I refrained from shouting “bravo” as we jumped to our feet with resounding applause as tenor Murvyn Cannady’s voice lifted the rafters while singing “Ho, Everyone That Thirsteth.” What a voice, what a tenor, for “one moment in time,” I thought I was at the opera house.
“There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love.” Washington Irving
Our prayers to Delaphine Watts on the death of her son Kevin Butler; Brenda Waters on the death of her brother Robert Darby; Milton “Knees” & Irma Smith on the death of his sister Catherine Smothers and her mother Dorothy Smith; Minister Sabrina Penn and Elder Keith Penn–Jones on the death of their mother Caldonia Jones and to Shirley Belton on the death of her brother Stephen Glasco.
“The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca
The AFRO’s Diane Hocker got the inside scoop from her celebrity friend, Samuel Manigault, one of the invited mourners paying their last “RESPECT” at Whitney Houston’s home-going service. He said one of the chilling moments was the playing of her signature song “I’ll always love you” as her body was carried out of the church.
“May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.”Frank Sinatra
It’s your birthday Lydia McCargo Redd, Sam Redd, Winfield Kelley, Mildred Winder, Dr. Heyward Burrell, my son Michael Lee and Happy 50th birthday Sophie Turner.
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
The weeklong celebration in honor of Pennsylvania Avenue’s Arch Social Club’s 100th Anniversary starts March 4. I promised Brothers Ronald Bailey, Judson Hughes and Tshamba that I would be there March 11 for the jazz show. Call 410-669-9856 for a schedule of events.
If you want to party like KMMT Party Group call Teddy & Mattie Holman at 410-655-9830 for tickets to KMMT’s Bull & Oyster Roast, March 18.
“I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way”
Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. is hosting a Youth Symposium March 10; contact Patricia Fortson at Pforston@bcps.org or call 410-299-1447 to register.
“If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I’d be picking roses for a lifetime.”Swedish Proverb
We’re sending get-well wishes and roses to Larry Young, Pearlie Freeman, John Cunningham, Bernice Lewis and Mildred Taylor as they recuperate.
Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch