Group of ladies sheds light on #SayHerName campaign

In a time when so many black men, teens and boys are losing their lives way too soon we wanted to shine a light on women who have suffered the same fate.

Introducing the “Say Her Name Too Picture Project,” coordinated by Shaka Lias Cobb, an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Kisha Cooper, founder of Scalp Candy.

The #SayHerName campaign was launched in 2014 by the African American Policy Forum and Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies according to AAPF website.

Its goal is to bring awareness to the “often invisible names and stories of black women and girls who have been victimized by racist police violence and provides support to their families.”

This project highlights seven of many women whose life was cut short and all mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and queens.

#SandraBland, 28, found hanged in a jail cell three days after being arrested during a traffic stop.

#KorrynGaines, 23, killed after a six- hour standoff with police attempting to serve a bench warrant.

#AtatianaJefferson, 28, killed inside her home after a neighbor called police for a welfare check.

#KathrynJohnston, 92, killed during a botched drug raid at her home.

#NatashaMcKenna, 37, died while in police custody after being tasered multiple times.

#BreonnaTaylor, 26, killed while in her home when officers entered without knocking or identifying themselves.

#PamelaTurner, 44, killed by one of five shots while approached about outstanding warrants.

#SayHerName

Special thanks to the ladies who helped create this project.

Top row

Jasmine Madden, Ebony Hampton, Tia Hawkins, Kristy Printup, Schwanna Cooper and Kisha Cooper.

Middle row

Aisha Robbs, Cassandra Pinson, Donna Myrthil, Shaka Cobb, Ansley Simmons and Venus Curtis.

Last row

Chiquita Ludy, Audrey Simmons, Catilyn Howze, Brandy White, Jackie Killings and Ashley Baker.

Happy birthday Granddaddy Ronnie

A few days ago my 2-year-old randomly pointed to her dad, my husband and asked me “Mommy is that your daddy?”

I said “No, that’s your daddy, mommy’s daddy is in Heaven.”

She looked at me like, where is that?

End of conversation, but knowing my inquisitive daughter I know it will come up again.

Yesterday I took her to my dad’s grave. A place I’ve been less than nine times since he passed nearly nine years ago.

She pushed metal flowers in the ground next to his grave, then she wanted to play with the ABC’s (the engraving).

I felt my emotions coming, so before they could I suggested we sing happy birthday and go.

In that beautiful little toddler high pitch voice of hers joined by my husband and nephew she led the birthday song. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to granddaddy Ronnie, happy birthday to you. Yayyyyyy.”

She clapped and as we walked back to the car for the first I felt a little peace leaving his resting place.

Faith and granddaddy

Pieces of You: In Memory of Keisha Pittman

Takisha Pittman was laid to rest on Saturday March 16 after a funeral in Manning S.C.
On March 13 friends, classmates and fellow bikers packed out Chapel First Baptist Church in Scottdale for a Memorial Service.
Keisha, as she was known by family and friends passed away March 10 after a motorcycle accident.
The service was full of fond memories of Keisha, her infectious smile, short jazzy hair styles; love of shoes and most recently her love of bike riding. Last August Keisha became a member of the Platinum Peaches Motorcycle Club. She was the last member to join the club and first to pass away. Her MC family called her Jazzee. The ladies of Platinum Peaches did a special presentation honoring Keisha, which included a poem. The ladies along with their daughters carried a peach while Keisha’s 7-year-old son Chance carried an angel on a pillow during the presentation.
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There were other tributes to Keisha through song and a very moving video featuring pictures of Keisha as a baby, through her childhood, band photos from Lithonia High and pictures of her evolving into a woman and mother. There was not a dry eye in the house, but family friend, Bobby Foster quickly remedied that with an unforgettable rendition of the song Yesterday. Mr. Foster shared memories of Keisha as the congregation sung along while waving their cell phones in the air. The somber mood quickly turned into a mini concert, think Showtime at the Apollo, except there was no Sandman. Bobby Foster was definitely appreciated.
A co-worker described Keisha as loving, accountable, well rounded, and valuable. Lucy Dole said she will always be remembered for her big smile and high heel shoes.

One of Keisha’s four sisters spoke. Through tears Jada Pittman said that on the day Keisha died she was heavy on her heart. She hadn’t spoken to her older sister since last summer after an argument. Jada said that morning she simply sent her sister an inbox message on Facebook saying “I love you.”
Jada said later she got the call that Keisha passed and was devastated.
“You cannot hold a grudge,” she told the congregation. “You have to let it go, let the past be the past.”
Jada said she felt a little better after friends told her Keisha received the message and planned to call her when she returned to Georgia.
Johnny Mills, special friend of Keisha’s who was traveling with her and fellow bikers spoke.
He said before they left Florida Keisha initiated prayer, he remembered during the prayer her saying “Forgive us of our sins and guide us back home.”
Chapel First Baptist Pastor Pierre C. Sheppard offered words of encouragement. Rev. Sheppard was Keisha’s youth pastor at Antioch Baptist Church. He told the congregation that God is too wise to make mistakes.
“You’re not here by accident, God set this day in motion way before you got here,” he said. He encouraged those that didn’t have Jesus in their lives to find him.
He quoted Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Although Keisha died a tragic and sudden death, Sheppard said often times people spend too much time worrying about how a person died.
Sheppard said he envision Keisha’s last moments alive right before the accident. He spoke of her leading prayer before leaving Florida, saying Keshia was alright with God.
“Just before she lost control of the bike Jesus stood up,” Sheppard said. He continued, “It does not matter how tragic one died, the tragedy is if you die without Jesus.”
He told the congregation, “Don’t leave here unsaved tonight, it’s the only way you going to see Keisha again.”

Takisha LaShay Pittman was born November 19, 1979 in Virginia Beach, Virginia to Clitel and Willie Pittman. She leaves to cherish her memory her parents, son Chance, four sisters, a brother, friends, family, classmates and fellow bikers. She was a 1998 graduate of Lithonia High School and received a degree in Health Information Technology from Kaplan University. The family started a trust fund at Wells Fargo, donations can be made to the TaKisha “Jazzee” Pittman Memorial Fund c/o Chance Stocks. The trust fund, donations are accepted indefinitely.

Lithonia High mourns the loss of two beloved alums

The Lithonia High School family suffered the loss of two former students over the weekend.

On Saturday (3/9) Chalaundria Browning, 33, Lithonia passed from cancer.
Chalaundria, affectionately known as Lundy is a 1997 graduate of LHS.
Chalaundria’s viewing will be held Thursday March 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Tri-City Funeral Home. The funeral home is located at 6861 Main Street in Lithonia.
The funeral will be held the following day at Fairfield Baptist Church at 11 a.m. The church is located at 6133 Redan Road in Stone Mountain.
Prayers to the entire Browning family, class of 1997 and all those touched by Chalaundria’s presence.
Donations are being accepted at http://www.lhsalumni1997.com

On Sunday night (3/10) Takisha Pittman, 33 died in a motorcycle accident while traveling through Bibb County, Ga. Keisha, as she was known to classmates is a 1998 graduate of LHS.

The first service for Keisha will be held Wednesday March 13 at Chapel First Baptist Church from 6 to 9 p.m. located at 17 Seventh Ave in Scottdale. Another service will be held Saturday March 16 at Society Hill Methodist Church at 4 p.m. in Manning S.C.
Keisha was member of Platium Peaches McATL.
The Class of 98 Reunion Committee has started a Paypal account for Keisha, all donations will go to her a family for a trust fund in honor of her son Chance. To donate, visit http://www.paypal.com and send funds to nsjw2004@yahoo.com.
A money order will be sent to Keisha’s parents.

Thank you Lundy and Keisha for blessing our lives, you’ll always be in our hearts.
To the Browning and Pittman family, may God bless and keep you during this time.

Five Days of Daddy(Day 5)

Well today would’ve been my dad’s 56th birthday. He lived 50 long years and I know that’s not very long, but when you live with Sickle Cell Anemia the way my daddy did, every year counts. I remember my grandma telling me that the doctors said he would never walk or live to see his first birthday…Hahaha doctor, he lived to see 50 birthdays and he lived every single moment of those years. Anyway I’d like to share some pictures from his last birthday party. Enjoy

Daddy’s best friend Larry and I

Daddy and Larry

Me and daddy, I still have that dress

Daddy’s long time friend Cynthia who I call Aunt Cynthia and Aunt Janice, daddy’s youngest sister

Larry and Veronica Love

Daddy and his youngest brother Howard

Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mule

A guest pinning money on dad

Me and Mule

Doing some line dance with daddy! He was so much fun!

Daddy and DOL co-workers

Daddy dancing with his oldest sister Bobbie

Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mule

One of my best friends Shea. We didn’t even plan to dress alike.

The yummy cake.

Five Days of Daddy (Day 4)

For most of my life I was really shy. I didn’t talk to people unless I knew them, hell I hardly talked to people I did know.
I didn’t like taking pictures, I didn’t like to smile, and I was just a very mean little girl.
As I got older I began to come out of my shell, I’d say I was about 15-years-old when I finally blossomed. By 18 I got into local modeling, for me it was just for fun, but it boost my confidence a whole lot. I remember my first show at The World Congress Center, I modeled three outfits (formal, casual and African). My dad was unable to attend because he’d just had hip replacement surgery, but he watched the VHS. You would think I was walking a runway during New York Fashion Week.
He was so excited, “Look at my baby, go Shaka.” He kept rewinding and watching my part over again.
In 2005 I got the opportunity to represent my college newspaper during Clark Atlanta University’s Coronation. It was first time being in the spotlight in college, I was kind of nervous, but excited at the same time.
Nerveless, I invited everybody and their mama. It was a Thursday night and I knew it would be hard for most since it was a work week.
I’m sure I invited at least ten people including my aunt, cousin and his wife, stepmom, and a few more people.
Right as I was walking into the building to head backstage I saw my daddy. He was running unusually late. I stopped and one of my friends and a photographer for the newspaper Jerusalem Barnett (now Farmer) snapped a picture of us.
I had no idea who else was at the show. Even when I was on stage the lights were so bright I couldn’t see into the crowd.
After the program was over I went into the crowd and my dad was the only one there, everyone else had something to come up and didn’t make it.
What I remember about that night is that my dad got there right as the show was about to start, but he was the only one that showed up beaming from ear to ear.

Daddy and I at CAU’s Coronation. Me as 2005 Miss Panther Newspaper

Five Days of Daddy (Day 2)

There are lots of things my daddy did for me that as I look back on I realize he didn’t have to do.
One that sticks out in particular is the night of my office Christmas party back in 2004.
I was interning at Crossroads News in south DeKalb County, but living downtown in student housing near Clark Atlanta University.
My car was in the shop for something, radiator I think.
It was the night of my party and I was kicking it with a guy who was my escort for the night.
His name was Shawn, he was about six years older than my age of 24.
Anyway Shawn called me an hour before pick up time with some excuse about why he couldn’t go. I don’t remember if it was his kid, on again off again girlfriend or flat tire. I was pissed, here I am almost dressed and my date is a no-show.
My roommate Olicia and I began calling other people, but to no avail, so Olicia got dressed and said we’d take the train. Me? I only took the train when it was necessary, not to mention we would have to take trains and a few buses to get from downtown to the other side of town. It was also very cold and I also don’t do cold weather unless its absolutely necessary.
Soooooooo with options and time running low, I called my dad. I just knew he would say no because he hated for me to call him last minute. He shocked me by saying yes he would take me to my Christmas party. I told him that the dude I was supposed to go with couldn’t go now so my roommate was coming with me. He simply said “Un huh, I’m on my way.”
An hour or so later my dad showed up and to my surprise he was dressed in a navy blue suit. I thought maybe he had somewhere else to go, so I’m like “Dad where you going?”
He said, “I’m going to the party with yall.”
Olicia started cracking up, she was like “That’s what’s up Mr. Phillips, let’s go.”
I didn’t think much of it then, but as I look back at the one picture we took I realize how sweet that was of my dad. It is by far one of my fondest memories of him. He not only drove from Stone Mountain to downtown Atlanta to Lithonia for the party, but he also let me keep his car for the rest of the weekend. That’s the kind of daddy I had, I could always call on him. Thinking back, that was the best date I’d ever had. I told him thank you, but it was more so, thanks for the ride. Dear Daddy in Heaven, thanks for being my date that night.

Daddy and Me at Crossroads Christmas party!

Seven Days of Daddy(Day 1)

It’s always amazed me how much about my time in Detroit I remember. When I was born daddy had already moved from Columbus Ga up north, I’m guessing to make a better life for us. I’m told that mama and I moved there when I was three months old. My father-in-law teases me all the time because I don’t really have a southern accent, I’m a picky eater and I hate sweet tea. I explain to him the first five years of my life were up north.
I’m pretty sure I said pop instead of soda until one of my cousins forced me to say drank when mama and I moved back to Alabama where she’s from.
Anyway there were lots of good times and bad ones in Michigan. Obviously one of the best was my fourth birthday party in 1983. Before I even saw the accompanying picture I had clear memories of having a Strawberry Shortcake cake, I remember because I didn’t like that her shoes were outlined in black icing. To this day I’m very particular about my birthday cakes. I’ve gotten several free cakes because a decorator didn’t follow my instructions.
I remember Mickey Mouse birthday hats and napkins. I remember chips, red punch, ice cream, my little boyfriend/neighbor Munchin and my daddy capturing every moment with a camera. So if you every attended one of my themed birthday parties, I’m pretty sure it started here.
The conversation probably went something like this:
Daddy: What kind of party do you want?
Shaka: A Strawberry Shortcake Mickey Mouse.
Daddy: That doesn’t go together.
Shaka: So, I still want it.
Daddy: Ok

So there, my birthday celebration obsession begins. In case you didn’t know, November 10 is a holiday.
🙂

Above is me in my fav hairstyle, two French braids, daddy and I singing the birthday song and of course the MM hats.

Marquise and his many ties

To a man who wears many ties:

The tie of fatherhood, he calls them his “Trilogy” Marquise Jr., Madison and Mason.
The tie of pastor-ship, not only does he bless the pulpit of Central Metropolitan CME in Jacksonville, Fl. every Sunday, but he’s available 24-7 to his members when needed.
The tie of son, If there were an almost perfect child Charlotte, Rick and Ron has one. But since no one is perfect, we’ll settle for “almost perfect.”
The tie of big brother, Racheatu, Allen, Eugene, Malik,and Rainey has a great leader to look up to.
The tie of Shaka’s Favorite Cousin, that’s a special tie. You’ve always had my back and I’ll always have yours. Point, blank, period. #THEE end.com
The tie of nephew, friend, fraternity brother grandson, and cousin.
For all the ties you wear and for the blessing you are in all of our lives we say thank you and HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY!

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May God continue to bless you abundantly.

Remembering Sharon

My heart is full this morning and I can’t think of any words to say on this first birthday without my great friend and sister Sharon. Earlier this week I planned to blog great stuff, but this morning I have writer’s block. If anyone understands it Sharon does. We shared many experiences of writer’s block together.

Today I ask that my readers join me in prayer for strength for her mother Judy, brother Shawn and especially her beautiful daughters Malaysia and Malanie. In addition all of her family, friends and everyone else that had the blessed opportunity to know her. She didn’t have not one enemy and she always, ALWAYS wore a smile on her face. Even during her two-year struggle with Breast Cancer not once did I hear her complain.

Sooooo… Since I can’t write, how about I just share some of my memories of Sharon in pictures. Enjoy!