#BlackExcellenceBoston Pt. 1

I had just gotten back from a family weekend getaway for the fourth and it was just the rejuvenation I needed.  Sadly that rejuvenation would quickly vanish and turn into depression.  I did my regular morning check in on Instagram and was greeted by a black post with white writing that read #ALTONSTERLING.  Instantly my heart dropped  thinking “No not another killing”. Not a time to be right, but I was.  The hash tag gave me a front row seat to a killing of a Louisiana father who was selling CD’s. *Sigh* . After watching different angles of this  man’s death  and hours of CNN coverage it was time  to  pray and go to bed in hopes to wake up with half the load that was piercing my heart.

#PHILANDROCASTILE appeared on my screen the next morning.  At this point I’m almost certain that this was a throwback #BlackLivesMatter name  that may not  have circulated enough. Nope!…..it was another black man shot, this time while in the car with his girlfriend and daughter. Also accompanied by  video.  That is when it felt like depression kicked in. I had to pull back to do some serious self care before I got worse.

While unplugging,  praying and trying to recharge I had to also remind myself that while it is my right to have all of  these emotions, It was more important to make sure that my heart  didn’t change and to find light in these dark times.  My amazing community of Black Entrepeneurs , influencers and friends came to mind. The thought of them brought a smile to my face and gave me strength .  When your race seems to be constantly depicted as disruptive, aggressive angry thugs,  you have to remind yourself it isn’t true and in fact you know living proof of  that in the flesh. I wanted to celebrate them publicly and let the world know of their existence.  They are Game Changers, Community Leaders, CEO’s, Ambassadors , Resilient,  Passionate, Consistent beautiful beings…..above all they are EXCELLENCE.

 

What is  Excellence you ask? I  say…

“Excellence is what we repeatedly do when no one is looking. Before the checks and rewards, after the praise. Purposefully and passionately”

 

Excellence is….

Anna Foster 

 

Royale L’radin

Poet, Behavioral  Change Expert and  Founder of DÉRAPÉ & REVOLUTION TO INSPIRE.

Cheryl Jean  

Regijames Productions CEO/Founder

Dunstan Dubique  

Owner of  Handsome Boy  Clothing / Ambassador & GM at G-star  Boston Flagship

 

Taneshia Camillo-Sheffey

Founder|CEO at The Haute House Design Studio

Tony Hyppolite

Marketing & Events Specialist  Build My Fashion Brand  

Letitia Richards 

Vegan Holistic Health Coach

Schnieder Predestin 

Image consultant, Style  Influencer.

Reginald Fils

Youth Speaker CEO of  the lifestyle brand Urban Inspired

Tec Desir

Master Barber & Owner of  Starlines Hair Salon

 

Ashley Rose

Poet, Author

This is only a fraction of the Excellence that resides here in Boston, but this is definitely one of the many celebrations of them to come.

Photography / Video FuFunSoup

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO CAME OUT AND DEDICATED THOSE HOURS FOR THIS SHOOT. I LOVE YOU.