It took me some time to absorb this and process how this news made me feel, but at the end of the day, my final word is GRATITUDE. To me, she was every woman: beautiful, poised, smart, driven and loving. A model with a million dollar smile; It was that warm and welcoming smile that got me every time. She was gorgeous and yet down-to-earth (a combination that’s hard to come by). From model to restaurateur, and again it was that smile that welcomed you into her namesake restaurant and made you feel like a personal friend even though you were strangers. It was the excitement of being able to proudly visit a black-owned restaurant on restaurant row after attending a Broadway show. I so looked forward to those visits. That’s when I got the spark ⚡️. B. Smith gave me an elevated context for entertaining: A warm welcome, a loving smile, a well-appointed environment, topped off with great food - there’s nothing better. It would be years before it all came together for me, but that’s when the seed that my Dad planted got watered. Then when she began to produce her own home goods line, I was just elated! She laid out the blueprint. And for those of you who know me, you know it is a similar direction that my wind is blowing. She did it all with style and lots of grace. For this, I am filled with gratitude that God saw fit to let me experience one of his earth angels, so that I had someone so beautiful to glean from. Thank you B. Smith! #bsmith #gratitude #styleandgrace (at B. Smith's Restaurant - NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_lXxpBYRH/?igshid=13oenw3cb6cxl
