#thechashow

Celia Cruz La Negra Tiene Tumbao. This is the title of one of her famous songs. I asked a Cuban friend of mine what Tumbao means. She said, it’s a Cuban word that harkens to beat. Rhythm. Soul. You know that feeling you get in your belly when the bass is just right? You feel it in your being? It reverberates throughout your body...your belly, you cheeks. It makes your teeth clatter. You feel the music. You don’t need ears. Well. That’s Tumbao. That’s Celia. In 1925 on October 21st, Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso was born in Havana, Cuba. The world would come to know her as Celia Cruz. “La Guarachera de Cuba” was what they called her back home. The world would call her “The Queen of Latin Music”. Celia had it hard coming up in the music world. She had it hard in the world at large. Her “at large” world, was an island in the Caribbean. Cuba. It was her world. It was her home. It is estimated that there were over 12 million African slaves brought through the belly of the Trans Atlantic horror. 90 percent of them we’re brought to the Caribbean and South America. Only 6% made it to British North America. Celia was of that 90%. And, like most of us, we were taught the lie. Black was wrong and every standard deviation from it, that got you closer to white, was more right. With this math, Celia was oh so wrong. There’s a story of her showing up at a club in Cuba with her lighter skinned sister and being told that they were only interested in the sister. Celia could leave. They didn’t want to hear her. Told her there wasn’t room for her. They weren’t looking for her kind. Which kind you ask? The Black kind. Celia opened her mouth and sang. The club owner had to take a seat. Invite her in. Celia was like that. Even if you wanted to hate her, she made you love her. I hear the scripture, “your gifts will make room for you”. Celia’s gifts indeed made room for her. She cleared pathways, walked in rooms, lead bands and started musical movements. With her Tumbao. He Rhythm. Her Soul. Her long journeyed beat. (Continued below) #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #weriaebyliftingothers #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter (at Charlotte, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK3bsbbF2LJ/?igshid=nvjlbf7ctkwt

People!!! Today, 3.22.23 at 12pm EST, I get to dive into all things art & authenticity with a BRILLIANT artist named Daniel McClendon! On IGTV Live! @daniel_mcclendon graduated from Western Michigan University with his BFA—emphasis in representational painting. Shorty after graduating he relocated to Asheville, NC, where he maintained this focus on representational art and began painting full time. This continued until he came to the conclusion that his work felt “fraudulent” due to the lack of a true and honest voice. This identity crisis led him to quit painting entirely. During this hiatus his mind slowly wandered back to the creative process and the important themes in his life. And, unexpectedly on March 21st, 2011 at 3:59 A.M. he had an epiphany. He rolled out of bed and wrote down the framework for how to achieve an authentic form of expression. McClendon’s paintings are process focused and examine the connectivity of instinct, impulsive action, and identity. The work begins non-objectively in the form of a chaotic black and white abstract painting, and from there the animal— a central figure in all his works—emerges. These animals, created from a variety of colors, patterns, textures, forms, and symbols, take on the role of both a totem as well as the embodiment of instinct itself. This is going to be a powerful and lovely time! Anyone that shares how they figured out how to show up most authentically, is worth a listen. See you at noon today! #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #truth #art #artworks #artistsoninstagram #abstractart https://www.instagram.com/p/CqFpy7WO1Eu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I saw these words on the back of a friends book and electricity went through me. Fire. Truth. Maybe it was the shake of the Holy Ghost? All I know is that these words have meat & substance. They quickened within me. I want everything they say. Now. #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #truth #fire #julietdiaz #liberation (at Asheville, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqBqHVNvbN5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today, 3.13.23 at 12pm EST, I am diving into the deep blue black with Dr. Bertice Berry!! Right here on the gram! @drberticeberry Sociologist is a best-selling author and award-winning lecturer has been named Comedian of The Year, Lecturer of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. She has published 11 best-selling books in both fiction and non-fiction and has won numerous awards and accolades for both her writing and presentations. Berry has had her own nationally syndicated television show and has hosted, interviewed and made numerous television, documentary and radio appearances on a variety of diverse venues including The Tonight Show, Oprah Winfrey, Between The Lions, Crossfire, 20-20, NPR, PBS and Comedy Central and CNN. Berry has used her unique gifts and talents as a writer and ghost writer for others on a wide range of topics including race and gender issues, sociological studies, stratification, healthcare reform, humor, spirituality, sexuality, slavery and the abolitionist movement, weight loss and wellness, relationships, servant leadership, transformational leadership, diversity and love. Berry has led parades, had classrooms named after her and has been awarded over 10 honorary doctorates. She earned her own doctoral degree from Kent State University at the age of 26 and still sees her most fulfilling achievement and role in life as that of mother to her 5 adopted children. “If you ain’t dead, you ain’t done,” a character in one of Berry’s novels says.Berry believes that every one of us has been given a unique purpose and it is our obligation to find it and use it to improve first our own self and then for those we live and work with. You better pull up a seat and come hang with us!😉 #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #berticeberry #wisdom #author #newbook https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvBWFXOtTm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The current state of my clean clothes. In my bedroom. Yes. That’s an ironing board underneath that front pile. #zoranealehurston said that there are years that ask questions and there are years that answer. There are also years that require you pull your clean drawers from a pile of other clean clothes. And, there are years where this stuff is neatly in drawers and closets. Knowing which years you’re in, makes all the difference in the world. It’s easy to see which years I’m in. I know we talk about grace. A lot. Extending it to ourselves and others. I’m in the throes of trying to extend myself grace and not feel like a complete an utter failure when I look at this pile. Reaching for socks in order to get dressed in the morning. Realizing that it’s too much hoopla that the socks match. Who said they needed to anyway? But for real. The life that creates a pile like this is a full life. The seams are busting around the edges. And, this is as good as it gets. For right now. It won’t always be this way. But the way that my life is set up right now, I got a checking and a savings. All my money is in the savings and it’s gonna take 3 business days to move it over to the checking…(if you know Kevin Hart, you know this joke). The life whose clothes look like this has other places to focus that require answers. This answers are more important than putting these clothes up. This life wakes up early. Works out. Starts thinking about what needs to be done in terms of keeping the wheel rolling. And, then jumps in to ensure the circular motion doesn’t stop. A pile of clothes is nowhere near the top of the list of to do’s. So if these are the years you’re in, welcome. I’ve been here for a minute. It’s gonna be alright. It won’t always be this way. But it is this way now. And…that’s ok. I hope you can hear me & believe me. #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #cleanclothes #laundry #cleanlaundry #foldclothes #fold #fornow (at Lansdowne) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOWXJgLXem/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

cha’s unimportant confessions… I hate it when a car pulls out in front of me, only to go 3 miles per hour. It makes me want to kick them right in the neck. I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying I think about it. Thus far, I haven’t ever done it. But I feel it every time, nonetheless. Judge me later…or now. #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #badrivers #mrmagoo #stopplease #kicksomeass (at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpDaQ20pv9J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My mom’s voice & presence still has the power to quiet my fears. It will always be this way. I hope to be this for Caya. #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #ocean #sea #holy #godatthesea #godintheocean #humanconnection #mothers #mymom (at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBceqkpX_J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I do. I love snuggling. It makes me happy. I kinda think it makes everyone happier. I hope you have the biggest warmest snuggle today. #thechashow #seenandheard #werisetogether #roomandneed #questions #talkshow #tvhost #talkshowhost #tv #interview #askquestions #nbc #cbs #gma #today #huffingtonpost #love #blacklivesmatter #newyear #ocean #sea #holy #godatthesea #godintheocean #snuggles #humanconnection (at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-bIznphWm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=