Check out the Nov. blog post with Baltimore-based filmmaker, actor, director and playwright Bashi Rose. Blog chats feature inspirational folks from a variety of fields including the arts. business and more.

Read our written intro to the interview at http://liveincolor.org/2013/11/03/committed-to-change-bashi-rose-filmmaker-playwright-actor-blog-chat-series/

Stay connected with us at www.liveincolor.org 


Live In Color blog chat with Bashi Rose,  Filmmaker, Actor & Playwright

It's that time of the month again! If you are a regular, you know we feature inspirational folks in a variety of fields from the arts to business for our blog chat series.Yesterday I spoke with local jazz vocalist and flutist Rhonda Robinson about following your passion, creative inspiration and more.

This former rocket scientist, educated at Johns Hopkins University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, left behind an engineering career to pursue her first love, music.  She now leads the Rhonda Robinson quartet and regularly performs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, appearing at An Die Musik, Creative Alliance at The Patterson, and at a host of other venues.

Some of the group's notable appearances include opening for prominent poet and activist Amiri Baraka and Blue Ark Ensemble at University of Baltimore and performing for “A Night at Ethel’s Place," a fundraiser for city concert artists, which also honored legendary jazz vocalist and Baltimorean, Ethel Ennis.

This coming Friday, February 28, beginning 8pm, don your party attire and catch her performing live at An Die Musik for Hot Winter Nights Part 6: Rio in Baltimore featuring world-renowned Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzalez, accompanied by bassist Max Murray, and drummer Jesse "Jay" Moody.

Rocket Scientist to Jazz Musician, Rhonda Robinson

I think Moms are the coolest people on the planet! Maybe because I am one now. Ha! Seriously though, we juggle motherhood with work, relationships, and just general life stuff. How many Moms do you know who effortlessly heal their kiddos when sick and then tackle the rest of life's challenges.

Yet the Moms I am especially inspired by are those who I have something in common with, you know those cool Moms who manage not to abandon their creative passions.

Enter Jacquelyn Phoenix Soul, singer / performer, visual artist and poet; she is also a birth doula / post partum doula / designer at Buddha Bump. Geez! How does she do it all, I wondered?

So I thought, why not include a regular series on the blog where we can hear from Moms like her, and be inspired by their tenacity and determination to live fully?

I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did! We discussed everything from scheduling (you know how she manages to raise such beautiful and bright kids - Cherie-Amor, Dela-Eden and Malachi) to faith and the diversity of her children's personalities and the rich lessons of motherhood.

Live In Color Mama Blog Chat: Jacquelyn Phoenix Soul

Every other month, Shan and I are going to dish all things inspiration in our  blog chats. This month seemed fitting to explore love, especially  self love, as we are often taught, particularly women, to love everyone but ourselves. 

Shan and I are both on paths of healing, love and discovery. We are seeking to honor the light within ourselves, and want those same feelings to manifest for everyone, especially women.


Shan is the creator of The Free Gurl Club, an awesome online space dedicated to empowering women. She hosts a weekly show on YouTube and shares life affirming daily affirmations. 

Show Notes  - 3 Core Ways to Cultivate Self Love

1. Make healing yourself (from wounds, past experiences, etc.) a priority! This could be tied to your faith (for me it's inextricably linked) and include daily and / or frequent time alone (5-10 min.) for reflection. Even if you its initially one minute alone, begin there!

2.  Post positive self affirmations around your home and work space, or even on your phone. Say them aloud throughout the day.  These may include statements like "I am beautiful. I am worth the life I seek. I am created in the image of God and my life matters. Abundance and joy are my birthrights."

3.  Say NO to what drains and depletes you as these people, places and / or choices are creating feelings of being overwhelmed. 

When we are overwhelmed,  we often self medicate in unhealthy ways - excessive drinking, working long hours, overeating, etc.

Further Reading:

Salvation: Black People and Love by bell hooks 

Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through by Iyanla Vanzant 

Imagine Being More Afraid of Freedom Than Slavery by Pamela Sneed 

Commanding Your Morning by Cindy Trimm

Adalmar Life by Nellie Russell (insightful blog) and piece on the importance of self care and healing. Nellie is one of my blogging besties!  http://adalmarlife.com/filling-our-vessels/

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightment by Eckhart Tolle  

The Audre Lorde quote I referenced on self care. You might also enjoy this blog post about Audre and her intellectual work at 
 http://www.lowendtheory.org/post/50428216600/on-audre-lordes-legacy-and-the-self-of



Live In Color Blog & The Free Gurl Club Chat - Cultivating Self Love

Live in Color Feb. blog chat with Pebbles Armwood, mental fitness advocate featured on the Dr. Oz show last yr.  after her dramatic weight loss from healthy juicing. The Baltimore native shares her journey from victim to empowered woman; she is now a blogger (Mental Fitness), upcoming author, co-host of "Women's Talk" on internet radio station WPBR  (airs each Friday , 5-8pm),  and education activist and college student at CCBC. 

Blog Chat, Mental Fitness Advocate Pebbles Armwood

Live In Color, started by two girlfriends, Emelda and Shannon-Eli Braxton, shares weekly posts about inspiration, style and culture. We also love to chat with inspirational people in a variety of fields (arts, business, etc.) through our Blog Chat series. Past features include GRAMMY-nominated artist Carolyn Malachi; Bashi Rose, Baltimore-based filmmaker, playwright and actor; Pebbles Armwood, a mental fitness advocate and author featured on Dr. Oz and  Marcell Russell, celebrated soul singer. Visit us at  www.liveincolor.org & become a follower via email!


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