Happy Juneteenth! I hope today finds you resting, reflecting, and enjoying the beauty of our community.
Around here, it is a full house this weekend. No kid-free quiet for us, but plenty of love. The last time we had all of the kids under one roof, we managed to get some spring portraits taken. Beyond the beautiful pictures, that weekend made me realize just how much of a staple Donna’s Recipe has become in our household.
Hair care day in a blended family is no joke, but these products worked for literally everyone. I was touching up my oldest son’s locs, detangling my partner’s and my younger son’s curls, and styling my partner’s daughter’s hair. Even with my own headwrap on, I was reaching for the gel to lay down my edges. It is rare to find a line that holds it down for the whole village, but here we are.
If you want to stock up, the timing is perfect. Donna’s Recipe is running a massive Juneteenth sale through June 20th. The absolute standout is their Sweet Potato Pie On-the-Go Travel Collection. This 4-piece set (which includes travel-size versions of the Extra Creamy Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-In, and Hair Cream in a custom pouch) is marked down from $40 to just $10. It’s a genuine steal for summer travel.
Plus, for today only (June 19th), Auntie Tab’s other venture, Fridays with Tab and Chance, is running a 24-hour flash sale: 30% off sitewide at tabandchance.com, and 20% off on Amazon and TikTok Shop.
Manifesting the Black EGOT
On the professional front, I am getting closer and closer to my goal of a “Black interview EGOT,” i.e., interviewing at least one Black award winner for each award. This week, I crossed another major milestone by interviewing Tony winner Nikki M. James for a soon-to-publish MadameNoire feature.
She joins an incredible lineup of conversations I’ve been blessed to have:
- Emmy Winner: Pierce Freelon
- Grammy Winners: Durand Bernarr, PJ Morton, and Tank Ball of Tank and the Bangas
- Tony Winner: Nikki M. James
- Next up: We are still manifesting that Oscar winner!
I posted about this journey on Threads, and the internet did what the internet does best. Someone actually tagged the Spike Lee. Another person put Michael B. Jordan’s name into the atmosphere. I would love that!
My desire to interview MBJ isn’t even about the usual fangirl energy. As a millennial, I’ve had the privilege of watching his career unfold organically. Hardball was a moment. The Wire and his portrayal of Wallace broke our hearts. To watch him scale the heights of Black Panther and Sinners was just incredible. I’m honestly so moved that complete strangers have these kinds of big hopes for my work.
The Soundtrack of the Week
Speaking of PJ Morton, he just dropped a massive double album. The first part, Saturday Night, arrived earlier this week, and the second half, Sunday Morning, blessed our ears today. It is exactly the kind of intentional, soulful art we need right now.
Tank and the Bangas are actually in DC tonight for The Last Balloon Tour. I’m missing the show this evening, but I’m fully intending to catch them at another stop. Even though I won’t be in the crowd tonight, I did recently find their new release, The Last Balloon, on vinyl while perusing a record shop in Baltimore. It’s an extra special record for me because I bought it on the exact day my newest nephew was born.
Looking Ahead
Next week, my focus shifts to assisting my partner with his super vibey birthday kickback happening next weekend.
We are transforming our downstairs into a sleek, cozy lounge complete with ambient lighting, spinning records, signature drinks, and good company. The best part of this project is that we aren’t just decorating for a night; we’re setting up our home for life beyond the party.
The ultimate prize of the week? I finally found a peacock chair, and I am absolutely over the moon about it. It’s going to be the perfect anchor piece for the space.
I can’t wait to share more details and design notes with you all after the party. Until then, protect your peace, support Black-owned businesses, and have a beautiful weekend.
–Thiy
Cover Photo by Richard Levine/ Alamy
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