life.style: Black Celebration - 26, 27 & 28 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 26, 27 & 28 of 28

Making History Today!

First African American First Family; no description needed!

Remember, African Americans making history did not end in the 1960s; there are notable people making strides in every facet of American culture and lifestyle, from business to politics, sports to music, to arts and media. There was once a time where I was truly amazed at the triumphs and accomplishments of African Americans during times of oppression and discrimination, and wondered why during present times (with fewer barriers and greater opportunities) we were not achieving as much as a people. I then grew, broadened my perspective, and opened my eyes to the world around me, and realized history is still being made everyday.

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life.style: Black Celebration 22, 23, 24, & 25 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration 22, 23, 24, & 25 of 28

For my last post of this month's anthology I give you a quartet of amazingly inspiring musical artists.

Ella Fitzgerald

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life.style: Black Celebration - 19, 20 & 21 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 19, 20 & 21 of 28

"If I allow the fact that I am a Negro to checkmate my will to do, now, I will inevitably form the habit of being defeated."

Paul Revere Williams

First African American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and  first African American to be voted an AIA Fellow

I am writing this celebratory post today with Max in mind. With his strong appreciation for architecture and design, I felt it appropriate to look deeper into the role of African Americans in commercial and public design/development. Though severely underrepresented, there are a number of very talented and accomplished black architects who have made amazing contributions to the design world.

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life.style: Black Celebration 17 & 18 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration 17 & 18 of 28

Howard Bingham

"The subject matter is so much more important than the photographer."-Gordon Parks

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life.style: Black Celebration 16 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration 16 of 28

"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life."-Jackie Robinson

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life.style: Black Celebration 14 & 15 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration 14 & 15 of 28

With the Academy Awards also known as the Oscars upon us this upcoming weekend, I wanted to shed light on a few actors that trail blazed in their field opening doors for generations to come:
Nichelle Nichols & Sidney Poitier.

"Don't you realize you have the first non-stereotypical role on television. Don't you realize that not only for our own little Black children but for people who don't look like us, for the first time they will see us as equals." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Nichelle Nichols (excerpt from Jet Magazine interview, 1994)

"I've learned that I must find positive outlets for anger or it will destroy me. There is a certain anger: it reaches such intensity that to express it fully would require homicidal rage--self destructive, destroy the world rage--and its flame burns because the world is so unjust. I have to try to find a way to channel that anger to the positive, and the highest positive is forgiveness. "
— The Measure Of A Man - Sidney Poitier

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life.style: Black Celebration - 13 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 13 of 28

"...She has been a steady and forceful advocate...reminding people everywhere that freedoms are won not only by idealism but by persistence and will over a long time."

My heart swells with pride over African American women (particularly sorors!) who have accomplished as much as Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander. I would be here all day if I were to write a biography of her lifetime achievements, so I've decided to highlight some of her most remarkable accomplishments:

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life.style: Black Celebration - 9, 10, 11 & 12 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 9, 10, 11 & 12 of 28

World renowned dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham (with Vanoye Aikens) in L'Ag'Ya, 1938

Coming on the heels of Natalie Portman and the success of Black Swan (which Max and I absolutely loved), I find it only fitting to showcase true Black swans!

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life.style: Black Celebration - 8 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 8 of 28

“Let us put our money out as usury among ourselves and reap the benefit ourselves. Let us have a bank that will take the nickels and turn them into dollars.”

I have been very fortunate to have lived in multiple areas very rich in Black history and achievement, and Richmond is no exception. As a familiar name to any Richmond native, Maggie L. Walker is the perfect example of boast-worthy local trailblazing.

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life.style: Love to love you

life.style: Love to love you

No matter the politics, you must admit this photo is an epitome of love. Happy Valentine's Day!

To all my guys, don't let the expectations of the holiday pull you down. If you're with a woman that loves you, she only desires to see you put effort towards exhibiting that amount of love. Is that too much to ask? So stop and get her favorite flower (hopefully you know that by now), a bottle of wine, and enjoy her company.

Much regard,
Max

life.style: Black Celebration - 7 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 7 of 28

"Whatever you do, do it with style!"

Growing up I thoroughly enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and home decorating programs on tv. I dreamed about being an adult with an immaculately decorated house, hosting parties for friends, serving gourmet-worthy canapés and signature drinks (I actually still have those dreams). Martha Stewart was my go-to life.style guru for many years - that is, until middle school when I happened upon a show called B. Smith With Style.

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life.style: Black Celebration- 6 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration- 6 of 28

"You're not Negroid enough, you're too light, you will photograph too white, your speech is too perfect."

 Osceola Macarthy Adams (stage name Osceola Archer), one of my beloved  Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was an African American pioneer of the arts. She holds the distinction of being one of the first African American actresses on Broadway and one of the first African American women to direct stage productions professionally, as well as a theatre educator and clothing designer.

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life.style: Black Celebration - 3, 4, & 5 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 3, 4, & 5 of 28

Here's a trio of musical genius and style equivalent for life.style: Black Celebration.

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life.style: Black Celebration- 1 & 2 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration- 1 & 2 of 28

Here's the beginning of a 28 day photo celebration of Black History month. And since I missed the first of February, I'm starting things off with a connection most overlooked: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.

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winter.wear: shawl collar continued

winter.wear: shawl collar continued

The Polo Rugby Shawl collar sweater fits like a glove, no doubt about it. Being just the right thickness, somewhere between a basic cardigan and a cable-knit sweater, it's an extremely

versatile layer. The comfort level is top notch and the fit is true-to-size.

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