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Testimonies

Testimonies

TESTIMONY: MALENA CRAWFORD

By  •  1 year ago

Malena Crawford is the author of the novel A Fistful of Honey, founder of the Black Divine Feminine Reawakened Movement, graduate of the George Washington University, and a student of …
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RelationshipsTestimonies

TESTIMONY: TARRELL JOHNSON

By  •  1 year ago

“King and Queen for a Day”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Rochelle Johnson is a loving grandmother to Tarrell Johnson. When reminded about his grandmother, the first words …
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Gratitude/HappinessTestimonies

TESTIMONY: DUANE LAWRENCE

By  •  2 years ago

Duane and Granny Ivy, 98 (99 in May 2017)

Duane and Granny Pearl, 96 (97 in May 2017).

For more about Duane Lawrence check him out at:

http://duanealawrence.com/

TestimoniesReligion/SpiritualityRituals

TESTIMONY: DR. AKINYELE UMOJA

By  •  2 years ago

Akinyele Umoja (born 1954) is an American educator and author who specializes in African-American studies. As an activist, he is a founding member of the New Afrikan People’s Organization and …
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RelationshipsTestimoniesResilience

TESTIMONY: SAHARA ANTHONY JR.

By  •  2 years ago

“I Saved You for a Reason”

Jessie Simone Gordon (1929-) was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Cornelius Wilson and Alvin James Paul.  Her grandchildren affectionately call her ‘Gramma’ or …
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EducationResilience

RESILIENCE: DON’T BE UNEDUCATED

By  •  2 years ago

Read about how Jessie Simone Gordon emphasized the importance of education with her grandchildren. Her grandson Sahara Anthony Jr. grew up being told: “Boy, don’t be uneducated!” It deeply impacted …
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RelationshipsWisdom/PerspectivesRituals

TESTIMONY: FELICIA CONN-PAYTON

By  •  2 years ago

“The Porch”

What I remember most about my grandma Gladys Dawson (1923-1998) is sitting on her porch every summer and my mama would go buy peas and bushels of …
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Gratitude/HappinessTestimonies

TESTIMONY: SVEVA MONTAGUE WELLS

By  •  2 years ago

“Ride or Die!”

My Nana, Joyce Wells Jones (January 22, 1956-) is like my other half. Without her I don’t know what I would think or do sometimes because as …
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TestimoniesCoping/Grief

TESTIMONY: JUANITA SIMMONS

By  •  2 years ago

“I’m a scrub the black off you!”

As a child I spent weekends at my paternal grandmother’s house But not because I wanted to Actually, I dreaded it But, I …
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Testimonies

TESTIMONY: GABRIELLE EITIENNE

By  •  2 years ago

Pollinator, cook, and writer Gabrielle Eitienne shares her joy for the garden and food legacy on her online journal “Revival Taste Collective” www.revivaltaste.com. Learning and reviving the traditions of her …
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Testimonies

TESTIMONY: TRELANI MICHELLE

By  •  2 years ago

Trelani Michelle is an oil and water combination of overthinking and spontaneity. A product of the bayou and the beach. A woman who ain’t afraid to curse when communicating …
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Religion/SpiritualityRelationshipsTestimonies

TESTIMONY: ANDRE TURNER

By  •  2 years ago

“Her faith gave her the salvation and she was salvation!”

Andre Turner is first and foremost up to being a dad. He tells me during our interview, “You can’t see …
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Coping/GriefTestimonies

TESTIMONY: HOWARD PAYTON

By  •  2 years ago

“The Real Help”

Emma Williams (1912-1998) was my maternal grandmother and her mother was Irish American. You remember the movie “The Help?”  Well, that’s what she did for …
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TestimoniesRitualsCoping/Grief

TESTIMONY: KATHY B. MCCAMMON

By  •  2 years ago

Black Grandmothers Need Warrior Angels Too

 

 

 

Wisdom/PerspectivesTestimonies

TESTIMONY: YOLANDA JENKINS

By  •  2 years ago

“If a Man Ever Hits You Just Kill Him”

I have a lot of stories that I could tell you about my grandmother Myrtice Lewis (1915-2005). My grandmamma was a …
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TestimoniesGratitude/HappinessWisdom/Perspectives

TESTIMONY: LASHAWNDA PITTMAN

By  •  4 years ago

Real Black Grandmothers Creator and Founder, Dr. LaShawnDa Pittman talks about the importance of preserving Black grandmothers stories.

RitualsTestimonies

TESTIMONY: JEAN DANIELS

By  •  4 years ago

“What Did I Tell You About Climbing Those Damn Apple Trees?”

My grandma was Valerie Smith (1926-1968). We used to live on an apple orchard. She would make us go …
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TestimoniesGratitude/HappinessReligion/Spirituality

TESTIMONY: SHEREE JOHNSON

By  •  4 years ago

“Baby It’s Enough of Waneda to Go Around”

My grandmother, Waneda Loretta Pittman (Neda) (May 30, 1933-May 2, 2015), kept us in church with her. She raised her household in
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RitualsRelationshipsGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: SHERYL BURKE

By  •  5 years ago

“A Haiku for Maw Maw”

Eat Organic Save Money Listen to sages Practice kindness and interdependence Repeat

As a child, I was left in …
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CreativityRelationshipsTestimonies

TESTIMONY: NAIMA MORA

By  •  5 years ago

Naima Mora, talks about the stories she can recollect and those that she wish were documented from her grandmother sculptor Elizabeth Catlett (April 15, 1915-April 2, 2012).

 


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Religion/SpiritualityResilience

RESILIENCE: CULTIVATE RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is cultivating religious/spiritual practices. They give you something bigger than yourself to believe in and to rely upon.  Not to mention, provide a sense of wonder and magic. Loreli Warren …
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Gratitude/HappinessWisdom/PerspectivesCoping/Grief

TESTIMONY: ASHA ALI

By  •  6 years ago

AYEEYO MACAAN (SWEET GRANDMOTHER)

“I remember the scorching sun hitting my back while tears strolled down my eyes. I was eight months pregnant and was holding my two boys’ hand …
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TestimoniesGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: KARLEE DARRELL RUFFIN

By  •  6 years ago

My grandmother, Ruth Ruffin (September 3, 1938-), is the daughter of Mable Toney and Wingfield Ruffin. Her grandchildren call her ‘Grandma Ruth’ or ‘Gee Gee’ and she lives in …
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TestimoniesGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: MYLES LONG

By  •  6 years ago

“The Life in All Living Things”

My parents were teenagers when I was born. So, my parents and I lived with my grandparents in their home in Seattle, Washington …
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WorkResilience

RESILIENCE: STRIVE FOR BLACK EXCELLENCE

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is always giving it your best. Erica Haynes-Ferguson’s great-grandmother, Dr. Annie Lee Richardson (March 13, 1918) passed down to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the motto: “Good, better, best never let …
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Religion/SpiritualityWorkTestimonies

TESTIMONY: KIRSTYN KOREN THOMAS

By  •  6 years ago

“The Beautiful Creation of Your Children”

Loreli Warren (August 13, 1938) is my grandma as well as a grandmother to three other grandchildren. She was born and raised in …
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Wisdom/PerspectivesTestimoniesGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: SADE VICTORIAN

By  •  6 years ago

“Good, better, best never let it rest until the good becomes better and the better becomes best” these are words of wisdom that has been passed down through many generations. …
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Gratitude/HappinessResilience

RESILIENCE: DELIGHT IN THE LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is appreciating the small things, especially the contagious laughter of children.

Kelly’s association of the sound of laughter with being a grandmother reminds me of something that Nelson Mandela …
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TestimoniesGratitude/HappinessRelationships

TESTIMONY: MALCOLM SECRIGHT

By  •  6 years ago

“More than “Hurricane Ethel”- A Purveyor of Lessons”

I am a freshman at the University of Washington. I was born on October 5,1998 and raised in Federal Way, Washington. Growing …
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Wisdom/PerspectivesResilience

RESILIENCE: LIVE YOUR PRIORITIES

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is identifying and living your priorities.

“I learned something about the importance of living close to your children and your grandchildren and to make that relationship a priority in …
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TestimoniesRitualsGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: RIMAUJHIA GREENLEE

By  •  6 years ago

“She is the sugar honey iced tea!”

“Great. Wonderful. Magnificent. Joyful. I can only find action words to describe what it feels like to be a grandmother. My favorite part …
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RelationshipsResilience

RESILIENCE: LOVE FAMILY!

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is loving family, “irregardless” as the old folks say.

Duane Lawrence’s grandmother, Granny Ivy, speaking at their last family reunion. It was July 24, 2015. She was 97.


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TestimoniesDisciplineRelationships

TESTIMONY: IZIAH GULLEY

By  •  6 years ago

“She always told me to say yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, no sir, because that’ll take you far in life.” MeMe wanted her grandson, Iziah, to uphold the same …
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Religion/SpiritualityRitualsWork

TESTIMONY: AIESHA TURMAN

By  •  6 years ago

Aiesha Turman is an Interdisciplinary PhD candidate at Union Institute & University where her dissertation foregrounds the work of Black women writers as essential texts that act as blueprints for A …
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TestimoniesRituals

TESTIMONY: CHEF BENJAMIN “BJ” DENNIS

By  •  6 years ago

Chef Benjamin “BJ” Dennis is a personal chef and caterer, born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. BJ infuses the flavors and culture of the Lowcountry into his Gullah-Geechie cuisine. …
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RelationshipsTestimoniesCreativity

TESTIMONY: NATALIE DAISE

By  •  6 years ago

For more than 30 years, Natalie Daise (November 1960-) has developed and facilitated interactive learning experiences for educators, students, and audiences in schools, universities, conferences, and other venues. Her belief …
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Gratitude/HappinessTestimonies

TESTIMONY: LASHAWNDA PITTMAN

By  •  6 years ago

Few have loved me as hard as you. Being able to show you that love in return, especially at the end of your life, is one of my best things. …
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RitualsWisdom/PerspectivesTestimonies

TESTIMONY: KELLY PRICE

By  •  6 years ago

“From Mama Bear to Mama Bear Times Ten”

Kelly Cherelle Price (April 4, 1973-) is the 2nd of 3 daughters born to Rev. Joseph and Mrs. Claudia Price. “Although …
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ResilienceReligion/Spirituality

RESILIENCE: Something Or Someone Put the Stars, the Moon, the Sun in the Sky

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is a belief in something bigger than you, in the world unseen, and in the spirit realm.

“As far as a God, I tell them that there is a …
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ResilienceWisdom/PerspectivesReligion/Spirituality

RESILIENCE: It’s All About Love

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is understanding that love is the highest form of energy there is. Love is radical and revolutionary.

“Pat: I believe in God, but I don’t go for all that …
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ResilienceRitualsReligion/Spirituality

RESILIENCE: DEVELOP A MORNING RITUAL

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is knowing that how you start your day matters. When we take time to center and prepare for the day ahead it’s harder to knock us off of our …
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WorkResilience

RESILIENCE: MAKE A WAY

By  •  6 years ago

Resilience is working hard for what you want and when it doesn’t pay off, thinking outside the box, and sticking with it. It is falling but getting back up, failing …
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Gratitude/HappinessTestimoniesEducation

TESTIMONY: CYNTHIA REYNOLDS

By  •  6 years ago

“Raised to Love”

Ruth Bowden (unknown-1982) is my grandmother. When I was about 3-years-old, I had to stay at home with my grandmother while my sisters and brothers attended school. …
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Wisdom/PerspectivesTestimoniesRituals

TESTIMONY: TONYA DEDEAUX

By  •  6 years ago

“Always A Class Act”

My grandmother’s name was Ora D. Bradford and she lived in St. Louis, Missouri. As a little girl, I grew up in Mississippi and it was …
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Money/FinancesTestimoniesRelationships

TESTIMONY: ALISA CRUMPLER-CALLENDER

By  •  6 years ago

Sophia-Bill Road: The Land That Gave Us Who We Are

Alisa Crumpler-Callender is a homemaker (aka CEO of the Callender household) located in Smyrna, Georgia. Married for 21 …
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TestimoniesReligion/SpiritualityRituals

TESTIMONY: IFALADE TASHIA ASANTI

By  •  6 years ago

“My daughter is the greatest gift that God ever gave me. My grandchildren are a close second.”

Iyanifa Ifalade Tashia Asanti lives in Marina del Rey, California. She is an …
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RitualsTestimonies

TESTIMONY: TERESA WOODS

By  •  6 years ago

“Hard Work Brings Good Things To You”

My biological grandmother died while giving birth to my mother. So, her oldest daughter raised my mother. Although she’s my aunt, I see her …
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TestimoniesRitualsWisdom/Perspectives

TESTIMONY: DANIELLE GAY

By  •  6 years ago

“Equal in All Things”

One thing I remember about my grandmother, Virginia Gay (April 18, 1935-) is how it was always important to her to keep my brother and me …
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TestimoniesReligion/SpiritualityRelationships

TESTIMONY: ROBIN CALLENDER

By  •  6 years ago

“An Intergenerational Creed: Bringing Light to Where There is Darkness”

Robin Callender lives in Atlanta Georgia. Born in London, England, Robin immigrated to Brooklyn and Queens when he was 12-years-old. …
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TestimoniesRitualsGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: PAT MUNSON

By  •  6 years ago

“They Call It Grandmother Because It Is Grand!”

In an interview with RBGM digital archivist Sara Daise, Pat Munson (March 29, 1958-) discusses her humble beginnings growing up in Los …
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RitualsTestimoniesRelationships

TESTIMONY: CHANDRA CONN

By  •  6 years ago

“If You Thought My Mama Could Cook!”

The story that I most remember about my grandmamma Gladys Dawson (1923-1998) focuses on the holidays. Whenever my mom wanted my grandma here, …
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RelationshipsReligion/SpiritualityTestimonies

TESTIMONY: ANGELA ALDRICH

By  •  6 years ago

“She Was Everything!”

Angela Aldrich has a long history of facilitating the heart to heart connections and communication she values—she spent 14 years in sports medicine and 15 years in …
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RitualsTestimoniesGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: KICHA WELLS

By  •  6 years ago

“A Different Kind of Love”

In an interview with RBGM digital archivist Sara Daise, Kicha Wells talked about the challenges of being a black, single, teenage mother to two black sons. …
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TestimoniesCreativity

Testimony: Dr. Ysaye Barnwell

By  •  7 years ago

https://youtu.be/pA9JQO-_62w

Dr. Ysaye Barnwell shares the story behind “No Mirrors in My Nana’s House.” Watch the video above to hear her and Dr. LaShawnDa Pittman talk about the song she …
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TestimoniesHealthRituals

TESTIMONY: WILMA HOLDEN

By  •  7 years ago

“Adventures with Grandma”

My grandmother Adena Chevers (unknown-1982) lived with us. So, for as long as I could remember, she was with us. I just remember her being very strict, …
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MediaIn The ArtsGratitude/Happiness

IN THE ARTS: Chris and Louise

By  •  7 years ago

Chris Sherrod and Amy Millward were gracious enough to share this photo from a recent shoot. Chris and his grandmother Louise Evans emit such JOY! This photo is everything!


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Gratitude/HappinessTestimoniesRituals

TESTIMONY: SIERRA PAYTON

By  •  7 years ago

“Jerome the Snowman” One of my favorite childhood memories is of my nana, Jean Daniels (February 12, 1943-), visiting me in Boston when I was little. She would come …
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Wisdom/PerspectivesTestimonies

TESTIMONY: LASHAWNDA PITTMAN

By  •  7 years ago

“Be tired for you!”

I remember my grandmother Warnella Wells (1936-2013) saying towards the end of her life and in the prime of mine when I’d talk about being tired, …
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Gratitude/HappinessTestimonies

TESTIMONY: LASHAWNDA PITTMAN

By  •  7 years ago

“Not with my baby!”

This one is from the personal stash (Ph.D. hooding 2011). I was her baby-protected and cared for when my teenage mom had me and thought she …
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Coping/GriefTestimonies

TESTIMONY: KIARA STAPLES

By  •  7 years ago

“Beautiful Black Queen”

My birth made my grandmother, Donna Staples (1956-2005) a young grandmother. When I think about things she said or did that have left …
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Wisdom/PerspectivesTestimonies

TESTIMONY: JOYCE WELLS JONES

By  •  7 years ago

“Coffee Makes You Black!“

When I was coming up, my grandmother Ida Wells (above) threatened that if I- her high yellow granddaughter (far right)- kept drinking coffee with my …
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HealthTestimoniesCoping/Grief

TESTIMONY: LORRAINE LANE

By  •  7 years ago

“Easter in October”

This seemed to be the week from hell, another flight home after a grueling week in Alabama. There has to be more to my life than planes, …
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TestimoniesRelationshipsGratitude/Happiness

TESTIMONY: TYSHA WIGGINS

By  •  7 years ago

“Ha ha hell!”

Ruby Tyson aka Ru Pearl aka Mom Tyson (1921-2004) was no stranger to a hard life. Her mother’s blindness prompted her aunt Ma Shug to raise …
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CreativityTestimonies

TESTIMONY: E. NINA JAY

By  •  7 years ago

For Ada Mae Clay (1897-1980)

Real black grandmothers know how to cook the food braid platts in lil black gurlz’ hair lead the family from quiet mountains always aware …
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Gratitude/HappinessTestimonies

TESTIMONY: JOSHUA WELLS

By  •  7 years ago

“A Sack of Shit”

One of my favorite memories about things my grandmother Warnella Wells (1936-2013) did or said was being called “a sack of shit” by her when I …
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