Humpday Update #10 / BaltimoreGirls

Happy Humpday all! This week so far has been pretty insane as I continue to juggle several side projects and work at the same time. Between this blog, the YouTube Channel, the Zine, and a possible graphic Novel, my hands are so full.

But the highlight up until this update was my Sunday with the BaltimoreGirls.

It was an intense event for me. I was in a room full of one of the scariest groups of people I'd care to be around; women. I knew no one, I misread the event, and felt completely out of place for the entire two hours I spent sitting in a chair.

I was an outsider, and as a "county girl" whose idea of "city culture" differs vastly from those of the women in the room; I was so nervous I gave myself a migraine and had to leave. (that and I made the mistake of thinking it was really a 2pm-4pm event and didn't eat...) These women, to me, were the grown versions of the city girls at camp, school, and church who bullied me relentlessly for being different.

Although tense for my entire visit, I was shown that I had nothing to be afraid of.

I stuck out sure, but that couldn't be helped really, I am different.

But every woman in that room was different.

Photo Credit: Dwayne Hazelwood

I was in a place where I was not being judged; no one was pointing and laughing at the "county girl who talked white".

The Founder of Baltimore Girls, Ms. Stephanie Safiyatou Edwards, was magic. Her vision is the simplest and most heartfelt I've ever come across. To show the world the beautiful shapes, colors, and powers of women in Baltimore.

"(Even) if you weren't born here... You came here and decided to make Baltimore your home? You a Baltimore Girl." ~ Safiyatou

I am so positive that this woman is going to change the way people look at Baltimore and the way people look at women. BaltimoreGirls is going to go very far and they are going to change the lives and outlooks of the girls involved as they go.

I plan on spending more time with them If they'll have me. Maybe not in the spotlight so much as I don't think my poor nerves can handle it. :) But behind the scenes, helping to make sure things happen for this group.

I AM a BaltimoreGirl, and I've never been prouder to say so. In just two hours I was changed for the better.

Pay it Forward: Liebster Award Nomination

As someone who is pretty new to the blogging world I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that there was an award that could given; from one blogger to another as a way to help new bloggers gain some traction. The over all point of this award is to help, meet, and network with other bloggers. As well as show that you are part of a larger web of bloggers that have started a wave of helping people be heard. I spent a solid two weeks mulling over my nomination and trying to decide who to nominate. I ended up with a list of people I know or knew personally at some point in my life as well as a few that I don't know, but are blogging staples in my city. Despite my urge to help those close to me, my nominator for this award is a Style/Lifestyle/Beauty blogger from North London; Robyn Samantha . Thank you for my nomination Robyn! Now, before I start the meat of the post, here are the "rules". Thank and link to the person who nominated you. Give 11 random facts ab...

Hello April

I think everyone has the right to get REALLY excited when their birthday month rolls around. I for one, am losing my mind at the thought of giant metallic balloons in the shape of a '2' and '4'. But I'm also acutely aware of people who disregard their birthdays as the curse of aging and the yearly reminder that their lives are not going as planned. If this is the case just change your plans . I'll never understand why that concept is so confusing for people. As a soon to be '24' I am right in the age bracket of people who feel like they've gone nowhere and accomplished nothing. It sad to see and hear, and even I have my moments. Growing up is scary and I'd like to think it always will be a little scary; no matter how old you are. Each age comes with different responsibilities and possibilities that are easy to fear. The trick to living happily is learning how to not let the fear rule you. Your birthday is a cosmic "good job yo...

Selective Compassion

So I have written about this topic before. When Paris was attacked, I was ashamed (even of myself) of the way people reacted to this country going through what they did. It was sad and we felt for them. But has anyone else noticed that we only ever feel for these "super power" countries when so many other places go through this everyday? The following is what I wrote after Paris. Every one of us is guilty. We tend not to change the color overlay of our facebook pictures for countries like Afghanistan or Syria. Most of us don't even know that China's youth is so opressed and depressed that they're locking themselves away in their rooms and even killing themselves. No one bat an eye at the college campus in Kenya where 147 people were killed. And the Paris media attention drowned out the suicide bombing tragedy in Beirut one day before. What happened in Paris is indeed a tragedy. But it brings to light how we as Americans pick and choose who to show ou...

_chelsearedd

Search This Blog