As 2019 comes to a close, I have chosen to look back at all of my adventures, and the people I’ve met since starting Black Girl in the CLE. Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite blogs. Come back each day until 2020 for a new recap blog
My Favorite Blogs (in no particular order)
Porco Lounge & Tiki Room– Before Slow Down Sundays and yoga retreats, Dawn Rivers gave us our first blog. We also got our first taste of Cleveland Bagel after their win on Cleveland Hustles
Shots Fired: Date Night with Bae– Thank you for making this one of our most-read blogs. Also, congratulations are in order to Kiara. Since this blog, Kiara got engaged to bae!
A favorite photo: The 1st photo. Breakfast with Gina, Kiara and Dawn about a crazy idea of starting a blog.
Black Girls Love Chocolate– Right after Trump became president we found out a local chocolatier was being threatened over an anti-Trump candy product. We were glad to be able to visit and support this local entrepreneur, plus eat a lot of chocolate
Gina always come through, be it the perfect photo or the ability to capture an event, her blogs are always fun to share
Black Girls are Superheros– This was one of two blogs about Carol and John’s Comic Book Store. Ironically it is listed (totally didn’t plan this) behind the chocolate blog as John Dudas reached out after reading our blog on his friend Cassandra and wanted to send us a batch of comics. He didn’t ask for a blog, or a visit but it opened the door to multiple blogs on comics and one of my favorite days of the year, Free Comic Book Day.
This photo represents a big moment for me. It’s a conference that was game ganging for me but also taken during one of my lowest points in this journey. I felt SO out of my league and so undeserving of being there but left motivated and inspired. Special thanks to Dawn who spoke with me every day to encourage me and Rachel Hill for just being there and introducing me to NABJ #NABJproud
Black Girls Feast in Little Italy– This blog will probably come up again in one of my recaps. I love this blog because it’s a reminder of me pushing past my fears (true fears) and traditional thinking. While I didn’t make it to the Feast this year, I plan to attend again in the future.
Black Girls Smoke Cigars: There was SO much going on behind the scenes of this one. It took multiple trips with multiple writers to determine the angle and the story, In the end, I am glad to have learned SO much about cigar culture. I have met and talked to so many cool people in the cigar lounge and am thankful that I no longer feel uncomfortable smoking cigar.
Black Girls Do Goat Yoga: When I started Black Girl, I would always say that we excited to capture our experience and somehow mention “cause Black girls don’t do goat yoga.” Thanks to guest blogger and Girlfriend member Nicole for proving me wrong.
The photo that gladly proved me wrong
Why all the Gay Stuff Black Girl: I almost deleted this from the list but I’m not sure why. I do like this blog, and I think it’s well written. I also like getting to use our Pride logo, I think it’s super cute).
I guess what I don’t like about this blog is that I felt the need to explain why Black Girls’ stance is to be compassionate, and supportive of our LGBT+ friends. I think it’s an important blog and I just recently found out how impactful it was to the community, so that’s why it’s one of my favorites.
A favorite graphic, our Pride logo
My Story: Black Girls Pewter: I am so thankful to Willa for sharing her story. This was another blog that broke me out of the toxic thinking of what people don’t do or where we don’t live. Take another read and show 3 Feather Pewter some love.
A personal favorite: Taken at The Grog shop before Grooves and Grapes was even an idea
To close I want to remind you that I love every blog submitted and posted on this site. I am so thankful that you all continue to read and share our blogs, and continue to submit your stories with us.