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Claudette Colvin Refused Before Rosa - So Why Was She Forgotten

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Before Rosa Parks, a 15-year-old Black girl named Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus . In March 1955—nine months before Rosa Parks’ arrest—Colvin was dragged off a public bus, handcuffed, and jailed for insisting on her constitutional rights. Her act of resistance helped lay the groundwork for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and later became part of the Supreme Court case that ended bus segregation. Yet history largely erased her name. This is the story of why. She was fifteen years old. A child, really. Full of questions. Full of fire. Full of the kind of courage that doesn’t ask permission. Nine Months Before Rosa Parks, a Black Teen Took a Stand Nine months before Rosa Parks became a household name, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. Not because it was planned. Not because it was strategic. But because something in her spirit said  enough . “I paid my fare. It’s my constitutional right.” Those were her words. The Forgotten ...
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She Invented Home Security—and History Forgot Her

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As promised, this is the next blog in our series highlighting  not-so-well-known but deeply important Black people who helped shape America . Not the usual history-book names. Not the ones everyone already knows. These are the people whose ideas quietly built the systems we use every day. This woman didn’t invent something to become famous. She didn’t have venture capital. She wasn’t trying to disrupt an industry. She was just trying to  feel safe in her own home . Long before smart doorbells, before security apps, before anyone imagined a television could protect you, a Black woman from Queens created the foundation of modern home security. Her name was  Marie Van Brittan Brown —and if you’ve ever checked a screen before opening your door, you’re using her idea. The Problem No One Was Rushing to Solve Marie Van Brittan Brown was born in 1922 in Queens, New York. She worked as a  nurse , often pulling long, unpredictable overnight shifts. At the same time, crime in h...
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Annie Turnbo Malone: A Black History Lesson in Growth and Legacy

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I didn’t blog in January—and instead of rushing past that, I’m using February to reset with intention. Black History Month is the perfect time to reflect on  where we’ve been, what we’ve built, and how we grow forward . This month’s focus is  past and present growth : learning from Black trailblazers whose work still teaches us how to move today. Not just famous names—but impactful ones. Let’s start with someone influential, foundational, and still under recognized. Black History Month and the Importance of Growth Black History Month is more than remembrance—its reflection and application. Understanding the past helps us identify patterns, strategies, and lessons that still matter today. One of the most powerful lessons we can learn is how growth becomes meaningful when it extends beyond ourselves. Let’s talk about Annie Turnbo Malone. Who Was Annie Turnbo Malone? Annie Turnbo Malone  (1869–1957) was one of the  first Black female millionaires in the United States ...
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Do the Thing That Scares You (Before Time Decides for You)

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I’ve been sitting with a thought lately that feels heavy and freeing at the same time. I’m almost 43, and I’ve realized I have less time ahead of me than I do behind me. That alone will make you stop and really look at your life. I heard a quote recently that hasn’t left my brain:  “ Do the thing that scares you while you still can. ”  Simple, but powerful. And honestly, it feels like it showed up right on time for me. Lately, I’ve been doing more things on my own. Not as a mom. Not as the one holding everything together. Just as Jocelin. I’m rediscovering who I am outside of my responsibilities, and it’s been both uncomfortable and exciting. I don’t have all the words for it yet, but I know something is shifting. When I think about the things that have scared me over the years, most of them weren’t silly fears. They were practical ones. Fear because I needed to make a living as a single parent. Fear because I didn’t want to disrupt the people in my circle. Fear because choosi...
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Mom First… but Who Am I Again?

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I’m a mom first and foremost. And if I’m being really honest… that’s kind of the problem. Being a mom first means my kids eat, have a roof over their heads, and have clothes on their backs. It means late nights with coughs, sniffles, and those  “I just need you close”  moments. It means putting everyone else first—every single time. It also means  I put myself on the back burner . Like…  way  back. Behind the boiling pot. Possibly forgotten entirely. Somewhere between school drop-offs, grocery runs, and surviving on cold coffee, I forgot a little bit about  me . Not “me-the-mom,” but  me-the-human . And now? I’m being forced to face that. My youngest is going on a  LONG trip  with my mom and sister. I thought I’d be thrilled. Freedom! Sleep! Silence! Instead… I’m a little sad. Mostly because she was  so excited  to go. I genuinely thought her life revolved around me. Turns out…  it does not. Rude. 😂 So here I am. My mom duties...
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When Winter Affects Your Mood More Than You Expect

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This time of year is hard for me—and not for the reasons people usually assume. It’s not the holidays. I don’t even celebrate. It’s the cold. It’s how dark it gets so early. It’s being inside more than out, scrolling instead of connecting, and feeling like it takes extra effort just to see people I love. Everything feels heavier in the winter, and if you’ve ever struggled with seasonal blues, you probably know exactly what I mean. And if I’m being really honest, when something goes wrong—sometimes even a minor inconvenience—it can shape my entire day. One small thing can throw off my mood, and suddenly I’m spiraling, overthinking, trying to “push through” before I’ve even acknowledged how I feel. That’s the part we don’t talk about enough. No one is positive all the time. No one has perfect emotional regulation. And ignoring your feelings in the name of “staying strong” usually makes the seasonal slump feel worse. Recently, I read a quote that said:  find a way to love everything t...
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Overthinking Is Exhausting: How to Quiet Your Mind and Regain Confidence

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I  overthink. And not in a cute, quirky way — but in a way where one minor inconvenience will have me question my whole existence. I replay scenarios with many different alternate endings you would think I was a screenwriter! I can hold the door open for someone, and if they don’t say thank you, my brain immediately clocks in for overtime: Was my hair a mess? Did I have something in my teeth? Did I smell bad? Did my face do that weird thing it does when I’m trying to be normal? Never — and I mean  never  — do I think,  “Wow, that person just didn’t have manners.” No. Obviously it’s me. Clearly this brief, silent interaction is a direct reflection of my worth as a human. Long sigh. This is what overthinking does. It takes the smallest, most insignificant moments and turns them into full-blown self-doubt spirals. And while I’d love to say I’ve mastered this, the truth is:  I’m a work in progress. I’ve been actively working on my overthinking when it comes to work,...
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