Blogger, Culture Curator & Brand Ambassador

More SuGa Please

In the Spring of 2016 my best friend and I popped in to SuGa for a quick drink and bite to eat promising to return to experience the full menu after being blown away by the tasty food and amazing customer service. A few seasons have come and gone since we originally stopped into SuGa but on Thursday January 18 we returned as the restaurant participated in Philadelphia’s Center City District Restaurant Week. I am pleased to say the food was absolutely delicious. My mouth is actually watering as I am typing this. Also, the customer service was served up in abundance.

The evening began with prompt seating after needing to change our reservations due to schedules not coordinating as planned. Upon being seated we were promptly offered water and given menus. I liked the restaurant week options that SuGa gave because it covered basis for everyone whether a true at heart carnivore, a pescaterian or vegan.  I opted to go with the BBQ Baby Back Ribs as an appetizer, the Mandarin Crispy Shrimp for my main course to which I added a side of Brussel sprouts and the Warm Apple Galette for dessert. The ribs were my favorite part of my meal. Not because the other food wasn’t as good, but the ribs were cooked perfectly in texture and flavor. I could truly eat them every day.

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Moguls in Media 2-Year Anniversary Dinner

On January 10, 2017 I was invited to participate in Darcel Laurie’s Moguls in Media 2-Year Celebratory Dinner. The event was hosted at the We Work 16th & Market location in a private space area. The limited amount of guests got to mix and mingle with some of the tri-states up and coming media talents as well as those with history in the media community. While networking guests were served food from Chef Christine Hazel’s menu which consisted of lobster rolls, macaroni and cheese, vegan gumbo, wine and more.

During the intimate event Darcel shared that she began Moguls in Media 2-years ago as a way to help connect new talents with the dos and donts of the media industry, opportunities and how to become a success. Last year she was able to take her talents and knowledge on tour hitting four cities while working with some of the biggest names in media. Darcel’s goal is to continue to connect with those in the media industry and has now published a new book “I’m Tired of One Night Stands With Success, I Want a Fully Committed Relationship.” In this book she shares her journey and some lessons on how she has navigated her career in the media industry.

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Museum of African American Museum of History and Culture Visits

If you don’t know where you come from, you won’t know where you’re going.”

In December I was blessed to be able to visit the National African American Museum of Culture and History twice. The first visit though short was impactful. MY friends and I hit I-95 to visit the museum during 2:00-5:30 time slot and decided against trying to rush through the entire museum and instead went to specific exhibitions.

I began my tour in the Sweet Home Café and indulged in a savory serving of shrimp and grits and a scrumptious sweet potato tart. From there we ventured to the museum and hit the Everyday Beauty, Making a Way Out of No Way, Cultural Expressions, Power of Place, Sports and Taking the Stage Exhibitions. These exhibitions showcased many contributions through history that African American’s have made. It felt unbelievably good to see all of the powerful ways our ancestors have used the talents to push our culture forward. Being in the media industry of course the Cultural Expressions and Taking the Stage exhibitions were my favorite. I got to indulge in the history of ground breaking moments in television, movies and talk. I literally left awe inspired.

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I Survived 2017

It is human nature that when in the throes of immediate danger we put all of our energy into just trying to survive. Our end goal is always simple; make it to the other side alive. That was the only thing I set my mind to do in 2017. I needed to make it out spiritually, mentally, emotionally and financially. As the holidays season swept in I came out of my hazed stated of laser focus and looked around and realized I had done it. I had the bruises and scars, must of which were mental and emotional to prove it, but I had survived one of the most trying years of my adult life. There was death, there was weight gain, there were unplanned for responsibilities, there was the loss of friendships and unbelievable amounts of debt, and then there was me with a promise. I promised if I just made it to the other side of 2017 and lived to tell about it, that I would.

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Lissa Marie

Lissa-Marie is a Philadelphia based Beauty, Event and Lifestyle blogger on a mission to use her various social media platforms to connect with women in honest conversation about all things related to millennial women. Originally starting her namesake blog to share personal anecdotes, dubbed #Marieisms, lessons in being a young professional, dating, fashion, beatuty and more. What began as a hobby quickly turned into more leading to opportunities like speaking on panels, being interviewed for two online radio shows and becoming a brand ambassador for multiple brands. While never in her wildest dreams did Lissa-Marie believe that her site would make such an impact and be read nationally and internationally.

Once settled with the realization that her voice was being heard Lissa-Marie knew she wanted to take that impact even further. During May of 2015, which is National Mental Health Awareness Month, Lissa-Marie launched #DontCallMeCrazy. #DontCallMeCrazy is a social awareness initiative that delves into Mental Illness, highlighting its effects on the black community. Using both her social media and blog to share facts, detailed research and personal accounts from herself and others Lissa-Marie began to peel back the stereotypes and misconceptions of mental illness. Lissa-Marie plans to continue to advocate for mental-illness and bring light to healthier ways to achieve mental wellness and destigmatize myths that surround mental illness.

While Lissa-Marie has accomplished some major career goals in s short-time span, she knows she is just getting started. In 2016 she became a brand ambassador for the global wellness company, a brand ambassador and “reviewer” for Sistah Girls Book Club and was inducted into the National Leaderhip and Success Honor Society at Temple University where she is a Media and Communications major. Lissa-Marie is also working on her ultimate goal, penning a full length novel which will be self-published by her co-owned company Pink Ink Publishings, LLC. Lissa-Marie will continue to keep the conversation open on all her social media platforms hoping to inspire women to remain confident, curious and steadfast in faith. Fueled with passion and purpose Lissa-Marie is looking forward to her future achievements big and small.