Kayla Harley

Every now and then in my travels, I come across a GEM.
While strolling through the Craft Market, Carifesta XIV in Port of Spain Trinidad, I found myself in a spot that stood out from the rest of the trinkets and specialty items displayed on storefront tables. There, I saw premium ostrich leather bags layered with zebra fur patches, colors of Mahogany, Beige and Black firmly stretched and tied along the side of Messenger Satchels, Pouches, Purses, Chairs and even a fully framed piece of Artwork with the story of African capture and enslavement etched into the material hung on the back wall. It was powerful. And I felt honored to experience such quality pieces of work in a casual and intimate settings such as this.

I stood at a distance for a moment gazing at the sight and taking it in, recognizing that where I was, was Sacred and Godly. I approached a tall gentleman sitting calmly on a chair hovering over something he was reading and asked him about his work. He pointed to a description…

Day #3 L'Acado Dance Workshop - A Traveling Black Woman

No Yoga for me this Morning.

Instead, I was eagerly anticipating L'Antoinette Stiles company class and workshop featuring her specialized technique: L'anTech being held at the National Performing Arts Building as part of the University of Trinidad & Tabago. I first encountered this woman as gazed at a piece of fruit to eat one early morning in Dayton, Ohio at the International Association of Blacks in Dance Association Annual Conference in Festival 2019. Typical gypsy scenario, coming from long travels in need of nourishment after thing is all said and done. She bit into an apple that rested on a table beside me, she picked it up--looked at me it that was the beginning of my admiration for a such a this deeply rich cultured person.

Her company brought Kingston to the stage for in the U.S. with only a taste of Caribbean culture through Katherine Dunham, deemed the mother of Modern dance who brought the classic style and folklore dance of various islands throughout the Rainb…

Mandela Day & Laughing Out Loud with Michael

Yesterday was my birthday.
I was having a fun filled day, learning about South African History and Culture at the Prince George's African American Museum and Cultural Center. Nelson Mandela and I share the same birthday....as I've been saying "God don't make NO Mistakes." I am inspired by his resilience, patience and empathy for the whole of South Africa. His solidarity and the young people who stood up his name against the Apartheid will always be in my heart. I even chatted with some young women about the power of Meditation and MindBody Practices for Sustainable Living.

The museum displays a jaw dropping exhibit by Songwriter and Painter Vanessa Williams called "Catharsis" meaning pure expression. She began painting again after having been a caretaker to her 90+ year old father for quite sometime. During his last days, she had lost herself in whirlwind of responsibilities and obligations she had in this role as her Daughter. It was that sense of purp…

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