Author: Chiara Luz Atoyebi

Where faith and creativity meet to tell life’s most meaningful stories. At Chiara Atoyebi Media, I believe art is ministry—every story, image, and design is a way to share light and love. I’m Chiara, an artist, writer, and educator devoted to building spaces where family, faith, and folklore come alive. From digital storytelling to handmade art and The House of Maryam Creative Center for Peace and Transformation, my work celebrates the sacred in everyday life. And at the heart of it all? My greatest inspiration—my 15-year-old son, a writer and gamer known as @Sonicgamedex. Join Our New family endeavor #yourcrossisyourcrown
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Discover Paul Laurence Dunbar: Poet’s Legacy and Impact #TIH

Photograph of poem “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar in the Public Domain

Paul Laurence Dunbar was doing a lot before most people even knew his name. Born in 1872 to parents who had been enslaved, Dunbar grew up with stories, songs, and a deep love for language. By the time he was in high school, he was already writing poetry—and not quietly, either. He was president of his school’s literary society and editor of the school newspaper. Casual.

One of the most interesting things about Dunbar is that he was bilingual in a literary sense. He wrote both in standard English and in Black dialect. The dialect poems made him famous, but they also frustrated him. He once wrote, “I have grown sick of dialect poems,” because publishers often ignored his more complex work. Still, he mastered both forms, and that skill is part of what made him unforgettable.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to be accepted, Dunbar gets it. His most famous poem, “We Wear the Mask,” says it plainly:

“We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes.”

That line still resonates more than a century later.

Alice Dunbar Nelson Image in the Public Domain

Fun fact: Dunbar worked as an elevator operator to support himself while writing poetry on the side. Another fun (and painful) fact he was only 33 when he died of tuberculosis. Yet in that short life, he published poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and had an interesting and tumultuous marriage to writer Alice Dunbar Nelson. The marriage between these two is filled with letters that could rival a soap opera but also was matched with the same volatility. Schuges of Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Paul Laurence Dunbar wasn’t just a poet of his time—he was a poet ahead of it. His work reminds us that talent can bloom even under pressure, and that sometimes the quietest voices are carrying the heaviest truths.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

On Both Sides of the Line: Hispanic Soldiers of the Civil War #Military

Photograph shows a full-length portrait of three officers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Sitters have been identified as Second Lieutenant Ezekiel Gaulbert Tomlinson, Captain Luis F. Emilio (center), and Second Lieutenant Daniel G. Spear (National Archives) Group shot, officers of the 54th Mass. Colored. United States, 1863. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2010650833/.

When we picture the American Civil War, our minds usually go to the blue and gray uniforms of the North and South, framed in a strictly Black-and-white narrative. But there is a massive, often ignored chapter of this history: the 10,000 to 20,000 Hispanic soldiers who fought on both sides of the front lines.

From the deserts of New Mexico to the ironclads of the Atlantic, Hispanic Americans were pivotal to the outcome of the war. So, why don’t we hear about them?

Why Were They Erased from the Narrative?

The “invisibility” of Hispanic soldiers wasn’t an accident—it was a byproduct of how history was recorded:

  • Census Categories: In the 1860s, “Hispanic” wasn’t a checkbox. Soldiers were often grouped simply as “White” or by their country of origin (Mexico, Spain, Cuba), making them hard to track in historical data.
  • The Geography of History: Most Civil War education focuses on Virginia and Pennsylvania. However, many Hispanic regiments fought in the western portion of the United States (Texas and New Mexico), a region long neglected by early historians.
  • Language Barriers: Thousands of letters and records were written in Spanish, remaining untranslated in archives for over a century.

Defining Moments and Heroes

Hispanic contributions weren’t just peripheral; they were game-changing.

The “Gettysburg of the West”

In 1862, the 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry—a predominantly Hispano unit—met Confederate forces at the Battle of Glorieta Pass. Their local knowledge allowed them to find and destroy the Confederate supply train, effectively ending the South’s dream of conquering the American West and its gold mines.

Trailblazers in Uniform

  • Admiral David Farragut: The son of a Spanish merchant captain, Farragut became the Union’s first Admiral. He is immortalized for his grit at the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he famously shouted, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
  • Joseph H. De Castro: A hero of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry, De Castro was the first Hispanic American to receive the Medal of Honor after capturing a Confederate flag during the heat of Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg.
  • Loreta Janeta Velázquez: Breaking all social norms of the era, this Cuban-born woman reportedly disguised herself as a man to fight as a soldier and later served as a daring double agent.

A Legacy Restored

The Civil War was more than a regional conflict; it was a continental struggle that relied on the bravery of immigrants and descendants of Spanish colonies. By reclaiming these stories, we get a more honest look at the diverse coalition that shaped the United States. We also see that it still is an all hands-on deck situation when it comes to the fight for independence. Although not talked about often we were there too.

Quick Stats: Hispanic Participation

GroupPrimary RegionNotable Impact
Hispano Union UnitsNew Mexico TerritoryPrevented Confederate Western expansion.
Tejano CavalryTexas / Gulf CoastServed as elite scouts for both North and South.
Naval OfficersAtlantic CoastLed some of the most successful Union blockades.
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Is It Right For You? Modern Challenges and Opportunities in School Choice

boy in blue shirt with black backpack standing on the doorway
boy in blue shirt with black backpack standing on the doorway
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

If the country is moving to a merit-based society, that is great. However, there are some places that will need to modernize their infrastructure. But in the meantime, we like to get in motion as much as we can until the pendulum swings in our favor. 

As a child, my parents chose where we lived based on the school district alone. When my mother was just starting out in her career and had to work nights at the hospital, she would do something that I actually could not do: she would drive from the city to the suburbs—a forty-minute commute to Ann Arbor just so I could go to school where she felt I would get the best education. The irony was that there was a school right on the corner where my grandmother lived, but my mom wanted a school where I could be creative and thrive. I actually moved around quite a bit as a child, but each choice was made based on education. Admittedly, no one should have to deal with those extremes, but throughout history, parents have made sacrifices whenever they could to ensure their children’s success. Today, you have that opportunity with school choice—if that is the choice you would like to make.  It is not for everyone, but it is an option that could shore up a need for your child. Also, there are all kinds of reasons a parent may want to change their kids schools. Maybe their gifted, play an instrument, are inclined to science, or need special education; the list goes on. But I don’t personally believe you should be caged in for any reason. School choice is not solely economic to me, it’s about access and exposure because we all learn and thrive from each other.  

A Trajectory of Choice 

We often think of “School Choice” as a modern political debate, but in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was the only reality. Before the “Common School” movement of the mid-1800s, education was a decentralized tapestry. Families “chose” through homeschooling, private academies, or community-funded one-room schoolhouses. 

Notably, in many underserved communities, the most effective models were the women-led, Black-led schoolhouses. These weren’t just buildings; they were centers of self-determination where the curriculum was tied to the community’s survival and success. When the public system was eventually standardized, many of these intimate, effective models were lost in favor of a “one-size-fits-all” factory model. 

The Equity Gap Post-Brown v. Board 

The landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision was a victory for desegregation, but its failure was the lack of equanimity. We integrated the students, but we didn’t integrate the resources. Decades later, a child’s zip code still largely determines the quality of their school’s roof, the depth of their library, and the safety of their halls. 

This is where the agency of choice shores up the gaps. Choice should work both ways: we must invest tax dollars to build up and modernize our neighborhood schools so they become places of pride once again. But while that infrastructure is being rebuilt, parents need the “motion” of choice to ensure their child isn’t left behind in a failing building. 

Diversity as an Asset 

True diversity is not just racial—it is a diversity of thought, talent, and pedagogical approach. Some children thrive in a traditional classroom; others need a vocational-heavy environment or a specialized arts curriculum. When we allow funding to follow the student, we encourage a marketplace of ideas that benefits everyone. Choice isn’t a mandate; it’s an option that respects the diverse needs of the modern family. 

The Landscape in Maryland Today (2026) 

In Maryland, this “motion” is happening through programs like BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today). As of 2026, BOOST provides scholarships to nearly 3,000 low-income students, allowing them to attend participating non-public schools that fit their specific needs. 

While Maryland is currently making historic $10 billion investments into public school modernization via the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” the BOOST program acts as a vital bridge. It offers immediate relief and equity for families who can’t wait a decade for a building to be renovated. 

How it works in MD: 

  • Eligibility: Primarily based on Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) status. 
  • The Process: Parents submit Federal 1040 tax returns to verify income. 
  • The Outcome: The scholarship follows the student to an eligible private or community-led school, covering or significantly offsetting tuition. 

Education is the engine of a merit-based society. By supporting both our public infrastructure and the individual right to choose, we ensure that the next generation doesn’t have to drive forty minutes away just to find a fair start. 

Here are some tips:

StepAction Item
1. Find Your FundsCheck if your state has an ESA (Education Savings Account) portal.
2. Audit the FitVisit at least three schools. Look for “Shadow Days” where your child can attend for a day.
3. Verify LogisticsCan you handle the transport? Does the school offer after-care?
4. Watch DeadlinesMany choice programs require applications 6–9 months before the school year starts.
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2026: Fun Traditions for Kids

Exploring new cultures is the best thing. If you can’t leave your hometown, the good news is you can use social media and your local community to explore things around you. In our home, we love Chinese New Year. We love the bright red decorations, the exciting traditions, and most of all… the red packets! Chinese New Year is a special celebration that marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar, and in 2026 it begins on February 17. This year welcomes the Year of the Horse, an animal that represents energy, adventure, and confidence. Even kids can feel that exciting “fresh start” feeling when Chinese New Year arrives.

Chinese New Year is also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, and it’s celebrated by families all over the world. Before the holiday, people often clean their homes to sweep away old luck and make room for good fortune. Homes are decorated with red and gold because red is believed to bring happiness, luck, and protection. During the celebration, families gather to eat delicious food, spend time together, and wish each other health and joy for the year ahead.

One of the most exciting traditions for children is receiving red packets, also called hongbao. These are bright red envelopes usually given by parents, grandparents, or other adults. Inside is money, but the most important part isn’t how much is inside, it’s the loving wish for good luck, happiness, and success in the new year. Kids often wait eagerly for these envelopes and opening them feels like a little burst of magic and celebration.

The Year of the Horse makes this Chinese New Year extra fun to talk about with kids. Horses are known for being fast, strong, and adventurous, so it’s a great time to encourage children to be brave, try new things, and run toward their dreams. You can even ask kids what kind of year they hope to have — a year full of fun, learning, kindness, or exciting adventures.

To celebrate at home, a simple and meaningful craft kids can do is making their own lucky red envelope. Using red paper, fold it into an envelope shape and glue or tape the sides, leaving the top open. Kids can decorate their envelopes with drawings of horses, gold designs, sparkles, or even try writing the Chinese character 福 (fú), which means good luck. Inside, they can place a handwritten wish, a drawing, or a pretend coin. It’s a lovely way for kids to understand the tradition while creating something personal and festive.

Chinese New Year is a celebration filled with color, joy, and hope, and sharing these traditions at home helps children learn about the world while making warm family memories. Whether it’s opening red packets, making crafts, or simply talking about the Year of the Horse, it’s a beautiful reminder that a new year always brings new possibilities.

There are several celebrations happening in Montgomery County:

In Rockville, Richard Montgomery High School will have cultural performances, interactive displays, and kid-friendly activities. Safeway’s 5th annual celebration features lion dances, live music, face painting, and food samples from Asian brands like Fly By Jing and Kikkoman.

In Bethesda, Westfield Montgomery hosts the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center’s celebration with dragon and lion dances, calligraphy blessings, clay dumpling crafts, and red envelope giveaways. Strathmore’s Music Center offers a festive concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, while Connie Morella Library invites children to storytime, crafts, and songs.

Gaithersburg brings a unique twist with the Mintd Card Show at the Marriott Washingtonian Center—featuring Pokémon vendors, raffles, and Lunar New Year-themed prizes. Across the county, you can also support local Asian restaurants, bakeries, and bubble tea shops to keep the celebration going.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Major General Marcelite Harris: A Trailblazer in the Air Force

Major General Marcelite J. Harris shattered barriers throughout her Air Force career, becoming the first African‑American woman general and redefining what leadership looked like in the skies. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of women, Black service members, and all who believe in service as a force for change.

Major General Marcelite Jordan Harris (1943–2018) stands among the most influential leaders in U.S. Air Force history. Born in Houston and educated at Spelman College, she entered the Air Force in 1965 and immediately began breaking new ground. Harris became the first African‑American woman to achieve the rank of general in the Air Force, the first female aircraft maintenance officer, and one of the first women to serve as an air officer commanding at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Her career spanned more than three decades, from the Vietnam War era through the 1990s, during which she held leadership roles that shaped the Air Force’s operational readiness. As the Director of Maintenance, she oversaw global aircraft operations and logistics, an enormous responsibility in a rapidly evolving military landscape

Service Beyond the Uniform

After retiring as a major general in 1997, Harris continued her commitment to national service. She joined NASA as the Florida Site Director for United Space Alliance, supporting the nation’s shuttle program. Her civic leadership extended to organizations such as the NAACP, and she was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Board of Visitors for the Air Force Academy.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

#TIH The Curious Proposal: Lincoln’s War Elephants from Siam

“Abraham Lincoln, artist’s impression, lithograph, circa 1877,” House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/40378

In the winter of 1862, as the American Civil War ground on with grim uncertainty, President Abraham Lincoln received one of the most unexpected diplomatic proposals in U.S. history: an offer of war elephants.

The offer came from King Mongkut of Siam (modern-day Thailand), a forward-thinking monarch eager to engage with Western powers and demonstrate his kingdom’s relevance in a rapidly modernizing world. In a formal letter written in 1861, Mongkut proposed sending a number of trained elephants to the United States to assist the Union war effort against the Confederacy.

The image is almost surreal, elephants lumbering across American battlefields, but the offer was serious, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine goodwill.

A military elephantnamed Lizzie (elephant) during World War I image in the Public Domain

A World Watching America’s War

To understand the moment, it helps to remember that the Civil War was not just a domestic affair. European and Asian powers watched closely, weighing how the conflict might reshape global politics, trade, and influence. For Siam, maintaining friendly relations with powerful Western nations was a strategic priority. Mongkut, well-educated in European science and diplomacy, saw engagement as a way to preserve Siam’s independence in an age of colonial expansion.

In Southeast Asia, elephants had long been used for transport, engineering, intimidation, and warfare. To Mongkut, offering elephants was the equivalent of offering valuable military hardware, a practical contribution rather than a symbolic gift.

There was also a lag in global communication. By the time the letter arrived in Washington, it was already outdated. Mongkut had addressed it to President James Buchanan, unaware that Abraham Lincoln had been inaugurated in March 1861. The slow pace of 19th-century diplomacy meant good intentions sometimes arrived wrapped in obsolete assumptions.

Lincoln’s Measured Reply

Lincoln responded on February 3, 1862, with characteristic courtesy and clarity. He thanked the King of Siam for his generosity and friendly spirit, acknowledging the value of elephants in their native regions. But he politely declined the offer. Below is the exact letter from Lincoln via the House Divided Project:

February 3, 1862

Abraham Lincoln,

President of the United States of America.

To His Majesty Somdetch Phra Paramendr Maha Mongut,

King of Siam,

&c., &c.

Great and Good Friend: I have received Your Majesty’s two letters of the date of February 14th., 1861.

I have also received in good condition the royal gifts which accompanied those letters,—namely, a sword of costly materials and exquisite workmanship; a photographic likeness of Your Majesty and of Your Majesty’s beloved daughter; and also two elephants’ tusks of length and magnitude such as indicate that they could have belonged only to an animal which was a native of Siam.

Your Majesty’s letters show an understanding that our laws forbid the President from receiving these rich presents as personal treasures. They are therefore accepted in accordance with Your Majesty’s desire as tokens of your good will and friendship for the American People. Congress being now in session at this capital, I have had great pleasure in making known to them this manifestation of Your Majesty’s munificence and kind consideration.

Under their directions the gifts will be placed among the archives of the Government, where they will remain perpetually as tokens of mutual esteem and pacific dispositions more honorable to both nations than any trophies of conquest could be.

I appreciate most highly Your Majesty’s tender of good offices in forwarding to this Government a stock from which a supply of elephants might be raised on our own soil. This Government would not hesitate to avail itself of so generous an offer if the object were one which could be made practically useful in the present condition of the United States.

Our political jurisdiction, however, does not reach a latitude so low as to favor the multiplication of the elephant, and steam on land, as well as on water, has been our best and most efficient agent of transportation in internal commerce.

I shall have occasion at no distant day to transmit to Your Majesty some token of indication of the high sense which this Government entertains of Your Majesty’s friendship.

Meantime, wishing for Your Majesty a long and happy life, and for the generous and emulous People of Siam the highest possible prosperity, I commend both to the blessing of Almighty God. 

Your Good Friend,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Washington, February 3, 1862.

By the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

 “Abraham Lincoln to the King of Siam, February 3, 1862,” House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/40508.

Why the Offer Mattered

No elephants ever crossed the Pacific, but the episode endures because it reveals several important truths about the era.

First, it highlights how globally connected the mid-19th century already was. News traveled slowly, but it traveled far, and events in America resonated in royal courts half a world away.

Second, despite early Union defeats and widespread uncertainty, Lincoln never believed the war would be decided by exotic weapons or foreign intervention. Victory would come through mobilization, industry, manpower, and time.

Finally, the exchange humanizes history. Beneath the grand narratives of battles and strategy, there are moments of sincere misunderstanding, cultural difference, and unexpected generosity. A king offered what he knew to be valuable. A president declined with grace.

A Curious Footnote, A Connected World

Today, Lincoln’s reply is preserved among his papers and stands as one of the more curious footnotes in American military history. It reminds us that even in the darkest chapters of war, diplomacy could still be polite, imaginative and occasionally strange.

Sometimes history isn’t just about armies and battles. Sometimes it’s about a letter, a king, and a handful of elephants that never were.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The History of The Hamburger, Just Because

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
View all responses

I love a good burger. As a matter of fact, I think I will get one today. It’s so simple, yet so delicious. When I think about the hamburger, it’s funny how something so ordinary can have such a long and surprising history. Today, burgers are everywhere, backyard barbecues, fast-food restaurants, and even fancy menus, but their story begins far from modern America and stretches back hundreds of years.

The idea behind the hamburger starts with people simply trying to make meat easier to eat. Long before buns and grills, Mongol warriors in the 13th century reportedly carried pieces of meat under their saddles as they traveled. The meat would become tender, making it easier to chew. While this sounds unappealing by today’s standards, it shows an early form of minced meat that later influenced dishes in Europe. Over time, this practice helped inspire foods like steak tartare and other chopped-meat recipes.

By the 1800s, minced beef had become especially popular in Hamburg, Germany. There, “Hamburg steak” was a common dish made from ground beef, usually seasoned and sometimes eaten raw or lightly cooked. It was affordable, filling, and practical—qualities that would later define the hamburger. When German immigrants traveled to the United States, they brought this dish with them, introducing Americans to the Hamburg steak through ports like New York.

In the U.S., the dish began to change. Americans preferred their meat cooked, and the Hamburg steak was soon grilled or fried instead of served raw. At some point, likely out of convenience, someone placed the meat between two pieces of bread. This small change made a big difference. Suddenly, the meal was portable, easy to eat, and perfect for workers who needed something quick and satisfying. This simple sandwich became what we now recognize as the hamburger.

Vergara, Camilo J, photographer. 535 The Famous Jimbo’s Hamburger Palace, Harlem
. New York United States New York State Harlem Manhattan, 2012. -09-16. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2020702864/.

There’s still debate about who exactly invented the first hamburger. Different towns and individuals across the United States claim credit, from fair vendors in the Midwest to diner owners on the East Coast. While the true origin may never be settled, what matters more is how quickly the hamburger caught on. By the early 20th century, it had become a staple of American food culture.

The hamburger’s popularity exploded with the rise of fast-food restaurants. Chains like White Castle and McDonald’s helped standardize burgers and make them affordable for almost everyone. These restaurants turned the hamburger into a symbol of speed, convenience, and modern life. For many people, grabbing a burger became part of everyday routine.

Today, the hamburger continues to evolve. From gourmet burgers with unique toppings to plant-based alternatives, it reflects changing tastes and values. Yet at its core, the hamburger remains a simple idea: seasoned meat, cooked and shared. Its journey from ancient traditions to a global favorite, shows how even the most familiar foods can have surprisingly rich and personal histories.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

#TIH Military: The Legacy of Colonel Charles Young From Enslavement To Military Greatness

Historic black-and-white photograph of Colonel Charles Young, a high-ranking U.S. Army officer, seated in a wooden chair and wearing a decorated dress uniform with medals, embroidered cuffs, and a ceremonial sword, early 1900s.

Colonel Charles Young United States Army image in the Public Domain

“The life of Charles Young was a triumph of tragedy.”

-W.E.B. Dubois

Colonel Charles Young (1864–1922) was one of the most accomplished military leaders of his generation and a pioneering figure in African American military history. Born in Kentucky to formerly enslaved parents, he rose from Reconstruction-era beginnings to become the third African American graduate of West Point (1889) and eventually the first African American Colonel in the United States Army.

Young served with distinction in the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 25th Infantry, the famed Buffalo Soldier regiments. His early career included years on the Western frontier, followed by a professorship at Wilberforce University, where he taught multiple languages and forged a lifelong friendship with W.E.B. Du Bois. You can view one of the letters here.

During the Spanish-American War, Young commanded troops in Cuba and the Philippines, including participation in the charge up San Juan Hill. In 1903, he became the first African American superintendent of a U.S. National Park, overseeing Sequoia and General Grant National Parks.

He continued to break barriers, leading the 10th Cavalry during the 1916 campaign against Pancho Villa and later serving as U.S. military attaché to Liberia. Despite being initially declared medically unfit for World War I service, Young famously rode 500 miles on horseback from Ohio to Washington, D.C. to prove his fitness and was reinstated.

Young died in 1922 while on assignment in Lagos, Nigeria. He was honored with military funerals in both Lagos and the United States, and was reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery in 1923, where Du Bois delivered his eulogy.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Invite Only La Luz Art

I am building my new studio and have a list of potential collectors, with more being added. If you’re interested in joining the list, you can email me at info@chiaraatoyebimedia.com.

I will be offering work by myself as well as select pieces from other artists. Custom work will be limited online, but there will be other special items available. Feel free to check out the Etsy shop.

We’ll also have more coming for America 250, and the current digital download includes an embroidery image. You can download it and create it from the comfort of your own home.

You can also see some of my artwork on Instagram at chiaratoyebi.

My son is phenomenal artist and also a Kid Cudi fan, and one of my business partners and favorite people. Everything I do is for my babies and I do not regret it or feel conflicted. I feel blessed and fortunate.

I am not active on social media, but it should still be there.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Unlocking The Hidden Educational Benefits of Gig Work for SAHMS

Gig work is often dismissed as “extra cash.” But for moms, especially stay-at-home moms preparing to reenter the workforce, it can be much more.

It can be a bridge back to professional life, toward education, into entrepreneurship, and even to a debt-free future for your children.

Platforms like Uber and DoorDash offer more than flexible income. They offer access, benefits, and leverage — tools that can quietly change a family’s trajectory.

Here’s how:

A Gentle Return to the Workforce

Reentering work isn’t hard because of the job — it’s hard because of the transition.

Gig work eases that shift:

  • You choose your hours
  • You control your workload
  • You work around school, naps, and activities
  • You avoid committing to full-time work before you’re ready

It’s a low-pressure way to rebuild confidence, update your resume, and reestablish a professional rhythm, without being penalized for being a mom. And for artists, these are essential perks including Uber’s vision and dental benefit that can’t be denied. Especially with the ongoing healthcare debacle that is happening. It is imperative to use logic for your life.

Education Benefits Most Moms Don’t Know About

Uber offers free tuition at Arizona State University after 3,000 completed trips.

That benefit can be used:

  • For you
  • Or toward your child’s education (with family tuition options)

With consistency, a mom could earn a $40,000–$60,000 debt-free college education over time — on her own schedule.

The Timeline (It’s More Manageable Than You Think)

This isn’t about grinding — it’s about consistency. It’s about securing a $40,000-$60,000 gift you can impart to a family member. That leaves more money in your pocket. More focus on maintaining your home after retirement.

  • ~20 trips/week → about 3 years
  • ~40 trips/week → about 1.5 years
  • ~60 trips/week → about 1 year

Most moms fall into the first two categories, and that’s fine. This is a long game meant to position your family, not exhaust you. Driving all day is not necessarily for the average person. But two hours? You can listen to YouTube or an audiobook and make your quota.

The Hidden Perks That Lower Expenses

Both platforms offer benefits that quietly stretch household dollars.

Uber perks include:

  • Gas and maintenance discounts
  • Car rentals and discounted purchases
  • Rosetta Stone
  • Uber Pro rewards
  • Vision and Dental Insurance
  • Venmo cashout

DoorDash perks include:

  • 2% cash back on gas with DasherDirect
  • Daily payouts
  • Maintenance discounts
  • E-bike and scooter options in some cities

These benefits make gig work more sustainable, especially for moms.

Gig Work as a Launchpad

Gig work also reconnects you to the world.

You’re learning your city, meeting people, spotting opportunities, and building community — often while funding what comes next:

  • Certifications
  • Small businesses
  • Creative careers
  • Extracurriculars
  • Savings or a move

For many moms, gig work becomes seed money for the next chapter.

For the Woman Who Feels Stuck

In life, bad things often happen to good people. But each day you can do the best you can to rise out of a not-so-great situation. If you’ve been isolated, underestimated, or quietly carrying more than anyone sees, this matters. Take it from someone that has lived it. People lose family members, jobs, get sick and just downright overwhelmed and this can be a gentle reentry.

Gig work can be a pathway to freedom: one delivery, one ride, one hour at a time.

These platforms don’t judge your past or your résumé.
They reward consistency, professionalism, and effort.

And there is power in earning your own money, even if it’s modest at first:

  • Power to cover medical costs
  • Power to pay for your child’s needs
  • Power to fix a roof, replace a tire, or finally chip away at debt.
  • Power to save for a move, a degree, or a new beginning.
  • Power to make choices
  • Gig work won’t solve everything, but it can open the first door.
  • It can be the first step toward stability, dignity, and independence.
  • It can be the first time in a long time that a woman feels like she has options.

That’s not extra cash.
That’s options, and options are freedom. You just have to decide what freedom means for you.

And don’t forget you keep all your tips.

A Side Hustle That Doesn’t Own You

The healthiest relationship with gig work is simple:

Don’t rely on gig work. Strategize with it.

Gig work is at its best when:

  • You treat it as an option, not a lifeline
  • You use it to unlock benefits
  • You let it support your long-term goals
  • You take advantage of the perks without burning out

It’s an innocuous side hustle on the surface but beneath that surface is access, leverage, and opportunity.

You’re not just delivering food or giving rides. You’re building a bridge toward your family’s future.

I am big on evolution. Everything is a season and cycle. When this season is over, help your sister or your brother out. I also discovered a great book that made me think of not paying for college at all. It’s called Debt Free Degree. I hope that my neighbors will read it. I want all of us to continue to watch our kids grow and have a little less stress.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

#TIH: The Convergence of Truth & Memory St. Barbea of Edessa, Upper Mesopotamia

The City of Edessa By Bernard Gagnon Courtesy of Wikipedia

Our Posts–Education, Faith, and Feminine Spiritual Transformations

Joan of Arc by the Author via Generative AI

Every topic we’ve explored—economics, faith, women’s financial autonomy, the politics of truth—has really been a study in memory. Who remembers. Who forgets. Who gets written into the story of a nation, a family, a church, an economy. And who has to fight to be seen. At its core, this work is about how memory shapes identity, and how identity shapes the choices women make in a world that is always negotiating power. Truth is one of the most powerful forms of currency.

What looks like separate topics between economics, Catholic spirituality, women’s financial literacy, truth and transformation, has always been one conversation. We’ve been studying the point of convergence: where memory becomes identity, where identity becomes history, and where history becomes story. At that crossroads, women make choices that reveal who they are and what they believe. This is the terrain where truth is chosen, not inherited. Therefore, when you understand the world, you can make choices in it. Also, there are so many women that have been martyrs and leaders, and they go unnoticed and unwritten about today.

Edessa, Upper Mesopotamia, St. Barbea

Convergence is the moment when spiritual truth, political pressure, and personal identity collide — and the choice you make reveals who you are. Few places in the ancient world embodied this collision more fully than Edessa. Born from the collapse of empires, it rose on a fault line of history a frontier city where Arab kings, Roman legions, and Persian armies contested not only territory but allegiance. Perched between worlds, Edessa functioned as both buffer and battleground, a place where control depended less on walls than on the loyalty of its people. Shifting between Parthian, Armenian, and Roman rule, the city learned early that power here was provisional: armies could occupy its streets, but belief determined whether authority endured. January 29th is the feast day of St. Barbea who is honored here today.

Saint Barbea of Edessa: Holding To Conviction

Saint Barbea of Edessa was an early Christian martyr from Syria, remembered primarily for her courage during the persecutions under Emperor Trajan. She was the sister of Saint Sarbelius and was converted to Christianity through the influence of Saint Barsimeus, a prominent Christian leader in Edessa.

St. Barbea image by the author via generative AI

Once she embraced the faith, Barbea practiced it openly despite the intense hostility toward Christians at the time. Her refusal to renounce Christ led to her arrest and brutal torture. According to tradition, she endured:

  • burning with hot irons
  • severe scourging
  • and ultimately death by spear

Throughout these ordeals, she remained unwavering in her devotion.

Barbea is considered a pre‑congregation saint, meaning her veneration predates the formal canonization process of the Catholic Church. She has no specific patronage or iconographic symbols associated with her, but her legacy endures through the commemoration of her feast day on January 29. She is honored as a model of loyalty, courage, and steadfast faith, especially among those who look to the early martyrs for inspiration. Her story stands as a testament to the strength of conviction and the power of belief in the face of persecution.

Epistemic Memory

This is interesting because where your epistemic memory is matters. I included this in my graduate school thesis, and I will share it here on the site. It is all about memory and story and it is key to any people’s and nation’s survival.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

UNESCO: Bringing Oshun Into the Home: Origins, Healing, and Creative Inspiration

I was thinking of the Yoruba Goddess Oshun today. Whenever I am facing intense challenges, I like to destress with painting and reorganizing. I was painting my bathroom wall this afternoon and her beautiful essence came to mind. Oshun’s story begins in the sacred cosmology of the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin, where she is honored as the orisha of sweet waters, beauty, fertility, sensuality, and emotional healing. She is the spirit of the river—flowing, generous, and deeply restorative. Her presence brings sweetness back into difficult seasons, and her energy is often invoked when someone needs softness, joy, or renewal.

The Origins of Oshun

In Yoruba tradition, Oshun (also spelled Osun or Ochún) is one of the most beloved orishas. She is associated with the Osun River in Nigeria, where her sacred grove remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination. Her colors—yellow, coral, and gold—reflect her essence: joy, vitality, sensuality, and the shimmering movement of fresh water. As a healer, she supports emotional balance, fertility, creativity, and the gentle clearing of stagnant energy.

How to Bring Oshun’s Spirit Into Your Home

Inviting Oshun into your home doesn’t require elaborate ritual. It’s about creating a space where beauty, warmth, and emotional ease can flow freely.

Use Her Colors With Intention

  • Yellow: Add throw pillows, candles, fresh flowers, or ceramics to brighten your space and lift your mood.
  • Coral: Use coral textiles, bowls, or artwork to bring warmth and emotional grounding.

Create a Water-Inspired Corner

A small bowl of fresh water, a fountain, or a vase filled with river stones can symbolize her cleansing, flowing energy. Refresh the water often as a simple act of renewal.

Honor Sweetness

Honey, oranges, and soft fragrances like vanilla or citrus echo her love of sweetness and pleasure.

Invite Softness and Sensuality

Silks, warm lighting, gentle music, and lush textures help cultivate the atmosphere Oshun is known for—one of ease, beauty, and emotional openness.

Before we close, I want to share a story that carries the heart of Oshun’s healing. It’s a reminder that even the sweetest waters can be shaken, and yet they always find their way back to flow. This story captures what happens when love shifts, when heartbreak arrives, and when a woman chooses to return to her own sweetness.

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove image credited to Thierry Joffroy @UNESCO

After Shango Left: Oshun’s Journey Back to Her Own Sweetness

After Shango left, the world grew strangely quiet.

Not the peaceful kind of quiet that comes after rain, but the hollow quiet that settles in a house when laughter has walked out the door. Oshun felt it first in her chest — a tightening, a dimming — as if someone had placed a hand over her heart and pressed down gently, then harder.

She didn’t rage. She didn’t chase. She simply turned and walked back to her river.

The water recognized her before she even touched it. The surface trembled, shimmering gold, as if trying to rise up and hold her. Oshun knelt at the edge, letting her fingers slip beneath the coolness. The river asked no questions. It only received her.

Days passed. Maybe weeks. Time moves differently when a heart is healing.

Without her sweetness, the world began to crack. Arguments sharpened. Crops withered. Even the other orishas felt the shift — the absence of her laughter, her diplomacy, her gentle way of softening the edges of things. They searched for her, calling her name across forests and crossroads, but Oshun stayed with her river, letting the water carry away what she could not hold.

One morning, as the sun stretched itself across the sky, Oshun rose from the riverbank. Her sorrow had not disappeared, but it had changed shape — from a wound into a wisdom. She wrapped herself in yellow, coral, and gold, colors that reminded her of who she was before love and after it.

When she stepped back into the world, sweetness returned. Flowers lifted their heads. People remembered tenderness. Even Shango felt the shift — that unmistakable glow that only Oshun could bring.

But this time, she did not return for him.

She returned for herself.

And the river followed her, shimmering at her heels, whispering the truth she had finally learned: No matter who leaves, Oshun always comes back to Oshun.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Transform Your Neighborhood with Small Community Actions

Have you ever driven through a beautiful neighborhood and thought, Wow… look at these flowers, these painted porches, these little pockets of calm everywhere? It feels effortless, almost like the neighborhood just became that way.

But here’s the truth we don’t always say out loud: those places look like that because the residents invest in them. They organize clean‑ups. They build Little Free Libraries. They add onto their homes. They show up for their community. They shape the environment they want to live in.

Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing that only big gestures matter. We forget the heart of that famous John F. Kennedy line: ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Small actions still matter—and they matter more than we think.

Life Is Busy, and That’s Real

When people say they’re too busy to get involved, I agree. Life will have you scrambling. One minute your child is falling behind in school, the next you need a new roof, and you still haven’t made that doctor’s appointment. Meanwhile, you look around and think, The city needs to fix this. This is falling apart. We don’t have enough resources.

It’s overwhelming. And it’s human.

But small changes—tiny, manageable ones—can shift the entire way we live.

Small Things Shape Big Outcomes

I’ve said it here many times: small things matter. They shape our daily lives more than we realize. We love to quote “Be the change you want to see,” but then we wait for someone else to make the change happen.

Some changes require policy. But many can start right where we are.

Even in your home or apartment—temporary or not—you want it to feel good. You want it to be comfortable. And when you eventually level up, you want the next person to inherit something cared for. That mindset alone is powerful.

Using What You Have to Build What You Want

I went to art school, and only now am I really thinking about how to use that training to improve my life and my community. You can do the same with whatever gifts you have.

One thing I rarely hear discussed is how to keep your property values high after you buy a home. Yes, there are injustices that affect communities—things I’ll talk about another time—but residents still have power.

About Those Smoke Shops…

no smoking sign in london public space
Photo by Andre on Pexels.com

I’m not a fan of having a bunch of smoke shops in my neighborhood. Through research, I learned that if the rent is cheap enough, they can move in easily. But if they don’t have customers, they can’t stay.

And honestly, I don’t want our kids growing up thinking vaping is harmless. I tell my own children all the time: you are blessed, but your blessings can literally and figuratively go up in smoke if you start adult habits too early.

At the same time, I try to remember that everyone has a job to do. Everyone is trying to exist. So I’ve also wondered: could these shops be made less of an eyesore? Could they be more elegant, more integrated into the neighborhood? Where I live, some of them are decent. They could be decent everywhere.

Temptation is personal. But community standards are collective.

Getting Involved Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

City council meetings are online now. Your city website lists committees you can join. You don’t have to show up in person, you can listen in on Zoom while you drink your coffee.

Is it exciting? Not always. But here’s something I learned working in finance: the people who can endure the boring parts often end up with the biggest influence.

If your attention span is short, think of it as a creative challenge. Your voice matters. Reasoned, constructive conversation matters. And yes, some people will try to shut you down. Don’t let that discourage you. Those folks usually get moved aside eventually.

Action is the shortest path to victory.

Start With Your Block

Beautification doesn’t require a grand plan. You can do a lot with one neighbor. One idea. One shared effort. This is a no-brainer when it comes to helping people become useful right where they are. It is the very definition of lifting as we climb as stated by Mary Church Terell.

But if you’re doing major building, please pull a permit. And if the process moves too slowly, well… social media has a way of speeding things up.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Watching Movies.

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

We love to snuggle and watch movies. I don’t know if it is a tradition but it’s fun to do. We love to watch movies together. We love it so much that we purchased a popcorn machine and bought a projector.

It’s showtime every weekend.