January 19, 2018 By Micha James Oprah Winfrey, “Ofrah” as pronounced by my grandmother, has been an icon in my family since the mid-1980s. She has been my homegirl in my head ever since I spotted her and Stedman getting in the car as I was passing Dr. Maya Angelou’s house in my elementary school… Continue reading Time is up…it’s time for us to get free
What legacy will you leave?
November 1, 2018 By Micha James A couple months ago, I received a call from Mrs. Sarah Alston inviting me to join her at The Winston-Salem Legacy Awards. I am not sure if you know her, but one should not say no when she (or her husband) calls. Before ending the call, she specified, “Oh, and… Continue reading What legacy will you leave?
Closed mouths don’t get fed
June 14, 2018 By Micha James There is a thin line between sanity and insanity! This school year has caused me to pray the prayers of my great-grandmother more than ever: “Lord, please keep me in my right mind …” I am the mother of a rising ninth-grader who experienced one of the worst school years. As… Continue reading Closed mouths don’t get fed
Are we ready to talk?
December 14, 2017 By Micha James I am very open about having been raped in 2003, but I talk very little about being sexually assaulted in high school and molested in the eighth grade. I delayed telling an authority about each incident because I was in shock, embarrassed and seemingly cared more about the perpetrators and… Continue reading Are we ready to talk?
I thought I would have the holiday blues…
December 8, 2016 Micha James Guest Columnist My maternal grandmother passed away close to Easter and, as death usually does, it created a new normal for me. Much of my life was consumed by her in recent years, and I became extremely anxious about what the holidays would be like without her. For weeks, I… Continue reading I thought I would have the holiday blues…
Being black is too much
October 6, 2016 Micha James Guest Columnist He is 5-foot-8.5, 175 pounds at 12 years old and he is my son. He wears his height and weight as badges of honor, especially when people think he is older than what he is. What kid wouldn’t? I fuss at least twice a week about him keeping… Continue reading Being black is too much
Make sure you’re present in people’s lives
June 16, 2016 Micha James Guest Columnist My grandmother passed away on the 25th of March, which was also Good Friday. I had the opportunity to spend every night with her in hospice the week prior to her death. It was an experience I pray to NEVER forget. The conversation, the jokes, the pain, the… Continue reading Make sure you’re present in people’s lives
Thick Thighs…Thin Patience
My spirit is telling me this slogan will be used a lot this year, and depending upon November’s election results, my patience may become nonexistent. I’ve learned my lack of patience has come from having to code-switch, which increased after participating in multiple Racial Equity Institute (REI) Trainings. I encourage you to participate in one… Continue reading Thick Thighs…Thin Patience
End Of Quarter/Semester Woes…
I attended a Holiday Party of a friend who is also the mother of three sons. I was discussing the challenges I was having and she confirmed Michai’s current grade level. She later said, “Oh yea…7th and 10th grades are the toughest!” I stood in her kitchen in disbelief because: 1. She was right, because… Continue reading End Of Quarter/Semester Woes…
I Live Human Relations
Upon graduating from Leadership Winston-Salem in 2017, I made a commitment to be the voice for the voiceless. That commitment has come with a hefty price. I have been a member of the Human Relations and Healthcare committees since graduation, and this year I was “hoodwinked” into being the Chair of Human Relations. Although I… Continue reading I Live Human Relations