• #amplifymelanatedvoices Repost from @sophia_roe • For those who are new here — Hi, my name is Sophia, but most people call me Soph. I am the daughter of two substance abusers (one, my father, who I have never met. He died before I had the chance. My mother..sadly abused me so profoundly, I cannot speak on it at this time) My trauma and experiences with hurt, are what inspired me to dedicate my life to taking care of people (in whatever capacity, but most notably with food) — I have been a chef for 12+years. Some of those years were spent working in restaurants, some of those years were spent catering, and some of those years were sent being a private chef. It’s been so hard to do that work as a Black women, but I’ve always showed up for my community. My work centers around making food, cooking, storytelling, etc. more accessible, attainable, and enjoyable. I also love farmers markets, and previously owned clothing. — I think everything tastes better with lemon zest, I’ve had grey hair since I was 16, and I still have nightmares about my time being homeless. I am not a minimalist, and I believe everybody can cook (even the folks who think they can’t.) I’m a Scorpio, I make a killer playlist, own over 100 jumpsuits (..and counting), and love my IG community more than anything I can imagine — I know what it feels like to have to think about race every single day. I could give you a list of times my life has been negatively impacted because of the color of my skin, but there’s work to do, and frankly you don’t have the time to read that kind of a list right now (it’s a novel, I assure you) — I also write short stories, plenty of recipes, and cry easily. I am currently writing my first book, and lead an open conversation/teaching series called @thepillowtalksessions. If I’m honest, I am frustrated it took so long to have some of you here, as I’ve been here the whole time. I trust you’ve FINALLY started doing the LIFELONG work necessary to love me, and Black people the way you should’ve all along — Signed, an overwhelmed, but-still-banging-away Soph
    0 0
    #amplifymelanatedvoices Repost from @sophia_roe • For those who are new here — Hi, my name is Sophia, but most people call me Soph. I am the daughter of two substance abusers (one, my father, who I have never met. He died before I had the chance. My mother..sadly abused me so profoundly, I cannot speak on it at this time) My trauma and experiences with hurt, are what inspired me to dedicate my life to taking care of people (in whatever capacity, but most notably with food) — I have been a chef for 12+years. Some of those years were spent working in restaurants, some of those years were spent catering, and some of those years were sent being a private chef. It’s been so hard to do that work as a Black women, but I’ve always showed up for my community. My work centers around making food, cooking, storytelling, etc. more accessible, attainable, and enjoyable. I also love farmers markets, and previously owned clothing. — I think everything tastes better with lemon zest, I’ve had grey hair since I was 16, and I still have nightmares about my time being homeless. I am not a minimalist, and I believe everybody can cook (even the folks who think they can’t.) I’m a Scorpio, I make a killer playlist, own over 100 jumpsuits (..and counting), and love my IG community more than anything I can imagine — I know what it feels like to have to think about race every single day. I could give you a list of times my life has been negatively impacted because of the color of my skin, but there’s work to do, and frankly you don’t have the time to read that kind of a list right now (it’s a novel, I assure you) — I also write short stories, plenty of recipes, and cry easily. I am currently writing my first book, and lead an open conversation/teaching series called @thepillowtalksessions. If I’m honest, I am frustrated it took so long to have some of you here, as I’ve been here the whole time. I trust you’ve FINALLY started doing the LIFELONG work necessary to love me, and Black people the way you should’ve all along — Signed, an overwhelmed, but-still-banging-away Soph
  • Repost from @getplateddc • Let's get personal: This is our owner and a little over a year ago, Chef Keyon was at our kitchen with the building inspector for our new facility. At the end of the meeting the two (black) men exit the building to be greeted by several police officers with their guns drawn and shouting "put your weapons down & put your hands up now". . . The inspector lays his clipboard down and puts his hands up. Chef Keyon shouts back at the officers " what's going on, this is my building!" The inspector tells Keyon "put your hands up, you know they will shoot us". Chef puts his hands up only to appease the officers ridiculous demands. The police approach and start to interrogate them both. Who are you? Why are you here? Show us proof that you belong here. The questions go on and on for several minutes until Chef is cleared to lower his hands to grab for his cell phone, yes, the officers demanded chef show them a lease or bill of sale for the building. . . The officers apologize for the misunderstanding stating they received a call from another officer that two black men were robbing the building. Fortunately, Chef and the inspector were not harmed however, this scenario could have ended very differently. . . The sad truth is not every black man or woman gets to walk away from situations like this. . . It is devastating, it is draining, and it is the reality of so many black lives. We are tired and we want justice! #blm #blacklivesmatter #georgefloyd #wearetired #blackownedbusiness #amplifymelanatedvoices
    0 0
    Repost from @getplateddc • Let's get personal: This is our owner and a little over a year ago, Chef Keyon was at our kitchen with the building inspector for our new facility. At the end of the meeting the two (black) men exit the building to be greeted by several police officers with their guns drawn and shouting "put your weapons down & put your hands up now". . . The inspector lays his clipboard down and puts his hands up. Chef Keyon shouts back at the officers " what's going on, this is my building!" The inspector tells Keyon "put your hands up, you know they will shoot us". Chef puts his hands up only to appease the officers ridiculous demands. The police approach and start to interrogate them both. Who are you? Why are you here? Show us proof that you belong here. The questions go on and on for several minutes until Chef is cleared to lower his hands to grab for his cell phone, yes, the officers demanded chef show them a lease or bill of sale for the building. . . The officers apologize for the misunderstanding stating they received a call from another officer that two black men were robbing the building. Fortunately, Chef and the inspector were not harmed however, this scenario could have ended very differently. . . The sad truth is not every black man or woman gets to walk away from situations like this. . . It is devastating, it is draining, and it is the reality of so many black lives. We are tired and we want justice! #blm #blacklivesmatter #georgefloyd #wearetired #blackownedbusiness #amplifymelanatedvoices
  • Repost from @carriecolemanphoto • Last year someone told a friend of mine that she decided not to set her up with a coworker because he was “too black for her.”⁣ ⁣ In high school a friend told me that she wasn’t sure if the country club where we were having our pre-prom dinner would let me in because, “they don’t even let black people work there”. ⁣ ⁣ In middle school I had someone tell me that I was, “the whitest black girl they knew,” as if it was a compliment. ⁣ ⁣ There is a weight that comes with being black in America. It comes with having to wonder whether someone’s implicit bias will come into play when you’re out shopping, or on a run, or photographing a wedding, or moving into a new neighborhood. It comes with seeing another person who looks like our brother, or dad, or sister or child senselessly murdered. Being black in America can be a heavy burden to bear. ⁣ ⁣ And so, there is one thing I want to suggest to my white friends who want to show up and do more - don’t rely on your black friends to guide you through this newfound understanding of white privilege. The reality that our life experiences are not and will not be the same as those of our white peers is something we’ve understood our whole lives. Now it’s your time to become aware of the racism and inequality that has plagued this country for years, how it affects your brown friends, and the role you have to play. To all of my friends who have reached out amidst all of this, thank you. I’m grateful for the words and thoughts I’ve seen from so many on social media platforms recently and I want to encourage you to show up for your black friends by listening, learning and reflecting. ⁣ ⁣ You can find a list of helpful resources in my bio. 💙 #amplifymelanatedvoices
    0 0
    Repost from @carriecolemanphoto • Last year someone told a friend of mine that she decided not to set her up with a coworker because he was “too black for her.”⁣ ⁣ In high school a friend told me that she wasn’t sure if the country club where we were having our pre-prom dinner would let me in because, “they don’t even let black people work there”. ⁣ ⁣ In middle school I had someone tell me that I was, “the whitest black girl they knew,” as if it was a compliment. ⁣ ⁣ There is a weight that comes with being black in America. It comes with having to wonder whether someone’s implicit bias will come into play when you’re out shopping, or on a run, or photographing a wedding, or moving into a new neighborhood. It comes with seeing another person who looks like our brother, or dad, or sister or child senselessly murdered. Being black in America can be a heavy burden to bear. ⁣ ⁣ And so, there is one thing I want to suggest to my white friends who want to show up and do more - don’t rely on your black friends to guide you through this newfound understanding of white privilege. The reality that our life experiences are not and will not be the same as those of our white peers is something we’ve understood our whole lives. Now it’s your time to become aware of the racism and inequality that has plagued this country for years, how it affects your brown friends, and the role you have to play. To all of my friends who have reached out amidst all of this, thank you. I’m grateful for the words and thoughts I’ve seen from so many on social media platforms recently and I want to encourage you to show up for your black friends by listening, learning and reflecting. ⁣ ⁣ You can find a list of helpful resources in my bio. 💙 #amplifymelanatedvoices
  • Repost from @reneehphoto • I am at a loss for words. But what I do know is that we have to do better. For our children and their children and their children. When I look at my son, I hold him a little tighter each day. I tell him I love him a million times a day. And we tell him to be proud that he is black. Because black is beautiful. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you didn’t know, diversity runs deep here. I’m Chinese Jamaican. My husband is African American. My extended family consists of giant melting pot from Haitian to Hungarian, from Puerto Rican to Irish, from Columbian to British, Nicaraguan to South Asian, and more I can’t even think of at the moment. My circle, my friends are of all races. My clients are from all different backgrounds and I think a lot of my work speaks for that. Because culture and travel are so important to me. People are so important to me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hate has no place here. Only love. And I hope you can appreciate that, educate yourself if you are unsure, and find ways to embrace what makes us all so special and important. If you’re already doing your part, keep doing more. Things are weird (pandemic) and things are heavy (racism). I have seen and heard things I hope my son never has to witness. We have to do better. We can do better. Let’s heal the world.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷 @rachelmayphoto #amplifymelanatedvoices
    0 0
    Repost from @reneehphoto • I am at a loss for words. But what I do know is that we have to do better. For our children and their children and their children. When I look at my son, I hold him a little tighter each day. I tell him I love him a million times a day. And we tell him to be proud that he is black. Because black is beautiful. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you didn’t know, diversity runs deep here. I’m Chinese Jamaican. My husband is African American. My extended family consists of giant melting pot from Haitian to Hungarian, from Puerto Rican to Irish, from Columbian to British, Nicaraguan to South Asian, and more I can’t even think of at the moment. My circle, my friends are of all races. My clients are from all different backgrounds and I think a lot of my work speaks for that. Because culture and travel are so important to me. People are so important to me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hate has no place here. Only love. And I hope you can appreciate that, educate yourself if you are unsure, and find ways to embrace what makes us all so special and important. If you’re already doing your part, keep doing more. Things are weird (pandemic) and things are heavy (racism). I have seen and heard things I hope my son never has to witness. We have to do better. We can do better. Let’s heal the world.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷 @rachelmayphoto #amplifymelanatedvoices
  • Our Ranunculus is definitely having a moment!
    0 0
    Our Ranunculus is definitely having a moment!