#dopeblackwoman

Let’s talk about Beyoncé’s Renaissance…

Aug 2
2 min

Let’s talk about Beyoncé’s Renaissance…

I have read so many quick thoughts on this album from my friends on social media. I don’t always chime in but as an artist this is one that I can’t pass on. In my humble yet extremely talented and valuable opinion (humble brag) this is Beyoncé’s best work to date. This album is giving creative, grown woman, eclectic freedom. This album reminds us that it’s ok to be different, you’re free to do it (life) how you please! I fully embrace this energy!! Quite honestly, it sounds a

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Hello August…I’m so glad you’re here!

Aug 1
3 min

Hello August…I’m so glad you’re here!

There was this morning meeting song that Laila’s PreK class sang every morning welcoming each child by calling their name and ending with “I’m so glad you’re here!” Y’all know August is one of our favorite months over here at iamMichelleRena.com and I’m screaming 🗣🗣🗣 “Hello August, I’m so glad you’re here!!” Mostly because both of our birthdays are in August, but also because when you have small children this is your new year. August is the kickoff for everything. School

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My first Mother’s Day gift…Zahra

May 7
3 min

My first Mother’s Day gift…Zahra

Fourteen years ago today, I was preparing to become a mommy. I’d read the books and taken the classes and by all accounts I was ready, right? Heck naw! Wrong is quite likely an understatement. Absolutely nothing could truly prepare me for motherhood. May 7, 2008 at 1:45pm the tiniest, most beautiful little thing I’d ever seen was excavated from my body. I say excavated because she clearly had zero intentions of leaving my womb on her own. (42.5 weeks pregnant😩😩😩) In hindsi

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May is giving…

May 1
2 min

May is giving…

April was a whirlwind. I am in awe of the blessings and depression that came as a result of the past 30 days. April 1 I attended the funeral of my dear friend and pastor, John Perkins. Shook is an understatement to describe how his death has impacted me. I still struggle to process it because who do I call when I have a spiritual or biblical question? But I’ve been pressing forward. April was filled with trials and triumphs. May has come and now it’s time for the next chapter

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Everyone is talking about Will Smith...

Mar 28
5 min

Everyone is talking about Will Smith...

I rarely get into pop culture on the blog, yet here we are. There is so much to think about and all of it is not about the slap. But, yes everyone is talking about Will Smith and not because of his Oscar win for his portrayal of Richard Williams in 'King Richard' but for his very "un-Will Smith like" response to comedian Chris Rock and his joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith. We all saw it. It was literally the slap seen around the world. It is amazing to read and see the variety o

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Meet Demetrius Dorn of A'Dorn Scrubs & More

Mar 23
2 min

Meet Demetrius Dorn of A'Dorn Scrubs & More

Every woman has a story and honestly the more I interview these amazing DOPE Black Women the more intrigued I become with learning the why behind the work! Each interview is an honor to complete and this one is no different. Meet Demetrius "DeeDee" Dorn, certified surgical technician and entrepreneur. DeeDee is a native of Rockledge, Florida now living in Atlanta, Georgia. She began a new venture that has allowed her to launch an online store for scrubs, lab coats and more.

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How are you showing up today?

Mar 22
2 min

How are you showing up today?

When I conduct professional development this is one of my favorite welcoming rituals. I like to know how people are showing up because it helps guide me in my interactions with them. When I know how you’re showing up I know whether or not you feel safe and in many cases ready to receive what I am preparing to share. As I am learning to exercise more grace with myself, I have started asking myself the same question. “Michelle, how are you showing up today?” Asking myself this

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Spring has sprung and now it’s time to blossom…

Mar 21
2 min

Spring has sprung and now it’s time to blossom…

I took some time off to enjoy spring break. During what felt like the shortest week ever, I really enjoyed not going to work, waking up late, and binge watching tv. It’s rare that I get a chance to just unplug and do nothing. I needed it…BAD!! So I did just that. I laughed with husband and kids. Loved on my Mama and youngest nephew and really had time to sit and incubate. The last shedding of winter took place for me. There’s something about coming out of winter that feels li

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Dream Without Fear

Mar 11
2 min

Dream Without Fear

Someone said "sometimes you just have to do it scared" and honestly for me that couldn’t be truer. A lot of times we are so hyper focused on what might go wrong that we completely neglect to factor in what would happen if everything went right. We prep ourselves for the sorrow but we never think about the joy. I know this to be true because I am so guilty of doing this so much it becomes tortuorous. Here’s the thing…you can think about both. You can factor in the pros and the

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Dope Women make the world go round!!!

Mar 8
2 min

Dope Women make the world go round!!!

It’s International Women’s Day and y'all know I have no issue hyping up how Dope Women are yesterday, today, or any other day! Women are at the height of my sphere of influence. I look to the women who are in my life for guidance around all issues. I am often share how grateful I am to have the women that I have in my life. Today is about the importance of everyone not only valuing women in word, but also ensuring that our work is valued. The theme for this year’s Internation

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Fear is keeping you from being the best version of yourself

Mar 4
2 min

Fear is keeping you from being the best version of yourself

So I have been working on overcoming my fears for a while. Honestly it’s a daily goal to not let fear keep me from doing the things I so desire. Ciara shared some really powerful words here in short she says, “if you want to maximize life, you must first maximize who you are in your life.“ That’s it! Fear is a crippling agent. It will have your mind thinking that you can’t do things that actually come naturally to you. It will have you believing that you only deserve the bare

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Meet Dr. Tommie "Tonea" Stewart Retired Univ. Prof/Dean/Actress/Museum Exhibit Director

Mar 2
3 min

Meet Dr. Tommie "Tonea" Stewart Retired Univ. Prof/Dean/Actress/Museum Exhibit Director

When Dr. Linda Holloway shared with me that she was referring some Dope Black Women for me to interview I was so excited. When I found out that one of those women would be Dr. Tommie "Tonea" Stewart, I nearly lost my mind. Y'all I went straight into fangirl mode and had at least two anxiety attacks leading up to our truly amazing interview. You see it's because this beautiful, melanin filled, Mississippi raised, JSU alum, was one of the faces that I saw regularly growing up.

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Happy Women’s History Month

Mar 1
2 min

Happy Women’s History Month

One thing for certain, two things for sure…we are advocates for all things Black and woman over here. I am always honored to share space with Dope Women and this month will be no different as we will be highlighting even more. I truly believe that every woman has a story that can inspire and motivate someone else. You don't have to be a business owner, lawyer, entertainer, or influencer to be a BOSS chick. The fact that you are a woman, a carrier of life, a portal makes you a

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Meet Deidra Wilcher, Our Favorite Neighborhood Homegirl, NurseBAE, and Podcaster

Feb 23
2 min

Meet Deidra Wilcher, Our Favorite Neighborhood Homegirl, NurseBAE, and Podcaster

We are still celebrating all things love this month and I figured why not close out this month’s Dope Black Woman series with another Dope Love Story. But let me back up first, I always have a story of how I meet the people I interview and this week is no different. My first time meeting Deidra Wilcher was when we were little girls growing up in our small towns of Terry and Utica, Mississippi. Both of our mothers were educators and our family also had close ties in the neighb

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Happy Lovers Day y’all!

Feb 14
1 min

Happy Lovers Day y’all!

Happy Valentine’s Day lovers! I hope this day finds you loving yourself first and foremost. I hope that you have loved on yourself good fashion! I talk a lot about the road to get to where we are now and the honesty with one another that it required. There’s not a flower or present that I could’ve received today that is greater than the freedom of peace and life we have created together. That’s the gift y’all! In years prior I had the bags, the cologne, the flowers, etc and w

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The Power of Girlfriend Love

Feb 11
1 min

The Power of Girlfriend Love

Our girlfriends are the ones who see us through life. Yes, you have your parents and you will possibly have your spouse and/or children at some point. But it’s those real girlfriends for me that show love in such a way that you are able to grow and go through the various seasons of life. Girlfriend love is a different kind of love. It’s powerful. It’s honest. It has so much power. It’s ever evolving and downright MAGICAL. Girlfriend love starts out with you talking and possib

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Meet Dr. Linda Holloway, Professor, Self Published Children's Book Author, and Story Activist

Feb 9
4 min

Meet Dr. Linda Holloway, Professor, Self Published Children's Book Author, and Story Activist

Y'all know I love meeting new people and Miss Linda, as I like to call her, is no different. This Dope Black Woman completely rejuvenated my spirit when I was truly reconsidering my calling. When Miss Linda reached out to me over the holiday break and asked me if I was interested in interviewing her there was no way I could turn her down. But little did I know, she would be the one who changed my life and help me regain focus on my purpose. As a Story activist, Dr. Linda Hol

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Transparency Tuesday: The Truth About Love and Relationships

Feb 8
2 min

Transparency Tuesday: The Truth About Love and Relationships

So let’s get right to it. All you need is love right! Love conquers all right! Yeah, it’s easy to talk about all of the mushy, gushy sweet love stuff when we talk about relationships and marriage when things are going well. When things are good, love is well...lovely! But what about the in between times and the downright ugly moments. I promise you, every relationship has them. Relationships have ebbs and flows and sometimes you are ebbing way more than you are flowing and i

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A Dope Black love story

Feb 7
4 min

A Dope Black love story

Happy Monday y’all! Oh yeah, we still on love over here so get ready. I love sharing my Dope Black love story because I think it gives people a real depiction of what love can look like. We are not perfect by any means but I think our story shows you that love can be found in strange places at strange times AND that sometimes even when you find it, it may still need time to work itself out. So when I met my hubby what feels like a forever ago, I was visiting West Palm Beach,

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A Love Supreme…

Feb 4
4 min

A Love Supreme…

I don't know if you've noticed by now but in case you haven't we LOVE FEBRUARY! Love is kinda our thing over here at iamMichelleRena.com ! February is one of my top two months, after August of course! First...it's my half birthday month, it has Valentine's Day (which is my half birthday), and it’s Black History Month! So it’s all love over here. This is the month where you get to show love to your friends, your family, your colleagues and especially your lover exactly how muc

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I miss my friend…

3 days ago
2 min

I miss my friend…

Grief is so weird. One minute you’re laughing to the point of tears about something super funny you remember, then you’re literally...

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How is it Monday already?

4 days ago
1 min

How is it Monday already?

I have never been one to dread Mondays. Actually it’s one of my favorite days of the week. But as I get older it really does feel like...

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