I met Angela through my first job in DC. The organization that she worked for was a client of the public relations firm that I worked at. Somehow and someway, we connected at a happy hour and became fast friends. Angela truly won my heart when I told her that my parents accidentally ordered me furniture that had to be put together. She quickly volunteered to help me put together the furniture. The evening consisted of Angela putting together the furniture and me watching her and of course, offering drinks.
Angela is an activist, a mother to Noir and partner to Kevin. She is loyal, loving and fearless. She consistently amazes me. Thankful to call her my best.
In Mexico, you will definitely see her singing the words to almost every song!
Tanell and I met in college at Saint Augustine's University but we became friends after college when we both needed Tamika the same weekend so Tanell joined Tamika on a trip to visit me in DC. We have been inseparable ever since. She has a heart of gold and would literally give you the shirt of of her back. I would do anything for her. I am the God Mother of her first daughter, Bailey and she is a light to everyone she knows.
Tanell is the life of the party, creative, talented in so many areas, driven, and an incredible mom and wife. I am blessed to have her.
In Mexico, you will definitely see her with a drink in the air and on the dance floor.
I was blessed to meet Courtney through a mutual friend when I first moved to DC. She was home from college and we were at a birthday party together and I made her my date. It was love at first sight and we made a promise to hang out when she moved home. Between going to Love every Friday and standing in line to see Lil Wayne when I needed to be finishing my thesis, Courtney made the last semester of graduate school a time I will never forget.
Courtney is intelligent, creative, beautiful in and out, and someone that I can always depend on. I can't wait to see one of my bffs her walk down the aisle later this year.
In Mexico, you will definitely see her around the resort in something fly ( do people still say that?) with her handsome fiance Robert.
I met Jewel in college. We didn't know each other well but she always made a point to say hello to me. I immediately loved her spirit. When I moved to DC and knew no one, she reached to me and invited me out. I was so grateful to have her as a friend at a time when I was starting over in a new city. From the beginning, Jewel was someone that I could depend on.
In Mexico, you will definitely see her swag and surf.
Jewel is superwoman. She is driven, intelligent, always down for a good time, and someone I look up to as a wife and mother.
The moment I met Rania, I knew that she was a force. The story is for family only but it involves her going out of her way to ensure that Courtney and I got to our car safely when we had just met her a few hours before. This is who Rania is. She loves hard and is always looking out for the people she loves. We always have the best times together and she is always down for a great time.
Rania is selfless, resilient, loved by everyone, and one of the best people I know.
In Mexico, you will definitely see her making friends with everyone and probably jumping off the catamaran.
Tamika and I met in college. I remember people saying that we looked alike and I would quickly say NO! Lol! We have spent many nights, that we cant always remember, singing Dirty Diana and causing some type of trouble. I am usually the one getting her in trouble.
Tamika is the definition of strength. We have been through a lot together over the years and I am grateful to call her my sister friend.
In Mexico, you will definitely see her on the dance floor.
Bella is my heart. She is in 6th grade and one of the sweetest person I know. I love watching her evolve into an insightful and beautiful young lady. She is a hip-hop dancer, best cuddler and my twin. Love her to the moon and back.
I have to write the same intro for Jada and Lauryn (twin nieces) because they truly changed my life and our family when they were born. I was 17 years old when they were born (their current age) and I knew nothing about babies but wanted to be among the many that were instantly in love with them. It has been a blessing watching them grow into young women. They are truly my heart.
Jada is my beautiful, creative and intelligent niece. I am crazy about Jada and all of her 90's clothes. She lives in mom jeans and her new Doc Martens. I am beyond proud of the woman that she has become. She surprises me often with her humor that is very similar to mine and her incredible art. Love her beyond words.
I have to write the same intro for Jada and Lauryn (twin nieces) because they truly changed my life and our family when they were born. I was 17 years old when they were born (their current age) and I knew nothing about babies but wanted to be among the many that were instantly in love with them. It has been a blessing watching them grow into young women. They are truly my heart.
Lauryn is my incredible niece. I am pretty sure that she will be in charge of all of us one day. She is intelligent, beautiful, so so so insightful, and an overall beautiful person. Words can't express the love I have for her.
Eden is my beautiful and intelligent new niece. When I first met Eden, I immediately fell in love. I was so excited when she asked me to color and knew that I had made the cut and we would be friends. She has an energetic and beautiful spirit and can always brighten your day. So grateful to call her family.
No nickname need just "Dale", Best Friend, Brother, Colleague, Grad-School Classmate, Strategic Business Partner the lists goes on and on. Crazy story, Dale and I met playing on the same Flag Football team while we were both working at Booz Allen Hamilton. I remember constantly torching him at our team's first practice and ever since that day I haven't been able to "shake" this guy!
Known as "Dave". Best Friend, Brother, Colleague, Neighbor, Realtor, Software Engineer. Ever since I've met Dave, right out of college he's basically been in my life. He's always been there for me. He's literally that guy you call when you only have one-lifeline left type-of-friend. If you know me, you know Dave.
Known as "Cj", just an overall great human being, Husband and Father and I've seen the accession with my own eyes! Cj and I met at Freshmen year at FAMU. We both had Calculus together, at the end of class I looked at Cj and asked him; "You have any idea what's going on in class?" Cj replied "Nope" and that was the start of our friendship and brotherhood. Turns out we were both Computer Science majors and we've been in each other lives ever since that day at Jackson-Davis Hall.
Two Words - Quadrant 8!!! Keith and I founded Quadrant 8 together in 2018. All of the UPs and DOWNs, the constant lessons learned, through it all, we are still going strong. Quadrant 8 is approaching 2 years this February!! Keith is a father, a go-getter, a hustler, a creative, and highly intelligent. He constantly keeps me accountable, and while that sucks at the time, I am forever appreciative of Keith and how he challenges me to better every day!
Known as "P or Cuz", I've known Purnell my entire life. From watching him play on his traveling soccer team as a kid to traveling with him to see The Roots in concert and everything in between. Purnell is probably one of the most well-read people I've known. He's a writer, content creator, former collegiate soccer player, and my cousin. Funny story, I had visited Purnell one summer and had a daily running schedule for soccer, so when it was time for Purnell to run, I would grab his bike and ride while he ran through the neighborhood. LOL and SMH at myself.
Known as "Deuce". Looking back at our friendship and brotherhood Deuce and I was always an unlikely pairing. We grew up on the opposite side of PG county. I had more of an eccentric personality, Deuce was always more understated, when he's not drinking! However, that "unlikely pairing" formed the foundation for a very important brotherhood during our FAMU years and still to this day. Deuce has always been provided me balance, he's the voice of reason and overall outstanding individual, husband, and father. Duece and I also have a lifelong list of stories from hooping together too. I'll spare you all the details!
Gabriel, also known as G, is my Scorpio nephew. He is chill and enjoys basketball and video games. I mostly enjoy beating him in video games. Grateful that he is apart of my new family.