Good Monday Morning - 2/23/09

In the wee hours of the morning, something crept into your home while you were sleeping. It snuck in completely undetected by your home security system. It even got past your sleeping dog that usually barks at the slightest sound. It made its way to your room and just stood there quietly staring, patiently waiting for you to open your eyes. Hours later your alarm goes off and you are immediately aware of its presence. And if you’re like me, you’re slightly disappointed to see it at first because it usually brings chaos and commotion – at least for a little while. Eventually it goes away, but you know it’s coming back again. So, what is it you may ask? It’s………………….MONDAY!!

Since this is the last week of Black History Month, I wanted to share with you about an African American who has had a significant impact on my life – my grandmother Isabelle Brooks Johnson. I think of her every time I see the “Grandma’s Hands” commercial for Walmart (video below). She and my grandfather (who died before I was born) were married 28 years and had 12 children. After my grandfather’s death, she was left to care for her children with the help of the older ones. Growing up, I was around her a lot and most of us grandkids spent the night quite often. She was a great cook - she cooked biscuits and cornbread almost every day from scratch. My cousins and I would stand in the kitchen and watch her cook sometimes until she kicked us out because we were in her way or we started fussing at each other. My grandmother was also a musician (played piano for the church), a quilt maker (I still have one that she made for me) and she didn’t hesitate to pop us if we acted up in church. She taught us how to pray at night before we went to bed and she took us to church on Sundays even when we didn’t want to go. Throughout my life, she was my biggest cheerleader – always encouraging me to get my education and never forget about God. Though it may seem to many that she didn’t accomplish much in her life, I can attest to the contrary. Her love, encouragement and support of her family are still felt today. She passed away eight years ago, but her legacy will continue to live on. (This “Moment in Black History” has been brought to you by…. Monday Morning Mocha.)

And finally, in less than 24 hours close to 100,000 people are expected to descend upon the city of Charlotte for the annual CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) tournament. This tournament will showcase the men’s and women’s basketball teams of the 10 HBCU’s in the CIAA conference – including Charlotte’s own Johnson C. Smith University. Students and alumni reunite from all of the country for a week of basketball, networking, fun and “part-ays.” On Friday, attendees can be a part of the live broadcasts of “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” and “The Mo’Nigue Show” as well as the CIAA Step Show sponsored by McDonald’s. My friends and I were in line at 2:30am Friday morning for the Steve Harvey show last year and were nearly trampled when the doors opened at 5:45. Needless to say, I’ll be more than happy to enjoy the show on the radio FROM HOME this year. But the step show is always a fun experience. The long list of late night and day parties will include entertainment by Charlotte’s own Anthony Hamilton as well as DC’s own Trouble Funk and Chuck Brown. When the tournament moved to Charlotte in 2006, I was working at Johnson C. Smith University. And having not attended a historically black college (although back in high school I really wanted to attend Hillman College), I was amazed at the attendance and excitement over this week-long event. For the most part, the city of Charlotte has welcomed the tournament with open arms because of the revenue generated for the hotels, restaurants and club venues. And as a resident of Charlotte, I plan to do my part to be a good hostess to all who will be visiting with us this week. I have one warning, however, for all visitors – you may not want to ask me for directions when it comes to getting to Uptown (that’s what we call our “downtown”). I wouldn’t want to be responsible for causing someone to take a wrong turn and go the wrong way down one of the many one-way streets. Perhaps I’ll take some time tonight to study a street map to identify these streets. But if all else fails I want to be able to direct you to the nearest light rail stop.

Click HERE for more about the CIAA Tournament

Happy Birthday to anyone celebrating a birthday this week. Send me an email at ksherae@gmail.com and I’ll add it to the Birthday list. Have a blessed week and remember – “Smile - It's the second best thing you can do with your lips.”

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