Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day. Today’s titled is dedicated to MLK, his favorite dessert is Pecan Pie. So today we are going to enjoy something sweet, on his behalf.  

I hope you are enjoying a day off, but somehow giving back. Gathering for a day of service isn’t possible (or recommended) this year, but there are still several ways to serve and make contributions. 

Here are some ways to give back, safely: 

• Donate online to a cause/charity; i.e Equal Justice Initiative

• Purge your closet and drop off items at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army 

• Donate to an organization that supports Black youth; i.e. The Harlem School for the Arts

• Donate your old books with Better World Books; they send a shipping label to you! 

If the company you work for doesn’t recognize MLK Day as a day off, I encourage you to start using your PTO moving forward and take the day for yourself. Unfortunately, I had to do this with my previous employer. And as much as I hated that I had to use my own time so I could recognize the work of Dr. King, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

If anything, companies should at least give this day back to employees, Black employees. Well, you can’t really say “hey, only Black employees get today off”, but really we should get more time off as reparations for all the hard-work and ass-kissing we’ve had to do our entire corporate lives. Let me stop because I am getting off-topic. 

Ok, let’s start again.

Companies should at least give this day back to employees for suffering..actually no. The day needs to be given off for Black people and everyone else just happens to benefit from it, but that also sounds like everything else in America.

Let me try, again. 

Give Black people time off and stop asking us to work after-hours for nothing more than a pat on the back. We deserve more. 

Let’s get into today’s topics. 

• Shine Black girl. Shine! 

• January 20 

• Gina Thompson - ‘96

Shine Black girl. Shine! 

I’ve been on this creative journey for exactly 902 days. Yes, I’ve kept count. It helps remind me how far I have come. 

I started my first blog on July 31, 2018, and since then I have gone left, right, forward, and backward. But I kept going. Along the way, I noticed my friends were doing the same. Some had begun their journey before and some after. I’ve also picked up some new creative besties along the way.

It wasn’t until November of last year that I noticed that I had at least 25 Black women in my network that were living in their passion. Doing something that makes them smile and gives them joy. 

25 Black women that stepped out on faith and didn’t let fear hold them back. 

25 Black women that defied the odds and accomplished something others said they couldn’t. 

25 Black women who inspire me to work harder, push further.

To show my love, I created a special infographic to highlight these women for what they are doing in retail, books, food, art, entertainment and so much more. I invite you to check out this beautiful collection of Black women and their craft. Learn more about their business and passion. Be inspired! 

Click to view beautiful Black creatives

That idea you’ve been thinking about; do it. That leap you want to take; take it. Every day is a day to thrive and a day to learn. But you have to begin. You have to start. And why not make that day today. 

Next time, I hope to include you in this list of amazing Black women. And for those who are currently building in silence or alone, bring it forward so we can walk alongside you. 

January 20 

We are only two days away from a new administration. And two days away from MY Soror taking her oath and being formally addressed as Madam Vice President.  

In a group chat one of my Sorors said this: “Deltas extra happy they don’t have to see a sea of Pink & Green on TV”. I got a good giggle because I know it’s true. Every sorority in the D9 is going to be sick of us during the next four years. We are going to HOLLER every moment we get that we were the first to be in the White House. 

And I don’t care. 

In two days, little Black girls all over America will see someone who looks like them. Someone who understands them. And this is only the beginning. 

I don’t think the Biden/Harris administration will fix the problems of America, but I do think this is the beginning of a turning point. 

Georgia is BLUE. I never thought I would see that day this early in my life. And we all know who did that. These women. These women helped change what seemed like the unchangeable. 

The turning point is happening locally, with Georgia’s flip. Georgia hadn’t had a democratic electoral college vote since Clinton in ‘92. Arizona hadn’t seen this since Clinton in ‘96. 

It’s happening. Slowly but surely, it’s happening. 

I do wish we could give our good Sis the biggest welcome home party. But instead, I will be celebrating in my own way, in my favorite AKA bomber jacket. 

It’s time to get in formation ladies. Our time is here. 

Gina Thompson 

I’ve neglected a HUGE reason why I started Monday Lunch a few months ago; to re-live the 90s. Moving forward, each volume will include a 90s vibe to get your week started off right or something to take you down memory lane. 

Gina Thompson, a New Jersey native, came on the music scene after high school, signing with Mercury Records. Her first single “The Things That You Do” was an automatic hit. Climbing to #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #12 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. 

I remember this album cover distinctly. It was always somewhere near my cassette player. Yes, cassette player! This single dropped in the era where you could purchase a tape with 2-3 versions of the same song on it. 

Singles were major sellers in the 90s; I bought a lot of them. They were cheaper, and the prequel to the album. We had no way of replaying our favorite song unless you had it on tape, or taped the radio. Now, who did that? *raises hand*

Remixes were huge in the 90s and the Bad Boy remix of The Things That You Do is one of my favorites. Enjoy! 

I hope you enjoyed having Monday Lunch with me. To my new subscribers, welcome and hello. Thanks for hanging with me. I hope you stick around, we have a lot of fun at lunchtime. 

Share or retweet to show your love and support. Can’t wait to have lunch again. See you on the first day of Black History Month.

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