Black Women’s Expo (Chicago) Recap

This past weekend, I was grateful to briefly check out the annual Black Women’s Expo in Chicago. Events like this always inspire me to work harder at my goals and to dream bigger. I love to see beautiful black women in a positive environment, celebrating their culture, and serious about their various hustles. There were all types of wares to purchase that were produced by ebony hands–T-shirts, stationery, natural hair products, lotions and other potions, new inventions, earrings (my favorite), and too many other items to name. Although I wasn’t able to partake in any of the workshops or performances, I had a good time and was encouraged nonetheless. I just want to share some of the treasures I came home with.

1. More earrings

My new “kinky hair don’t care” earrings

As you may have guessed by now from the earrings I showed you all in my last post, I’m not a “regular” type of earring chick. For the most part, I’m not really into hoops and sparkly earrings unless it’s a special occasion. I like my earrings quirky (like me) or different. I love that handmade, one-of-a-kind look. I didn’t plan to buy much of anything at the Expo, but I did find some earrings that I had to snatch up. I’ve been wanting some afro/natural hair pride earrings for awhile and I finally got me some from the MBellished Accessories & Gifts booth at the Expo. After looking around on their website, I see some even cuter earrings that I wish were on display when I purchased mine!

2. Things I’d like to check out/purchase

Out of all of the various T-shirt vendors that were at the Expo, there were only a few that caught my eye and would have got some money from me if I’d had it to spare. One of those vendors was Pretty Girls for Christ. We all know how Christian T-shirts can be kinda cheesy, but these were actually CUTE. They have cute graphics and a little humor sprinkled in there. One day I hope to purchase one. If you have a moment, check out their website.

Gotta check this out!

While talking to a different T-shirt vendor, Asadah, I learned about a book that she wrote called Beating Black Kids. In her book, she discusses the negative effects of beating black children as a form of discipline. When I asked her what her alternative to spanking is, she said, “To use your mind.” This book is on my radar now a.k.a. on one of my Pinterest boards so I’ll let you all know my thoughts once I’ve read it.

Spanking is a hot and divisive topic, but it needs to be discussed. Although we are a spanking household at the moment, I’ve always had plenty of doubts about the practice. A part of me does think it’s lazy parenting because it is a hellava lot easier to spank than come up with other forms of discipline. A part of me also associates spanking with our ancestors being horribly beaten in slavery as one of the many forms of abuse used to control them. My struggle is finding an effective alternative. Some people that oppose Asadah’s beliefs may argue that the lack of spanking or discipline in general is the reason why the younger generations of kids are out of control now. I’ll just have to grab Asadah’s book and see if she sheds any new light on the issue.

3. I bought a new book for Little L!

While speaking to Asadah, she told me about her 11-year-old daughter, Patience, who has been writing books and engaging in photography since she was 9 years old! I was reading copious amounts of books at 9, but definitely wasn’t writing and publishing them! I told Asadah that I have to get a copy of the book for Little L and fortunately she had a few copies with her.

Can’t wait to read the other books in this series!

I’m always happy to see young girls utilizing their gifts and empowering others by sharing those gifts with the rest of us. Patience not only wrote Urban Girls: Adventures of Little Ladies in the City, which chronicles her travels to school and other parts of New York City via different forms of transportation, but she also shot all of the photos for it except for the ones featuring her. Asadah and Patience have inspired me to not only expose Little L to new skills and experiences from an early age, but to always keep learning and growing myself. Something about those New Yorkers! I love their hustle! It’s both contagious and convicting at the same time!

Any thoughts to share? As always, let me know in the comments or on Facebook. Keep it poppin’ folks 😉