cassthegreatinprogress

[cassthegreatinprogress]

My father was the only man I know of who has read an entire encyclopedia collection for leisure. He made it his parental duty to fill in the gaps that the culturally skewed educational system created in the area of history. One year, when Black History Month rolled around, I remember my mother being more than frustrated. “Again?” she asked. She wasn’t upset about the month itself, but rather with what proved to be an abhorrent pattern that limited the scope of black existence, and minimized the truth of Black excellence. She just couldn’t understand why we were only learning about the SAME select few every year. So she sent a very direct, letter informing my teacher that, “Cassandra will be completing her project on Granny Nanny and NOT MLK, Harriet Tubman, or a failed/tragic slave rebellion, etc. Nanny was a fierce, Ghanaian born woman warrior who was captured and forced into slavery and shipped to Jamaica. She rose out of St. Thomas parish which is where my dad is from. Not only did Nanny free herself, but she came back for more people (sound familiar?). Before there was Harriet, there was her—Queen Nanny. A military warrior, spiritual leader, and innovator who created a hidden town for the liberated blacks. The Maroons, fled bondage and built communities of and for free black people in the mountains of Jamaica. For me, theirs was a tale of a successful uprising, not of tragedy and limitation, but one of hope and of liberation. I share this memory and the story of Queen Nanny for three reasons: 1. So that we can be inspired by the lesson in parental agency from my parents and make it a priority to fill in the gaps of a lacking educational curriculum. 2. So that we might remember Granny Nanny and call her name in the roll of honored ancestors, and 3. Remember that Black history goes way beyond the borders of this continent. We have so much to learn, remember, and build upon. The only way this works is together. https://youtu.be/T1m1WveYU8M #BlackHistoryBeyondTheUSA #BlackHistoryMonth #AfricanDiaspora #Life #Education #Instagram #Instadaily #Family #Mommy #Daddy #Parents #GrannyNanny #Maroons #History #Herstory #OurStory https://www.instagram.com/p/CKzzT9-B4pa/?igshid=1ovqchaoqngzx

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It was on an Easter Sunday perhaps in 2005 or 2006 when I met Cicely Tyson. I had debated whether or not I would make it to church since I woke up a little late that day—I’d been pulling 16-20 hour days working on my classmates’ films in grad school. Despite my exhaustion, I put on my white suit and headed to FAME-LA (First AME Church of Los Angeles). The sanctuary was packed. My favorite mid-sanctuary just seat off-center was taken. And my back-up “late arrival seat“ on the side next to Natalie Cole was taken too😩😔. So, the ushers escorted me toward the very front🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️. This was years before my call to ministry, so I was very uncomfortable with having to sit so close to the pulpit. Shortly after selling into this seat, an usher tapped me on my shoulder to get my attention and then gestured for me to move down and make room. I looked over as I scooted and that’s when I noticed an rather petite older woman. She was dressed to the nines. Pearls, white gloves, and a cute small handbag, and perhaps an Easter Sunday hat, but I can’t remember that part for sure. As soon as we locked eyes, she smiled and that’s when I realized who it was! That’s right, Cicely Tyson was about to sit right next to me. I tried to keep my cool. After all, this was FAME-LA, so it wasn’t uncommon for celebrities to attend service here (i.e., my side seat next to Natalie Cole lol), but still this was CICELY TYSON. After a song selection, the minister had us stand and told us to reach over and grab the hand of the person next to us for prayer. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve done just that, but having been around celebrities I know many people who do not like to be touched. So, I didn’t move. Instead, I let my hands hang by my side. She reached over and grabbed my hand. I looked at her and she smiled warmly. Just like I imagine a grandmother must do, she used her thumb to gently rub the back of my hand while we prayed. OMG! When the prayer was done, she gave my hand a firm squeeze as, in unison, the congregation said, “Amen”. Then she took that same hand, placed it on my back and hugged me. We didn’t talk as I secretly hoped we would, she didn’t become my mentor and https://www.instagram.com/p/CKobjlFhwjM/?igshid=1l7ffh0qms9mx

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Honored and looking forward to being a part of this dynamic conversation with my Spelman sisters. I hope you’ll join us at 6:30 PM EST. #TrueBlue #Spelman #HBCU #Pandemic #Faith #Church #SelfCare #Care #Life #Instadaily #Wellness #Wholeness #God #Instagram #me #Follow #GoodConversation #GoodTimes #GoodVibes https://www.instagram.com/p/CKkH9s7hldm/?igshid=1s0mpohu0yk1e

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Just a little something I whipped up for the occasion💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️ #USA #46 #inauguration2021 #Inauguration #bidenharris2020 #Remix #Hope #Liberty #Justice #Equality #Life #Instadaily #Unity #America #Instagram #Biden #Harris #VP #Art #Creative #Follow #TogetherWeWin #GoodVibes #LikeThis https://www.instagram.com/p/CKR2mtxBtx3/?igshid=1r0e5rjze5nis

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Just discovered these filters (I know I’m late 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️), but I’m going ham!!! Let me know what filters you love to use. I can’t wait to try them out. ❤️♥️🥳♥️❤️ #Funny #Selfie #Fun #Happy #Life #Instadaily #Smile #Cute #Instagram #me #Siri #Alexa #Filters #Follow #GoodTimes #GoodVibes #Crazy #Silly #SillyGirl #Preach #Preacher (at Marietta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPcLIaBWER/?igshid=x14v6lxnnn9i

[cassthegreatinprogress]

I have been tremendously blessed with the honor of working with, and in some extraordinary places. One of my greatest privileges was serving at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church first as a member, volunteer, then intern and eventually as Assistant Pastor. During my time there, I spent endless hours in what is known as the Educational Building—a place that used to be the epicenter of the church’s programs and activity. What later became my office in that building was once Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s and Rev. King, Sr.’s office. I used to spend hours day and night in that space working, praying, listening and imagining all that had occurred before my arrival and trying to discern precisely what God would have me do in such a magnanimous place. Honestly, I often wondered how they (MLK, Jr. and Sr.) really felt about the bright colors and children that had taken over the space 🤣😂🤣. It was truly remarkable to serve and sit in the same place as MLK, Jr. I do wonder sometimes if the charge God spoke to me within those walls and what the Divine must’ve uttered to him decades before were similar...Love. Give. Serve. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏻✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 #MLKJR #MLKDay #Life #Love #Justice #Equality #Freedom #HumanRights #CivilRights #BLM #Give #Ministry #Power #Progress #Serve #Inspiration #Motivation #BelovedCommunity #LoveGiveServe https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMmojBB8DR/?igshid=hyncd3x1aspv

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Our daily dose of unsung quotes by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. May we be inspired, enlightened, convicted, and transformed. In essence, let’s be the Beloved Community. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏻✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 #MLKJR #MLKDay #Life #Love #Justice #Equality #Freedom #HumanRights #CivilRights #BLM #Ministry #Power #Progress #Inspiration #Motivation #BelovedCommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJtQlsB07d/?igshid=1x0iywbt1eru9

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More of my favorite quotes of Rev. Dr. Main Luther King, Jr. Many of these seldom see the light of day because they point to the parts of him that disturbed the privileged and challenged the status quo. His words are truthful, direct, poignant, and relevant. I hope these excerpts stir your moral conscience in a way that propels you to be vigilant in just action that finally brings us to social, political and economic equity/equality, justice, power and freedom. In essence, the Beloved Community. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏻✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 #MLKJR #MLKDay #Life #Love #Justice #Equality #Freedom #HumanRights #CivilRights #BLM #Ministry #Power #Progress #Inspiration #Motivation #BelovedCommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CKHs3QGBxR0/?igshid=19gi5pgds39zo

[cassthegreatinprogress]

On what would be the 92nd birthday of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., despite the looped sound bites from his “I Have A Dream” speech, I wanted to deviate from the annual script and do something a little different. While the legendary speech is a riveting proclamation full of critique, hope, and inspiration, Dr. King lived a brilliant life for 5 years after that speech was delivered in 1963. He continued to spend time fighting for peace, justice, power, freedom and equality. So, this weekend, to honor his memory, I will be sharing some of my favorite quotes of his. Many of these seldom see the light of day because they point to the parts of him that disturbed the privileged and challenged the status quo. His words are truthful, direct, poignant, and relevant. I hope these excerpts stir your moral conscience in a way that propels you to be vigilant in just action that finally brings us to social, political and economic equity/equality, justice, power and freedom. In essence, the Beloved Community. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏻✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾 #MLKJR #MLKDay #Life #Love #Justice #Equality #Freedom #HumanRights #CivilRights #BLM #Ministry #Power #Progress #Inspiration #Motivation #BelovedCommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFmERpheFa/?igshid=fksa097g16yp

[cassthegreatinprogress]

Lawd, I’m getting older! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 I tried to go through and personally respond to all the messages/posts, but I’m not nearly as far along as I hoped to be, so here’s a message of immense gratitude for everyone. Thank you all for the birthday love and well wishes! Your gifts, posts, messages, calls (I know you got my vm, but I’ll call you back soon lol), MarcoPolo videos, and cards really touched my heart. I’m so honored and blessed to know you. Thank you for your friendship and familyship 😉😆 Your offered words, gifts, creative expressions, and time really have meant the world to me. Many thanks! I love you so so very much. Thank you. ❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️ #Love #Birthday #Friends #Family #Photos #Memories #Party #Happy #Life #Instadaily ##Smile #Fun #Cake #Cute #Instagram #me #amazing #MissYouDaddy #GoodTimes #GoodVibes #ThankYouDaddy #YouWelcome (at Marietta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ2BEYyBDdd/?igshid=1xy1wqc359h8e

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I call it "Just Before Sunset on the Mediterranean" (at The Seasons Hotel, Netanya, Israel) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtzYTGWhLwY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6padc5zslx8y

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One of my favorite people! #TBoneSteak He gave me one of the best quotes in life: "When what you're doing becomes more about you than what you're doing, you're doing it for the wrong reason." --R. Paul Thomson #AllInADaysWork 🎭🛠🎭 (at The Weber School)

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My life for a while...#Writing #Editing #TheHustleIsReal (at Marietta, Georgia)

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I second all that!!! #Yup #Dope (at Marietta, Georgia)

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New Year's dinner! 2017 is on and poppin! #EatWellAndProsper #OffToAGreatStart (at Marietta, Georgia)

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Look at my little handsome! #ILoveBeingAnAunt #ADayAtTheSymphony

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Monday morning procrastination looks like this! #ABCOnline #TheGoldbergs #AboutToGetMyDayStarted