Chas' Corner

In this life and in this fallen world, we are going to experience pain. A lot of times the people closest to us will cause us to feel that pain. However, I want you to rethink your pain and who you make the villain out to be in your stories. We all are just human beings who fall short. It's unrealistic to expect imperfect human beings to be perfect. It robs them of their humanity. Extend more grace. Forgive more. Rethink who you consider the villain to be in your story.

Hey guys!! So sorry for my absence, as stated in the episode I didn't abandon you all, I just had to make some adjustments. This season goes into detail about four specific lessons my dad taught me that resonated with me. This first one was about “influence”. You may not know 2 million people, but you for sure know 2 and you have an influence on those 2 people whether you know it or not. Intentionally use your influence to make a positive change in the world! Here's a better definition of an influencer because I am not satisfied with the way I explained it in the episode :) An influencer is someone who has: the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of his or her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with his or her audience. a following in a distinct niche, with whom he or she actively engages. The size of the following depends on the size of his/her topic of the niche. (The windscreen is broken on my mic, so please bear with the wind noises! My apologies!!)

When you say you want someone to keep it real with you, and they do just that... how do you respond? I've learned that no one is perfect and it's absurd to expect perfection from imperfect people in an imperfect world... all while being imperfect yourself! Imma keep it a buck, real love is unconditional. If I'm showing true "love" to someone their imperfections shouldn't run me away. Song reference for this episode: Lecrae - Sunday Morning https://youtu.be/1MPprKtO7Ug.

I hope this episode doesn't come off as divisive (that's not my goal)... but materialism is something I believe members of the Black community struggle with. Keeping up with the Jones' is overrated, especially if you don't have it like that. It is trickin' if you don't got it! Pro Tip: Save your money, invest, adopt delayed gratification, pay yourself first, and in the mix of that enjoy yourself (wisely)!

Disclaimer: I am not comparing fat shaming and skinny shaming. As stated in this episode (towards the end) they are on two completely different ends of the spectrum and those who are smaller are the beneficiaries. In my opinion, images and messages through music and the media have been projecting this idea that Black women must be thick. For me, this has been reinforced through familial encounters and colloquialisms. (I'm not throwing a pity party for myself, I just felt like this would be an interesting topic to address) :)

Welcome to my "Unscripted" series! Per the title... these episodes are unscripted (even though my other episodes are scripted that does NOT mean they are ANY less genuine!). At a point in time, I felt so far away from God... like he left me out to dry. You know the story in the Bible about the paralytic whose friends lowered him through a roof to be healed by Jesus? That was most definitely my situation. I'm thankful for my family and friends who carried me back to Him. Long story short, your circle is so crucial. I couldn't name everyone who pitched in to help me, but you know who you are... thank you! Please enjoy this series!

Welp... this is the end of season 3! Thank you guys for your feedback, tuning in, and supporting this series! College has been a plane ride, as explained in the episode... but I enjoyed it to say the LEAST! Thank you to my parents and my village for getting me to this point. If not for God and you all... not so sure if all of this would be possible. Congrats to the class of 2021! Song Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPAIcwllyEI

This episode might be controversial... my goal isn't to start anything. Before anyone reaches out, I simply ask that you listen to the entire episode. These conclusions are based on my personal convictions. I still know plenty of people in Greek organizations and this episode's goal is not to bash anyone in them or talk bad about their faith. Again, this is solely based off of my convictions. The song reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYqmQPklI_0 Video I watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imBgjc_TV-c&t=1s

This second episode of my "If I Could Do It All Again" series is about something I'd definitely change if I could go back in time. People pleasing is something I still struggle with and I know plenty of people out there struggle with it as well. In the end, it's no fun for you. Let's take a word from Kash Doll, and from now on... let's and do too much! Song reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14HtkNra8W0

WELCOME TO SEASON THREE!! I am beyond excited! "Why?", you ask? I'm trying something new! A series! This series is called "If I Could Do It All Again..." (s/o to my uncle Dj). This first episode is about my ups and downs trying to navigate college relationships. The boiled down version? Let's just say I've learned a lot... and I don't care where the boys are at!  Song reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb81_vJWMc0

This episode... I consider to be a venting session about hair. Even though my thoughts were fairly scattered I did mean everything I said about Black hair. I love all of it's versatility and am a huge proponent of people doing whatever makes them happy! :)

Who made or set the standard of what it means to be Black? I sure didn't. And I don't know who did or who has that power. Please enjoy this public apology. "Sue me I'm rooting for everybody that's Black" -Wale

This venting session is based off of small experiences I've had. Of course no love is lost, but I'm sure if I as someone who has grown up in the church have experienced this I know that others have as well. I'm not talking about any one person or church in particular, just in general. Regardless of the people Jesus is still great and I'm a huge advocate for church. I just found my experiences a little ironic.

It seems like the general population has tons of reservations against the COVID-19 vaccine, especially Black people. The purpose of this episode is to allow for the audience to hear the POV of a young, Black, woman in the medical field who is in favor of the vaccine. The goal of this episode is not to tell anyone what to do, it's only to offer some insight. Disclaimer, we were wearing masks while recording so if we sound distant or muffled, that is why! A special shout out to my friend Nennaya for joining me! Her twitter: @nyalew_ The nurses name was pronounced incorrectly as well! (Joneigh Khaldun) Also please excuse the static... it doesn't last long (technical difficulties)!!!

My father was my best friend. Laying him to rest was not easy, but I find joy in knowing that he was a good man. Rest easy daddy. EOW: 09/02/2020

My ideas are all over the place and I stumbled over my words multiple times but this is a real issue. Implicit medical bias needs to be talked about. My sources: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190321130300.htm https://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm#:~:text=In%20exchange%20for%20taking%20part,went%20on%20for%2040%20years. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/career-development/early-retirement-5-factors-physicians-should-evaluate#:~:text=Nearly%2030%20percent%20of%20physicians,financial%20preparedness%20of%20retired%20physicians.

Too often I've seen in my own community that we judge people based off of their individual names claiming that they're "too much". When in all reality, it's refreshing to hear some creativity after being surrounded by the more common names (no offense). There are millions of Sarah's... whats wrong with being different? What's wrong with Shaniqua?? Outside of our community, hair is something else that is used to divide us. Know that your natural hair is coveted despite it's type or texture. Flaunt it! We compromise so many things to be accepted by society's standards, it's time we destroy them.

I want whoever is listening to know that this isn't me trying to attack others. This is just me speaking on my personal experiences. People have tried to gaslight me on an issue that I've personally gone through, telling me that it isn't real or that I'm jealous. In reality I'm just trying to shed light on society's implicit bias and how it hurts especially when its projected from people within my own community. After dealing with this for 6 years, I can't imagine what people go through who've had to deal with this their entire life. Now that I'm 21 I actually have the confidence and courage to speak on this. I know other people have these same concerns.