In recent years, it appears that evidently wellness or “self-care” has made its way into everyone’s personal “Top 5” list. From superficial practices like manicures, facials and massages to healthy practices like clean eating, exercise and therapy, wellness routines have taken over the streets of social media. Nevertheless, while the seemingly collective prioritization of self-care has encouraged more people to give attention to themselves, for a lot of this trend stays an aspirational lifestyle.

The reality is that popular wellbeing advice shouldn’t be all the time available, especially for people living outside a certain tax bracket. Does this mean that self-care is reserved for certain socioeconomic groups?

For writer Tamela J. Gordon, the reply isn’t any. In his upcoming book “Hood Wellness: Stories of Social Welfare from People Who Drowned on Dry Land,” Gordon offers a brand new perspective on well-being that’s grounded in inclusive, free and low-cost self-care practices and, most significantly, the ability of community.

As a longtime advocate of self-care, Gordon has participated in several popular health trends, similar to hot yoga. Still craving something more, the writer quickly realized that trendy, IG-ready wellness classes weren’t enough.

“I used to be comfortable about it, but I used to be absolutely miserable. That’s when I spotted that what I believed was the reality about well-being wasn’t actually true in any respect,” she explained. “I desired to go to therapy and do what I call ‘nasty treatment’.”

Featured Stories

After years of counting on self-care and wellness to beat poverty, addiction and dissatisfaction, Gordon admitted her struggles and asked for help to combat them. With the assistance of her community, the New York native moved to Florida, where she was not only in a position to get the assistance she needed to heal physically and mentally, but additionally hosted a three-day retreat in her home for people searching for inexpensive mental health support.

Completely changing her views on wellness and community healing, Gordon’s experience revealed the ability that may be present in community. As a queer black woman, she was particularly inquisitive about the ways through which healing presented itself in marginalized communities. While the term “hood wellness” partially refers to her own budget-friendly approach to self-care, Gordon explains that “hood” means greater than just socioeconomic status.

“The cladding is really multi-functional in the sense that it literally (represents) my location. Where I live has a lot to do with my ability to take care of myself…the hood plays a role in my safety, comfort, convenience and so on,” she said. “So housing will always be a topic of discussion (that comes up), but so does the concept of hood in its social meaning.”

Going beyond the inner-city connotations often associated with the word “hood,” Gordon’s philosophy emphasizes the community that may be present in neighborhoods

“In every center I have ever been to, there are always people who become sources of information and resources. “Whether you’re trying to cash in on food stamps or you want to know which bus goes to which building, there’s always someone in that building or on that block or in that neighborhood who (offers a little guidance),” Gordon explained, adding, “that’s what this is how the hood becomes unique.”

Understanding the nuances of the Black experience, the Kirkus Star-winning book features stories from other authors about their very own journeys to physical and mental well-being, showing how well-being practices can impact a person’s relationship with their body, identity and rights. From terminal illness and police violence to accepting gender identity in a society that consistently undermines and attacks the rights of trans and queer people, each story reflects the present political, racial and gender climate in America while difficult similarly oppressive systems deeply rooted within the health and wellness industry. well-being.

“As their stories unfold, we see that some voices are being underestimated because of their intersectionality, which impacts not only the community but also the individual,” Gordon said, highlighting the contributions of activists like Claudette Colvin and Tarana Burke to the book. “That’s how wellness tends to intersect and really impact us based on our identities, our communities, and how much (we) have to actually fight for (our) rights.”

Importantly, Gordon clearly states that Hood Wellness shouldn’t be a guide to well-being. Describing herself as “an explorer who takes good notes” reasonably than an authority, the writer hopes that her and other authors’ health research will encourage readers to explore what the concept of self-care and well-being might appear like for them.

“My well-being is a hood; my mood is ugly. I like candles and bubbles and all that shit. But I also like the unique information that (I can) only get from home… from the community,” Gordon explained. “I want people to know that Hood Wellness is truly an experience. That’s funny. This makes you think. It’s emotions on both sides. I think people will be truly surprised at how inspired and entertained they will walk away.”

Isabella Strahan is “feeling good” by spending time at home between chemotherapy appointments.

In its latest version Series on YouTubereleased on Wednesday, Strahan gave viewers a glimpse into on a regular basis life at home in New York.

The student and daughter of “Good Morning America” ​​co-host Michael Strahan is in good spirits during her recent installment, which begins with a surprise visit from her twin sister Sophia.

“Oh my God! I get so many surprises! That’s why you didn’t answer my calls,” Isabella said, bursting into glad tears as she embraced her sister, who studies at Duke University. Sophia explained that she ignored the calls to spring the surprise.

“I was on the plane and I was like, she won’t stop using me on FaceTime; this is not the time,” Sophia said through laughter before hugging Isabella and expressing her love.

Featured Stories

The film, shot and edited by Sophia, intersperses scenes of her final moments at home, including Isabella presenting her medicine and tea kit, lounging in her bedroom, receiving treatment, and more. Isabella smiles throughout the vlog, laughs and jokes, but handles every thing calmly.

During one scene of their lounge, Isabella outlined her day by day schedule, which included several doctor’s appointments. When the driving force asks how Isabella is feeling, she replies with a straightforward answer: “I’m feeling fine.”

Isabella has been documenting her journey on YouTube since October 2023, when she underwent emergency surgery to remove a big malignant tumor (medulloblastoma) in her cerebellum. In the meantime, she’s built a supportive fan base, as evidenced by comments that encourage her, express solidarity, and even check in along with her from time to time.

Isabella’s latest vlog appeared a couple of days after a follower left a comment asking if she was alive. She replied via Video from TikTok wherein she danced to the song “Get It Sexyy” by rapper Sexyy Red.

Sophia responded within the vlog comments, writing that her sister is “better than ever.”

Isabella added, “I’m not going anywhere.”

In the center of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York sits a $10 million collection of African art owned by Eric Edwards, a former AT&T executive.

“My love of African history began as a child, but I didn’t start buying art until the 1970s,” says Edwards. “I had no intention of becoming an art collector. I initially brought African art with me because it gave me peace and quiet when I left my everyday life working in New York.”

But after spending greater than 40 years collecting artifacts representing 54 African countries and 4,000 years of history, Edwards realized his private collection needed a house. Edwards decided to create a house for the opening of his collection – the African Art Cultural Museum.

“The principle of the museum relies on the West African principle of Sankofa: you do not know where you are going, when you do not know where you’ve got beensays Edwards. The museum will showcase his private collection of over 2,000 works of African art, a world-class library, youth teaching programs, and a research and media center.

We caught up with Edwards to learn more about his plans for opening the museum and his tips for investing in African art.

BLACK ENTERPRISE: Where does your love for Africa come from? Who inspired you probably the most?

Edwards: When I used to be a toddler, my passion for Africa was inspired by my parents, especially my father, who was an immigrant from Barbados. At that point, on account of racism against people of African descent within the United States, he was very concerned about what we children would encounter once we entered the New York public school system. He was sure that we’d not give you the chance to experience African culture and history as he had in Barbados. So he took it upon himself to show his children all about African history and its many gifts to the world.

Tell us about the experience that inspired you to purchase your first piece of art.

I even have a passion audiophilia— high-quality sound and equipment. Many years ago, I used to be a member of two of the leading audio file associations in New York. We held meetings within the homes of varied members throughout the tri-state area. These people were doctors, engineers, scientists, psychiatrists, etc., who had a passion for music. As I visited their impressive homes, I started to note a number of African art. These people weren’t of African descent. I asked them how they acquired their works of art, and they told me about art galleries and auction houses equivalent to Sotheby’s and Christie’s. I immediately became completely immersed within the artifacts and what they represented. This passion never ended.

One day during my lunch break at AT&T, I took a walk across the SoHo neighborhood and got here across an African art gallery. I fell in love with a maternity figure from Côte d’Ivoire – a lady holding her baby (while sitting) on ​​a birthing chair. I purchased it for $300. I just put it on the desk in my office. But looking back, I had no concept that it could ignite the flame in me that might allow me to begin a set.

What do you listen to when buying works of art? Do you like a particular time period?

For over 40 years, the one thing I actually have searched for is the story behind every bit.
At the identical time, I began collecting art. I began buying books about African history. I’ve built a library as massive as my collection. I desired to know every thing I could about every bit.

The art shouldn’t be only beautiful, but additionally three-dimensional. Each piece was created for a novel purpose, equivalent to on a regular basis objects: protective or warlike, religious, funerary, or even perhaps to honor a specific origin or royal system.

Africa is a continent of secrets. Many of the pieces in my collection are secret society pieces. Societies that taught young girls the way to change into women or trained young boys to fight, the way to be men and responsibility to their ancestors.

Can you share your best advice for investing in or purchasing African art?

I strongly consider that everybody should own a bit of African art.

There is an abundance of African art, so people should find and buy art that was created in Africa. There is nothing improper with “tourist art”, however it is value knowing that it originated in Africa, even when it was made in a factory. It also needs to represent a particular cultural group or tradition.

If you might be a beginner art collector, it’s best to go on to the source. I like to recommend doing a number of research to search out artisans. I actually have purchased art from everywhere in the world and my pieces date back 4,000 years. These pieces were utilized in rituals; they got here from royal houses and were utilized in on a regular basis life. I bring works of art from prestigious auction houses, galleries and private collections all over the world. Over the years I actually have also developed relationships with royal families in Africa and purchased works directly from them. For example, after I bought one piece of art from the royal family, officials from Africa had to come back to my house and perform a ceremony for me to take possession of the artifact.

You also needs to document your purchases. Due to my technological background, I created a database containing information to document each item in my collection.