I never imagined visiting Baltimore, the only reference points I’ve had are the standard issue: Hairspray and The Wire. I started to think about what I knew of this place and I thought about IG comedian and personality Jess Hilarious, a lady named BigCuz52 on YouTube - may her soul rest in power, and as I am writing Hood to Hood the Blockumentary. I suppose that’s a many a sources but they were all from a very distant point of reference.

No Real Expectations

I traveled to Baltimore for the Brioxy Black Executive Pipeline Bootcamp. No real expectations the only thing I put out into the universe was that I wanted to learn how to work with rather than “for” people.

An excerpt from my application:

“My strength comes from being able to get things done. I have always been someone others could depend on, however, it has been isolating to a certain extent and it affects how I collaborate, trust, and share responsibility. My passion has led to intense burnout throughout my career. I love community but I cannot hold it all and do not wish to do so, I want to grow in the areas of combined effort, task sharing, and motivating team members to complete shared goals according to deadlines moving forward. This will not only stimulate my growth but it will also strengthen my community. In summary, I want to learn how to build healthy and responsible boundaries across personal and professional networks."

When asked if I saw myself as an Executive Director in the future I responded with:

"Yes, in the sense that I would like to lead my own literary magazine which focuses on how "we" navigate the world hence visual literacy. I would like to merge public art, film, and writing/documenting stories that comprise our worldview(s). ”

“Just like that, I wrote a draft of my dream/vision statement for this platform.”

My time with Brioxy was a truly transformational experience. From the start, bringing a small piece of cacoxenite to place on the altar. Cacoxenite is used for, “leveling up” in spiritual growth. Brioxy epitomizes leveling up and the cultivation of growth full stop. I liken my leadership development experience to re-learning how to tie my shoes. That last thing you do before stepping out and into the world, prepared.

Over the course of three days my heart was prepared to acknowledge both the bright and the shadow side of how I have engaged community. Brioxy offered communal equilibrium that wasn’t cult like, cookie cutter, or coercive. My biggest takeaway was to get my actions aligned with my values. I want that, and day by day I’ll receive it because what I put out into the universe is truly powerful. Everything I want I have can have, and will have, it is already done.

I can't even give the half away regarding the Brioxy Leadership Bootcamp. Please go and see for yourself, they have a myriad of amazing programs. The motto is Train. Build. Grow. With Us. [Brioxy]. If you reside in or have plans to be in proximity to Baltimore please stop by the [Dovecote Cafe] a truly special place for Foodies. Creatives. Makers. and Family. The cafe is an extension of the program.

Thank you to Mariama, Cole, Aisha, and all of the wonderful people I got to share time with: Mona, Miss Wendy, Miss Debbie, Drea, Gia, Afiya, Jessica, Tia, Tye, Daniel, Rasheem, Sharayna, Jerrell, Stephen, and the Dovecote staff...

As for what I know of Baltimore from lived experience, check out some images from the trip!

Images: street(s), views from the Fray, underpass, african shop under cheesecake factory inner harbor, white envelope, Rasheem's mural at the Fray, greenhouse, Mo's, Oreoles Bar in the Sheraton, Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport, the Dovecote Cafe, seshatsbrush, Land of Kush, Mo's menu, shake shack, Gia, Miss Wendy, Afia, Mona my roommate!, Drea! [browngirlfromboston], superultraviolet, Lanyadoo Quote, Crystals: bloodstone, cacoxenite, aragonite, rose quartz

Inner Harbor?

Views from the Fray

Loved the rocking chair on the balcony. People tell you not to rock because it makes you look like something is wrong. Most often things may be, but that rock was everything, so soothing.

Underpass

I almost caught it, not the best shot but wanted to post it anyway. I like to see the evolution of my photography as the trip progresses.

Jumpsuit

Baby if I had me a few more coins, I woulda took it home, looks so comfortable! I do not recall the name of the shop, paid cash for the pants I got so no real paper trail. I know its a shop under the cheesecake factory in the inner harbor.

White Envelope

venezuelan arepas, I had a skate fish sandwich, had to I saw bigcuz52 frying skate years ago…

Rasheem's Mural

Rasheem please forgive me, I can’t find my notes re: the name of this mural. The microphone bantu knots are so dope, so many layers, so much love!

@artbyrasheem

Greenhouse

Miss Wendy took us on a brief tour of the neighborhood.

Mo's

I had to eat after my meal so “we asked the concierge where do you eat, we don’t want nothing you wouldn’t consume.” They said they ordered from Mo’s every week. Once I got there I wanted to ask, HOW? All costs aside I had my first MD crab cake. Now the grouper (inserted a random fish name because I for damn sure don’t know what I was eating) was ever so good.

Good Morning Baltimore

Arrived at 4:30 AM, early check in was not available, stayed in the airport till 6:30 AM, had breakfast around 7:30. The Orioles Restaurant at the Sheraton is ok in my book.

Records by the Door

:) asked my mom had she ever heard of star point she started singing “it’s so delicious baby, o so good to me.” :)

Thurgood Marshall Airport

Traka said they don’t like it when you call it BWI. Upon arrival I knew I’d packed all the wrong shit, it was hotter in Baltimore than in the bay!

Welcome @ the Dovecote Cafe

Welcome dinner for the Black Executive Pipeline, seeing faces you know you don’t know but you know, reminds me so much of South Africa, will be back there this year, its been too long.

@dovecotecafe

Art by Seshat's Brush

I said I’m going to begin collecting. Funny how it happened I asked for the lady with the bird, it was another painting but this one was presented to me. I feel the artist using her genetic memory. I got all in my head about the cultural appropriateness. But she speaks to me so she will live in my home.

@seshatsbrush

Land of Kush

Snagged this photo online. Baybeh let me tell you, that food was so good I didn’t get a picture. Was that rose water in the yams? Why the greens so good? I’ll be back fasho fasho.

Big Ass Menu

I felt like Anna Mae Bullock with that 11 x18” place mat sized menu. “Ain’t you never been to a restaurant before?” I was so confused too many options Mo

Boat

Inner Harbor

Shake Shack

Fried Mushroom Burger, meanwhile I’m trying to be vegan, its filled with cheese… :)

So much love here

Gia, Miss Wendy, and Afiya, love ya’ll

Love

Roomie Miss Mona and Drea

@browngirlfromboston

Panther Party

Even the coasters fly at the Fray

I liked the tree

random and fragmented images are my thing, probably something deeper but nonetheless what I am into right now

Glasses

These are my frames but they fit her too well, yassssss!!!!!!

@superultraviolet

Lanyadoo Quote

“Instead of Seeking the cracks, seek the light pouring through them.” - Love Lanyadoo Astrology

Cacoxenite

The stone for “leveling up” in spiritual growth. I got that at Brioxy. Set the intention, place it on the altar, watch the universe work. It’s really small, I thought about the mustard seed.