black history month.

All month I have been thinking of a way to incorporate Black History Month into my blog. February is well.... basically over. Happy Leap Day, everyone! It won't be back for another 4 years, so make it count. 

"Leap Day" episode flashback to How I Met Your Mother.

As a kid, well a black kid, I never truly understood why black's had a month for their history. I mean like I felt awesome cause who doesn't want a month to themselves. But as I get older and have grown up I wanted to take a minute to really understand why. Why is there a proclaimed month for blacks?

Black History month started way back in 1915 with Carter G. Woodson and a minister Jesse E. Moorland. They founded an organization that was dedicated to researching achievements by black Americans and blacks from other descents. With the help of the organization, Woodson and Moorland sponsored a national Negro Week in 1926. Trying to pick a week with great significance they choose the second week in February to honor Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. 

Years later mayors of cities across the US started issuing one week for Negro Week. In the late 1960, thanks to the Civil Right Movement, many people had a growing awareness of black identity and Negro Week evolved to Black History Month on several college campuses. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month. He called to the public saying, "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." 

There you have it! That's where this month came from. Two black men who just wanted a little bit of recognition, and boy did it amount to something great. Black people continue to break down walls and barriers making the future brighter than before! There are a TON of amazing black people who have made history but here are some that I continue to look up to today.

1. Viola Davis. 

She was the FIRST Black Woman to win an Emmy for a drama. (I know I posted about this before but how can I now put this here again?) I know I can achieve my dreams with the amazing roles models like her leading my path. She is helping me remember that my skin may be different but I can create opportunity for myself no matter what. 

2. Martin Luther King Jr. I mean.... Need I say more?

(This is only a tiny piece of the speech, cause it's very long) Soak in those dreams! Martin Luther King Jr. Literally dreamed of this bright future that I live in now.  I get teary thinking of what life would have been like if Martin didn't share his dream.

3. President Barack Obama and Michelle. History made. First Black President and First Lady. 

4. Tiana, Princess and The Frog. My personal fave. 

I can already here it.. "Olivia she is fictional." sure but people can still look up to fictional people. Her hard work keeps me in check and reminding me that it takes hard work to make dreams come true. 

5. Jesse Owens. 

Proved to that Hitler's "superior race" could be beaten. Also the first American to win 4 gold medals at a single Olympics. This is the teaser for the new movie RACE all about Jesse Owens. I'm dying to see it because it looks amazing!

6. Ray Charles. 

The "High Priest of Soul" Blind and could play like there was no tomorrow. He started growing blind at age 7. In 2004, Rolling Stones  ranked him number ten on the "100 Greatest Artist of All Time".

7. Oprah Winfrey.

I have always looked up to her. My mom loves Oprah and I feel like I grew up with the Oprah show always on. With her magazine, her books and her sayings to guide us. She is a mentor and friend and a giver. She grew up with nothing and now has so much she that she continues to give. 

9. Maya Angelou.

She passed away in 2014, leaving holes in all our hearts. She was a poet and author. She inspired so many people and wrote about her life. She had lived through so much and needed to tell her story.

10. Beyoncé.

I mean Beyoncé is queen. But she has done do much for the black community regarding music. She was the first woman to win 6 Grammy's in one night. First black women to be on the September cover of Vogue. 

These people remind me to live to my fullest self to own being black and to love it. 

Thanks to Buzzfeed here are some awesome articles and videos I love about being black. 

19 Black Characters Who've Shaped Us

I'm Black, but I'm not...

22 Black Women Who Prove They Have Been Magical Forever

Stay excellent-

Liv

All videos courtesy of YouTube and photos from Google.

best day of the week.

For some reason I was just so happy when I came home from school today, and I'm not really sure why? Maybe it's because I was home from school... Yep that has to be it! But Wednesdays have always been my favorite day of the week, because we only have one day until Friday. I know we all count Friday as part of the weekend, right?? Why wouldn't you count it as an extra day? The weekend we get to relax and just veg, hopefully do more play than we do work. Huh, that's the dream, isn't it? But today I thought I would post and maybe spread some of the happiness that I felt today. Here are 6 things to keep you smiling for rest of the week! (Because I know they lift my spirits)

1. One Direction's new music video. *tear falls on keyboard* I mean the last single/music video before their hiatus and they choose History. Talk about emotions. But I can't speak because my fangirl is crying. Brb. 

I mean look how precious?! 

2. I did a photoshoot with my very talented friend Megan! Seriously check her out, she's basically a pro and I adore her face.  Here's a peak at the shoot we did!

3.  I follow way too many Instagram accounts about French Bulldogs. But I mean how can you not?!

Seriously? Look at those ears!

4.  Have you ladies heard Sia's new song?? You haven't? Well go listen! Seriously! Unstoppable. So. Good. 

"I'm unstoppable. I'm a Porsche with no brakes. I'm invincible and I win every single game. I'm so powerful, I don't need batteries to play. I'm so confident. I'm unstoppable today." Seriously this has been on repeat all day. 

5. The Panic! At The Disco album is so so good! I haven't been a fan since I was an angsty teen but I'm totally on board again. 

Death of a Bachelor is definitely my fave.

and finally

6. It's 2016, time to make some crazy new memories. A year ago I was in Rome and I'm so happy I was able to have that time abroad. Of course I miss it, like crazy! But it was the best experience for me and I'm dying to go back!

This was taken exactly a year ago. We went to Burger King because we were missing home... And now I'm home and am missing Rome. Irony is silly isn't it?? 

Chan, I know I've said this like a billion times but we gotta go back! I miss living with you and pushing our beds together to watch cheesy movies. "Sweet sassy molassy" But I'll see you soon!! Galentines Day year 3!! All day son, all day! 

Stay excellent-

Liv

i guess i just love to write.

Hello readers, and internet world! I want to tell you about something that I have been doing for the past couple months and how it's helped me grow. I write for a motivational magazine called BE WISE. It has been so inspiring to work with them and write articles for them. For 2016, our Editor had the idea, that every edition we publish would be a certain focus on Being Your Best Self. So every month has a certain topicto help us be the best we can be. For January it was Being Your Best Self: Physically. You can find more out about this movement- here.

I can't believe I have had the chance to write for them these past couple months! It's been the best, and I love it so much. Ever since I started writing for them I have seen may different aspects in my life in a different light. I have been able to be more confident with who I am and what I want to become. I found myself loving writing and getting a new topic every month and sitting down and thinking "What do the readers need to hear from me this month?" It's nice having more places where I can share my thoughts about being the best you, and how I have been able to accomplish it too. This magazine is so great, and it'll always have a special place in my heart. Everyone go check it out! Also if you feel like buying it, in the "Note to Seller (Optional)" box go ahead and put my name there. If you do that, that would be stellar!! Hey, I know what you're thinking, but self promotion is good! 

Seriously it's so worth getting! Inspiring words for everyone who needs them. Its been a blast writing for this great team, and I can't wait to write more!

Stay excellent,
-Liv