“Red Beans and Rice: A Classic New Orleans Dish and Monday Tradition” Recipe Included
Cooking, Food, Memoir, New Orleans

“Red Beans and Rice: A Classic New Orleans Dish and Monday Tradition” Recipe Included

What I love about the history of cooking Red Beans and Rice is that is was about survival, making something taste good out of a little of nothing. You can feed a family of 4-6 people with one bag of red beans and the parts of meat what was known as throw away parts back in the days of slavery and segregation. Continue reading “Red Beans and Rice: A Classic New Orleans Dish and Monday Tradition” Recipe Included

“Escaping the Clutches of a Cult: My Journey to Reunite with My Daughter”
Life, Memoir, Relationships

“Escaping the Clutches of a Cult: My Journey to Reunite with My Daughter”

It’s been a year since I last shared stories about our beloved city, New Orleans. I am reaching out to you today to update you on my recent endeavors and apologize for my sudden and lengthy hiatus. The reason for my absence is deeply personal, as I had to prioritize focusing on reuniting with my daughter and grandchildren after years of heart-wrenching estrangement. Continue reading “Escaping the Clutches of a Cult: My Journey to Reunite with My Daughter”

“Under the Soulful Claiborne Bridge: Celebrating Unity, Culture, and Resilience in the Heart of New Orleans.”
Charity, Community, Culture, New Orleans, Urban Neighborhood

“Under the Soulful Claiborne Bridge: Celebrating Unity, Culture, and Resilience in the Heart of New Orleans.”

In true New Orleans style, the essence of “Project Homecoming” continues to reverberate throughout the city, inspiring locals and visitors alike with its message of hope and unity. The project’s legacy serves as a reminder that, even in the face of adversity, New Orleanians will always rise up and come together to fight for their communities and preserve the unique culture that makes the city so enchanting. As the struggle for affordable housing and equitable development continues, “Project Homecoming” stands as a testament to the power of community-driven action and the indomitable spirit of the Crescent City. Continue reading “Under the Soulful Claiborne Bridge: Celebrating Unity, Culture, and Resilience in the Heart of New Orleans.”

“Growing Up Latchkey: A Story of Two Sisters’ Independence in New Orleans”
Life, Memoir, New Orleans, Writing, Youth

“Growing Up Latchkey: A Story of Two Sisters’ Independence in New Orleans”

We were raised to appreciate the cultures that make New Orleans so eccentric and magical. When My Mama and Daddy was off they really made up for the time they spent away from us, especially My Mama. We frequented festivals, art museums, parks, fancy restaurants (I started eating raw oysters at 6yrs old) and random walks through the city. Even though we were raised Baptist, we visited churches of different denominations. Both my sister and I played the violin and other extracurricular activities. I was an honor roll student throughout high school. Yes, Growing Up in New Orleans as a Latch Key Kid in New Orleans riding on the Bus was was tough and scary at times, but knowing that I we were left alone for a greater purpose made it worth it. Continue reading “Growing Up Latchkey: A Story of Two Sisters’ Independence in New Orleans”

Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and angry spirits??? My thoughts.
Non-fiction, Uncategorized, weather, Writing

Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and angry spirits??? My thoughts.

There are African-American folktales about Hurricanes being the energy source of our ancestors; stolen Africans, beaten and lost at sea. Can Hurricanes be a mythical avenger that comes to right the wrongs of our ancestors? Souls of the sea, who unleash their wrath annually unto their oppressors?
Is there a connection between the Atlantic Slave Trade Routes and the path taken by hurricanes? If so, what about those who did not die while en route but made it to live out their lives as slaves? What vengeance do they get? Continue reading Hurricanes, African Slave Trade, and angry spirits??? My thoughts.

A conversation with a New Orleans Urban Cowboy; Michael A. Hollins aka Dat Ghetto Cowboy
Culture, Memoir, New Orleans, Relationships, Urban Neighborhood

A conversation with a New Orleans Urban Cowboy; Michael A. Hollins aka Dat Ghetto Cowboy

Maybe you were dancing along the streets during a Second Line and noticed a group of men riding their horses up and down the neutral ground ( the “median-” You know, that little strip of land in the middle of a road.) and thought what horses have to do with the Second Line. Tourist aren’t the only ones with these questions. There are plenty of New Orleanians who do not know the full story of how these young men can saddle up and ride through our neighborhoods as if they were in the Wild Wild West. Continue reading A conversation with a New Orleans Urban Cowboy; Michael A. Hollins aka Dat Ghetto Cowboy

Let me show you My NOLA Neighborhood
Memoir, New Orleans, Non-fiction, Urban Neighborhood

Let me show you My NOLA Neighborhood

As I open my eyes, I’m pleased to see all that imagined sat right before me, it all was going on right outside my door, amid my neighborhood in the 504! The sights, sounds, and the pleasant smells of my neighborhood brings comfort to my heart and soothes my soul. I hope that sharing my NOLA will satisfy the desire to visit until you can visit our fascinating city. Just know that I’m here to give you a personal virtual tour of my Nola Life until then! Continue reading Let me show you My NOLA Neighborhood

Culture, Memoir, networking, New Orleans, Women

Experience the heart and soul of New Orleans with The NOLA Chic

The Nola Chic is one of New Orleans’s top lifestyle bloggers whose goal is to allow you to experience New Orleans through the eyes of the locals as well as share my share NOLA life with you.  I’ll take you on a soulful journey through New Orleans. Walk with me beyond the touristy blocks of the city. Allow me to guide you into the tightly knit communities and businesses filled with outgoing, kind and friendly locals. Come sit with me on my porch and get to know my neighbors, my family, the true New Orleans Ambassadors.  As you lend me your ear you will get to meet some of the most loving people in the world. Continue reading Experience the heart and soul of New Orleans with The NOLA Chic

Life, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Women

I am that NOLA Chic’k (Poem)

I am every Chic’k that was told she wouldn’t make it and did. I AM YOU and YOU are ME.

My life has been influenced by amazing women, most who did not look like me nor came from the same background and yet their soul mirrored ALL that I AM. I wouldn’t be All That I AM had they not gave a part of themselves to make me ALL that I AM. Our lives can be the greatest influences on the lives of others. Continue reading I am that NOLA Chic’k (Poem)

New Orleans Bucket Drummer: Street Performer or Son Who Needs To Be Saved
Children, Memoir, New Orleans, Non-fiction, Youth

New Orleans Bucket Drummer: Street Performer or Son Who Needs To Be Saved

I’ll try to trick my mind into thinking he is a child musician performing in front of a filming crew for Coke Cola, which produces Sprite, and he has both bottles. He’s drinking Sprite because it’s caffeine-free, and it quenches thirst. Yes, that’s it, because it certainly can not be a little 9-10yr old boy, on the streets of New Orleans, drumming on buckets for a few dollars, unsupervised, and if he is the adult, will take his earnings and do who knows what to this innocent child… Either way, I soon forget about him, and my life will go on without worrying about him, while he and other children like him are lost to the streets… Continue reading New Orleans Bucket Drummer: Street Performer or Son Who Needs To Be Saved

A New New Orleans or Gentrification of New Orleans?
Community, Culture, Life, New Orleans, Non-fiction

A New New Orleans or Gentrification of New Orleans?

As it stands today, well in my eyesight and on my palette, New Orleans has turned into a water-down bowl of Gumbo. It’s actually not Gumbo in some restaurants here anymore, but the wild peasant and alligator sausage soup as one tourist informed me she was served when she asked for New Orleans Gumbo… Where they do that at? It seems in this new place soon to be New New Orleans. It’s not Gumbo anymore, it’s soup, and you can get that at any grocery store in the world. Somethings have changed, modified, removed from New Orleans Culture when they start messing with the Gumbo… Continue reading A New New Orleans or Gentrification of New Orleans?

Second Line-Poem
Poetry

Second Line-Poem

Through the streets, feeling so aliveThe beat, the rhythm, it’s like a natural highIt’s a celebration of life, a joyful … Continue reading Second Line-Poem

Unbroken Bonds: Surviving the System’s False Allegations
Children, Life, Memoir, Non-fiction

Unbroken Bonds: Surviving the System’s False Allegations

As we navigated this new chapter, it became increasingly clear how vital it was for us to be the solid ground beneath their shaky feet. To not just care for them, but also to advocate fiercely against a system that allowed such parentally-induced chaos to continue. It was a thankless task, met with resistance at every turn, but the alternative—doing nothing—was far worse. Continue reading Unbroken Bonds: Surviving the System’s False Allegations