Category: Life

#TheLastDance

On By kassienetteIn Basketball, Controversy, Life, NBA, North Carolina State University, Sports1 Comment

Seven years ago, ESPN debuted a documentary that was met by a level of excitement within me that hadn’t been witnessed before.

It was based on a story in which I had a lot of familiarity. It was based on a story that I’d had the privilege of discussing with many who played intricate roles in the outcome. It was a story that found itself at the forefront every March. And it is a story that always tugged at the heartstrings of graduates of my alma mater.

It was the story of the North Carolina State University 1983 Men’s Basketball Team. And their destiny that culminated with them doing what others thought was impossible to capture a national championship that is still talked about decades later.

Before then, my level of excitement about a documentary hadn’t been matched. Since then, it hadn’t been matched.

Until last year.

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Why I: Love Being Black

On By kassienetteIn Entertainment, Football, Giving back, Heroes, Life, MLB, Music, NBA, NCAA, NFL, North Carolina State University, Olympics, Sports, Tennis, Track and Field, Women in SportsLeave a comment

Say it loud – I’M BLACK and I’M PROUD!!

Other than the phrases, “God is good,”

or

“Pizza is from Heaven”

or

“I have the best family and friends ever,” no truer words have ever been spoken.

Today, is the last day of Black History Month. Today marks the culmination of a push across America to squeeze in as much information into the minds of those who will listen about the contributions of black people in America. While today signifies the end of the collective focus, spanning various races, it does not signify the end of the cycle to educate, highlight and uncover facts that need not be ignored.

But that’s not why I’m here.

I could go on and on about the lack of teaching when it comes to black history.

But that’s not why I’m here.

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Why black women across the world understood Serena’s soliloquy

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, Heroes, Life, Sports, Tennis, Women, Women in SportsLeave a comment

*originally posted on Women AdvaNCe’s website*

As I sat and watched Serena fight back, tears formed in my eyes.

Her words were sharp.

Her eyes were piercing.

Her body language was stern.

She was fed up.

She’d had enough.

She was exhausted.

I’ve only played tennis maybe three times in my life yet I knew exactly what she was going through.

I felt her pain.

I understood her pain.

I knew her pain.

Simply because, I, too, am a black woman.

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Why I: Love the North Carolina Coast

On By kassienetteIn Life, NatureLeave a comment

Aye ya’ll.

I’m nervous.

Hurricane Florence has me on edge and as much as I have been praying that she will make a hard right turn and miss the U.S. completely, I have accepted the notion that its highly unlikely. Won’t stop me from praying though.

But yeah, I’m nervous. For all of us and especially for the coast of North Carolina.

See, the coast of North Carolina is very special to me. While many residents flock to Myrtle and Virginia Beach when given a chance to go sit by the Atlantic, I am always in a state of contemplation wondering how long it’s going to be before I can get back our coast.

I fell in love with Coastal NC at a young age, thanks to my mama. She has always believed in exposing me to new things and experiences and trips to the beach were no different. We spent many summers trekking down the highway to The Crystal Coast aka the Southern Outer Banks for fun, adventure and family time. Emerald Isle, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach were our shores of choice.

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#BoycottNike? Nah.

On By kassienetteIn 49ers, Controversy, Football, Giving back, Heroes, Life, NFL2 Comments

I said I was not going to write about it because I have discussed this topic more times than I can count. And I arrived at the point long ago where I am convinced that people are going to either accept the truth or they are going to spend the majority of their time redirecting it to fit their “cozy” narrative.

When Nike debuted their new face of their 30th Anniversary, “Just Do It” campaign this week, the internet nearly exploded. Half rejoicing. And the other half in a full blown tizzy.

It was comical.

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Why I: Take a Solo Retreat, Yearly

On By kassienetteIn Health & Fitness, Life, Life HappensLeave a comment

Dear future husband,

For the sake of our relationship, my mental health and sanity, I need to be able to go to a location outside of the city we live in, once a year without you or anyone else, for a few days to relax, be restored and spend my days doing only the things I want to do. This is non-negotiable.

KSL

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