Hi, hey, hello there! Happy 2026! whew How’d you spend your holiday weekend? I spent the final hours of MLK, Jr day reading his Wiki page. Wow! wow! WOW! His FBI-recorded ‘sex-tapes’ will be unsealed in 2027. Brace yourselves for impact.
Human beings are layered. The best and worst among us are often extremely dynamic, composed of immeasurable divinity and inexplicable imperfection. Perfection is the enemy of progress.
Sainthood is complicated.
In other news…
Well-known content creator, Darren Jason Watkins Jr. AKA IShowSpeed (Wiki) turned 21 yesterday and is well on is way to modern-day sainthood after visiting 20 African countries in 28 days (BBC). There have been claims that IShowSpeed with the fuel of social media (+ Expedia sponsorship) has done more for pan-African consciousness and unity in 1 month than most activists have accomplished in a lifetime.
In some regards, this may very well be true given the IShowSpeed brand reach: 49M ▶️YouTube followers, 47M 🎦TikTok Followers, and 45M 🛜Instagram followers. For context: Obama has 725K YouTube, 0 TikTok, and 41M Instagram followers. According to Gemini AI: IShowSpeed's net worth is estimated to be between $10M and $15M as of late 2025 stemming from diverse revenue streams including YouTube AdSense, huge brand deals (like Prime, Kick), music royalties, merchandise, and massive Super Chat donations from live streams. The global creator economy market is expected to reach $1 Trillion by 2030 with a 24% CAGR.
👄Here’s my take:
In 2018, I was paid $20,000 to speak on a 45-minute panel by a Fortune 500 tech company. The very same company that passed on an equity investment in my startup, didn’t bat an eye at writing $20K honorarium check.
💡AHA MOMENT: a room full of billionaires far more willing to pay for my sass than my SaaS. Like what I did there? Just wait ‘til show off my ass…sets…my plethora of intellectual assets. 😏#capitalism
If DEI is🪦and banks, VCs, PE funds, foundations, endowments, family offices, DAFs and the like continue to hoard cash or deploy capital incestuously, we need to find creative ways to acquire cash and invest the profits in strategically de-risked assets, activists, and entrepreneurs who aren’t just forking that cash over to pay for rent or overpriced debt.
In the meantime, can someone explain minstrelsy (Wiki) to IShowSpeed? With a dash of wisdom from Frantz Fanon (Wiki)? Just a 🤏🏾 dash.
What I’m Streaming: Hedda on Amazon Prime starring Tessa Thompson directed by Nia DaCosta
First of all, Tessa Thompson (IMDb) is worKING, okayyyy!! She has the perfect mysterious, pensive, and seductive mystique for the classic murder mystery. Hedda is a psychologically thrilling masterpiece. Mark my words, 36-year old, Brooklyn-born, Harlem-raised, Jamaican-bred filmmaker Nia DaCosta (Wiki) is going to take the world by storm ⛈️ and I am sooo here for it!!
What I’m Reading: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
I had the honor and privilege of hosting the MacArthur Genius, world-renowned author and poet, Jacqueline Woodson at Privé BK by VFMH on Sunday (1.11). Jacqueline is an icon and a legend. Brown Girl Dreaming is a beautiful embodiment of an American experience we rarely get to see or feel. She inspires me to pursue and amplify more stories that elicit unity and empathy for all during these trying times. Thank you for the books, Jackie! 🤗
“When I talk about love … I am not talking about emotional bosh. I am not talking about some sentimental or even some affectionate emotion. I am talking about something much deeper.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Love Always Wins,
👍🏾👎🏾The Review:
Issa Rae-owned Somerville (IG) opened in 2024 in the Slauson Corridor of the historic View Park-Windsor Hills neighborhood of LA.
I’m unapologetically one of those people who claims to know Issa Rae (Wiki) even though we’ve only exchanged maybe 5 whole sentences during and since our time at Stanford together. 🤣I’m very proud of her which made the venue selection for Privé LA a no brainer. Somerville is definitely fine dining. The food was excellent (my fave was the short rib), the service was outstanding, the vibe, live music, and decor were superb. And the cost? Hmmmm..let’s just say, we definitely did NOT get a hook up!! I’m still paying off that tab in installments! 😅 Congrats on the 3-year contract with Paramount, Jo-Issa! 👏🏾
Ayesha Curry-owned International Smoke (IG) opened in 2017 in the Financial District of San Francisco.
Ayesha Curry (Wiki) most known as the wife of basketball star, Stephen Curry, is a multi-hyphenate business woman, chef, restauranteur, philanthropist, and actress. International Smoke is so close to the Salesforce towers it feels like Benioff could pop in at any moment, but upon entry you quickly get a sense of the Curry-touch. The warm lights, high-ceilings, large wooden beams, and circular leather booths made the set the perfect vibe for Privé SF. The service was excellent, the food was OK, and the cost was reasonable. It was obvious the staff was not use to a large party of badass Black women; they took extra good care of us. Thank you and you’re welcome, Bro-Francisco…you’re welcome! 💜
Monique Greenwood-owned Akwaaba Mansion (website) opened in 1995 in the Bed Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.
Monique Greenwood (The History Makers) is the former Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine turned hospitality matriarch. She owns 4 properties and growing. When I first learned of Monique and her career trajectory (OWN) I couldn’t wait to book a room at Akwaaba, but nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced IRL: a spiritual connectedness to the space, an overwhelming sense safety, and an undeniable familiarity. Every time I walk through the doors of Akwaaba my cells sing “welcome, you belong here!” ✨ It took 7 months of planning and negotiation but we finally pulled off Privé BK with Peaches Lewis catering (website) which was MmmMmm-good, plants and flowers by Natty Garden II (website), Spirits by Joi, and mocktails by Pauline Idogho (website). Monique and the Akwaaba staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Next stop on the Monique Greenwood Train: The Mansion at Noble Lane in the🏔️Poconos!
🍽️Privé by VFMH Tour
Private Dining. Real Talk. Chill Vibes. Subscribe for access and more info.
🏛️DMV Brunch - Sun. 2.22 @ 12 Noon
🍑Atlanta Dinner - Thu. 3.19 @ 6 PM
⛳Tampa Golf & Brunch - Sat. 5.30 @ 10 AM
🌇Chicago Brunch Sun. 7.12 @ 12 Noon
🦞Martha’s Vineyard Dinner - Thu. 8.13 @ 6 PM
🌆London Brunch Sun. 9.20 @ 12 Noon
🏦Boston Brunch Sun. 10.18 @ 12 Noon
🏙️Houston (AfroTech) Dinner Thu.11.5 @ 6 PM
🍾Miami (Art Basel) Awards Dinner Wed. 12.2 @ 6 PM
What to expect:
Small and intimate vibe (8 - 15 guests)
3-course gourmet, dietary-inclusive dinner or brunch
Intentional seating arrangements
Signature ice-breaker
DJ, live music, and/or featured visual artist
Custom, themed cocktails and mocktails
Small, local women-owned venue and vendors
🚫NO Sponsors. 🚫NO Panels. 🚫NO Phones.
Just Us.
🏖️Replenish Retreat
REPLISH is a unique, climate-conscious retreat bringing together the brightest minds across the diaspora for rest, respite, and connection with each other and the land. Subscribe for access and more info.
Proceeds benefit small, local businesses impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
What to expect:
3-Nights Luxury Accommodations (Private or Shared), Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Wed. 4.15 - Sat. 4.18
5 Gourmet Dietary Inclusive Meals
Spa Day (Massage, Facial, Sauna, Soak)
EcoTour & Conversation w/Climate, Hospitality, & Finance Leaders
Rest. There will be plenty of opportunities to rest and recharge.
A Number to Remember 👇🏾
Zero. The number of US federal holidays, coins, and bills honoring female or non-binary Americans. What impact might this have on early childhood development? Unconscious bias? Power dynamics?