Melanin Monday Motivator - Awesomely Luvvie

In my last post I explained my inspiration for #melaninmonday motivators when I heard Melissa Harris Perry say, "Every single day, cite a woman of color." Soooo now I'm loudly quoting them on Mondays...

Today's #melaninmonday motivator:

Awesomely Luvvie

Now if you haven't heard of Luvvie, I'm not sure where you've been living your life.  She is Luvvie Ajayi. She is an author, speaker, traveler, shoe lover and organization runner.  She also has a tech blog, Awesomely Techie and an Instagram just for her shoes, MustLuvvShoes.   Many people know her as Awesomely Luvvie which is the name of her main blog (and newsletter) which covers everything from Scandal to Game of Thrones to issues of social justice to just plain shade and side eye.  

I first found Luvvie online when I started watching Scandal in season 3.  I had to catch up, but did not have the time or patience to binge watch it.  Her Scandal recaps give me LIFE.  To be honest most of her posts, especially the side eye ones impact me the same way.  For those of us who live in environments where we do not see ourselves or our perspective reflected on a daily basis, we truly appreciate Luvvie’s voice. And for those who are from another culture, like one of my Fillipino friends, they also love Luvvie.  There's even a glossary for the cultural language and references that non-Black folk may not understand because...Luvvie.

In addition to writing, Luvvie also co-founded the Red Pump Project which is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.  And with her love of shoes, it is no surprise that they use the Red Pump as a symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women affected by AIDS.  The Red Pump Project conducts prevention outreach and educational workshops across the country.  

I like to use a person's own words when highlighting them because it gives insight into who they are and who they aim to be.  According to the bio on her site:

“Writer (and Author). Digital Strategist. Red Pump Rocker. Techie. Professional Troublemaker.  I am a Wacky Wordsmith. Pop Culture PrimaDonna. Side-Eye Sorceress. Bodacious Blogger. Witch of Wit. Dynamic Digerati with a Superior Shoe Game. Admirer of Alliteration.”

On September 13, her new book, I'm Judging You:  The Do Better Manual, will be released in stores and online.  I just pre-ordered my copy today and you should too!  You can pre-order I'm Judging You here:  http://luvvie.org/im-judging-you-book/  She's also recorded the audiobook herself.  The book is available in bulk in case you want to want to feature her for your fall book club as well.  Her book tour will be announced will be announced later this summer.

So now that I've told you a little about Luvvie, let me quote her.  This quote comes from one of my favorite posts of 2016, "It was Hella Onyx:  The Blackest Black History Month Ever."  In this post, Luvvie hillariously and truthfully talks about how February 2016 was the dopest Black History Month in recent history.  She suggests that we keep it going with a Black History Year because:

"Once you go UBER Black, you can't go back."

Luvvie Ajayi

So we're giving a shout out and a huge thank you to Luvvie for continually sharing her gifts and her voice with us.  This is only the beginning for you and in your own words...

"My gifts have opened that door for me, and they will continue to put me amongst the greats."

Luvvie Ajayi