Novella: My Mother. My Hero.
My mother, Novella, is my North Star—the standard for resilience, discipline, and integrity. She taught me that you don’t just show up in the world… you show up ready.
She stressed education, not as a suggestion, but as a way of life.
She taught me punctuality—if you can walk, you can go to school. No excuses.
She raised three boys alone after my father passed, and didn’t miss a beat.
My mother sacrificed time with me so I could be part of a bussing program that sent kids from our neighborhood to better schools in Queens. To make that possible, I lived with my grandmother and my aunts during the week. That choice—her decision to put my future ahead of her feelings—changed the trajectory of my life.
She showed me the value of family, making sure we visited relatives up and down the map. Summers in Georgia felt like heaven. My cousins are more like brothers and sisters. That’s because of her.
Everything I am—my work ethic, my drive, my belief that I can build the life I want—started with her.

Bebee: The Second Mother
With the Biggest Heart
When I stayed at my grandmother’s house for the bussing program, Bebee didn’t treat me like a visitor—she treated me like her third child.
I always felt loved, included, protected.
She was an incredible cook, and I learned a lot just watching her and my grandmother throw down.
She lived life with joy, and her thirst for living inspired me long before I realized it.
Her home was warmth. Her love was constant. Her presence taught me how to accept love without questioning if I deserved it.

Mini: The Straight Shooter With a Soft Heart
My aunt Mini was the one I could talk to about almost anything. She never sugar-coated a thing—she gave it to you straight, no chaser.
She showed me how to scramble eggs, and I still remember it vividly.
She was the family caterer, always cooking for big gatherings.
She was my friend, my confidant, and someone I could lean on.
Her honesty shaped my own. She taught me that the truth can be love especially if it’s delivered with care.

Sara & Uncle James: Fifty Years of Black Love
My aunt Sara, married to my Uncle James for over 50 years, showed me what Black love looks like when it’s built right and maintained daily.
Their marriage was the blueprint.
Their home was stability.
Their partnership was a demonstration of love in action.
And yes—she could cook too.
Sara didn’t take mess from anyone, but she loves hard and protects her own.
Seeing that kind of love up close changes you. It shows you what’s possible.

Josephine: The Disciplinarian Who Loved Me Enough to Say No
My aunt Josephine was not playing with me. Ever.
She was the disciplinarian, and I loved her for it.
She wasn’t having any of my nonsense as a kid.
She taught me structure, respect, and accountability.
She embodied the phrase: “Because I said so.”
And for the record… cooking wasn’t her strongest skill. But structure? Love? Being solid? She had those mastered.

Neppie: The Sweetest Banana Pudding & The Toughest Spirit
My aunt Neppie was love, laughter, and fire—wrapped in one.
She made the best banana pudding in the world.
She was fun, vibrant, and unforgettable.
And she absolutely did not play.
When folks said, “You better leave your Aunt Neppie alone,” they meant it. But her strength was always matched with warmth. Another example of a strong Black woman who shaped me in the best ways.

What These Women Mean to Me
These six women didn’t just raise me—they built me. They taught me:
How to work.
How to care.
How to stand tall without bragging.
How to show up.
How to keep going,
even when life hits hard.
How to love family deeply and loudly.
How to be a man who can cook,
laugh, nurture, and lead.
They influenced everything I am—from the way I parent, to the way I cook, to the values I try to pour into the next generation.
People talk about the power of Black women… I don’t have to talk—I lived it, daily, from six of the best. This picture is more than family, it’s legacy, it’s love and the foundation of my story
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