I got a text the night of Saturday, December 27 that Monica was hosting a birthday party for her fiance Rocko with whom she has two healthy and happy children at Straits the next day. I’na Saulsbery kept me in the loop on that one. I see from checking out her blog (www.starfiregroup.blogspot.com) for her event planning company that she had a hand in Jeezy’s Christmas party for CTE at Justin’s but no one told me. I’m still waiting for my Jeezy interview. Tracy, what’s up? At any rate, check some of the pics on I’na’s blog and also view some of the pics from the opening of 404 Lounge. Publicist Tahira Wright of Branded PR also played a hand in that.
Okay enough plugs. Needless to say I arrived at Straits late. For the holidays I just wasn’t feeling like going out but, because my girl Nashe Scott is the h.c.i.c. (head chica in charge), I try my best to support. Had I known that my friend Landras Mitchell was there already or just figured Donna Permell was already there then I would have arrived earlier. Apparently I missed T.I., Tiny and a bunch of other folks but you can check out Necole Bitchie at www.necolebitchie.com for that.
I ran into Necole and publicist Tomiko Hope. I also saw Landras of course and he reminded me to hit his bday party the next night at Halo as if I would not celebrate with him. I spoke to Sheri Riley, formerly Huguely, of GLUE for a minute. We spoke about her lovely daughter, work/life balance and Obama. She let me know that she ran into someone who bought 10 copies of my book, African American History For Dummies. That was really good news. I love book sales of course but I love to know that people are really buying the book and sharing with family and friends. For me, the point is the message, not the messenger though the messenger does like having a roof over her head, not to mention food in her belly and clothes on her back.
Seriously, I, like Carter G. Woodson envisioned when he instituted Negro History Week, which has grown to Black History Month, in 1926, look forward to the day when all American history classes will incorporate African American history into the general fabric of history and not just an aside. We are getting there slowly but surely though.
As for the party, I did see Monica, her cousin/manager Melinda, Rocko, attorney extraordinaire Phaedra Parks, Kandi Burrus, Jazzy Pha, Vawn and photographer Freddyo before it was a wrap. I was told that many of the people there were glad to catch up with each other. Some hadn’t been out for a minute. It was all good for me because I was home in a jiffy. Oh I guess I should link to my Monica interview for Metromix a while back when her reality show, The Single, was a special on Peachtree TV. It’s headed for BET I’ve heard. I absolutely love interviewing Monica. Just a joy to speak with her and, trust me, I’m not just saying that. I wish there was a link for the Urban Network cover story I wrote on her when her Makings of Me album hit. Oh well let’s be happy with this quickie (yes I know Tupac didn’t mean it like that at all lol), http://atlanta.metromix.com/music/article/monica-a-diva-returns/536254/content.
