Big ups to Black Wall Street 314. I love her, but Mother Nature really be hating, don’t she? I was over the moon for my boy Farrakhan Shegog when I saw how he had the Wellston Loop looking all lively with community Saturday afternoon. I found a parking space and made the little walk down Martin Luther King Drive to the middle of the action. Then a tsunami hit. It was swift and soggy! I took off running like somebody was chasing me. I was soaked to the bone, bra and panties. By the time I got home, my boho braids looked like Jay-Z after Beyoncé combed those locs out. Too bad I can’t afford nobody’s Cecred. Blue Magic and protein gel got the job done, but my scalp was throbbing. But back to Black Wall Street 314. The rain might have interrupted the moment, but Farrakhan and all parties involved made something magical happen in an area that has been disinvested. I got a chance to see it with my own eyes. I’m sure it showed what is possible – and hopefully it can spawn something permanent for an area that was once bubbling over with Black excellence.
Credit: Photos by Lawrence Bryant and Taylor Marrie | St. Louis American
On fire with En Vogue at PrideFest STL. Y’all already know I was gonna be front and center at PrideFest STL anyway. However, the minute they announced that my girls En Vogue would be closing things out for 2026, it was set in stone. My Sunday afternoon was committed to hearing an “Oooohhhh Boppp” or two live – and adding a layer of unsolicited harmony to “Who’s Lovin’ You!” I dusted off my black body dress and made my way to Soldier’s Memorial Park to catch the concert. I got a show before the show because of how my beloved folks carried on as they took Pride month out with a bang, a vogue and a death drop (yes, on that sizzling ground). And I got life from every bit of it. Too bad I barely survived the heat. The best way to describe the comfort level – or lack thereof – is to tell y’all that my support undergarments cooked me from the outside in! It was to the point where my stomach skin was crunchy like somebody put me in the oven on broil to get crispy brown edges. I blame myself for not having the shape I had in 1990. But I’m gonna tell you who did – Cindy, Maxine and Teri! Y’all, En Vogue looked so snatched they had me regretting all the crispy Totino’s pizzas I used to eat while I watched them on “Video Soul.” And they sounded good too! My vocal cords would have turned to dust in that air fryer heat, but they held it together!
Birthday things with Latrelle Yancey at Opus. You know the spot is poppin’ when the day party decides to stick around for the night set. That’s exactly what happened Saturday at Opus. I came through around 10 p.m. to have a birthday toast with my boy Latrelle Yancey. Y’all know Latrelle…he is the personal photographer for Bam Adebayo. Yes, the Miami Heat star who now has the record for the second-highest points scored in a single game in the history of the NBA. Latrelle was right there to caption that moment – and he is from right here in The Lou. He decided to celebrate his birthday at home, and I’m so glad he did. Anyway, I popped in and was like, “Why didn’t anybody tell me this was a white party?” Turns out it wasn’t. There was a white day party. The folks were having such a good time that they stayed perched up in Opus even after their set ended. I can see why! The vibe was right and DJ Reminisce was killing it on the tables! I had the cutest time turning up with Latrelle and his crew – which included some folks from my crew too! And speaking of cute, Indigo Sams…girl, give me the details on that glorious jumpsuit! Oh, and shout out to Fred and Keith for having the type of spot that makes the folks want to stay put even after their party is over!
Credit: Photos by Lawrence Bryant and Taylor Marrie | St. Louis American
Evolutionary energy with AJ McQueen. Since I’m talking about Wellston, I might as well hip y’all to one of its favorite sons making major moves in music. AJ McQueen has already broken into the mainstream and is on the verge of being the next name to represent for STL hip hop. I’m claiming it. I caught AJ McQueen at Delmar Hall for his “We All Evolve” show last year and made it my business to have his City Winery set on my to do list. I’m thrilled that I checked it off. Between him, KVtheWriter and Dajha Vu gave me enough positive energy Thursday night to carry me through the week! When I tell you AJ has done the self-work to make me want to embark on yet another evolution. I can’t wait until he blows all the way up so I can go ahead and say I told you so!
