That's what happened when I visited Simonette in Culver City on a Friday evening. Located inside Palihotel Culver City, Simonette is one of those spots that feels tucked away in a way that makes discovering it part of the experience. The hotel is nestled into the neighborhood, and once you're there, you get this cute, intimate, open-air setting surrounded by trees and twinkling lights. It was warm that evening, and at one point, I was sitting outside watching leaves fall thro

Sometimes you meet someone and realize they didn't just create a business. They created room. Room for people to create. Room for people to connect. Room for people to discover something new about themselves. And, just as importantly, room for other people to bring what they have to the table. That's what came to mind when I met Cynthia, the woman behind Sprinkles N Stuff in Lomita, California. When Cynthia first started making chocolate, she was simply looking for a way to m

When art becomes more than something you create, it becomes a way to bring people together. I didn't meet Kandyce Jackson for the first time at the Black Girl Art Show. I've actually been watching pieces of her story unfold for years. Kandyce is the artist and creative mind behind KandyAppleTree, but to me, she's also a reminder of what can happen when you keep showing up for something that once existed only as an idea. She once created the logo for my women's group, and now

Some people build businesses. Others build experiences. And every once in a while, you meet someone who is doing both while creating something that brings people together. That was Daisy. Through Daisy’s Black LA Food Tour, I got to witness something that stayed with me long after the food was gone: resilience in motion, a charismatic spirit that never seemed to dim, and a genuine heart for people, community, Los Angeles, and good food. Before we even pulled away, there was p

There are food tours, and then there are experiences that remind you why food has the power to bring people together. Daisy’s Black LA Food Tour was definitely the latter. I arrived expecting to eat good food, visit several Black-owned businesses, and learn a little more about Los Angeles. What I didn't expect was how quickly a bus full of strangers would begin to feel like a community. From the moment we arrived, there was an energy surrounding the tour. The original plan wa