Musings of Jessica Marie

Revolutions are never easy—they demand courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Fighting for change in a world built on oppression comes at a cost, and few understood this more than Malcolm X. A fearless leader and revolutionary, he challenged the status quo and inspired generations to demand justice. On February 21, 1965, his life was tragically cut short, but his legacy remains powerful. Join m...

Throughout history, thriving Black American communities have been destroyed, their stories buried beneath injustice and destruction. From Black Wall Street in Tulsa to Linnentown in Georgia, these communities faced senseless violence and erasure. One such tragedy is Oscarville, a once-vibrant town whose residents were forced out to make way for what is now Lake Lanier. Join me as I shine a Histori...

🏅 Sports have always been a test of strength, skill, and endurance, but for Black athletes, the journey has been filled with barriers, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. From being excluded from competition to breaking records and reshaping the game, Black Americans have left an undeniable impact on the world of sports. Join me as I dive into the powerful legacy of Black excellence in a...

From the iconic Clone Wars to the legendary Original Trilogy , Star Wars has given fans unforgettable moments—and a few missteps (looking at you, Sequels and Acolyte) . With the franchise's history of hits and misses, every new release is a gamble. Join me as I take a deep dive into the newest Star Wars show, Skeleton Crew. Is it destined to become a hit like The Mandalorian , or does it fall flat...

Known today as a haven for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy, Fisher Island, Florida is synonymous with luxury and exclusivity. But did you know this picturesque paradise was originally envisioned as a resort to uplift Black Americans in Miami? From its beginnings as a beacon of opportunity to its transformation into one of the most sought-after addresses in the world, Fisher Island’s story is one...

Success in America often depends on opportunity—but for Black Americans, those opportunities have historically been denied or obstructed. Despite facing slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, countless Black trailblazers have forged their own paths to greatness. One such pioneer was Samuel T. Wilcox, who broke barriers by opening Fancy & Staple Groceries, the first high-end grocery store o...

While many know the tragic story of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fewer are aware of the resilient Black American communities that have endured through time. One of these remarkable places is Mound Bayou, Mississippi - a community that stands as a testament to strength, perseverance, and Black excellence. In my latest Historical Spotlight, I uncover the history of Mound Bayou, its signific...

🏡 Once a cornerstone of the “American Dream,” home ownership has become a daunting challenge for many. With rising housing costs and wages that can’t keep pace with inflation, buying your first home feels more like a dream deferred than a dream achieved for countless families. What was once an accessible milestone has turned into a Herculean feat that few can accomplish. In my latest blog post, I...

✨ As Spotify Wrapped takes over the internet, I decided to create my very own 2024 Wrapped—a special recap of the year just for my blog, Musings of Jessica Marie! 🌟 Before we dive into 2025 with fresh goals, dreams, and new beginnings, let’s pause and reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had this year. 🎉 From milestones to memories, I’m celebrating how far we’ve come in the final blog post o...

Your health is your greatest asset—don’t take it for granted. 🌟 It impacts everything: your ability to have kids, how long you’ll live, and even your financial stability. In my latest blog post, I’m diving into why protecting your health is crucial and how small, mindful changes can prevent unhealthy habits from sabotaging your wellbeing. Life is precious—let’s make the most of it by prioritizing...

🎬 Struggling to find your next binge-worthy show? Same here! My husband and I have very specific tastes, making it a challenge to find something we both love. But then we stumbled upon The Diplomat on Netflix and seasons 1 and 2 checked all our boxes! ✅ Drama, intrigue, and gripping storytelling had us hooked from the start. 💡 If you're on the hunt for your next great watch, check out my latest...

One of the best parts of coming home, outside of seeing my husband of course, is getting to see my fur babies after a long day at work. They always get so excited and are so happy when I walk through the door. Their tails are thumping frantically and they are trying their hardest to get rubs from me. It’s amazing just how much love and affection dogs can show their owners.

Getting elected to a public political office is no small feat. It often entails many hours of hard work and requires getting the broader population to believe in you and your ideas. Politicians can affect citizens’ daily lives by passing memorandums, adjusting tax rates, and instilling social and economic policies. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most well-known mayors of...

Earlier this year, my husband and I went on a journey to discover some of the classic movies I missed out on during my childhood. I’ve had the most fun learning about the iconic stories of Batman through the movies and video games. It’s safe to say, we’re pretty engrossed in the lore, so naturally, we were stoked when HBO Max announced a new series called The Penguin.

When I was younger, I always classified myself as an extrovert. I thought I liked talking to people, being involved in all kinds of clubs and organizations, and constantly wanted to have multiple conversations going on at once across a multitude of social media apps. I never truly felt like I was as popular as I thought I wanted to be since I was always seen as the smart girl in school, and we all...

There are a lot of conspiracy theories on the internet. They range from mundane topics like the quality of tap water to extremist topics like planning coups to overtake the government. Some are totally insane and have no real leg to stand on, but others have a semblance of truth that makes you question if what you think you know is really true. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the cov...

From the beginning of time, Black Americans have had integral roles in creating, inventing, and developing many of the modern luxuries we take for granted today. Unfortunately, many of the early Black pioneers weren’t credited for their hard work. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Nathan “Nearest” Green, the master distiller who created the original recipe for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee w...

Being on code is one of the most important and powerful things a socioeconomic group can do in society. Not only does it foster camaraderie amongst individuals, but it also sends a message to the powers that be. Throughout history, Black Americans have had to rely on each other to fight through adversity in hopes of receiving equal treatment. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the famou...

Going to school without fear of being targeted solely based on your race is a modern luxury that many fought and lost their lives for. Desegregation created volatile and oftentimes deadly mobs that stood in the way of integration of public schools and institutions. The Little Rock Nine were one example of just how dangerous integration actually was for many young Black Americans pursuing an educat...

It’s the day after my 27th birthday, and whoever said when you start getting older, the years start flying, wasn’t lying. I’ll try not to get too sentimental, but it’s honestly difficult not to when I remember all the different phases of my life that I’ve gone through to make me into the person I’m proud of today. In true Jessica Marie fashion, I like to stay lowkey and out the mix as much as poss...

Staying healthy is a lifelong journey. There’s no definitive deadline for when you can begin to improve your health, and there are numerous studies, life coaches, personal trainers, nutritionists, and even doctors that can affect your health both positively and negatively. Healing, and the medical industry as a whole, has increasingly become a polarizing topic. Join me as we shine a Historical Spo...

Being an adult is tricky, especially when trying to be a responsible adult. There are often times when I’d love to completely change my life, but because of my pre-existing responsibilities, I have to be more strategic with the moves I make. While I don’t think dreams always have to be put on the backburner, it’s important to learn the beauty of timing that makes sense.

Life and death can happen in an instance and completely change our world. There’s no way to predict when a loved one will transition to Heaven, which is why it’s so important to give people their flowers every time we have the opportunity. We have to keep their memory alive even after death. Join me as we give an Earthly farewell to two greats who recently transitioned to Heaven, James Earl Jones...

Racing is a popular sport around the world and has multiple different divisions for spectators to enjoy. No matter if it’s Formula One, NASCAR, IndyCar, or LMP, the object of the race remains the same - to cross the finish line first. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Black American Racers Association (BARA).

California is known for its beautiful sunny beaches, the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, the tech innovations of Silicon Valley, and the notoriously high cost of living that permeates every aspect of daily life for residents. Despite boasting a proud history of joining the Union as a Free State, there are multiple instances of California actually protecting the institution of slavery. Join me as w...