The Black Umbrella

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Wes where he leads us in a discussion about the levels of access we give to others and ourselves in life. We give ourselves a 1-10 sliding scale grade in the Family, Friends, Work, Romantic Partners, and Self categories and then discuss in-depth why we chose said scores and if we are happy with them.  WOTD: Bridge- the section of the song that c...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Nika where we discuss the trajectory of our academic careers from high school through college and give students tips on how to gain the most from the experience.  WOTD: Bridge- the section of the song that connects two other sections, often the verse to the chorus or the last two choruses.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed i...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Frenchie where she makes us look at our "relationship quilts" and challenges us to think about if we are okay with the stains left behind along the way. When you look back at all the hurt you forgave, are you okay with that being a part of your story?  WOTD: Olympic Games- a modified revival of the ancient Olympic Games consisting of i...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Wes where we discuss our wildest dreams. WOTD: Recluse- A person who lives a solitary life and tend to avoid other people.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: LION BABE- “Love Takeover” Jeremih ft. Bryson Tiller &  Chris Brown- “Wait On It” Tinashe- “Getting No Sleep” Doechii- “RO...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Nika where we talk about the different forms of self-deprecation and which ones we identify with the most. WOTD: Housewife- a woman whose main occupation is caring for her family, managing household affairs, and doing housework.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Tierra Whack TinyDes...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Frenchie as she guides us through a conversation on how to deal with negative energy when it shows up on our doorstep and proper venting session etiquette.  WOTD: Pool- a small area of still water, typically one formed naturally  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Ambre - “Virtual Wor...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Wes where we discuss the importance of picking and choosing our battles regarding conflict.  Ice Cream- a soft frozen food made with sweetened and flavored milk fat.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: YG Ft. Kaliii & Stunna Girl- “SHAKE” Tyga- “Hello B*tch” Doechii- “MPH” Latto f...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Nika where we discuss our black role models in television and film  Worst- most severely or seriously Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Glorilla, Megan Thee Stallion, & Cardi B- “Wanna Be” (Remix) Kehlani- “Next 2 U”  Normani- “Candy Paint”  Lion Babe- “Hot Honey”  Muni Long- “Ma...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Frenchie where she questions what fear of commitment means, why we feel it, and how to combat it. Do you fear commitment in specific areas of your life?  Casino- a public room or building where gambling games are played. Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Billie Eilish- HIT ME HARD AN...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Frenchie where she encourages us to create a bucket list for both the future and present.  Summer- the warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February. Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Syd x Tank, Ca...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Wes where we discuss different scenarios that have happened in our lives where we have had to pivot either into or out of our comfort zone.  Wild- behave in an unrestrained or violent manner Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Durand Bernarr- “Fist Bump” Saweetie- “NANi” Elmiene ft. Le...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Nika where we discuss the need to feed our inner child in adulthood and what that looks like.  Club- an association or organization dedicated to a particular interest or activity.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: GAWD- Covered by GAWD Tink- “Huh” Megan Thee Stallion- “BOA” Childish...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Wes where he addresses the art of letting go and living in the moment.  Judge- to form an opinion or conclusion about Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: LION BABE- “Deep Sexy Acid” JT- “OKAY” YG- “KNOCKA” Tems- “Love Me JeJe” Normani - “1:59” Sinead Harnett - Boundaries PARTYNEXTDOOR...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Frenchie on the woes we are facing as we start the year of closing out our twenties.  Hero- a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievement, or noble qualities.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Chlöe- “Boy Bye”  Willow Smith- “b i g f e e l i n g s” Tanner...

 Happy #TBUthursday! Join us in a conversation led by Wes on our experiences with stress and how we regulate it.  Website- a set of related web pages located under a single domain name, typically produced by a single person or organization. Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: The Amours & TA Thomas- “Pick Me Up”  Kehlani- “After Hour...

Happy #TBUthursday! Join us as we discuss Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter & Nika takes on a journey into music. Hobby- An Activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure. Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Sinéad Harnett- “Burn” THEHONESTGUY- Velvet Soul: Side A Doechii w/ JT- “Alter Ego” Flyana Boss- This Ain’t The Album  Buddy-...

Happy #TBUthursday! Frenchie is taking over this week's Under Our Umbrella segment & prompts a discussion surrounding our roots in confidence and how it changes daily.  WOTD: Archivist- specially trained in preserving the original material and helping people obtain it. Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Lendryx- “Halfway Open” M...

Happy #TBUthursday! This week Wes takes over the Under Our Umbrella segment that gets to the root of our relationship with politics. WOTD: Unlimited- not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Cardi B- “Enough” Halle- “In Your Hands” Tamar Braxton- “Notice Me” Kasey Musgraves- De...

Happy #TBUthursday! This week Nika leads us in a discussion on traditions with friends and family. WOTD: Villain- a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot. Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode :).  New music: Flo- “Walk Like This” Sinead Harnett- “The Most” Jean Deaux- “Dreamin”  Norah Jones- Visions  Ariana Grande- eternal sun...

Happy #TBUthursday! This week Frenchie leads us in a discussion on the power of using your voice. We discuss the importance of using your voice even when you feel like the people around you aren't listening.  WOTD: Nepotism- the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs. Check out the links below for everything we...

Happy #TBUthursday! This week we talk about our relationship with fitness. We dive into the ups and downs we’ve had when it comes to making it a priority and identify examples we had around us as children that helped inspire each of our journeys. WOTD: Traitor- A person who betrays a friend, country, principle, etc.  Check out the links below for everything we discussed in this week's episode...

Happy #TBUThursday! Join us for this week's conversation on the ReesaTeesa saga, how a husband exceeds and excels using 21 blue hearts and more. Under Our Umbrella, we dive into alter egos and the benefits of having one. WOTD: Zumba- aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music. Check out th...

Happy #TBUThursday! In this episode, we talk all about Usher's Super Bowl Halftime performance, surprise Beyoncé music drops, the Salt & Pepper Gang tour and much more! Under Our Umbrella, we expand on last week's Unconditional Love topic to focus on the most important component needed to achieve it - Forgiveness. How do people earn your forgiveness? Do you forgive and forget? WOTD: Ch...

Under Our Umbrella this #TBUThursday, we talk all about Unconditional Love. Is it worth the hype? Do we believe in it? Do you? We also talk BBL's, UMG and all things Grammy's! WOTD: Business- a usually commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood. Check out the links below for all the things we talked about in this week's episode :).  New music: Free Design- “L...

WOTD: Album- a collection of recordings issued as a single item on CD, record, or another medium. Check out the links below for all the things we talked about in this week's episode :).  New music: Robert Glasper- Ah Yeah w/ Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michelle (Throwback of the day) Naomi Sharon- “Nothing Sweeter”  Sinead Harnett- “Say Something”  Tierra Whack- SHOWER  Justin Timberlake-...