Month: September 2026

HEALTHY AGING MONTH REFLECTION: What’s your relationship with aging?

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Whether we like it or not, each one of us is aging.

The teenager is becoming the young adult at 20.

The 20 something is finally legal and getting the first taste of adulting as they head towards 30.

The 30 something is climbing the ladder to 40.

The 40 something is on the way to hitting a major milestone at 50.

The 50 something is reaching a checkpoint that invites an evaluation of life goals, career achievements, and future plans that lead to the 60s.

The 60 something (like myself) is walking into 70, 80, 90, and beyond with a deeper commitment to be our REAL self.

Last year, I wrote a Black Health Matters article entitled, “Older and Better: 6 Tips for Authentic Aging,” that discusses my relationship with aging at 60. Take a moment to read the article here.

What’s your relationship with aging?

How would you describe your aging process?

What’s guiding your aging journey?

A Different World (ADW): Favorite Episodes and What Surprised Me Most About “OG” ADW Characters

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This post is for my fellow A Different World (ADW) fans.

If you have watched the new ADW series, what were your favorite episodes?

What surprised you the most about the “OG” ADW characters’ lives?

MY FAVORITE EPISODES:

Episode 2: I loved the discussion about love, patriarchy, feminism, and bell hooks’ work in Freddie’s class. I also loved the students’ diverse opinions and enjoyed seeing Deborah reach her own understanding of hooks’ wisdom on love. I enjoyed the tutoring scene between Deborah and Ellington. I adored the young love buzzing between Deborah and Shaquille after his football game and Kojo gifting Rashida with a textbook for her Black social movements class.

Episode 7: The relationship confession conversation between Shaquille and Amir was AWESOME. I also loved Rashida’s performance with Kojo’s assistance, Kojo’s fashion show, the exchange between Kojo and his mother Abena, and Deborah’s independent art major presentation that focused on Black girls’ self-love during the talent show.

Episode 8: I was geeked about the tarot card scene between Deborah, Rashida, and Hazel during a spring- break thunderstorm. I think they were using Black Tarot: An Ancestral Awakening Deck and Guidebook by Nyasha Williams, one of my favorite decks that I use regularly. I loved the honest conversations and romantic interactions between Deborah and Shaquille and Rashida and Kojo.

WHAT MOST SURPRISED ME ABOUT “OG” ADW CHARACTERS’ LIVES

Episode 1: Learning Whitley became the founder of a beauty empire called Glitter by Gilbert was surprising. When the original ADW ended, I often thought that Whitley would become a leading museum curator and/or an international art buyer given her previous career as a corporate art buyer at E.H. Wright. I was surprised Dwayne was selected to serve as interim president of Hillman. I was totally shocked that he and Whitley were separated and Ron married Jacqueline who was played by Halle Berry in the original ADW. It was great to see Hillman President Dorothy Dandridge Davenport played by Jenifer Lewis, the “Mother of Black Hollywood.”

Episode 3: Hearing Jaleesa’s conversation with Whitley about her affair with Walter Oakes was shocking.

Episode 6: It was a wonderful surprise to learn Kimberly became a world renown heart surgeon with a full-grown daughter, Brooklyn, a psychologist and Hillman professor who happens to be her Alpha Delta Rho soror. Finding out Byron played by Joe Morton was more like Papa Pope on Scandal was surprising. I always thought he would be a “good-to-shoes.”

Photo Credit: Netflix

A Different World: Favorite Characters

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Calling my fellow A Different World (ADW) fans!

Now that ADW 2026 has launched, who are your favorite characters?

MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS: Professor Freddie Brooks, Esq., Deborah Wayne, and Kojo Achebe

Freddie was my favorite character from the original ADW. I loved her evolution from boho vegan + astrology lover + social justice activist to law student. I could totally relate to her boho spirit! Her Hillman law school journey made me think of my Howard Law journey. I always wondered what type of legal career she had and what happened to her relationship with Ron. Part of me wanted her to work on Black women’s reproductive health issues in a nonprofit organization and have a lifelong partnership with Ron that did not include children.

I love seeing an older and wiser Professor Freddie with her fabulous boho grooviness, social justice passion and activism, turquoise jewelry, love affair with Professor Baptiste (played by actor and comedian Norman Nixon, Jr., Debbie Allen and Norm Nixon’s son), and classroom discussion that referenced bell hooks’ wisdom from “All About Love: New Visions” (1999). Throughout the entire 10 episodes, I kept wondering what happened between Freddie and Ron. Episode 10 answered my question (not gonna spill the tea in case folks haven’t watched the entire series).

I also love Deborah Wayne because she represents a 2026 version of a Black American Princess (BAP) who happens to be a daddy’s girl that drives her BAP momma Whitley CRAZY!!!!! I think Deborah is payback from Whitley and all of her BAP drama. I loved seeing Deborah navigate the ups, downs, and in-betweens of her “freshwoman” year at her parents’ alma mater. I could totally relate to many of her experiences given what happened during my “freshwoman” year at Morgan State University in Baltimore. The writers did an amazing job illustrating her self-discovery journey. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationship dynamics she had with her parents. I also loved the Black girl self-love focus of her independent art major presentation during the talent show.

The character Kojo Achebe stole my heart with his beautiful skin, suave GQ unique style, and London accent. I am a fan of Black British culture, music, art, fashion, food, and everything in between. I totally dig Kojo’s vibe and commitment to becoming a fashion designer. I really love his relationship journey with Rashida. His last name Achebe makes me think of Nigerian author Chinua Achebe and the first time I read his book, “Things Fall Apart” during my “freshwoman” year at Morgan in 1983. Also, I adore Kojo’s parents, Abena Achebe played by Ghanaian-American actress Tina Tena Ansah, and Chukwu played by Richard Mofe‑Damijo, the veteran Nollywood actor. I became a fan when I fell in love with his character Tega Castle, the husband, father, managing partner, and law professor in Castle & Castle, my favorite Nigerian legal series (two seasons on Netflix).

Photo Credit: Netflix

Remembering Ancestor bell hooks

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My soul sistalove Abiola’s Substack post reminded me this morning that yesterday (September 25, 1952) was the heavenly born day of ancestor bell hooks (Gloria Jean Watkins). bell is one of my Thriving Mindfully sheroes whose spirit, wisdom, and literary work has guided me since I discovered her books during my first Saturn Return in the early 1990s. bell’s Ain’t I A Woman Bell Hooks Black Women Feminism and Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery are the two books that helped me understand, define, care for, love, and value myself as I navigated my turbulent 20s and stepped into my calling as an artist, writer, healer, and community builder.

In my 30s and 40s, bell’s Salvation, All About Love, Communion, Remembered Rapture, Bone Black, Feminism Is for Everybody, Art on My Mind, The Will to Change, We Real Cool, A Woman’s Mourning Song, and Rock My Soul anchored and guided me as a creative, and inspired me to write my debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One, and a first memoir, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetical Memoir of Self-Discovery.

Earlier this month, I returned to bell’s beautiful poetry published in her book, When Angels Speak of Love. Her words brought me back to a sweet joy I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was the sweet joy of reading kindred soul’s emotions on paper that breathed life into my own words and reminded me how important it is to continue answering the calling on my life and legacy as a creative.

Below are several quotes featuring some of bell’s most meaningful wisdom that I have cherished.

What are your favorite bell hooks’ books and wisdom?

How did bell impact your life?

REFLECTIONS ON THRIVING MINDFULLY AS A CREATIVE IN THE DMV: The Start of My Second Novel During Harvest Full Moon in Aries

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The Harvest Full Moon in Aries energy in the early morning hours led me back to my creative sanctuary where the labor pains of giving birth to a second novel about Karma Francois Allure, a 60-something year old African American woman simultaneously grieving her past as a wife and daughter in DC, living her present as a guest professor at her alma mater, Morgan State University and museum curator at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore, and dreaming of her future in Bahia, Brazil, reside.

Oh how I love a long sentence with lots of description running wild on my paper and screen.

I know my book editor will probably chop it up in smaller bites before it’s over.

No matter what happens at least I can say I breathed life into the seeds that formed the sentences that have my creative heart jumping for joy in this beautiful moment.

In case inquiring minds want to know more about Karma Francois Allure in her 30s, check out my debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One (2007).

Harvest Full Moon in Aries Reflections: Creative Mornings Baltimore & Autumn Afternoon Retreat

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Happy Harvest Full Moon in Aries!

Are you celebrating the Harvest Full Moon? What does your Harvest Full Moon celebration look and feel like?

Need some inspiration?

Take a moment and listen to my spoken word song, “Full Moon” that is featured on my Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter album. The album was produced by Garnet Jay a/k/a Garnet Jackson, founder of Footprint Productions. Garnet also composed the music for each song.

I started my Harvest Full Moon celebration a day early with a trip to Baltimore, one of my favorite creative sanctuaries. Since the Spring season began, my soul sistalove Ayesha (who currently lives in Baltimore) and I have been “moonifesting” our intentions of spending time together and connecting with the CreativeMornings Baltimore community on a regular basis. So far, we’ve been blessed to participate in several gatherings like the one we attended on Friday that featured speaker Krishna Sharma, audience engagement editor at The Baltimore Beat, at the SNF Parkway Theater (another fav B-more venue).

Krishna’s talk on the currents of his life helped me explore the autumn season currents in my life during the afternoon retreat Ayesha and I co-created with tarot readings, journaling, drawing, and sharing while eating yummy food ftom the Land of Kush, sipping peppermint tea, reading poetry and life lessons from sacred books, and listening and singing to music on our curated playlist in her living room. ALL I CAN SAY IS A TIME WAS HAD!!!

After I returned to DC, I headed to my hair appointment with my soul sistalove Evette. After we plotted out my autumn look, she worked her magic and made our vision come alive! My trip to Baltimore and hair cut were exactly what I needed in order to jumpstart my Full Moon journey.

Underground Railroad Month Event Recap: Family History Conversation on September 19th at Lewis Museum in Baltimore

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On September 19th, the Reginald E. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture hosted a family history fireside chat between me and my dad, Dr. John F. Leeke. We thoroughly enjoyed sharing the diversity of our ancestors and their Underground Railroad journey that are featured in our book, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. We also loved discussing my dad’s career, the impact of his work, and some of the key lessons he has learned.

It was great to engage with and listen to the stories of community members and museum staff and volunteers.

Get More Information About & Buy “American Change Agent”

Special thanks to Terry Taylor-Nock, Education Programs Manager at the Lewis Museum, and her team for making the event a success!

Many thanks to everyone who attended the event!

If you are in or travel to Baltimore, make sure you check out the Lewis Museum’s current exhibition, “THE LINES WE CROSS: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America” (closes next year on October 31, 2027) that traces how Black Marylanders have pushed boundaries, broken systems, and shaped the social, cultural, and political landscape of America.

Reflections on Thriving Mindfully as a Creative in the DMV: Finding and documenting JOY in my daily life

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Finding and documenting JOY in my daily life is one of my self-care practices that helps me embrace, embody, and express Thriving Mindfully.

In August, I started taking slow and mindful walks that offered space to notice and appreciate the color of doors on houses and buildings located on side streets in my U Street neighborhood. My eyes were amazed!

Check out the photos below. Which door is your favorite and why?

I imagined the inspiration that guided each person to choose their door color. I even made up some stories about the people using the colors of the chakra energy system as inspiration. For example, I imagined there is a 60 something African American woman writer (like me!) living in the house with the yellow door who is working on her next memoir and second novel. She’s been experiencing creative blocks all summer. I think she decides to sit on her porch with her cup of green tea, floral journal, and pen in the early mornings with her back resting against the yellow door. On many days she just sits, breathes in and out, and slowly sips her tea. No writing. Just being. And then one day that comes close to the end of the month, she is inspired to write. Another day of writing occurs. Then a week of journaling brings her into a new month called September. She continues to write in her journal and starts to explore why she is blocked. At the end of her journal entry, she thanks her yellow door for supporting her back as she writes. She tells the door that its yellow color has been a reminder to tap into her third chakra energy of persistence and determination as she moves through her creative blocks.

MORE ON THRIVING MINDFULLY

Learn more about my heart-centered approach to being present, well, and the REAL ME by listening to my spoken word song, “Thriving Mindfully Theme” that is featured on my debut spoken word album, Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter. Garnet Jay, my BFF Soul Brothalove, music producer, and founder of Footprint Productions, composed the music for the song.

Reflections on Thriving Mindfully as a DMV Creative: The Meaning of CURRENT & Highlights from Creative Mornings DC Gathering

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This morning, I started thinking about who I am in the CURRENT moment while attending my favorite monthly Creative Mornings DC gathering at the Goethe Institute. This month’s global theme is CURRENT. That word evokes the “flow and glow of water.” It also reminds me of our birthright of mindfulness, the ability to be aware of what’s happening inside and outside of us in the present moment.

During this morning’s gathering, I pressed paused on my exploration of who am I in the CURRENT moment so I could take in the insights of three community member speakers, Alex Smider, Alisa Tang, and Morgan Davis. I enjoyed each of their talks because they reminded me of how courageous, inspiring, and powerful it is to stand before others and share parts of yourself and creativity. What gifts they gave us! Thank you Alex, Alisa, and Morgan!

After the gathering, I stopped by Brew on U to get a matcha with coconut milk (today’s treat). While walking home and sipping my matcha, I resumed my inner conversation about who I am in the CURRENT moment. I started with a revised two-part question.

QUESTION: Who am I in this CURRENT moment and what is my “flow and glow”?

PART 1 OF MY ANSWER: I am a human BE-ING born and bred to be a creative with a multi-passionate heart that guides my embodiment, energy, existence, expression, and evolution as a multidiscplinary artist, author, mindfulness professional, and community builder. What a mouthful! It definitely doesn’t camouflage my love of long sentences!

PART 2 OF MY ANSWER: My “flow and glow” refers to how I choose to show up and move through my daily life. It finds its rhythm in my spoken word song, “Flow and Glow” that appears on my Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter album. It is best explained by a CURRENT acronym I received as a divine download that turned into soul medicine earlier this week.

C: Slow down and be intentional about my daily CHOICES and how they support my ability to be present, well, and the real me

U: UNAPOLOGETICALLY,

R: ROOTED in my values, and

R: RESILIENT due to my heart-centered commitments that nurture my

E: ENERGY and

N: NERVOUS system.

T: I call it THRIVING mindfully!

MY INVITATION TO YOU: Slow down and explore who you are in the CURRENT moment. What is your “flow and glow”?

Please share your insights with me in the comment section of this post or via email – ananda@anandaleeke.com.

Need some inspiration to “flow and glow”? Listen to my spoken word song, “Flow and Glow.” The music was composed by Garnet Jay, my BFF soul brothalove, music producer, and founder of Footprint Productions.

Get more information about, buy, and download my Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter album.

Tri-State Alert Publishes Article About the Leek/Leeke Family’s Underground Railroad Journey

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News Talk 107.3 FM Correspondent Rich Roche, and Tri-State Alert, wrote a great article entitled “Hagerstown Roots: Fuels Author’s Mission to Honor Ancestors” about my Leek/Leeke family’s Underground Railroad journey and the book, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion that my dad, Dr. John F. Leeke and I wrote. Click the button to read it.

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