Tag: book-review

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

Celebrating Older Americans Month in May: Highlights from American Change Agent Book Discussion at Next Chapter Book Shop & Cafe in Hagerstown, MD

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Did you know Older Americans Month is celebrated in May?

HISTORY

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens met and decided to designate May as Senior Citizens Month to to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of past and current older persons.

When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Older Americans Act in 1965, the Senior Citizens Month became known as Older Americans Month. Its purpose shifted to highlighting the need for services and community support for older Americans. The Administration for Community Living promotes the annual observance.

HOW I AM CELEBRATING OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

This year, my dad, Dr. John F. Leeke and I are celebrating Older Americans Month by encouraging folks who are over 60 to share and document their life stories and lessons learned with their family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, community, fellow club/church/group/service organization members, and/or online network in small, medium, and big ways.

On May 2nd, we had an opportunity to share some of my dad’s life stories and lessons learned during book talk for his memoir, American Change Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (2025) at the Next Chapter Book Shop and Cafe in Hagerstown, Maryland.

During the discussion, we shared why Hagerstown is important to our Leak/Leek family history in America. In the early 1840s, Peter and Catherine Leak/Leek and their 14 children escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad and traveled approximately 410 miles to freedom in Amherstburg, Canada. Leonard Leak/Leek, my father’s great-grandfather was one of Peter and Catherine’s sons. Read his obituary below.

My dad also shared life stories that highlighted the importance of his lesson #2: Relationships are essential to your development and the impact you make on the world. His sharing sparked a discussion lively discussion among audience members.

FYI Chapter 22 in American Change Agent is entitled “A Legacy Gift for You: Lessons Learned.” It contains his top 10 lessons.

VISIT HERE to learn more about and purchase American Change Agent.

Many thanks to Dr. Genie Massey and the Maryland League of Women Voters for organizing the event.

Special thanks to Melissa and Bryan Noel, owners of Next Chapter Cafe’ & Book Shop, and their amazing team for hosting the event.

A deep bow of gratitude to my brother Matt for taking photos and recording videos during the book discussion.

MY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO SHARE & DOCUMENT YOUR LIFE STORIES & LESSONS LEARNED

1) Reflect and journal about the top one to three lessons you learned during your teen years, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s in your personal life, relationships, career, health, or finances. Look for any themes of resilience, intentional living, practicing gratitude, setting boundaries, asking for help, overcoming doubt and fear, or embracing change and joy.

2) Share what you have written with your chosen network of folks who would benefit from your lessons learned in a conversation, letter, email, blog, social media post, artwork, video, audio recording. and in-person or online gathering.

3) Consider turning your life stories and lessons learned into a Word or pdf document and/or an e-book with photos.

4) Write and publish a book.