HoodSmart: The Urban STEMulus Project

Monday Motivation! 💪🏾🔥 Honor those who came before you, and be intentional for the ones who will come after you! That’s what this is all about. Click the link in the bio for more and share with someone you believe in! ✨

“Life is war. Family is an army,” African Proverb.

Last year we celebrated my Daddy’s 80th birthday. Last week we celebrated his 81st. In August, we will celebrate our Queen’s 80th! I am grateful for every experience!

I am very blessed to be guided by Ancestors and surrounded by elders who have dedicated their lives to building and cultivating strong Black families.

When we are clear about our purpose, embrace our precolonial culture, reject foolishness masked as freedom, and stand firm in our morals and value, the entire family wins! Why? Because love, culture, and clarity builds self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-respect. These are the attributes our youth need to not just survive, but thrive!

I want to acknowledge my parents, neither of whom has a college degree. However, they are well studied. I know for certain, my Daddy is among the SMARTEST people on the planet! He can go toe to toe, round for round with anyone about any topic - and at 81 years young,
he will still beat you in a game of chess.

Happy 81st birthday to my daddy, Natambu ElShabazz! The greatest man I will ever know. You are a warrior King of this lifetime. I cannot imagine getting to this point without you. You are my protector, my friend, my first love, and most definitely the life of the party. I’m just like you!

My daddy dances twice a week, four hours straight, with elders his age and older. Never stop moving!

High vibrational Culture is oxygen. Dance is medicine.

Grateful ❤️🖤💚✨🙌🏿

This is what some of the youth had to say about the Illuminate Your Black Brilliance Awards ceremony! 🙌🏾 What were YOUR thoughts and reactions? 💭 Comment below!

If you didn’t get to watch it, message us for a link! ❤️🖤💚

“I charge you to leave here today knowing that you are resilient. You are unstoppable. And above all, you are unapologetically brilliant.” — Ateya Ball-Lacy, Creator of the Illuminate Your Black Brilliance Awards 🎤✨

✨Awardee Highlights✨

Black Brilliance is all day, every day! Do you know these key figures whose legacies continue to shape our future? 💭

The Illuminate Your Black Brilliance Awards honors each award in the spirit of an ancestor who paved the way. Their impact is the foundation. Stream the ceremony to learn who they are and why their names matter. ✊🏾❤️🖤💚

The Illuminate Your Black Brilliance Awards✨continues to make waves this Black History Month🏆🖤 We’re currently streaming at #5 on !

You can still catch the celebration all weekend long!
📺 Thursday at 9:30PM
📺 Friday at 9PM
📺 Saturday at 7PM
📺 Sunday at 8PM

This Wednesday at 3PM, Ateya Ball-Lacy will be joined by PGCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph and DuVal High School .sga STEM Award recipient Kaitlin Rowe ._ on Great Day Washington !

You don’t want to miss this segment! Tune-in and use so we know you’re watching! 🙌🏾❤️🖤💚