I Live In North Carolina, Is There A Cat Cafe Near Me?

October 19, 2020 by Roni Filed Under: Charlotte, Uncategorized

Have you heard of a cat cafe? If not, you aren’t alone! It’s a relatively new concept that is becoming more popular, and it’s a dream for those who love and adore cats! Depending on where you live, you can easily get to one of these cat havens and get you cuddle on! Ok, but what exactly is a cat cafe? And are you wondering, ‘is there is a cat cafe near me?’

What Is A Cat Cafe?

Did you know they now have cafes for cat lovers? Yep! There are cafes where you can choose to either have something to drink and a bit to eat and interact with cats, or you can simply go specifically for cuddly interaction.

Basically a cat cafe is a place for cat lovers to hang out and watch and sometimes play with cats. The cats are the queens and kings, meaning they usually have full run of the space. Each cafe is different, but the basic premise is you pay a fee in exchange for interacting with cats.

Since I am allergic to cats and would literally end up in the emergency room if I went to one of these cat cafes, I relied on my friend Valerie to give us the deets of cat cafes. She has been to all of these and has the inside knowledge you need to make your visit the best it can be.

Are There Cat Cafes Near Me?

If you live in Charlotte, then yes. You have at least two cafes to choose from. Daily Mews Charlotte and Mac Tabby Cafe are your two options. They both

Are you near Chapel Hill? Make sure to visit Cat Tales Cafe

If you’re near Greensboro/Winston-Salem the Crooked Tail Cafe

Do you live near Kernsville? Waffles and Whiskersis where you want to go.

If Raleigh is where you are, then Purr Cup Cafe is the spot nearest you.

What’s It Like To Visit a Cat Cafe?

Earlier I mentioned my friend Valerie has been to several cat cafes. One in South Carolina, two in Ohio and three in North Carolina. Check out her IG!

2. What makes a cat cafe stand out for you?
I like it when a cafe has an inviting atmosphere from the staff when I arrive, it needs to be super clean and the lounge area needs to be appealing.

3. There are 2 cat cafes here in Charlotte, which is your favorite and why?

Daily Mews Cat Cafe (which is who I adopted from) is my favorite here in Charlotte. They were very friendly and made me feel extremely welcomed with I arrived. I also noticed and they were attentive to the other customers and to the cats throughout my visit.

One of the staff is usually in the lounge to give you any information that you would like to know about each cats personality, to answer questions about adoption, and to make sure that you are enjoying your visit.

4. Do you recommend wearing a certain type of clothing?

Any clothing would be fine. Maybe not dark colors due to showing cat hair more. Although, most cafes will have lint brushes available to get any cat hair off of you once your hour is up. Even a dress or skirt would be ok, as you can sit on the floor with cats but there is also a good amount of chairs, sofas, etc. to sit on as well.

I have been to one cafe that wanted you to take your shoes off once entering the lounge. They also provide little socks in case you didn’t have any on once you took your shoes off. It was not mandatory but highly suggested.

5. You told me the one in Chapel Hill is your favorite, why?

Out of all the cafes I’ve been to, Cat Tales Cat Cafe in Chapel Hill, NC is my favorite. The co-owner went above and beyond, and customer service was wonderful. She was extremely friendly, chatty, and welcoming.

The cafe set up is very cute, organized, clean, and tidy. All the cats seemed to love it there. There were lots of windows for the cats to look out of, and the gift shop had a full variety of different things to buy such as toys, cat nip, clothing, books, magnets, pens, stickers, mugs, and even locally made face masks. I will definitely go back to this one!

Not to mention the whole area of downtown Chapel Hill is great. There is plenty of public parking, restaurants, breweries and even a ice cream shop. It’s very easy and safe to walk around the area, and it’s definitely a place you’d want to spend the afternoon.

So what do you think? Is a cat cafe something you’d enjoy visiting?

Both Val and I work as baggage handlers. Besides flight benefits, have you ever wondered what that job entails? Find out here!

If you are planning a trip with friends, you wanna check out my post on the crucial questions to ask before you travel. These may just save your friendship!

Are you traveling soon? This post gives you 100 expert tips to help you travel as stress free as possible.

Did you know I have an Etsy shop? I’ve created so many pretty things! Check them out here.

Grief and Mourning…What You Can Do To Help

October 10, 2020 by Roni Filed Under: Uncategorized

This post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission when you order

“Let me know if you need anything.”

This is something people often say when tragedy strikes, with grief and mourning sure to follow. Friends and family often do their best to come to the rescue of the ones who are dealing with the unexpected loss.

But what does saying ‘let me know if you need anything’ that really mean? Do you expect someone who is deep in the depths of this new reality that they don’t want, to stop and say, “Oh ok. I need some toilet paper, and could use some trash bags. Thanks.”

Instead of saying this rather benign phrase that doesn’t help anyone, be proactive.

Grief and mourning…things you can do to help

1. Do you know what they like to eat? They may not be hungry but setting up a food delivery service for a week or two or a month after things calm down would be helpful.

2. Do they enjoy music? Get them a gift card to download music. Music can be healing to the tortured soul.

3. Do they have a housekeeper? If not, why not offer to have someone come over and clean? Give the gift to someone close to them if they aren’t in the position to do anything at the moment. That person can then make sure the gift is used when it’s needed.

4. Do they have kids? Buy the kids some toys that won’t make tons of noise. Pre-Covid I would say go pick them up and take them somewhere but Covid makes that tricky. Here are a couple of things that are good for kids and won’t bother their parents.

5. If you are close enough to them, go take the trash out, rake their leaves, clean their gutters. Go wash their car. Or hire someone to do it.

6. Send them a gift card to their favorite store. Online shopping can be done from home and can temporarily distract someone from the unbelievable pain they are in.

7. Write a card, and I don’t mean one of those horrible pre-written sympathy cards. Actually take pen to paper and write to them in a blank card. Tell them how you feel about them and how sorry you are. Drop it off at the front door or mail it. It’s so much better than sending a text. I created blank greeting cards, check them out here.

8. Go to the store and buy essentials. EVERYONE needs water, toilet paper, trash bags, cleaning supplies, disinfectant wipes, etc. If they like juice, beer, wine, alcohol, those are easy things to drop by. Leave them at the door.

9. Do they need money? Add some cash to a card.

10. If you have access to their home, look around and see what needs to be done. Wash clothes, clean something. Arrange something. DO SOMETHING. While you’re doing these tasks, take note of the type of products they use and then buy some more.

Everyone needs laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid. If they don’t have to think about these types of things, it can help because every little bit of help possible is needed while dealing with grief and mourning.

Grief Coping Skills

Remember, everyone grieves differently. Acknowledging the grief coping skills of those you love will help you cater to their needs. Do they love watching particular types of movies or TV shows? Do they love to workout? Would they enjoy a ride to the beach to listen (and possibly get in) the ocean?

If you know someone, it’s important that you do the things that matter to them, not the things that you want them to do. Be the person in their life that isn’t asking anything of them, nor demanding that they use grief coping skills that make YOU comfortable.

Recently a friend of mine came over after hearing my cousin committed suicide. Everyone who knows me knows that I love massages, but I didn’t feel like one at the time. He INSISTED on rubbing my feet, which I didn’t want.

There was no rhyme or reason to my logic, I just didn’t feel like having my feet rubbed. Do not pressure someone into doing anything. A good friend will never insist, and will do what is necessary, not what they want to do.

10 ways to help someone dealing with grief and mourning

set up a food delivery service
gift them music
hire a housekeeper
buy toys for the kids that don’t make noise
help out around the house
buy them a gift card to their favorite store(s)
send them a thoughtful card
buy essential household items
give them money
do tasks around the home

These are just off the top of my head. And don’t just show your concern in the days after. Months go by but people seem to forget and the family is now left alone to deal with things, so keep checking on them.

But please, don’t expect someone to reach out to you, because mourning is a beast. It catches your breath and will only allow you to breathe shallow breaths until the tears roll down your face uncontrollably.

It has no time limit, it doesn’t care what you were doing or wanted to do. Grief will hit you when it feels like it and when this happens, no one wants to think about the things they need, because the things they really need is for their loved one to not be dead.

What do you do to help your friends and family when they are mourning?

Want some more posts? This is another list post that helps you NOT be a jerk when traveling.

This one gives you 100 tips on how to not be a hot mess when traveling.

Short Travel Stories: My Crazy And Almost Dangerous Uber Ride In Cape Town, South Africa

August 14, 2020 by Roni Filed Under: Africa, Uncategorized

I think short travel stories are fun, and boy do I have one for you! When I was spending a month in Cape Town, I used Uber on the daily. It was all kinds of awesome to get into a car and talk to the driver because so many drivers weren’t from South Africa. I met men from all over the continent, and just being able to hear their stories as to why they were in Cape Town and what their country was like was truly wonderful.

And then there was Joe.

We are gonna call him Joe to protect the crazy that is…well…Joe. Ready?

One of My Short Travel Stories

I was leaving the airport in Cape Town when Joe walked up to me. I was in the middle of ordering my Uber when he asked,

CRAZY JOE:”Do you need a taxi?”

ME: “No thanks.”

CRAZY JOE: “I am an Uber driver as well. I can take you.”

ME: “How does that work if I don’t order you?”

CRAZY JOE: “It’s ok. There is a spot outside of the airport where you can order it and I can accept.”

So I said ok and got in the car. Now, in hindsight I shouldn’t have done this, but I was tired, cranky, a bit sad and I just wanted to get back to my apartment.

I’ll spare you all the boring details but after I got into his car and we started driving, Crazy Joe couldn’t get connect with my Uber request. We tried several times and no matter what we did, whenever I requested an Uber, his car would not show up. I must have ordered no less than 8 or 9 Uber rides in hopes that he would get chosen. He didn’t.

Are you looking for cute face masks? I make them!

This whole time we are driving back into the city and getting closer and closer to my apartment. At this point I’m not bothered because I did my part to try and follow the rules he set.

As we get closer to my apartment he says, “So what are we gonna do?”

ME: (trying not to laugh at him) “We?”

CRAZY JOE: “Yes. We. You can’t possibly think I’m going to do this for free?”

ME: I tried to do what you wanted but it didn’t work. I don’t have any cash on me and I’m not going to the bank to get money. I don’t know what you want me to tell you.”

This exchange goes on for a while and we get to my apartment. As I’m getting out he says, “I need you to think like an adult and not a child. You have to pay.”

It’s always a constant battle for me to NOT curse people out when they piss me off. But I’m trying to live by biblical principles so I haven’t cursed anyone out in a while. But I do have a death gaze and I was giving my best one to Crazy Joe.

ME: “Think like an adult?”

CRAZY JOE: “Yes. You are being childish and I need to get paid. That was a long ride and you have to pay me. Here is what we will do. You will order an Uber and I’ll accept. I will drive back out to the airport and stop it when I get back to where I started. Order it now.”

Do you have any idea what my face looked like while he was talking? Oh, he wasn’t finished.

CRAZY JOE: “If you don’t order it I’m going to call the police.”

ME: “Call the cops! They are gonna call you a little punk for being ridiculous over this fare that was your idea in the first place. YOU are the one who approached me. YOU are the one who said you would be able to get the fare. This was all your idea. Go ahead, call them.”

Now at this point, I’m furious. He is being so condescending and truly feels like he’s in the right. I mean…like any part of me was going to let this ~~fool~~ I mean Uber driver take off and drive to who knows where on my account.

By now, I have taken all of my bags inside of the foyer and we are standing face to face. He is starting to scare me because I realize it’s dark, he’s a man, I’m in a foreign country.

I can’t call my uncles to come beat this man up (Ok I try to be non-violent but my uncles don’t live by the same creed as I do so it’s fair to call them) and he knows where I live. I need to end this conversation.

As I close the security gate I said, “I’m not paying you. I tried to do what you wanted, and was even willing to have you come back tomorrow to get some cash. But now you’re being a complete jerk and I’m not giving you one Rand. Call the cops if you want but I’m done with this conversation. The next time you try and be slick, think about how this turned out.” I then slammed the security gate, opened my apartment door, and ran up the stairs.

I can’t lie, I was scared. I mean…he was standing outside of my apartment and he was on his phone. I had NO idea what would happen if the cops came but I knew I wasn’t answering the door no matter what.

I turned off all the lights in my apartment and starting tiptoeing (which was silly. He couldn’t hear me so I had no idea why I was doing that). I looked out of the window after several minutes and he was still there. When I say look, I mean peeked. Cause I was afraid to open the blinds all the way.

Now I did call my lawyer (who was in Los Angeles) because I was a ~~little~~ scared that this man was gonna go wild, call his friends, and harass me. But my lawyer explained I was in the clear and I had nothing to worry about. The cops never came and he eventually left. Thankfully he didn’t come back the next day.

What would you have done?

Have you ever had a crazy taxi/Uber ride?

Questions On Travel…How To Stay Safe While Traveling During A Pandemic

August 13, 2020 by Roni Filed Under: Planning, Uncategorized

Photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash

This post contains affiliate links.

2020 has been a beast of a year, to say the least. In the travel industry, we have seen a significant decline in flights and passengers. So much so that CNN reports a 96% drop in air travel since the start of the pandemic.

However, after several months of stay-at-home orders, many people are now feeling more comfortable since many cities are opening up. Travel is starting to become something many people are considering. According to NPR, many U.S. airlines are adding flights. What does this mean for you and your travel plans?

Please remember, no matter whether you fly or not, Covid-19 has over 20 million documented cases worldwide and it isn’t slowing down. If you are an American citizen, your options for travel are extremely limited. However, whether you are traveling out of the country or not, there are things you can do to help keep you as safe as possible.

Questions on travel while at the airport

Keeping yourself as safe as possible doesn’t start when you get on the plane. It starts before you leave home. Arranging your things in your bag in an orderly fashion before you arrive at the airport will help you keep your anxiety down. Think about the order you will be taking things out of your bag and pack accordingly. Check out these 100 tips to help you not be a hot mess while traveling.

For instance, if you do not have TSA PreCheck and you have to remove your computer, belt, shoes etc, there is no reason to put your computer inside of its case. If you take all of the things that you know you will have to take out in one section of your bag, you won’t have to think about what you need to remove.

Once you enter the airport, you can wear disposable gloves and use those to touch the kiosks. This kiosk screens are not disinfected often, so the less you touch them with your hands, the better. If wearing gloves isn’t a possibility, you can wipe the screen down before you touch it. Make sure you also wipe down the area on the kiosk where you retrieve your tickets.

While standing in security, there should be lines on the floor to help you stand 6 feet behind the person in front of you. Make sure you adhere to those lines. The CDC recommends you stay at least 6 feet away from others. Read more about their guidelines here.

The people in this line are standing too close. Don’t be like these people.

Please throw those gloves away once you have gone through security, and do not touch your phone with those gloves. If you wear your gloves and touch your phone and all of your personal items after you have touched the public surfaces, the gloves are no longer protecting you.

PRO TIP: If you don’t want your items to touch the bins that are provided at security, simply pack several sheets of paper towels in your bag and lay them in the bin before you put your items inside. Easy peasy!

Questions on travel while on the plane

You may have some questions on travel while on your flight. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, I hope this can give you some guidance as to how you can travel during COVID-19.

Is it possible to travel safely during a pandemic? Listen, there is no full proof way to avoid catching Covid-19 except for staying at home. Period. However, if you want to take a trip, there are things you can do to minimize your exposure. One of these ways is to disinfect your airplane seat.

How to disinfect my airplane seat? I have been using Nice Seats for years and I love them. It’s one of the best ways to keep yourself away from all of the nasty airplane germs. The cover protects your whole seat and allows you to sit in peace. You do still need to disinfect the armrest, the seat belt and buckle, the knobs above your head and the table tray. Use code TRAVELGURU on their site and get 20% off!

See my NiceSeat? I use them all the time!

What do you need in order to keep safe while traveling? If you include the following in your carry-on, you will be doing what you can to help protect yourself.

masks – many airlines are requiring that you use masks when boarding a flight, and you can be denied boarding if you do not have one. Get one of my handmade ones here.
sanitizer – This will allow you to clean your hands throughout your flight.
wipes – You will need disinfectant wipes in order to sanitize your area. You should also take wipes with you when you go to the bathroom so you can use them to touch the door and the knobs.
slippers/socks -If you want to walk around on the plane but don’t want to stay in your shoes, bring slippers or socks. Do not walk around barefoot. That is just nasty. Socks can also be helpful when you are walking through security if you don’t want to have your bare feet on the floor if you have to take your shoes off.
paper towels – If you want to put your purse on the floor in front of you, use some of the paper towels. Put them down on the floor to keep the germs off of your bag.
If you choose to check a bag, do not stand right next to the other passengers near the carrousel. Please stay at least 6 feet away and if you can’t get to your bag safely, just wait for it to get to a less crowded area. Sanitize your bag before you take it with you.
Plastic bags – You can put your socks in a bag after you take them off if you don’t want them to be inside of your purse of carry-on. Also, it is always a good idea to carry a few plastic bags, they just come in handy. I like the ones that zip like this one below.

Can I avoid catching Covid-19 while traveling?

No. No one can tell you that you can 100% guarantee that you will not catch Covid-19, even if you take all of these precautions. However, if you put these things into practice, it will decrease your chances of catching anything you don’t want. We have to embrace this new normal that this pandemic is presenting, and if you choose to fly, it would be smart to protect yourself as much as possible.

Do you have any trips planned this summer? Do you feel safe flying during this pandemic?

5 Things You Didn’t Know Were In Soweto

July 20, 2020 by Roni Filed Under: South Africa, Uncategorized

Soweto is often shown on the news and cable shows, but they seem to focus on the poverty. Yes, there is poverty in Soweto. Did you know there is much more to Soweto than what you’ve probably been shown? Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know existed in Soweto.

5 things you didn’t know were in Soweto

1. University of Johannesburg, Soweto campus

If you believe all of the negativity from most news sources, you’d think there were only starving children in Africa. However, you won’t find starving kids on this campus. You will find hundreds of African students doing what students do all over the world…learning and thriving in comfort and security.

The university was established in 2005, and their mission can be described as follows: “inspiring its community to transform and serve humanity through innovation and the collaborative pursuit of knowledge”.

The six strategic objectives of the University are:

Excellence in Research and Innovation.
Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
An International Profile for Global Excellence and Stature.
Enriching Student-Friendly Learning and Living Experience.
Active National and Global Reputation Management, and
Fitness for Global Excellence and Stature (GES).

Are you surprised that this excellent institution is in Soweto?

2. Beautiful Houses

On my first trip to South Africa in 2003 I was completely blown away when I saw all of the beautiful houses. And there wasn’t just one street, there were several neighborhoods filled with immaculate houses with manicured lawns.

When I went back in 2016, I took another tour and was equally amazed at all of the lovely homes. It seemed that the area had gotten bigger and the homes were even more beautiful than they were when I first visited.

Why it is, do you think, that we never get to see these type of pictures from Soweto? Why is the narrative always one of poverty and despair?

3. World Class Theatre

Whaaaat? A theater in Soweto? Yep, and it’s beautiful inside and out. This theatre has a plethora of choices for thespians of all ages, and you can have enchanting experiences if you choose to spend some time in this lovely establishment. You can find out more information about this theater here.

Did you know I make stickers, greeting cards, and coloring pages? Discover them here!

4. Wine Bar

I ate calamari and drank champagne at this lovely wine bar in Soweto. If you visit Soweto you must stop here, sit on the patio, and enjoy your meal and/or your drink. Plus, this is on the same street as Mandela’s home so you will probably pass it anyway, why not stop?

5. A 4 Star Hotel

Did you know you can have a 4 star hotel experience in Soweto? The picture below is from the lobby which is pretty swanky, right?

And there you have it, 5 things you probably didn’t know about Soweto. One of the things I love most about traveling is sharing my experiences with others. It is my hope that after seeing this post, you are starting to have a different image of what Africa has to offer.

Are you surprised these things exist there? Have you been to Africa?

Why You Should Hire A Black Content Creator Over 40

July 3, 2020 by Roni Filed Under: Uncategorized

Are you looking for a Black content creator 40 and over? What is the benefit of having a content creator that is a little seasoned? They have the maturity and experience that their younger counterparts do not. That in and of itself provides value.

Black women are not a monolith, we exist and have existed in the blogging space for years. We are not new to this. Being a Black woman is so varied, we can write about anything. We have followers that trust us, and we are ready to work with brands that value what we have to offer.

An older content creator can give you a perspective that is based on more than what is popular at the moment. Their depth and range of understanding is unmatched, and should be valued. From crafting to motherhood to finance, these Black content creators over 40 are dispelling stereotypes, one post at a time.

Black Content Creators Over 40

You know me! I’m Roni and at 49, I have been traveling the world in style for over 30 years. I show how easy it is to travel well, no matter your budget by helping my audience travel stress free. For the past 10 years I have been a content creator, sharing my expertise on this here blog. I also make masks, sell Black girl travel stickers, and teach other business owners how to pitch with my video pitching course.

Sheilita is the Crafting Queen, and her specialty is making pretty things that make women feel beautiful. From masks to her La Femme bows to teaching people how to create their own version of beautiful with her group classes, Sheilita is a content creator that any brand focused on creating beautiful things needs to hire.

Karen is so dope, Michael’s had her teach online business classes. Karen does it all. She is one of those women that can master anything, and makes it look easy. She is creative in ways that are not possible for most, and she shows you how she does it on her website, Ms Creative CEO.

Anitra Durand-Allen is the Editor and Chief Mom at The Mom On the Move where she helps busy moms get more done in less time with less stress. Anitra is a 40-something mom of teenagers. She shares parenting, educational, and travel content for parents of teenagers and relationship content from all she’s learned being happily married to her college sweetheart.

Nicole is a recently turned vegan food and travel blogger who has visited 25 countries across six continents and 48 states. She highlights the best savory vegan eats across the globe and shares with like-minded travelers how to eat and travel healthy.Find her blog at www.nickysavorytravels.com

Ursula shows you how fabulous the Caribbean is in her Caribbean focused blog www.caribbeanandco.com 🍹

Dee endeavors to keep it upbeat on her blog, refreshing talk as she shares her faith, inspiration, travels, her fascination with all things space & NASA…and more. It’s her hope that her readers leave uplifted and encouraged!

Kiva combines motherhood and food, and shows you how to do both to the best of your ability on her Instagram,Www.instagram.com/thefunfoodiemama

Dr. Renee would like you to #LiveLifeYouDeserve, she talks about health, wealth and happiness. AskDrRenee.info is a resource for information regarding overhaul health and wellness. http://askdrrenee.info

Dr. Lisa is a pharmacist turned holistic eating and healthy living expert, writing ‘prescriptions’ for health and wellness, using whole foods for whole and intentional living. You can find her at https://thedomesticlifestylist.com

Joyce Brewer is a midlife mom living in Atlanta, GA with her husband and their 10-year-old son. The Emmy award-winning journalist started her talk show in 2010. She previously worked as a local TV news anchor in Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri. Now she covers hot topics, parenting, and product reviews with her son. Occasionally CNN, Atlanta TV stations and publications will ask Joyce’s opinion on trending topics which you can find at https://mommytalkshow.com

Eva Greene Wilson is a Caribbean American blogger at SocaMom.com. She is an author and founder of the SocaMom Summit, a conference highlighting issues important to the Caribbean diaspora.

Porshia shows you how to simplify life with wellness, routines, plant-based food, & affirmations. https://withloveontop.com/

Roodlyne runs a lifestyle blog aim to promote self-care, positive Affirmations, parenting, gardening and overall healthy lifestyle.Https://anointedheels.com

LaShawn is an Instagram guru whose IG feed will inspire you. https://instagram.com/lashawnwiltz

Latricia Bower has been blogging since 2009 on 1stopmom.com She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and host giveaways, reviews products and places. On her blog she share tips for a happy family life while also covering technology and entertainment.

Samantha Nelson is the content creator behind ThoseCrazyNelsons and inspires busy families to travel with kids. They can be found around Nashville, TN, chatting about the benefits of family travel and encouraging families to avoid waiting for retirement before living an engaged and fulfilling life.

Christine is a blogger, speaker, and trainer, known as the FLY Mom™ of Moms ‘N Charge®. She started MomsNCharge.com in 2012 because she wanted to empower moms to go after their goals and dreams, without sacrificing them to motherhood. On the blog, you’ll find black love, entertainment, and motivation around parenting, homeschooling and entrepreneurship. She is a homeschool mom of 3 and wife of 1 for almost 15 years.

Sandrell is a 46-year-old New Orleans area mother of three, wife, health coach, and fitness instructor. Her blog has a faith-inspired, healthy lifestyle, fitness, and wellness focus for women. Please check her out at https://naturalflydiva.com

Tomika is the thought leader at Life in Pumps where she helps families balance the mess in the busyness of life. You will find tips on getting the most out of travel, organic living, entertainment and how to sport fabulous shoes on a budget.

Turkesha is an International Social Media and Branding Manager turned Influencer who is currently raising three gentlemen in this crazy world. She is a Social Media Marketing Professional who loves sharing beauty tips, her travel adventures, her Yoga journey and the amazing adventures of mommy life with the world. You can find her at https://Naturalbabydol.com

The Bernetta Style blog is a lifestyle and resource site, focused on family, fitness, finances & faith. These are four areas that currently make up her life while dreaming big daily. She’s happy to share her experiences, hacks, tips and motivate as many women as she can into doing things that add joy to life (while keeping some $ in your pocket).

CaNesha is the creator of Crowned CaNesha (https://www.crownedcanesha.com/) an influential lifestyle blog for women who want to learn to love the life they have instead of the one they envisioned.

Danyelle Smith Little blogs about being a working mom of 2. You can find her at TheCubicleChick.com.

The Patranila Project (https://thepatranilaproject.com) is a beauty and lifestyle destination that highlights ways in which every woman can Elevate the Everyday.

Mimi is a wife, a mother of two and a Media Correspondent in the Washington, DC area. She is quite possibly the dopest person you know. You can find her working media at your favorite events, traveling and trying out new adventures, working on a dope DIY project, or recording a podcast. With all those titles she is a woman enjoying life and living out her wildest dreams. https://mimicutelips.com/

Kimanis Ome – Rosemary Rosemary and Claire run their blog together. Their website, Authentic Food Quest is a resource platform that connects travelers to the best local food experiences. They highlight the best local dishes, drinks, cooking classes, food tours, authentic restaurants, travel-inspired recipes and more. Through food, they believe people can have a deeper connection to the place, culture and people.

Marcea Robinson writes about travel and mostly focus on unique things to do in Florida and Black history museums.www.mycornacopia.com

Tamara Zantell is the founder of Raising A Mogul, a platform for parents raising our future leaders, influencers, and biz kids. www.raisingamogul.com. We are all about building family businesses.

Ari Adams is 40 and writes about parenting, entertainment, and general lifestyle, with a focus on holistic health and wellness. Http://www.lovepeaceandtinyfeet.com

Anya Is a Lifestyle blogger. She blogs about food, fashion, and inspirational content that can be found at www.lavida-dulce.com

Cassandra Cummings is the powerhouse behind Stocks and Stilettos. The Stocks & Stilettos Society is carving out its corner of the internet to help women crush their financial goals through the power of investing in the stock market.

Kris is a 46 year old Chicago area mother to two sets of twins. She is a wife, photographer, and gadget addict. On her blog, she shares her expertise and obsession with tech, gadgets, travel, home design, and more. She is also obsessed with gardening and cooking. http://littletechgirl.com

Danielle Brown is what you are looking for when you want a blog that educates you on how to be a dope mother and how to make dope cards. You can find her at parenting and papercrafts.

Katherine Shorter Katherine is the founder of Yoked, a community dedicated to help build covenant marriages through love and laughter. She and her husband love to travel together, using their adventures to grow closer together; they encourage couples travel as a way to get to know yourself and each other. Learn more about her at https://beingyoked.com

Dudemom.com is the documentation of life of a mom of boys. Amanda shows that having boys is always an adventure!

This is by no means a complete list of all of the amazing Black content creators over 40. Please notice the variety of each of these professional women, and if you are in charge of campaigns, make sure to include Black women. They all have something to offer any brand and can make any campaign stand out.

What about Travel Bloggers? Know any Black ones besides me? Here is a list for you to check out. These bloggers are doing big things and making moves in an industry that doesn’t welcome them. Follow them! Hire them! See them.