Introducing Hello Donuts, A Sweet Kensington Gem

Finally, after many months of waiting, I tried the latest donut company based in Philadelphia-- Hello Donuts. They seem to be the answer to the other side of town where the popular Dottie's Donuts is unreachable. With two vegan donut offerings every weekend and delivered to various places like Reanimator Coffee, the time was now to take a bite out of these beautifully photographed donuts.

At Franny Lou's Porch, my favorite spot to write and read lately, I ordered my favorite warm beverage-- the Alice Walker (matcha tea latte with soy milk and maple syrup drizzle)-- along with two enticing pineapple-ginger donuts. Yes, two. I had a terrible week. I deserved this.

These donuts (coconut based by the way) are incredibly sweet and delicious. The fruity pineapple flavor is authentic and perfectly balanced with the right amount of spicy kick ginger. The little pieces of pineapple on top are a nice, aesthetic touch to a yummy cake and the glistening icing drips pleasingly onto fingers and plate. I love also that it reminds me of the fancy fruit donuts by Artisa Dough in NYC.
Overall, a great sugar high and impressive start to the weekend. I cannot wait to try
Hello Donuts' other creative flavors.

Happy Birthday Zora Neale Hurston

We celebrated Zora Neale Hurston in a most honorable way.

Last night, I discovered Our Mothers' Kitchens, an organization committed to bridging culinary and literature together while also mentoring young black girls in and out if the kitchen. Yoga teacher/herbalist/community educator Shivon Pearl Love and artist/poet/health educator Khaliah D. Pitts have created this outstanding vision:

Using the works of Vertamae Smart-Grosvernor, Ntozake Shange, Zora Neale Hurston and Alice Walker, Our Mothers’ Kitchens seeks to introduce young women of color to the ways in which these Black female authors intersect food and language as a means of liberation, expression and cultural preservation. Continuing the use of traditions from the African diaspora, where art and life are one, Our Mothers’ Kitchens takes vital steps towards building optimal health, self-awareness and cultural connection through the ritual and art of cooking and storytelling.

At Duafe Holistic Salon, Our Mothers' Kitchens hosted a special catered dinner that honored birthday girl, Zora Neale Hurston. This was the second of four in the "In Search of Our Foremothers" series (the first being Ntozake Shange R.I.P.). These authors words' are the foundations for the menu items and the parties are "thrown" on/around their birthdays.
In the Zora feast-- all plant based vegan-- the appetizer, salad, entree, dessert, and beverage specifically draw on excerpts vividly detailed in Mules and Men, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Dust Tracks on a Road.
Guests were invited to pick selective quotes and bring an item for "Zora's Alter."

I chose a beautiful quote about writing from Zora's autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road.

The Black Eyed Peas Collard Wrap was inspired by Zora Neale Hurston: A Life in Letters while the delicious "Homemade Cola" (made with ginger, star anise, and other spice kicks) delivered the first taste of Their Eyes Were Watching God.

"The String Beans and Potatuhs," also created with Their Eyes Were Watching God in mind, contains crisp beans and fork tender potatoes, amazing alongside the endless refills of "Homemade Cola."

Their Eyes Were Watching God then embodies the flavorful entree: a generous portion of "Mulatto Rice" and "Janie Cakes" with molasses and rosemary. The incredibly savory rice was prepared in black eyed peas stock (which I must obtain the recipe for), smoked paprika, turmeric, and other feel good ingredients. The "Janie Cakes" were light and tasty, pieces of yellow corn like surprises in every bite. 

I especially loved dessert--a moist and succulent slice of gingerbread adorned with pretty colored flowers and sugared pineapple. Definitely made me dream the way Janie dreamed. Mules and Men set the final kitchen influence of the evening.

Fashionable schoolteacher Aura (whom I sat across from) pictured with Our Mothers' Kitchens co-creator Shivon Pearl Love (on the right).

Khaliah D. Pitts, the other gracious co-hostess/co-founder, closed an intimate night with a tender poem, Zora in heart and spirit.

The Zora Library. 

I never knew a book of Zora's letters existed. It's definitely on my Books to Read 2019 Edition. 

The Zora "Altar" contained her books, a finger puppet, cowrie shells, flowers, and mugs, sacred items of the diners.

The fun, educational tribute to a humorous, talented, sassy, down-to-earth Zora provided sweet sustenance for those in attendance. We came together to read Zora aloud, blend our personal stories with hers, and discuss other great conversation points around a table, safe in body, mind, spirit.

Juneteenth in Philadelphia

Last Friday evening, commemorative wreaths honors Austin, Paris, Hercules, Christopher Sheeler, Richmond, Giles. Oney Judge, Moll, and Jon.

Before sharing the closing highlights of Juneteenth, I would love to link everyone to Chéri Yielle's Save My Soul. - a pleasant, soulful tune as humbly sweet as a mixture of maple syrup and dark chocolate. In addition to making a beautiful spirited song that calls out to the ancestral astral plane, Yielle is a vegan and shares her multifaceted artist lifestyle on Instagram. Check her out!

On a rainy Friday evening, a host of individuals from local, national, and international took the stage, red, green, and black balloons setting the mood with its symbolic color scheme. This was the third year for such an event, a commemoration of not just the freeing of African Americans from enslavement. The crowd stood right on the slave burial ground, near the slave auction block, a place that now beastly honors those nine illegal indentured prisoners of Washington's white house. In between moments of beautiful songs including the Pan African anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing." dance and theatrical performances, motivating speakers gave candid, moving accounts of how horrific the environment. We learned the importance of ATAC (Avenging the Ancestors Coalition), a local organization that fought for eight years to rectify a great wrong. On a December day, eight years ago, the mayor of Philadelphia cut the opening ribbon of the first slave memorial of its kind on federal property here in America just moments away from The Liberty Bell-- named such thanks to 19th century abolitionists.

The Philadelphia Heritage Chorale.

Among the artworks is a piece that tells the story of Oney Judge-- the successful woman who ran away before being presented as a present for Martha Washington's granddaughter. 

The Nanikha sisters gifted the audience with two beautiful serenades.

Special guest speaker, Opal Lee is the 92 year-old activist who, two years ago, walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C., campaigning for Juneteenth to be a national holiday. In this short NPR interview, she says, "Slaves didn't free themselves. There were abolitionists and people of all persuasions that worked untiringly to have slavery abolished."

After walking down the red carpet to the joyous harmonies of the Philadelphia Chorale, Kenny Gamble and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney lead on a moment of silence for slavery's countless victims and our strength to continue onward.

Pot Meet "The Kettle Black"

Established last year, The Kettle Black is spreading love and creativity in baking and drinks department. Don't expect an ordinary kind of bliss.

I made a desperate stop in the Northern Liberties area, an integral part of my hour + walking journey to work, just to visit The Kettle Black on N. 2nd Street. For weeks, some great Instagram accounts have been singing the praises of this indie spirited coffee and bread joint, a nod to France with its boulangerie playing the right notes. Serving up breads and pastries, on occasion specials have included vegan cinnamon rolls, vegan cruffins (crumpet and muffin?), and vegan funfetti croissants.

I am anxious to try the vanilla rose latte! Vanilla rose simple syrup (house made) sounds too good to be true.

When inside the space, warm, pleasant relaxation come to mind, the environment, although small, beckons one to stay and write, chat, linger a while longer. Muted colors on the walls, large windows letting the sun shine in, and clean, clear display case full of beautiful, browned pastries designed to tease hungry revelers on their way to 9-5. A few people can afford the dalliance to sit on tall stools facing the spring blossomed trees, their phones and mini laptops on fitting effortlessly on narrow wooden alignment.

The associate was friendly, giving me a few seconds to look over the entire place. I watched people order their straight coffees and espressos before deciding on trying the vegan croissants.

Humble bread loaves and a mountain of fresh bagels.

The makings of a splendid day cast in golden light to rival the sunshine.

Vegan croissants to go.

After warmed up, this impressive croissant is incredibly flaky, pillowy soft, and full of rich, fattening, "buttery" flavor. It's definitely worth the pit stop.

The first two rolls are usually vegan. 

The current featured artwork fits in quite nicely. These three evenly spaced compositions of intricate line details are contained inside creased, oblong shapes exploring contrast with limited color palette. It's also interesting what color can convey. In the black and white, many representations come to mind such as floating fish, molecular fluidity, and impromptu beginnings of exploring pure abstraction. In a red one, the same line qualities are painted green with yellow green outlines, appearing like leaves or some rare green animal existing in a charged bloodline.

Naturally, I came back to Kettle Black the very next day for the lox sandwich on a black salt bagel. Fashionably frugal yet casual in headwrap from Eva's Headwraps (she has sadly disappeared without word on social media), Kay Unger sunglasses ($8 from Burlington Coat Factory), and a pug print blouse ($2 from Circle Thrift). 

The lox, made of tofu, is divine! I have never had real lox so thus I cannot make a proper comparison. The smoky generous pieces were a mouthful of deliciousness coated affectionately with superb vegan cream cheese-- creamy, rich, no odd after tastes. Alas, the black salt bagel is not just an aesthetically pleasing eye wonder. From its coarse salted granules at the top to the chewy, dense softness of its toasted glory, there is no surprise that it's a popular favorite. It's unique and amazing. 

In My Neighborhood: Women Owned Places to Be In Philadelphia

Art Dept Philly, self-described as a "collective-run community space specializing in reclaiming history through vintage objects, art, and public events," is one of the three unique spots up in my new neighborhood thanks to Emily, artist and founding member. I also met kind Amelie, an award winning writer and educator. Learn more about them and other collective members here.

With the horrible news about the black real estate brokers arrested for waiting at a local Starbucks without purchasing still being unloaded in news and management not properly being held accountable for a disgusting display of racism, it's important now more than ever to protect ourselves, to commune in spaces operating for us. We need to support communal havens by us for us, that provide safe environments to create, have conversations, and eat/drink.
On the few warm days, I explored the Kensington neighborhood, in this area that I recently moved into, enjoying pleasant shops in the area, most especially three owned by women of color: Art Dept Philly, Franny Lou's Porch, and Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse. They each offer unique forms of entertainment and carefree liberation, forms of activism while also serving specific needs. Art Dept Philly is a secondhand boutique that also sells art supplies, handmade cards, and accessories and at the same time hosts Writer Wednesdays, an afterschool arts program led by artist Carmel Brown (owner of Colored Vintage, the shop), and craft workshops on knitting, sewing, and more.

Pins galore!

Quaint vintage dishware that any tea lover would adore.

Dessert plates and matching mini mugs great for intimate party hosting.

My dream dress.

Old time radio.

A stylish mannequin surrounded by vintage dresses, ties, vests, blouses, and all sorts of other outfit of the day inspirations.

Flawless detail complete with colorful glass beaded elements.

They can't call it Art Dept Philly without the art supplies!

Just blocks away on Coral Street, indie bohemian spirited Franny Lou's Porch serves uniquely named coffees and teas.

"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired." - Fannie Lou Hamer

I just fell in love with Franny Lou's Porch. Named after two important Libra figures: abolitionist/suffragist poet, Francis E. W. Harper (who published the first African American short story) and activist/community organizer Fannie Lou Hamer (cofounder of the National Women's Political Caucus), I visited on this rainy Sunday morning before work, desiring a cup of something sweet and wonderful. The interior is vibrant and inviting, homages to Africa, African American, and other people of color in a victorious celebratory spirit. The aesthetic is all natural, rustic, and friendly, classic R&B music swirling in the background, feeling like a charming second home.

And the owner is Blew Kind.

The lattes are named after activists, writers, and other important civil rights figures. They offer almond and soy milk options for vegans.

Woodcut (or linoleum cut) of Martin Luther King Jr.

I enjoyed an Alice Walker (matcha tea with soy milk, vanilla, and maple) with Queens from the in-house reading library.

A gorgeous painting to gaze upon.

At the awesome Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse (the first and only black woman owned comic book/coffeeshop in the U.S.), is the land of comic book nerd joy. Books, t-shirts, pins, and more are swarmed in the enticing bright lights alongside my favorites Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Black Panther, Jem and the Holograms, The Walking Dead, and others. Like Art Dept Philly, Amalgam participates in First Fridays and hosts all sort of incredible events for geeks like game and movie nights, book launches, after hour entertainment, quizznos, and more. Just a few weeks ago, the great Erika Alexander (from Living Single to co-writing a one-shot Giles Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic) hosted a book signing (of course I didn't know about it until Instagram but alas can't make it all). 

Amalgam offers great vegan options like apple and banana bread and dairy free milk alternatives for teas and coffees.

And speaking of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which was Amalgam's reader's choice display from late January) did y'all know it was the original Slayer herself Sarah Michelle Geller's birthday yesterday? I penned a celebratory post on my other site, FemFilmRogue. 

Support the women here in Kensington. They're amazing. They're expanding horizons in the most inspiring ways and deserve our allegiance.