"What we find is that if you have a goal that is very, very far out, and you approach it in little steps, you start to get there faster. Your mind opens up to the possibilities" - Mae Jemison ( first African American astronaut to travel to space)

     Growing up I attended a private school. Everyday I looked at a picture of astronaut and engineer Mae Jemison on my teachers classroom door. I loved seeing a black woman in a her astronaut gear everyday. My parents even got me a telescope for Christmas one year. I couldn't have been happier.
   I'm 25 and a few weeks ago I was discussing Hidden Figures with my mom and the fact that I had the experience as a kid growing up with knowledge that a black woman could do anything in the world including go to space. I felt that the film "Hidden Figures" greatly highlighted phenomenal women and allowed a new generation to be motivated and educated about how powerful woman are.  So when astronaut and activist Taylor Richardson,  sent me her story,  I became so inspired. Her words blessed my heart in a special way , because she's bold, beautiful, thoughtful ,and willing to make her dreams come true and inspires her peers and even me to push pass "norms" and succeed at great lengths.  Taylor is a star and I'm honored to have interviewed her.  I know that she is making her mom , family , and friends proud. I am beyond proud of her and I will be tuned into her career and waiting to see her space mission live on television one day.  Her mission is unstoppable and she going to continue to shine throughout the world and space.

Read our interview below and watch her Lottie Dolls segment.


1.)Taylor congrats on attending Black Girls Rock Lead conference . How was it?

Thank you! It was by far to date the best conference I've ever attended.  To be around girls who looked like me, who have the same issues as me and to come together to learn from people in the game that not only are rocking it but LEADing and black! There speakers from every arena you could think of. From the Tech world to fashion to entrepreneurs you name it we had it at our finger tips! My favorites were Dr Knatokie Ford, Louis Carr, Michaela Angela Davis, and of course founder, Beverly Bonds. Her staff was just as amazingly fierce and rocked like her!   I'm definitely applying again next year!  It was like I was finally home.  It felt like home. The conference gave me tools to not only to lead, innovate and serve, but to break these glass ceilings down and lift others as I'm doing it. Our blackness is our badge of honor and we wear it proud! I'm Taylor and I'm a black girl who rocks in every way! 
 
2.) Hidden Figures was an amazing and much needed film? What did you gain from the movie ?

Yes, this for me is the best movie ever! To know that there were women black women who helped John Glenn get to the moon- amazing! It made me even more proud to be a young black girl especially since I one day want to go to Mars. I gained a sense of pride watching this film.  It only made me more determined to reach my goal and to ensure girls especially black girls know that they can do anything even when the world is against them. Which is why I raised the money to send girls to see this film beside it was important to us girls to know that we can do anything a guy can and maybe even better! 

 
3.)The first African American female astronaut in space Mae Jemison is a phenomenal woman, what does she mean to you?

She's one of my heroes! Seeing her makes me feel like I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. Having someone like Dr. Jemison who looks like me makes me feel good about myself. She’s not just an African American role model, she’s a role model for all people and girls like me who want to live their dreams of becoming astronauts.

4.)There's so much of space that we don't know about. We know about some planets but not all, if you discovered a planet what would you name it?

Unity because I want people to know that we have to have unity to make this world better than what it is. So if we had a do over and found a new planet it would definitely be called Unity. 

5. )What's your favorite thing to do for fun?

If I'm not in school, running, speaking or volunteering I really just like hanging with my close friends, listening to music and hanging out.  If I'm home then I like watching YouTube videos on science experiments and music and dance videos! I have an arts side too! So I'm not only a STEM girl but a STEAM girl! 

6. )You've motivated other youth to follow their dreams . How does that make you feel?

It makes me proud to know that I motivate other youth to pursue their dreams. I have so many people who help me and keep me grounded so to me paying it forward through service is the only way. If I can inspire to dream big then act big it's worth it! Ad astra girls ad astra! 
 
7.)When you visit space what do you look forward to seeing ?

Well I'm looking forward to space walking and floating in space and collecting items to study and research and mostly viewing the Earth surface! So far I've been looking up to the stars one day my view will be amongst them and when that day comes boy will it be a great one! 

  Cassie's just released her new song "Love A Loser " Ft G-Eazy. This song has red hot painted all over it. The 2:52 second track is produced by Ben Billions and written and composed by Benjamin Diehl, and G-Eazy and Cassie. Listen to it below and get the song (here)

   WE is a movement that brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world. Today, we are millions of passionate youth, women and men working together to shift the world from “me” to “we" founded by humanitarians, activists and social entrepreneurs, brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger.
On August 4, 2017 like minded individuals will join together to create change in their communities and inspire everyone to unite and make changes around the world. The  third annual "WE DAY" will high light some very important social issues facing America and the world today including equality, accessibility to homelessness and poverty , inner city violence and activism, and education and literacy. The hour long special which will air on CBS wiil feature energetic and moving performances combined with motivating
speeches, comedic interludes and documentary style features highlighting remarkable young
Americans who are making a difference. Bringing families together for an evening
of empowering conversations WE Day will spark ideas and inspire action, uniting Americans to stand together for change. Singer  and actress Selena Gomez will host the show with guest including Alessia Cara, Josh Gad, Tyrese Gibson, Alicia Keys, Dj Khaled, Demi Lovato, Miss Piggy along with the Muppets, Lily Singh, Craig and Marc Kielburger, James Franco, Evan Goldberg, Hannah Simone, Seth Rogan, and Oprah Winfrey will also make a surprise appearance. WE Day is brought to you by Title Sponsor the Allstate Foundation, alongside Presenting Partners Unilever,  Walgreens and Microsoft and Supporting Partner, KPMG.
    “My first WE Day experience was 3 years ago and to say I was impressed is an understatement. “The electricity of an arena full of thousands of young people who
are making real change in the world is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I am grateful to be a
part of such a supportive community and hope I can inspire the kids at WE Day just as they
continue to inspire me.“ says Selena Gomez.  Some parts of WE DAY were filmed in California on
April 27,2017 at the "Fabulous" Forum in Inglewood. We Day California is just one of more than 20 We Day youth empowerment events that take place across North America and the U.L each year. 
Founder Craig Kielburger  said “When young people are given the tools and support to speak out and act on issues they are passionate about, there is no limit to the impact they can have on the world, and ultimately one another. In the last academic year, students from around the world who are involved
WE’s programs donated more than 2.1 million pounds of food. So are you excited about We Day? For more on info go to www.we.org ! Watch WE Day is airs August 4,2017 at 8 P.M ET/7 P.M CT on CBS !

 Meek Mill released his video for "Price" produced by  Streetrunner & Tarik Azzouz from his new album "Wins And Losses" . This song embodies pain, success, and honesty. The visual is produced by  "Will NGO Film". The visuals include footage of Meek's home , him recording in the studio, cars, and his performance in Dubai. I got to see Meek Mill perform this at theTidalXMeek Mill show in Philly . I love the entire album and this is definitely one of my favorite songs.  Speaking of "Wins And Losses" the project is currently lighting up the Billboard charts in a big way. Watch the video below and visitwww.meekmill.com

   Miguel sure knows how to spice up the middle of the week .  The singer already makes incredible music of his own. Now he has spotlighted "hump day"  as "Wildheart Wednesdays"  . On this day he releases an alluring cover of songs from other artist. Miguel even takes the time to ask his fans which cover , should he do next ? Honestly, I look forward to these Instagram 60 second releases and seeing what stylish gear Miguel is wearing. I'm also looking forward to a new album! So far he has covered the following
- Bad Liar - Selena Gomez
-Andre 3000 - Pink and Blue
-Charlie Puth - Attention
-SZA - The Weekend