Page 77 - -DHN Carrousels Sister 2 Sister 2022 (3) (1)_Classical

Carrousels of Los Angeles, California
Gaining some perspective

AT FIXINS

Carrousel Veronica Glaze now college. She reconnected with old Carrousel Gia Bosley has
cooks for the entire week on friends, visited family and realized not missed a beat during the
Sundays with her mother, Dallas just how much Nashville has truly pandemic with keeping up her
Carrousel Sheila Glaze. Together, grown. While in the area, she visit- philanthropic work as well as her
they come up with a menu and ed her sister Carrousel Adrienne work as a public servant, which
cook the same things together Thomas Lamar in Atlanta. And of caused her to be called back
in real time while on the phone. course, Adrienne’s twin, Carrousel into work long before many
In 2021, Carrousel Veronica took Hillary Thomas joined them for a others. But of course, she did it
a girls’ trip to the islands of St. sister's weekend. Ah, to be home with grace and her effervescent
Carrousels Theresa Lowe, Renai Fortuné,
Rhonda Cotton, Jeannie Berrard Jackson, Thomas and St. John. While there, again. unforgettable smile that is her
Sheila Hill, Gia Bosley, Allison Herald, she enjoyed lots of sun and pad- Carrousel Renai Fortuné was trademark. But don’t think she
Cathy Ramsey, Kimberly Lee Lamb, Left Side: Carrousels Kemberly Carruthers, Rhonda Cotton, Nedra Austin, dle boarding at the Ritz Carlton. didn’t catch up on her arts, crafts
Helen Felton Martin and Veronica Glaze. Helen Martin, Kimberly Lee Lamb, Cathy Ramsey, and Veronica Glaze. fortunate enough to spend more and furniture making that we
Right Side: Carrousels Jasmine Bowers Brown, Jeannie Berrard Jackson, Carrousel Nedra Austin who time taking virtual art classes and
Theresa Lowe, Sheila Hill, Allison Herald, Gia Bosley and Renai Fortuné. has had the opportunity to only learning a few new recipes. She learned is her hidden talent.
attend one in-person Carrousel was able to spend more time with Carrousel Theresa Lowe finally
Our second outing was this spring when we player, Kevin Johnson, who was actually there when meeting after her induction but family, especially her adorable slowed down from the hectic
went to view the Tupac Shakur exhibit in LA Live we arrived. They have a great menu with of course before the pandemic began, says grandchildren. routine of being a mom to her
(Downtown LA). It was appropriately called, ‘Wake Me a soul food staple and liquid offering of a variety she has spent more time with, and In October, Carrousel Renai teenage daughter and son,
When I’m Free’ and proved to be a fully immersive, of various flavors of Kool-Aid to choose from to caring for her elderly mother and attended the Great Pumpkin to develop and establish with
thought-provoking experience that explores the life accompany your meal —‘Red’ was of course the cooking more. She too, will keep Show Weigh Off in Circleville, her family, The Lowe Family
and legacy of the acclaimed rapper/artist and activist. favorite. And yes, they grocery deliveries coming post- Ohio and ate her first “pumpkin” Foundation, something she has
After the exhibit, we walked around the corner to one had a full bar! Covid. The one thing we have burger. Most of the pumpkins wanted to do for a while. It is
a non-profit foundation with a
learned about Carrousel Nedra,
of the newer restaurants, ‘Fixins’, a soul food venue is that she is ready at a moment’s were over 1000 lbs. Also during mission to provide a network of
owned by former Sacramento Mayor and NBA notice to suggest or attend a this time, she has really enjoyed education support that helps
watching documentaries; many
Carrousel outing. underserved boys, ages 8 to 18,
are Carrafella Wallace’s choice! to increase their opportunities
Surprisingly she says she enjoyed
Carrousel Cathy Ramsey says she
Gaining some perspective is now more conscious of always the subject matter more than she for succeeding and excelling in
life. This came out of recogniz-
thought she would; she says she
keeping her gas tank full—that
ing the tremendous disparity
is what she is going to continue
after the pandemic. Additionally, feels like it has been an ongoing that exists in Black, Hispanic,
slumber party, especially during
Trying to gain some perspective over (or we reach our new normal) line grocery shopping. Carrousel she has just been overwhelmed at the lockdown periods. and Indigenous communities
in accessing learning resources
on what we have all been and what have you been up to Helen has also kept us laughing the enormous value of friendship Carrousel Jasmine Bowers further compounded for
experiencing these last two years, this last year? with her precious stories of her and sisterhood that has come her Brown, an anesthesiologist, students who have, for example,
COLA members responded to Carrousel Helen Felton Martin, Kindergarten students and how way, especially after the loss of has been working very hard ADD/ADHD or other learning
a few questions posed to them who has not had a break teaching she has to deal with them as they her beautiful mother, Carrousel in conditions that were not so disabilities.
to include in Sister-to-Sister: the little ones, first via Zoom and navigate the pandemic at 5 and 6 Rita Malone in October 2021. favorable at the beginning of the
While the pandemic has been now back in the classroom, says years old. Hilarious! Carrousel Courtney Thomas took pandemic. But that is due to pure
terrible, but trying to look at the she spent much more time with Carrousel Beverly Lofton has advantage of working remote- dedication to her field. She has
situation from a glass as half-full family. Family dinners and game been living her best life, just ly and went home to Nashville, used the little down time she has
perspective, what positives have nights occur on a regular basis chillin’ through this entire staying a little over two months. had to allow herself to reevaluate
come from being on ‘lock down’, and are here to stay. She does pandemic, catching up on This was the first time she has what is important in life: health,
what ‘pandemic practices’ might not foresee ever stopping on- reading and movies. been home for more than 3 or 4 family and relationships.
you keep after the pandemic is days since she graduated from

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