I’m exhausted. Just completely exhausted. 182 I’m exhausted. 

Just completely exhausted.

182 Black people have been killed by police since the day that George Floyd was murdered. Since the start of Derek Chauvin’s trail, police killed an average of three people a day, which added up to 64 people killed by the police. There have been more killings, not less. 

Last night, the police murdered a child. A CHILD. And this is NOT the first child murdered by the police. This isn’t even the first child murdered by the police THIS YEAR. 

As the wife of a teacher, I can tell you that we cut funding to education all the time. So why are so many people still not onboard with cutting funding for the police? What do they need more money for? So they can continue to murder people? There are way too many police officers on payroll who do not know how to do their jobs. And there are way too many others that are helping to cover this information up (not well, obviously). 

We would never let educators be this terrible at their jobs. 

We would never let doctors be this bad at their jobs. 

Hell, most of you can’t even deal with a barista not making your order “right”. 

But cops killing innocent civilians is fine? We are just going to accept that as a county?

The average white/non-Black person is not doing enough. Do more. Do better. Because we’ve been doing our part but white supremacy can’t be dismantled without the involvement of white people.
This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours? This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?
It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But Black Joy has been my mission. Most of the people in my life have been overwhelmed and exhausted by constant grief, fear, and disrespect. Many of us have been reminded of the times we were pulled over by cops for driving while Black or the times we’ve feared for our parents, siblings, children, cousins, and other friends and family members. Sometimes it feels like we are all stuck in this cycle, doomed to witness and experience Black suffering and trauma forever. I have to constantly remind myself that times haven’t changed but we ARE changing things. We have to. And until those changes really take place permanently, I’m choosing Black Joy whenever I can. Because Black Joy is resistance. 

Here’s where I was able to find joy this week:

🤍 Interviewing @majorcreates + @tiffanydbrown_, two dynamic and talented  Black women for @heartandhustlepodcast.

🤍 Long chats with @studio404design about everything under the sun. 

🤍 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and how unapologetically Black it is. 

🤍 Texting Marvel memes back and forth with @mmalikaj who is FINALLY obsessed with Marvel. My hard work has paid off! 👏🏽

🤍 Trying to recreate @eatatbento at home since we live in DC now. 

🤍 Reading The Gilded Ones. 

🤍 Knowing that @bohemianseoul is moving east! 

If you are Black, where did you find joy this week? If you aren’t Black, we’re you able to bring joy to a person who is Black this week or amplify a voice celebrating Black joy?
We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. But We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. 

But we deserve joy.

So many of us are reaching new levels of exhaustion because of the continued attacks on our community by those who are being paid to protect us. There are some days where our situation feels impossible. On those days, please take the time out to do one small thing that brings you joy. As Black people, we have to experience and carry so much trauma while living in this country. But we deserve joy. We deserve joy.
I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gor I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gorgeous blooms. I know they don’t last long so I’m trying to enjoy them as much as a can while they are here. It’s a great reminder to live in the moment and enjoy your life right now.
Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and do Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and doing a little bit of yoga before I even get out of bed. Yes, you heard that right, I do bed yoga. Doing these simple things before I leave the comfort of my bed have really been helping me feel like I can take on anything during the day. Do you do anything special in the morning that makes you feel more equipped to handle the day?
I’m so happy that the weather is consistently co I’m so happy that the weather is consistently cooperating and we can get out to explore more! I’m usually a homebody but being stuck inside this past winter has really made me appreciate every good weather day so much more than I ever have before. The best thing about being in a new city is that everything is new to me so even staying close to home feels like an adventure.
Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best teas!🧋
Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatec Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatecoffee
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Life
    • Travel
    • Well Read
    • Wellness
    • Business
    • Photography
  • Contact

Charismatic Concepts

  • Life
  • Travel
  • Well Read
  • Wellness
  • Business
  • Photography

Travel · June 9, 2015

Spring in New York

Summer may be right around the corner but according to the calendar and these blooms, it’s still officially spring. I plan to squeeze every last drop out of spring that I can before summer gets here! Here are some beautiful…

Read More

Personal · May 5, 2015

Spring

Spring in Orlando is quite beautiful. The hectic days have been passing pretty quickly but I have been trying my best to (literally) stop and smell the flowers. I’m holding on to every second of Spring that I can get!…

Read More

Personal · April 6, 2015

Currently

LISTENING TO The Being Boss Podcast, thanks to Angel. By the end of the day I will probably be done listening to all of them! WATCHING I’m always behind on popular TV shows. The plan is to catch up on…

Read More

Travel · March 18, 2015

Flower and Garden Festival 2015

I’ve already told you all about the most important thing at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival which is obviously the food but believe it or not, that is not all this festival is about. In between taste tests, I took…

Read More

Travel · May 7, 2014

Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival

Every year, John and I love to visit the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival presented by HGTV. Between gorgeous topiary displays, delicious food, and tons of live demonstrations from HGTV, one trip is definitely not enough to cover everything happening…

Read More

Friday I'm In Love · April 18, 2014

Friday I’m In Love

This week was interesting, to say the least. I definitely dealt with some ups and downs this week. On the upside, I shot an amazing session on Monday that was a lot of fun and allowed me to explore some…

Read More

Uncategorized · March 17, 2014

Spring Break for Adults

During this time of year, most adults are reminded that at one point in time, they had a spring break and now they never will again. Just because you don’t have a traditional break in the spring doesn’t mean you…

Read More

Hi! I'm Charisma, a creative entrepreneur who loves to help others reach their full potential. I'm a photographer, a writer, and the owner of Kismet + Charisma, an online boutique that pairs minimalist, cozy, boho style with activism. In my little corner of the internet you'll find my latest travels, what I'm currently reading, how I practing Black joy as resistence, and how I'm finding hygge in my daily life. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and stay awhile.

join the club

Categories

  • Life
  • Travel
  • Well Read
  • Wellness
  • Business
  • Photography

Reader Favorites

  • Portraits | Jacob Tobia
  • 10 Reasons You Should Never Be Bored
  • The REAL Wizarding World: Greyfriars Kirkyard

trending now

  • Portraits | Jacob Tobia
  • 10 Reasons You Should Never Be Bored
  • The REAL Wizarding World: Greyfriars Kirkyard
  • The REAL Wizarding World: Victoria Street AKA Diagon Alley

instagram

Follow @charismaokeefe

I’m exhausted. Just completely exhausted. 182 I’m exhausted. 

Just completely exhausted.

182 Black people have been killed by police since the day that George Floyd was murdered. Since the start of Derek Chauvin’s trail, police killed an average of three people a day, which added up to 64 people killed by the police. There have been more killings, not less. 

Last night, the police murdered a child. A CHILD. And this is NOT the first child murdered by the police. This isn’t even the first child murdered by the police THIS YEAR. 

As the wife of a teacher, I can tell you that we cut funding to education all the time. So why are so many people still not onboard with cutting funding for the police? What do they need more money for? So they can continue to murder people? There are way too many police officers on payroll who do not know how to do their jobs. And there are way too many others that are helping to cover this information up (not well, obviously). 

We would never let educators be this terrible at their jobs. 

We would never let doctors be this bad at their jobs. 

Hell, most of you can’t even deal with a barista not making your order “right”. 

But cops killing innocent civilians is fine? We are just going to accept that as a county?

The average white/non-Black person is not doing enough. Do more. Do better. Because we’ve been doing our part but white supremacy can’t be dismantled without the involvement of white people.
This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours? This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?
It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But Black Joy has been my mission. Most of the people in my life have been overwhelmed and exhausted by constant grief, fear, and disrespect. Many of us have been reminded of the times we were pulled over by cops for driving while Black or the times we’ve feared for our parents, siblings, children, cousins, and other friends and family members. Sometimes it feels like we are all stuck in this cycle, doomed to witness and experience Black suffering and trauma forever. I have to constantly remind myself that times haven’t changed but we ARE changing things. We have to. And until those changes really take place permanently, I’m choosing Black Joy whenever I can. Because Black Joy is resistance. 

Here’s where I was able to find joy this week:

🤍 Interviewing @majorcreates + @tiffanydbrown_, two dynamic and talented  Black women for @heartandhustlepodcast.

🤍 Long chats with @studio404design about everything under the sun. 

🤍 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and how unapologetically Black it is. 

🤍 Texting Marvel memes back and forth with @mmalikaj who is FINALLY obsessed with Marvel. My hard work has paid off! 👏🏽

🤍 Trying to recreate @eatatbento at home since we live in DC now. 

🤍 Reading The Gilded Ones. 

🤍 Knowing that @bohemianseoul is moving east! 

If you are Black, where did you find joy this week? If you aren’t Black, we’re you able to bring joy to a person who is Black this week or amplify a voice celebrating Black joy?
We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. But We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. 

But we deserve joy.

So many of us are reaching new levels of exhaustion because of the continued attacks on our community by those who are being paid to protect us. There are some days where our situation feels impossible. On those days, please take the time out to do one small thing that brings you joy. As Black people, we have to experience and carry so much trauma while living in this country. But we deserve joy. We deserve joy.
I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gor I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gorgeous blooms. I know they don’t last long so I’m trying to enjoy them as much as a can while they are here. It’s a great reminder to live in the moment and enjoy your life right now.
Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and do Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and doing a little bit of yoga before I even get out of bed. Yes, you heard that right, I do bed yoga. Doing these simple things before I leave the comfort of my bed have really been helping me feel like I can take on anything during the day. Do you do anything special in the morning that makes you feel more equipped to handle the day?
I’m so happy that the weather is consistently co I’m so happy that the weather is consistently cooperating and we can get out to explore more! I’m usually a homebody but being stuck inside this past winter has really made me appreciate every good weather day so much more than I ever have before. The best thing about being in a new city is that everything is new to me so even staying close to home feels like an adventure.
Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best teas!🧋
Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatec Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatecoffee
Happy first day of spring! Most of the blooms aren Happy first day of spring! Most of the blooms aren’t out yet in the DC area but that didn’t stop us from spending every moment we could outside today. I am SO happy that winter is officially over and I can’t wait to twirl around under cherry blossoms in a few weeks.

Explore

  • About
  • Podcast
  • Services

join the club

On the Blog

  • Travel
  • Well Read
  • Photography
  • Business
  • About
  • Contact

Copyright © 2021 Charismatic Concepts · Theme by 17th Avenue