BrownPark Productions, LLC

“Historically, Black music has influenced other cultures and other genres and created other genres.” -Miguel

“I want to remind people that Black music is amazing. And there are all forms of it that we've forgotten, you know? Rock music is Black music! Don't forget that's what it is.” -Robert Glasper

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You have permission to rest. You are not responsible for fixing everything that is broken.” -Unknown

“Start prioritizing your mental health instead of adjusting to toxic spaces.” -Rev. Thema Bryant

"Scars tell the story of where you’ve been, but they don’t dictate where you’re going." -Unknown The pain and trauma you have experienced in your life do not have to determine your present and future.

“"The more you practice letting go, the less anxiety has control over you." -Unknown

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” -Unknown

Christ made us free from the Law. He made sure that we didn’t have to follow 600+ rules to be right with God. He already paid the price for us. “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Healing is not linear, but it is possible.” -Unknown

Living with mental health issues doesn't mean you can't have peace and joy.

"We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list." -Michelle Obama

If you’re locked in with a good therapist and you’re getting the right therapy, stick with it. It’s good for you.

Storms don’t last forever. You may have to find shelter. You may have to deal with the darkness. But storms eventually fade away into sunshine. There is hope.

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.” ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Writing. Reading the Bible, novels, and other books. Painting. Playing video games (in moderation). Playing pickle ball, tennis, handball, etc. Baking. Engaging in your favorite hobbies can help regulate your mental health. It’s also a part of self-care.

Pursuing an education and a career are important steps to making a good living. But please do not neglect your mental health.

“In the African American community, we’ve been taught to tough it out, hide our suffering, but this is something none of us have ever experienced, and no one should suffer in silence.” – Taraji P. Henson

"It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to talk about it. It’s okay to not be okay." – Unknown

“Children, who made your skin white? Was it not God? Who made mine Black? Was it not the same God? Am I to blame, therefore, because my skin is Black? …. Does not God love colored children as well as white children?

Mother’s Day is difficult for many people. I am praying for you. May God give you comfort, strength, and peace this weekend.

Don’t let anybody or anything dim your light.

No matter how hard life gets, remember to breathe, laugh, hope, and love. Soon, things will get easier.

Even when your mind tries to play tricks on you, be kind to yourself.

Exercising and eating healthy are good for your body. Therapy and self-care are good for your mind.

Let’s be clear: spiritual warfare is real. Christians must be armed with the Word of God to ward off attacks from the enemy. However, that person suffering from depression and anxiety may not have a demon. She may be going through years of unresolved trauma.

Pastors teach the Word of God and lead us to a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. Intercessors pray on our behalf for God to move in our situations. But most of them are not therapists. A licensed mental health professional can help you deal with the trauma and your mental illness.

More seeking God and rallying against injustice. Less personality cults and selfish ambition.

We should never demonize or ostracize people with mental illness. They should be treated with compassion, kindness, and respect.

Seeking help (therapy, medication) for your mental illness doesn’t mean that you lack faith. God uses doctors, nurse practitioners, and therapists. Seeking treatment is stepping out on faith.

It’s May 1, which is the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month. One in five adults in the United States experience mental illness each year. It’s up to us to take care of ourselves and advocate for more accessible mental health services.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which restricted racial gerrymandering and racial discrimination against voters. Coretta Scott King said, “I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.” Pray. Vote. Use your voice.

Don’t worry about fitting into a box when you were created to stand out. Embrace what makes you unique.

When you feel like there’s no way out, God will make a way in His timing. #inspiration

A huge part of achieving your goals is believing you can. When you believe, you are motivated to do the hard work.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭24‬

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.” -Michael Jackson

A random PSA: Please wash your meat (poultry, fish, etc.) before cooking. Whether you fry, bake, or grill, please wash it before cooking. Thank you.

God’s way isn’t their way. Don’t let anybody on earth tell you what to do with your life.

Sometimes, what gets in the way of our peace of mind and where God wants us to be is our own thinking.

Love doesn’t tear down. Love uplifts. Love protects. Love ignites life.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“What had begun as a movement to free all black people from racist oppression became a movement with its primary goal the establishment of black male patriarchy.” -bell hooks

“The most disrespected person in America, is the Black woman. The most un-protected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America, is the Black woman.” -Malcolm X

Some people have lost so much sight of who Jesus is that they will follow somebody who is nothing like His character.

Write that book. Start that business. Make that move. There’s no better time to start than now. Ideas won’t come into fruition unless you put in the work.

Freedom allows your true self and your true creativity to appear.

Fridays taste like chocolate and feel like a cool breeze on a summer day.

There has been talks about certain ideologies that are threats to Christianity, such as religions and social movements. The Bible I read teaches me that Jesus will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Keep praying for Iran, the Middle East, and the U.S.

God made us all with different personalities and abilities. If you’re in an environment or a relationship where you can’t be yourself, then it’s time to reevaluate where you are. You should be in a place where you can fully be who God made you to be.

God knows what time we woke up this morning. God knows exactly how many strands of hair we have on our heads. God even knew us before we were formed in our mothers’ wombs. So why not trust Him with writing the next page of our stories?

The angel of the Lord said to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, “…He has risen, just as He said.” Not only did Jesus defeat death, hell, and the grave, but He fulfilled His Word. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in everyone who follows and believes in Him.

They thought it was over. They thought when Jesus died on the cross, they didn’t have to worry about Him disrupting and dismantling their religious systems. But little did they know that Jesus would defeat death, hell, and the grave…

JESUS PAID IT ALL. Imagine that you stole some food from the supermarket. Maybe it was desperation. Perhaps it was greed. But you were caught and tried. You were found guilty and sentenced to d*ath. (MORE)

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,

“The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

“If we do not lift up women and families, everyone will fall short.” -Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice President of the United States

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”” ‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I’m so happy that Black wrestlers, especially Black women wrestlers, have the opportunity to shine today.” -Jacqueline Moore

"We all have purpose even if we're still striving to understand what that is.” -Angela Bassett

“Women absolutely deserve respect.” -Aretha Franklin

“No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.” -Lupita Nyong'o

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the world.” -Harriet Tubman

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“My mother did not raise me to ask for permission to lead.” -Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

“Black women ain't bitter. They are just tired of being expected to settle for less.” -Issa Rae

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” -Coretta Scott King

“I don't have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I'm as good as anybody, but no better.” -Katherine Johnson

"The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence." -Beyoncé

“It’s important to teach our female youth that it’s OK to say, ‘Yes, I am good at this,’ and you don’t hold back.” -Simone Biles

“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” ‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

"There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer." -Rihanna

“No black woman writer in this culture can write ‘too much.’ Indeed, no woman writer can write ‘too much’…No woman has ever written enough.” -bell hooks

“The only thing that separates women of color from everyone else is opportunity.” -Viola Davis

“I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me.” -Tracee Ellis Ross

“We know that when a woman speaks truth to power, there will be attempts to put her down... I'm not going to go anywhere.” -Congresswoman Maxine Waters

“I wish every woman would love herself and embrace what she was given naturally.” -Queen Latifah

“There will be people who say to you, ‘You are out of your lane’. They are burdened by only having the capacity to see what has always been instead of what can be. But don’t let that burden you.” -Kamala Harris, Former Vice President of the United States

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.” ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens.” -Michelle Obama

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.” -Serena Williams

“Women don't need to find their voice. They need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen.” -Meghan Markle

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” -Maya Angelou

“When Black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” -Angela Davis

“A woman who is never seeking validation or the opinion of others is dangerous.” -Dr. Karri Bryant

Today marks the first day of Women’s History Month. No matter what political barriers, societal expectations, and obstacles, women have contributed greatly to this world and achieved significant progress. #womenshistorymonth

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬