#SumItUpSundays: June 14th, 2020

Hey there Neighbors, Vecinos, and fellow #LoveWarriors.

Up to this date, I am confident that you were not ignorant to the cruelties this world can often present to us. I think a lot of us have many times felt lonely and that loneliness easily turns to rage when you witness so many injustices and evil drown others around you.

I said it all 2019, and it is still the truth today: " Twenty-twenty is the year!"

Many shocking and historic things have happened from the start including the acquittal of President Donald Trump in an impeachment trial, the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic led to many of us losing our stable jobs, and we were "encouraged" to stay home and Quarantine.

Quarantine itself was a whole new challenge I never imagined myself experiencing. Personally, I was overwhelmed with the freedom of time that I had. Balance is always the biggest and constant challenge, right? The first couple of months I worked like a maniac on my website, my body, time with my pups, and literally all of my dreams that hang above my bed. I wanted to do it all. Then I had to stop and acknowledge how CRAZY I was making myself realizing that I was afraid to just relax. COVID-19 blessed me with an amount of time I would of never given myself and I am grateful for the chance to reflect.

Let's face it, shit has been wild. We know things have been upside down for a while, and we face assholes daily. Twenty-twenty has united many of us on a level that has never been attained before. Twenty-twenty has broken the snooze button in many of your lives and the echoes of the effects are earth shaking.

BeYouForYou Network is doing everything in their power to make a change within its community, circle, and connections. Love Letters have been written to our fellow Black Brothers and Sisters vowing our Love and Dedication to #RiseTogether. Personal gifts have been created and distributed with the #LoveWarriors standing tall, chanting loud, and quietly making drastic effects. Petitions are being signed repeatedly, and conversations are being evoked through every connection. Within all this chaos, BeYouForYou continues to respect the dangers of COVID-19 and reminds others to show the same respect.

At this point, we'd like to acknowledge a couple of strong #LoveWarriors doing their part as well in this crazy chaotic world.

Our writer, Carmen Hernandez, has two very important links that we encourage you to take action on right now! Then we encourage you to share it, and do it all over again!

Carmen, as always, leads by a great example and guides us in doing something tangible and something NOW!

In honor of Breonna Taylor's birthday Friday 5 June 2020, here are some concrete action items people can do to commemorate her life and fight to get her justice. Complete as many items on the list as you can and share the link to this campaign so that other people can complete it too. >> CLICK HERE FOR #JUSTICEFORBREONNATAYLOR <<

In June of 2019, a 12-year-old Somali schoolgirl's body was found lifeless in a UK river. Now, one year later, people are demanding the justice that was never served.

With the Black Lives Matter movement calling for renewed attention to unsolved Black murders, Shukri Abdi's case has been brought to the forefront. Her story like many others were expected to stay in the dark but not in Twenty-Twenty baby! >>CLICK HERE FOR #JUSTICEFORSHUKRIABDI<<<

Thuderboi.Tsai is also facing challenges that we do not wish on anyone. Thunderboi.Tsai stands for the following: #LasVidasNegrasImportan #LasVidasAfroLatinasImportan #LasVidasTransNegrasImportan

#SinJusticiaNoHayPaz

#BlackLivesMatter

#LasVidasAfroLatinxImportan

#AfroLatinx

#AfroIndigena

#Descolonizacion

#BlackTransLivesMatter

#BlackLatinxLivesMatter

AND has lost someone close to that beautiful heart. Jennifer, DMV native, and born 1995 lost her unexpected battle to COVID-19. If you would like to donate to this unfortunate battle and all the wounds that remain, please CLICK HERE- #RestinPeaceJenny.

I have also dove into what I can really and truly also do for us, women, in this mess of things. It is important to empower, support, and stand with other women because let's face it- we deal with bullshit every single day of our lives. I mentor, befriend, and root for my fellow women. My art is inspired and dedicated to all strength that comes from women. I have also searched for different ways to help in tangible ways. One of the organizations that I have grown to appreciate is the YWCA which has been at the forefront of the most critical social movements for more than 160 years — from women’s empowerment and civil rights, to affordable housing and pay equity, to violence prevention and health care. >>>To find out more about how you can help, CLICK HERE<<<

You know, there is always something to do in your house. It could be that you have to take the trash out, or clean your fridge- the work never ends. It is the same when it comes to speaking on and taking actions against injustices we witness. The work never ends. The work is needed, and I thank you for all you have done and all that we will do together. TOGETHER WE RISE ABOVE WITH LOVE.