The first quarter of 2025 was a great start to the year. I went downstairs to find confetti outside of my garage and smiled with hope for an awesome year ahead. Continuing the New Year’s Day tradition of indulging in the prosperity meal, I went to the latest location of Georgia’s Restaurant in the Irvine Spectrum shopping center.
Later in the month, I enjoyed serving at the Orange County Foodbank on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as I have for the last five years, followed by preparing a meal including red beans and rice. This year I learned that Dr. King visited the county in 9161 and 1968. He spoke at Chapman University. I also connected with a new family who invited me to visit their church, Friendship Baptist.. I went on Sunday, January 26, and loved it.
In February to celebrate Black History Month, I attended a Unity Fest in Anaheim, a book signing with Jenifer Lewis hosted by the Orange County Public Library system in Tustin and the African American Museum in Los Angeles. Each experience was filled with joy, discovery and inspiration.
Spending time with children and teens always fills my heart, and reading with them satisfies my inner child, who had challenges with comprehension. When a member of my life group invited me to participate in Read Across America at her school, it was an immediate yes. I enjoyed my time with the kids and was also grateful to bring along some of my colleagues, who also enjoyed the project.
I’m grateful for my life group and the ways God has used the sessions and relationships to affirm me, while also teaching, guiding and holding me accountable through our sessions and studies within His word. We started with a study of minor prophets. We also enjoy fellowship outside of our study sessions, and QT during a Galentine’s celebration and The Genesis Invitational were some of my favorites.
I’m grateful for my church and all the ways it enriches my life on the weekends and beyond. It has grown a lot since I became a member in 2019, and I’m blessed to be a small part of what God is doing on our campus and in our local and global community.
Much like my church, TGR Foundation is also expanding to serve more students and educators from under-resourced communities. Our next location in Philadelphia is progressing, and it’s exciting to see. Although I wasn’t following the NFL playoffs closely since my teams, The Cowboys and Saints, didn’t advance, I was rooting for the Eagles to support my Philly peers. It was so exciting to see them earn the Super Bowl Victory, and connecting with my colleagues who were true fans felt great.
Two of my Philly Colleagues the Monday after Super Bowl LIX.
Other work highlights include our annual Winter Workshop. It’s one of my favorite events of the year. I love celebrating our graduating seniors and connecting with freshmen after their first term. The unity in the response to devastation from the Los Angeles area fires was inspiring to witness and be a part of. Our TGR Live Team had to pivot and moved The Genesis Invitational to the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, CA. Although there were fewer student activations, it’s always exciting to be able to provide unique opportunities for our students. This year, even with the changes, we still were able to have Earl Woods Scholars serve as tee starters announcing players every day. We also had students create pins, stickers and participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of media careers at the tournament.
Later, Kira K. Dixon returned to the TGR Learning Lab for an interview facilitated by one of our students, Diego who has dreams of broadcasting for the Dodgers. It was great practice for him, and the students enjoyed the session. I also had the opportunity to join one of our TG Learning Lab alumnae, Sharon Don, who was the Keynote Speaker at the California State University, Fullerton International Women’s Day event. She did a great job, and I loved hearing more about her experiences, meeting her family and learning from the other presenters. My mentee is also navigating her journey on campus, and I love supporting her on her journey to graduation and her career.
I can’t end the post without highlighting some firsts I experienced in Q1, including a sewing class at the Anaheim Public Library, Jalepeno sausage prepared by my dad during my first trip home, a variety of scratch baking recipes and Trader Joes organic peanut butter. I was pleasantly surprised.
I mentioned my first trip home above; food is always a highlight of my visits. As long as I’ve been eating crawfish, I never took the time to eat claws because of the work required for such a small reward, but that changed when I indulged with my cousins in claws that were so tender and broke so easily I couldn’t discard them. They were some of the best crawfish I’d had from a small business in St. Gabriel near my brother’s home. In addition, turkey necks from Dad’s Kitchen and trips to Dad’s Garden were truly a treat.
I also got to attend one of my college friend’s dedication for her daughter. It was a beautiful ceremony that I was proud to be able to attend. Afterward, I supported an event, My Black is Beautiful, hosted by my aunt to honor women and equip them with tools and confidence to navigate life. QT with my family and friends make my heart happy. Even when I’m in California, they still include me in their lives and the Snow Day was a perfect example of it. Because of technology, I could experience the joy of the moments through FaceTime without braving the cold. :)
I’m excited for everything God has in store for 2025 and plan to share more highlights here.
Thank you for journeying with me through the first three months of the year. I’d love to learn about some of your highlights too. Share in the comments below or connect with me on social media @jasminectate.
Hugs & Handshakes,
Jasmine