MKUU - 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW

This year is done, so ready to usher in 2015. Very excited about the prospects of business opporunities with the launch of my online boutique, "MKUU Sample". Eager to see what the future brings. But I cant help to reflect on the past and 2014 was an exciting year filled with highs and lows - a real roller coaster of emotions and events.

From pop-culture overdosing on trendy words and symbols - "On Fleek" and the whole concept of emojis. Who knew that we would be able to talk only with the usage of symbols, go figure. Their are two starlets that have popped onto Hollywood scene and stole the spotlight, Lupita Nyong'o and Quvenzhane Wallis. These ladies presence commanded our attention, as well the Hollywood power brokers. With her Oscar nomination for Beast of the Southern Wild, landing the position as the face of Armani Jr, and the holiday premiere of her starring role in Annie, Wallis is a young force to be reckoned with. And I am expecting huge things from her in the future. And Nyong'o is the first Mexican-African woman to receive an Oscar-Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years A Slave, she is also educated with a Master's degree from Yale's school of drama, and she was one of the most stylish women of 2014 - with red carpet looks that made them break their necks. She created such a buzz in Hollywood with her uniqueness and prominent features that she brought back popularity to women with ebony skin. Being a chocolate woman myself, I definitely commend and appreciate her for that.

And in celebrity news, 2014 was basically dominated by "Kim-Ye" and "King Bey, Blue Ivy and Jay-Z". From Beyonce dropping her album on-line - having the "Bey-hive" in a frenzy to Kim K posing with her extremities poked out - ummm, she allegedly "Broke the Internet". All of the media was in an uproar with anything that these duos/ triplets undertook from the "On The Run Tour" featuring Bey and Jay to Kim-Ye's wedding spectacle. I mean it's impossible to not hear or see their names mentioned on a daily basis whether on-line, radio, or t.v. Which is not always the best thing, I mean who wants to read disparaging comments and remarks about Blue-Ivy's hair. I'm sure it's challenging always living in the spotlight. But it is what it is.

Then there was the ice-bucket challenge, which started out as a way to raise money for the for ALS disease, but ended up with anybody and everybody dumping buckets of ice water over their head for no reason and then nominating others to do the same. Really?? Ok, whatever. I can't discuss 2014 without discussing the deaths of Mike Brown and Eric Garner and the lack of prosecution for their murderers. I usually don't like to be to political, but I feel that it is imprtant to focus on this issue because it is affecting communities across the country.

Ultimately, I believe there is an issue with law enforcement and the number of unarmed minorities that are dying at the hands of police. Also, there is an issue with grand juries not pursuing indictments for any charges against the officers involved. This sends out a message to communities, that our lives are not valuable enough to hold the responsible party accountable for his role in any of these deaths that have occurred through-out the US. I am hopeful in 2015, that this situation will improve and that relations between law enforcement and the communities they police will change for the better. I have a lot of hopes for the New Year and I know deep down that it will improve for the better, especially if they continue to protest and speak out against the injustice. Well, I could go on and on because there is so much more to discuss. But I have to get ready for my New Year's plan. So everybody be safe and stay blessed. And remember, when the clock counts down to the final moments in 2014 that we as a people must continue to strive to do better, always pursue your dreams - because they are worth it, and smile because you are blessed to see another day to try it again....