Rolanda Perkins

  I saw a short clip of the Kelly Clarkson show the other day where Kimora Lee Simmons was mentoring a very young designer. When asked what were some of the things the young designer learned while interning with Kimora, she stated, “I learned that  you must have tough skin because not everyone will like your designs” . Kimora agreed with the young lady and mentioned that in the fashion industry , even though you might have a great product, not everyone is going to want what you have .  I experienced something similar myself, while modeling several years back with a group out of Nashville called, ‘ Figures of Nashville,  inc’ ( FONI ). During that time, I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful Sister Friends. This was a PLUS size model troop that had women from all walks of life. There were professional singers, radio personalities, Teachers, Hair stylists, Doctors, Attorneys, etc. It was there that I met some of the most confident women that I’ve ever encountered...

  Ever have one of those days that you’ll NEVER forget? I can think of a few, but the other day one popped into my mind and I have NO idea why. I guess God figured I needed a laugh at that moment because I was reminded of my  very first day  of High school. I wore a skirt and I had a  slip  underneath it… ( because that’s what we did back in the day, we wore slips so that nothing was showing underneath that skirt) . Anyway, we were between classes and the hallways bustled with students trying to make it to their next class on time. I remember I was getting ready to pass in front of the Nurse’s office when suddenly, the unimaginable happened in that crowded hallway.  That bad boy  slipped  right off my hips… ( pun intended ) and found its way around my ankles as I walked down the hall.  O! M! G!  Thank the Lord those were the days before cell phones, cameras, and social media. I’m sure I was thinking, “ What tha ”... as I used my Ninja sk...

Recently I was honored to be named as the, “ Mentor of the Month’  in this month’s May 2021 issue of Woman's Day magazine. It’s such a great honor and I’m truly grateful to have been chosen. When I read the article, I let two words intimidate me. They were: ‘ fitness fanatic’ . When I think of a  fitness fanatic , I think of someone who has a healthy or an unhealthy obsession with exercise and keeping themselves fit,  and I didn’t see myself as being either of those persons . Perhaps my definition of a  fitness fanatic  is a little skewed because of the images that I hold in my mind of extreme athletes. Anyway, I’ve now come to embrace the way in which the article is worded, and here’s why… I follow different exercise and fitness enthusiasts on social media who help inspire me along my journey. Some of them I know personally, and others I don’t know at all. However, I do admire their accomplishments, the ways that they push and challenge themselves, and the ways...

I heard the broadcast journalist Robin Roberts say the other day, “ When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you’re showing a strength, not a weakness… and people see that and will thank you for it ”.  I never used to see vulnerabilities or struggles as being a strength and I would ertainly hide mine from others. I realize that lots of people deal with their own struggles and don’t often want others to know what those struggles are. Sometimes we even go to great lengths to hide or mask those conflicts. I know I’ve done that for sure!!  **RAISING MY HANDS** However, I’ve come to realize that by sharing my adversities  through the use of this blog , and being transparent with the information provided, it not only serves as a release for me, but I’m grateful for the fact that it has also served to inspire others as well.   When I started this blog, I felt it was basically a way for me to get things off my chest…  or out of my head . For me, it was more like writin...