Coconuts N Colors SALON. it's Glamorous

🇲🇽✊🏾 Did you know that Mexico and Peru received more African slaves than the United States during the entire history of the transatlantic slave trade? 🌍 Yet, the African roots in these countries are often hidden in plain sight, with many people unaware of their ancestry. This rich history remains overlooked, but it profoundly shaped the culture, traditions, and even the fight for freedom in Latin America. In Mexico, African slaves played a crucial role in building the economy, working in mines, sugarcane fields, and wealthy homes. But they didn’t accept their fate passively. One of the most famous rebels was Gaspar Yanga, an enslaved man who led a successful revolt against the Spanish in the 16th century, establishing Yanga, one of the first free Black towns in the Americas. This African influence is also reflected in Mexican culture, like the lively Fandango—a blend of African, Spanish, and Indigenous traditions—or the famous song “La Bamba,” which traces its roots back to Angolan and Congolese slaves who sang it as early as the 17th century. African descendants also played a pivotal role in Mexico’s independence. Vicente Guerrero, who was of African descent, became the second president of Mexico in 1829 and abolished slavery in the country—a full 30 years before Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S. Guerrero’s legacy is a reminder of how Black Mexicans helped shape the nation’s history. Today, many families speak of the “black grandma in the closet,” a symbol of African ancestry that has been hidden or downplayed over generations. But as awareness grows, the contributions of Afro-Latinos to Mexico’s and Peru’s culture, history, and identity are finally being recognized. Let’s celebrate the rich and diverse heritage that has been woven into the fabric of Latin America. 🇲🇽✊🏾 #BlackInLatinAmerica #AfroLatinoHistory #HiddenHeritage #VicenteGuerrero #LaBamba

Cletis McConnellCletis at the salonCletis McconnellCletis McConnellCletis McConnellA sister, a mom, a grandmother and a friend" Princeola BullardCurtis Bullard My Dad, a grandfather, uncle and friendCoconuts N Colors SALON. it's Glamorous

Drop a ❤️ if you needed to read this! ~ @melevepoetry #moonomens

The Morning That Changed Everything

Resurrection Sunday reminds us that what looked like the end was actually the beginning of everything. The tomb was empty, the stone was rolled away, and death no longer had the final word. Jesus did not just rise for Himself, He rose for us, so that our brokenness could be healed, our sin could be forgiven, and our hope could be restored. No matter what feels dead in your life today, your faith, your joy, your direction, God is still in the business of resurrection. The same power that raised Jesus is still at work, bringing light into darkness and life into places we thought were beyond saving.

Bible Verse:

“He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.”

Matthew 28:6

On July 31, 1968… months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ✊🏿 a new face appeared in Peanuts. His name was Franklin. A schoolteacher named Harriet Glickman had written to Charles Schulz, asking him to reflect the world children were growing up in. Schulz agreed 🥹 and when editors resisted showing Black and white children together, he refused to change the strip. Franklin’s first scene showed him and Charlie Brown building a sandcastle on a beach during an era when many public spaces were still segregated. He wasn’t written as a symbol. He was written as normal. 🤌🏾 Baseball. Music. Wisdom from his grandfather. Just a kid… fully present. More than 50 years later, Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin gives him the origin story history owed him. Franklin didn’t shout. He showed up. And that was enough to change Peanuts forever. 🟧✍🏾 @BlackFutureClub | #BlackGeekSquad

Cletis at the salonCletis McConnellCletis McConnellCletis McconnellCletis McConnellCoconuts N Colors SALON. it's GlamorousA sister, a mom, a grandmother and a friend" Princeola BullardCurtis Bullard My Dad, a grandfather, uncle and friend

Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer, organized by cletis McConnell Hello, my name is Cletis McConnell and I have been diagnosed with an… cletis McConnell needs your support for Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer

Hi everyone, hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to ask for support for this GoFundMe. This cause is important and whether you can donate or simply share the fundraiser, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. Here’s the link:

Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer, organized by cletis McConnell Hello, my name is Cletis McConnell and I have been diagnosed with an… cletis McConnell needs your support for Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer

Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer, organized by cletis McConnell Hello, my name is Cletis McConnell and I have been diagnosed with an… cletis McConnell needs your support for Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer

I want to share something deeply personal with those who have supported me over the years as friends, clients, and family. I was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer, and while I am facing this journey with faith and determination, it will require time, treatment, and rest. This news was unexpected and difficult to process, but I am choosing hope and healing as I move forward.

Because of the treatment schedule and the recovery period ahead, I will need to temporarily close the salon for at least two months. Making this decision was not easy, as my work and the relationships I’ve built through it mean so much to me. However, prioritizing my health is essential during this time, and I am trusting that stepping away now will allow me to return stronger when I am able.

As I prepare for this chapter, I am humbly asking for support from those who are willing and able. Whether through prayer, encouragement, financial help, or simply checking in, your care will make a real difference as I navigate treatment and recovery. I am grateful for the community around me, and I believe with strength, faith, and support, I will get through this and return to doing what I love. Thank you for standing with me.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-cletiss-fight-against-cervical-cancer?modal=share&source=fundraiser+sticky+footer&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp17_control&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=IwRlRTSAObyKhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeMVySCBiGSzF9mqhSZgnxykBoPOBH0FHbmVcDOGiXsuOPnULPShyKe3_OW0s_aem_E59a3ianSXL2WOORwyRqSg

Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer, organized by cletis McConnell Hello, my name is Cletis McConnell and I have been diagnosed with an… cletis McConnell needs your support for Donate to Cletis's Fight Against Cervical Cancer

Thankful For God’s Blessings

As we gather this Thanksgiving, it is a good moment to slow down and recognize how deeply God has blessed us. Even in the challenges, His goodness shows up in ways both simple and profound, giving us strength, comfort, and joy right when we need it. When we take time to notice His hand in our lives, our hearts fill with gratitude and our faith grows stronger. Today is more than a holiday, it is a reminder that every good thing we have comes from Him and He is worthy of our thanks every single day.

Bible Verse:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1