Eternal Sunshine of the Spotifyless Mind

Poverty has taken a lot from me over the past three years. My apartment. My independence. My ability to maintain an above negative balance in my checking account. But at the beginning of the month, poverty took something from me that I need to survive; that is the very power source of my existence. Poverty has finally taken away my Spotify Premium. It has happened people! I can no longer afford the $10 a month.
Last night, I had no other choice but to go to Youtube for my musical needs. It was horrible. I haven't gone on Youtube to listen to music since I was like 25. All my playlists are outdated and come with like a million commercials. The blast from the past of it all was too much. While listening to some early ASAP Rocky, I thought that I could actually hear my old roommate having sex in the next room over.
2019 has to bring me wealth and wealth and more wealth, because there is now officially nothing else my poverty can take from me, unless I finally get the medical okay to cell my organs and eggs. Come New Year's, I will be praying, eating greens, dancing on the arm of the freeway with an empty tin can for tips- anything I need to do to make some money. Because Mama draws a line at trying to live her life without the aid of a commercial-free soundtrack. It really is too much!

Tatyana Ali Talks TEACHER

Poverty and its correlation to a good education continues to be a hot botton issue in this country. In the film TEACHER, which is screening this month at the LA Film Festival, actress Tatyanna Ali addresses this issue head on.

TheBGInTheCity: Tell us about your role in TEACHERS.

Tatyana Ali: I play a teacher, and I was interested in doing it because it poses an interesting dilemma: how far can a teacher go to help a student? And where are the lines, especially when poverty is involved? My character has a real affinity for her student and goes out of her way to help her. 

TheBGInTheCity: What is the message that you hope gets across in the film? 

TA: I hope it shows where education and poverty intersect in the lives of the people involved. We make assumptions of students based on grades, and it's an unfair assumption.

TheBGInTheCity: Can you remember any of your favorite teachers? Who were they and why were they your favorites?

TA: I am blessed to have had amazing teachers. There was Mrs. Howard in the 3rd grade, Portia Adams and my other tutors on The Fresh Prince, My high school Intro to Philosophy teacher Dr. Hvolreok and my college counselor. Without him, I would not have gone to Harvard.

TheBGInTheCity: You are a very well-known actress, but I have seen you on YouTube supporting lesser known actresses like Andrea Lewis of Black Actress. Why?

TA: Because I wouldn't be here if other actresses wouldn't have given me a chance. I am interested in working with talented, gifted people. Whether they are known or not is a matter of timing and time. 

TheBGInTheCity: On a beauty note, we have been fans of your hair since you were a child actress. What is your hair routine? 

TA: I try to keep things natural. I learned from my grandmother to use a rosemary rinse. I take the rosemary, make a tea, then rinse my hair with it. It makes my hair strong. 

*TEACHER will be playing at the LA Film Fest through Film Independent's Project Involve Program on June 11.

The Price of Being Cold

It is freezing in Atlanta and my heat doesn't work.
I have a space heater that I am afraid to use as much as I need to because of how much it is going to cost.
The apartment complex I live in has advised that I keep the water dripping so it won't freeze in the pipes, but I am not paying for that!
It is so cold that I thought about unplugging my refrigerator and just putting my food outside in a box to stay fresh, but I'm scared that it would get stolen.
Going downstairs is unbearable. You can see your breath when you exhale. So I spent money I don't have to order food just so I can spend more time next to my space heater.
Oh the space heater. I sit so close to it that the heat on my face is giving me a tan.
I am afraid to get my next power bill. I can't imagine how much it is going to cost, but I have to say, I am freezing! I can't take it!
Sadly, I have to report that I am too poor to get cold.