Maya Smith

By Maya Simth Every December, we feel the same pull — the glittering lights, the endless ads, the pressure to show our love by spending. Somewhere between the Cyber Monday sales and the “treat yourself” campaigns, the holidays shifted from celebration to survival — survival of budgets, expectations, and exhaustion. But this year, something different is happening. Across the Diaspora, more of us are saying: enough. The Canceling Christmas movement isn’t about rejecting joy — it’s about...

by Maya Simone Smith The cocoa bean, the essential ingredient in chocolate, has a rich and complex history that intertwines with the narrative of African American heritage. From the shores of West Africa to the plantations of the Americas, the journey of the cocoa bean is emblematic of the larger themes of cultural exchange, resilience, and transformation. Origins and Early Cultivation Cocoa, or cacao, originated in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, where it was...

by Maya Simone Smith George Washington Carver, an innovative scientist and educator, made a monumental impact on agriculture and the consumption of peanuts in the United States and beyond. Born into slavery in the early 1860s, Carver overcame numerous challenges to become one of the most renowned agricultural scientists of his time. His work not only revolutionized the agricultural landscape but also had a lasting effect on the economy and diet of America. A Pioneer in Agricultural Science...