Carmen Nicole Aziz, Atlanta, GA (2025)

11/03/2025

Vineyard Fest owes me absolutely nothing! ✨✨✨

11/02/2025

A time is being had at 🥂✨

11/01/2025

“Know when to keep your mouth shut.” -My Daddy RIP 🫶🏾🕊️

I had a call with one of my former leaders the other day. She expressed how much respect she had for what I created over But she also shared she wanted to know more about the how. She wanted to learn more about what it’s like on this side of things.

I wanted to share here one of the most important take aways. The people matter. Who you allow into your sacred space is so important. AND how you react during challenging moments matters just as much.

Not everyone is there for the mission, and that’s okay. As a leader, it’s your job to recognize who’s aligned with your purpose and who’s simply along for the ride. As we continue to talk community building, it’s important to be able to identify who’s who. I’ve found that people who are community oriented at a high level exhibit the following characteristics.

1️⃣ Their values match the organization’s heart.
2️⃣ They’re fueled by purpose, not position.
3️⃣ They show up consistently-even when it’s hard.
4️⃣ They lift others and celebrate collective wins. It’s not just about the work THEY do.
5️⃣ They take initiative and make things happen.
6️⃣ They own their impact with accountability.
7️⃣ They serve with empathy and community in mind.
8️⃣ They keep their eyes on organizational legacy, not just at the local level.

On the other hand, those that struggle to view community holistically typically exhibit the following characteristics:

1️⃣ They’re focused on what they can get, not what they can give.
2️⃣ Their effort depends on who’s watching.
3️⃣ They avoid accountability when things go wrong.
4️⃣ Their actions don’t match the organization’s values.
5️⃣ They resist collaboration and crave control or credit.
6️⃣ They think short-term-not legacy.
7️⃣ They do the bare minimum and call it effort.
8️⃣ They drain energy instead of building community, often having unrealistic expectations.

For those working to build something of note, something of impact, and something that last beyond you, make sure you understand that WHO is in your community is just as important as HOW you navigate during times of resistance, and dissent.

10/30/2025

INVITED, BUT NEVER PRESENT: THE SILENT COMMUNITY KILLER 😮‍💨

We all know someone who wants to feel included, but rarely shows up when the moment comes. It’s not always about flakiness-sometimes it’s deeper than that.

But when you ask to be included, and then rarely follow through, it slowly erodes trust and connection in ways most people don’t even realize. Personally, I think it’s an unfair and unrealistic expectation to insist you be invited, and feel slighted when left out, if you consistently don’t or can’t show up when the invitation is extended.

So why do people do this? 🤔

🫣Validation over participation: Sometimes, people crave the feeling of being wanted more than the actual experience of showing up.

🫣Emotional avoidance: It’s easier to cancel than to face the vulnerability of being seen, especially if you’re feeling insecure or disconnected.

🫣Overcommitment culture: Many say “yes” out of guilt or habit, not alignment-leading to burnout and broken promises.

💔 How this behavior impacts relationships:

🫠Erodes trust: Every time someone cancels or ghosts plans, it quietly tells the other person, “You’re not a priority.” Over time, that message sticks.

🫠Creates emotional distance: When one person always initiates and the other rarely reciprocates, connection becomes one-sided, and resentment builds.

🫠Breaks group energy: In community spaces, inconsistency kills momentum. Others stop planning, stop inviting, and the collective spirit fades.

🫠Signals unreliability: Even if it’s not intentional, chronic no-shows send a message that you can’t be counted on, and reliability is the foundation of belonging.

The take away? Friendship and community building is based on presence, transparency, accountability and reciprocity. Let’s not forget that! If you have unique circumstances, are going through a tough time, etc., that should be communicated directly to your friends so the bond can remain.

Y’all be good, and continue to be social! 🫶🏾

10/30/2025

INVITED, BUT NEVER PRESENT: THE SILENT COMMUNITY KILLER 😮‍💨

We all know someone who wants to feel included, but rarely shows up when the moment comes. It’s not always about flakiness-sometimes it’s deeper than that.

But when you ask to be included, and then rarely follow through, it slowly erodes trust and connection in ways most people don’t even realize.

Why people do this? 🤔

🫣Validation over participation: Sometimes, people crave the feeling of being wanted more than the actual experience of showing up.

🫣Emotional avoidance: It’s easier to cancel than to face the vulnerability of being seen, especially if you’re feeling insecure or disconnected.

🫣Overcommitment culture: Many say “yes” out of guilt or habit, not alignment-leading to burnout and broken promises.

💔 How this behavior impacts relationships:

🫠Erodes trust: Every time someone cancels or ghosts plans, it quietly tells the other person, “You’re not a priority.” Over time, that message sticks.

🫠Creates emotional distance: When one person always initiates and the other rarely reciprocates, connection becomes one-sided, and resentment builds.

🫠Breaks group energy: In community spaces, inconsistency kills momentum. Others stop planning, stop inviting, and the collective spirit fades.

🫠Signals unreliability: Even if it’s not intentional, chronic no-shows send a message that you can’t be counted on, and reliability is the foundation of belonging.

10/28/2025

Just a few reminders as millions of Americans stand to lose their benefits on November 1. Make no mistake, racism is at the forefront of this-and per usual these folks are cutting off their nose to spite their face! They rather their own suffer, if it means Black and Brown people will suffer “more.” Good morning!

10/27/2025

FASCINATION IS NOT FRIENDSHIP 🤏🏾

Here’s my truth-As someone with an outgoing personality, all my life, I’ve had to filter through friends who were coming to me in search of something vs. friends who were indeed genuine, and interested in a reciprocal relationship. As I got older, my discernment got stronger, but it wasn’t always that way.

When a creator recently said “Fascination is not Friendship,” I FELT that. Let’s dig deeper 👇🏾

Sometimes people are drawn to your energy, your story, your confidence, or your light Fascination can be admiration, curiosity, or even envy in disguise. It’s a spark, not a bond.
True friendship is built on consistency, trust, and mutual care, not just interest. Learn to recognize the difference early.

✨Fascination is about who you seem to be; friendship is about who you really are.
✨Fascination needs your presence; friendship respects your space. Fascination thrives on attention and novelty. Friendship honors your boundaries.
✨Fascination often benefits one side; friendship uplifts both.
Sometimes fascination is about what they get from you-inspiration, status, or proximity to your light.
✨Fascination fades; friendship evolves.
Once the mystery wears off, fascination loses momentum.
✨Look at how they act when you’re not at your best.
Fascination usually thrives when you’re “on.” When you’re quiet, struggling, or not impressive…they drift.
✨See how they respond to your boundaries.
When fascination drives a connection, boundaries feel like rejection

Solution: Let time reveal people. Take it slow.
Surround yourself with grounded people.
When you build a circle rooted in integrity and empathy, fascination stands out instantly.

Final Note 📝 Fascination is about attraction. Friendship is about alignment. One is a spark; the other is a foundation.

Be Good. Be Friendly. Be Social.✌🏾

10/26/2025

Had a fab time with my fave today. Much needed time spent at 🌮🍜🥟🍰

10/22/2025

Anybody who knows me, knows I LOVE Christmas 🎄❄️

Celebrating early with 💙

10/21/2025

Happy Homecoming week to all the BISON out there 💙❤️🤍

Won’t make it back home this year, but still remembering last year’s Homecoming fondly, where I wore this gorgeous, but highly uncomfortable dress 🥴

Thank God I graduated from an HBCU TWICE. I’ll be celebrating my other beloved HBCU this weekend 🖤❤️🤍

10/19/2025

What a dirty, rotten legacy these people have here in the United States.

I’m glad to see the movement brought out so many people. I am not someone who believes acts of protest “don’t do anything.” I believe ALL forms of resistance are needed-from the ballot box, to the streets.

But as a Black woman, I decided to sit this one out. I won’t stop doing what I can on my own, and through collective action/organizing. But it’s my prayer that people outside of the Black community (White folks) will take the lead here.

Black folk will always fight, and will continue to, because that’s what we have to do to survive, but it’s up to WHITE FOLK to fix the broken system they created.

The No Kings Day movement was ONE step of many.

Thanks for sharing some of these photos earlier

10/15/2025

Let’s talk about it! on the Joe Budden Podcast. Marc is a well known scholar, professor, business owner, activist and community leader. Many people believe his presence on the Joe Budden podcast is devaluing his personal brand and credibility.

I actually disagree. Teachers, mentors and community advocates have always gone where the people are. They’ve always made an effort to meet people where they are. However in some instances, those trying to educate are met with pushback, and even aggression.

This interaction speaks to a larger issue in society. We’re seeing a lot of tension, misunderstanding, etc., especially in this era because of intellectual gaps/misalignment.

And that’s not to sound condescending-it’s simply a real issue that causes a LOT of discord in relationships, friendships, at work, on social media, and right now-politics, for sure. I think Marc should stay to cut through the noise, but I do understand how people like him would grow weary in a space like that.

What are your thoughts?

Carmen Nicole Aziz

11/03/2025

11/02/2025

11/01/2025

10/30/2025

10/30/2025

10/28/2025

10/27/2025

10/26/2025

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10/15/2025

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