About

Yo Yo Yiggity Yo!  Let’s start with a confession: I don’t use that phrase often in real life -only to a select few- but I do LOVE me some slang, y’all.  Like most African-Americans I code switch.  But right here?  This is my online home.  I don’t code switch here.  I use my words my way.

Now that that’s out of the way actual introductions are in order:

So. I’m Grace.  Just a redeemed girl in the world trying to live and tell a good story. 

My story is one of faith and redemption.  First off, my faith is every. doggone. thang to me. I’d follow Jesus to Hell if he said ‘Grace, pack up your ‘ish and let’s go.’ I love him, I love him, I do.  It’s been an honor to follow Jesus since April 27, 1996.

I’m biracial.  African-American + Italian-American.  I write-talk-speak about race and black people,  even how I’ve struggled with my kids white skin.  I’m not an angry black woman but I am officially part of the racially insane.  I have always felt a special call to love and serve my people including caring about the issues that define, trouble and consume us including our racial profiling woes and even our hair.  African-Americans have my heart.  That said, I’m part white too.  About 8 yrs. ago, I came to appreciate that fact in a new way. Though I haven’t always wanted to be a bridge between white Americans & African-Americans God seems to enjoy using me that way.

I’m a sexual abuse/ survivor.  I testified in court and watched my Dad trudge off to prison. Years later,  . It was awful.  I still have the sex demons.  I don’t write much about that here only because I’ve been putting all that content into the memoir I’ve been working on for 8 years, Detroit’s Daughter.  Obvs, I’m from Detroit.

In the last 9-ish years, , with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and then with PPD (post-partum depression) for almost a year after our 2nd son was born.  I didn’t write about PMDD or PPD because I was afraid to call it something, afraid to be diagnosed, afraid to admit I wasn’t just moody with hella family problems.  Why was I so afraid and weird about it?  Because I was depressed.  Vicious cycles stink.  Thankfully, anti-depressants help.

I’m passionate about justice & hope.  The concept of has come to mean ALL the things for me.  So much so, I procured a hope tattoo on my hand.  Sharing hope is largely why I write.  Loving people, serving the poor, freeing the slave, highlighting global maternal health issues, giving a voice to the downtrodden victims, highlighting great orgs who support justice, are all a part of my life’s overall purpose.

I am not terribly interested in dissecting the Christian Church whilst pointing out every damn flaw.  Yes, Christians act like a hot mess but adding to the NOISY A$$ chatter of how screwed up the Church is does not feel hope-filled to me.  So.  When I talk about the Church it’s usually a challenge to the Church to get our junk together because we can all stand to do better.  Also, occasionally I swear.

I lean towards saving my emotional angst and limited problem solving towards African-American issues.  I’ve never had the emotional resources to take on justice AND racism AND my own trauma AND the Church.  This is, in part why I’ve politely declined being a Feminist.  I do the work of Feminism -and deeply love, care and advocate for women- but choose to avoid the label.  I’m just one person with one broken heart to keep mending.  When I’ve spread myself thin over the years of my life, I hope everyone will know I spent my best energy, hope and tears advocating for African-Americans & for The Suffering in general.  Woman AND men.

Besides Jesus, justice & hope, I believe in growth, inspiration, leadership and art.  The art I currently embrace comes in the form of books, movies, t.v., fashion and hair.  I believe in finding my inner and outer beauty as a way to honor God, myself and those around me. or Beyonce anymore. In March 2012, I big chopped and decided to go 1 YEAR chemical-free, press-free, heat-free natural. It’s been an amazing journey of self-discovery & I’ll never go back.

I’m married to a Christian missionary with IVCF.  I myself was a Christian missionary (aka Campus Minister) for 12 years until my life fell apart.  I was able to invest in hundreds of African-American college students in one of the best things I’ll ever do with this life of mine.  Life happened.  and on sad note.    Ever since,  with scissors and glue and crafty tape and prayers.  I wrote an article  about if you’d like to TMI with me.

I’ve never been one to blog much about my husband’s work as a Campus Minister, but I will say this: he’s an incredibly gifted pastor, teacher, discipler, evangelist, leader & mentor who refuses to take part in this new-fangled internet fad.  In the land of the interwebz, he’s a complete figment of my imagination.

Proof I’m not cray-cray – this is my handsome and hilarious hubby Dave.  Surprise, he’s white!  Here’s why I married this pretty fly white guy.

Occasionally, I write about how Dave & I have had  of this marriage thing, when I’ve wanted to give up and how God keeps holding us together as beloveds…for 13.5 yrs. now.  I don’t let him touch up my Rihanna mohawk anymore.  That helps.

I’m an oversharing #BoyMoma of two.  Most days, .  On other days, I have nothing a sad reflection & posts

These are my lovely and equally hilarious children, R1 (7.5) & R2 (3.5).  On , I share shituff they say, which is often LOL worthy.

I blog because I love expression.  I share my life and share in the lives of others because it’s important to know and be known.  I honor this value by writing in lots of other places and an assortment of guests posts.  The truth about blogging since 2006?  Trying to go the route of blog-to-business drove me nuts.  I recently resolved that being a full-time writer-author-blogger can kiss my bootay.  May I never write about blogging because it’s just. not. me.

As a BIG dreamer, I’ve always got ideas coming through the shoot.  Pretty soon, I’ll be starting my very own Stableness Project (ala The Happiness Project).  I started with a list of personal commandments & promptly stalled out.  I’ve also begun laying the framework for an online e-zine for African-American Christians called , though this too, has fallen victim to the many transitions I’ve underwent this year. Career-wise, I work full-time in non-profit management as the Program Director here.

So.  I tell my story. Join me.  Comment thought-fully.  Social-media-share generously.  Join my FB chatter.   OR subscribe to my quarterly-ish newsletter if you’d like to know what’s up with my book, extra giveaways, etc.

If you like my blog and think someone you know may benefit from it ~ share this mug!  (translation: post a link to this page on your friend’s FB wall, etc.) Blogs aren’t built on ad space, they are built on tribes & generosity.  Share generously.  I’m trying to do better at this myself!

Mostly, thank you for stopping by my scatterbrained ehome.  Y’all come back now ya heard?

House Keeping

I always disclose sponsored posts.  I receive a referral fee for any purchase through my Amazon or Audible link or other referral links on this site.  I do not recommend services or products I would not myself use. 10% of ALL profits made from this blog are given to World Vision.

This is Grace’s blog and occasionally other writers guest post. The opinions we express here do not necessarily represent those of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, The River Church, The Reformed Church of America, Western Theological Seminary, Volunteer Kalamazoo or any other association mentioned.  The information I provide is on an as-is basis. I make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

All that said, I’d appreciate if you use any of my content you give me a link back and credit for any materials or images.  Thank you in advance for this consideration.

Also, don’t steal my stuff, yo.  I will hunt you down & like Jesus said -turn the other cheek. =)

Interested in guest posting?

Yes, please!  Pitch me! gracebiskie at gmail dot com.  I don’t do paid product reviews, work with companies or do paid product endorsements because.. I suck at it.  I do review books occasionally.  If I like a product I’ll sing its praises all on my own.