African King and Queen

Welcome.
So many things make America  great nation. This country has embraced  people from all walks of life for centuries. The elite diversity in culture, ethnicity, religion, gender or creed, are ongoing, and are vivid in all aspect of everyday life in America. Indeed, America is the land of the free.

We lived here for a while, and we are a testament of the positive accolades of this nation. Don't get us wrong, we haven't lost our culture or our heritage.  Most people who come here underestimate the culture shock,  but it doesn't take too long for one realize that things are way different here. Vivid illustrations of wealth, financial stability, and a nail-biting economy, innovation in science and technology continually grow on daily basis.

If you've come here to grow, this is the right lace for you. Believe it and achieve it. The social class is very visible, and the gap between the rich and the middle class as compare to  the less fortunate is wider than expected.  There are the homeless people here, and there are the people who live in milk and honey. By now you are asking yourself whether you've made the right choice to come to this great nation. Take it easy on yourself, yes you have. You made the right choice, so have many across the world.

Your migration has given you access to infinite opportunities to succeed, and live a better life. Considering the fact that you left your country of birth to come to the States, we hope your ultimate goal is to be successful  law-abidingly. It's important to stress this aspect of keeping a clean sheet- this guarantees how far you will go in your quest for greener pastures.

Believe that you can. You might have been shaken by the vicious winter this year, or the slow response to your job applications, or maybe you've become frustrated that your tongue is longer than everyone else, and you get picked on even as an adult. Don't you worry, it's all part of the game of success. It will take a while for you to know what to order when you go to a public place to eat. You will find a way to fit it. A little patience and determination does the trick.

Its also important for you to let go of some of your old ideologies and practices, delete them from your memory, and remember, its the 21st century, and things are done just a little bit different; actually, things are done very differently these days. So take a deep breath, and picture yourself living your dream. The only way to make this possible, it through hard work, commitment, dedication, networking, and keeping a diverse group of friends

Here are some other tips to help you start on your quest to success. Ready? Say a prayer first......

1. Set Reasonable Goals, Aim at Reasonable Expectations
Some people are able to make it based on a certain path they choose, that necessarily mean you can also. Be innovative, be positively creative, and set reasonable goal. Educational goal is your ideal best option. Community colleges a highly resourceful, career development services are available to assist all dedicated individuals who pursue them.

2.  Please, Do not Belittle Yourself
You are worthy, you are royal, and most of all you are human just like everyone else, therefore do your best not to settle for less, if you are middle class from your native country and you migrate here, aim to reach the same socio-economic status. We can understand that you will have to do some odd jobs to get your feet wet, however, reach for the stars, and don't settle for less.

3. Don't Loose the Positive Aspects of Your Culture
If you came from a country that had certain cultural prejudices, leave that behind, and embrace the love of people from all walks of life. For the first time in your life, you will have a major cultural shock, its up to you to enjoy diversity, and thread steady into your new world that you have pursued. Be confident that your cultural identity cannot be deleted, people will love you for who you are, be honest, don't be shy to blend in, don't be shy to teach the people you meet about where you came from, and the beautiful imaginative nostalgic moments you have.

4. Be Determined to Succeed
Pray always and be determined to succeed. Take note of all the wrong routes you take, and make sure not to take them again. Learn from others mistakes, and be certain to utilize resources available to you. Be eager to  succeed on your quest to further education. Even if you had little education, its never too late to hit the restart button.

5. Don't Forget Where You Came From
Your identity cannot be erased. There have been people in your lives who have helped you in your life before you migrated. Don't isolate them, continue to communicate, continue to seek the counsel of great friendships, and keep the chain of family intact in all you endeavors.


Thank you for reading........
Love,
Lilian & Dennis

And even though I've written about you a couple of times, I don't think I will stop ; I soaked these words in honey and nectar, I waited for them to marinate before I fed them to you tonight.

We try so hard to put just pictures, pictures without writing, writing about the love we deeply share, sharing our love has become our new religion, religion we call it, it is more of less like our new addiction, addiction to care and love each other endlessly, endlessly. 

Growing up in Ghana, one of the most common words we heard was "Chale". Everyone was called Chale; during a recent visit to Ghana, kids continue to call each other Chale. It's similar to calling someone "dude" or "homie".  We used is playfully, and in a unique way it was a welcoming term among all Ghanaians. It's interesting now to hear other West Africans use it as well.

The term symbolizes uniformity, and equality in people from all walks of life. Chale means love to us. We call each other Chale all the time. The e has an accent, so its pronounce "Cha-lay" or "Cha-ley, or "Chaa-lay".


We thought of numerous ways to explore and share our cultural diversity background. Finally we do so in an African motivated fashion through a common jargon. The t-shirts are just a niche of a broader fashion/artistic perspective, as time goes on, we will bring out more vivacious, and vibrant African products to shed more insights on the unique, and extraordinary culture.

Enjoy Chalebrand as well as our storefront on  Etsy. 


Thanks for reading........

Love Always,
Lilian & Dennis 

The wonderful sense of hearing is an amazing feeling. It really feels good when you listen to the things you want to hear, or when your loved one tells you what he/she knows you love to hear. Add that to some quality time, and its fireworks of love, of love, and of love. 

Don't get us wrong, the sense of sight, touch, and taste are vital as well, but, there's something unique about hearing, you see, hearing is soothing, calming, re-assuring, confirmatory, and loving;  we've been told by people in long lasting relationships "if he/she is not listening, the feeling is empty". 

So listen ooooo, listen to your loved one at all times, especially when you do not share the same perceptions or sentiments, listen first, and let the other senses follow suit. 

In our viewpoint, we believe music is a pure and an angelic artform, it which illustrates and explore so many of ones feeling at time, Music is healing, soothing, motivating, captivating, loving, and if embraced,  takes you where you want to be. It is important therefore to choose wisely what you listen to. 

Tonight, we are both home, it's snowing, yet, early in the evening, we do not have work tomorrow, even though we can't forget the exam we have at 1700, nonetheless, love comes first, so its time for some good Jazz, some soothing Soul music over some blameless South African Wine, and most definitely our noble conversations and reflections on our love/marriage. 

Music and Love, the right concoction for good loving, at all cost. 

Love Always,

Lilian & Dennis 

Happy New Year and welcome to a fascination blend of the old self, and the rejuvenated expected self. Some say a and brand new you. We have great news for you, " you don't have to wait for the new year to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Keep shinning, keep rising, keep loving, keep living in positivity year round, and infinity.

Each day is an opportunity to make the next day better, and each year brings us more reasons to be better, live healthier, be more human, and embrace the reality that life will go on; therefore, this year, welcome the idea that, creating a solid and healthy relationship will make this year a better, and blessed one.

Here are ways to take your relationship a notch up

1. Strengthen Your Relationship
What are some of the things you can do to strengthen your already established relationship ? Spice it up. Spice up the things that you both love about your relationship, and take it further.  We both love art, fashion, music, travel, and adventure, so for this year, we plan to take it up a notch and surprise each other based on our likes. Make this decision to strengthen your relationship often, make it unexpected. Give your better half a reason to miss you every second of time when you are away.

2. Slow Down and Love
This year, this day, henceforth, slow down. Sometimes, its easy to get caught up with work, school, and projects, but do not forget your LOVE. Slowing down will strengthen your relationship.

Let's say it together, s-l-o-w d-o-w-n. 
 We understand  you have to work, we understand you might have 2 or 3 jobs, we understand, it's tiring, we understand you have bills to pay; however, as advanced as we, death and demise continues to win, and it target's us when are most vulnerable, "When we are stressed from not slowing down". In the midst of your busy schedule(s), the last thing you want is to ignore your love. Make him/her feel loved, not ignored, make them relevant, touch, kiss, surprise each other in the simplest ways- a love not goes many miles, an unexpected hug and warm kiss is healing, so slow down and Love

3. Apologize, You're Imperfect
We are still looking for the one person or person's who are flawless in their personal lives and in their relationship- so please let us know when you find one at theafricankingandqueen@gmail.com. Guys, it's okay to be wrong, and sometimes being wrong confirms that you are human. Its vital that you understand that being in a relationship, does not nullify you from being wrong. It actually sets a stage for your vulnerability, and shed's more light on your ignored weakness. With each apology, learn not to repeat them, and mean your apologies; this will take your relationship to the next level.


4. Pray Together Without Ceasing
This should have been the first point, but any who, Pray, Pray, Pray, and Pray, and keep on praying- with faith, with purpose, with confidence, with dialogue, and believe in your prayer, and it will be answered. Without prayer, we would not have made it this far in our relationship. God has been the light in our paths, and has opened more doors for us; at times when we were or have been to weak to pry, He strengthens us. Godliness in a relationship is evidenced by a strong bond of positivity, and creates a solid foundation for any loving, and lasting relationship. Pray always, before you eat, pray whether someone is looking or not,  pray in all situations- good or challenging; and believe that your prayers will be answered.

5. Plan Your Week Together
Planing your week together is easier than planning a year or a month.  Remember, key phrase here is "your week"; this means that, in spite of your busy work work schedule, you as a couple can make smile through the hurriedness. No matter what, or how busy you are, set time aside for each other, this enhances your bond, solidifies your love, and thickens the appreciation you have share.