What's In Your Bag

10/24/2026

Good morning,

Life is short. So, be kind. Don’t waste time shining light on someone else’s darkness. ❤️✌🏾

10/22/2026

M A N V I L L A G E
Men’s Support Group,

Summer is over, yet for some, your season of abundance continues to shine. Others might feel trapped in their storms. If we are truly our brother’s keeper and you matter,

WHICH SEASON ARE YOU IN?

Saturday, October 24, 2026
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
137 Evergreen Pl. Ste 2D
East Orange, NJ 07018
R S V P i s R e q u i r e d

10/20/2026

Singer Malena Smith’s flow and sound is dope. ❤️🎵🎼🎶👌🏾

10/18/2026

T h a n k Y o u!

St. Matthews AME Church and Bro. Harold Johnson, thank you for inviting me to present at your Annual St. Matthews Men’s Day Breakfast. The fellowship and camaraderie were refreshing, as well as the questions at the end of the presentation were very authentic, engaging, and poignant. I had a wonderful time and look forward to working with you in the very near future. ❤️

While I have spoken at many men’s fellowship breakfasts, this one really stood out for me. The last time that I visited St. Matthews, I sat among family as Bishop Malachia Brantley eulogized his mother (Aunt Katheryn). Simultaneously, while at her homegoing service on February 01, 2025 at 12:20 PM, I received a text from my sister Jean Barbee-Wilson that our mother Josephine Barbee had just transitioned. Also, St. Matthews was/is the home of other dear friends of mine: Dr. Reginald Jackson, Evelyn Davis Grant, Eric Butler, Bill Hunter, Eric Reynolds, Ray Scott, and Harold Johnson.  So, entering the doors of this church meant so much more than me delivering a message on black Mens mental and emotional health. Ironically, I felt like a child coming home. ❤️

Once again, thank you for the warm welcome. ❤️

Mike
William Michael Barbee
F a c i l i t a t o r
M AN V I L L A G E
Men’s Support Group

10/14/2026

Friendships

Friends are hard to come bye, and even more difficult to maintain. I appreciate my brother Sean for always reaching to ensure that we both are doing well. He’s a good dude.

❤️👌🏾

10/11/2026

Rise and shine!

I hope this morning finds your mind peaceful and spirit strong. Today is a perfect canvas to prioritize your mental and spiritual well-being. Start your day with powerful, ownership-driven affirmations by speaking “I am” and “I will” into existence. As you move through the hours, build firm boundaries to protect your inner peace. Clear out emotional and spiritual clutter by setting small, achievable goals that keep you grounded. I take long rides to nowhere with a camera in tow. It enables me to revisit my peace while traveling through life’s storms. ❤️

Finally, before you close your eyes tonight, seal this day with “Thank You!” Gratitude is one of the gateways to inner peace. Everything that I say to you is life and light into my path. So, extend love and light to someone else. Perform random, selfless acts of kindness with zero expectations. Be intentional about sowing deeds of kindness and seeds of love into the paths of strangers. Always remember to “Leave More Than You Take.” Your blessing lives in the quiet joy of giving. ❤️

I L o v e Y o u!

Mike
❤️🤚🏾

10/06/2026

10/03/2026

Good Morning,

I love my family. Periodically, I take a roadtrip instead of flying just to be able to visit, hug, laugh, reminisce, and break bread with loved ones, who I don’t get to see outside of a family funeral. On this day, I drove to Alberta, Virginia just to visit my Big Cousin John Louis Wyatt. His grandfather George Fields and my grandmother Gertrude M. Fields Williams were siblings. For no other reason, I just wanted to shower him with love. So, after the hugs and conversation, my heart smiled as he called everyone to let them know his little cousin came to see him. That was also great because I was able to briefly chat with other family members as well. After my visit, I continued on my road trip. ❤️

Roadtrips are great because I get to travel through places like Dolphin, Lawrenceville, Warfield, Freeman, Alberta, or other settlements within Brunswick County, Virginia. It runs along the southern border of Virginia. It is also the area where a chunk of my maternal grandparents Dea. Albert J. Williams and Gertrude Fields - Williams and their siblings were raised. Often, my Mom and her elder siblings told stories about growing up in Brunswick County from 1920 - 1947. So, visiting loved ones, capturing beautiful scenic landscape and Alberta, Virginia’s little bitty Post Office through my lens, while experiencing nature are all ways that I prioritize self-care and manage my mental wellness. ❤️

10/03/2026

S u n s e t C y c l i n g 🚴🚴🏾‍♀️🚴🏿‍♂️

I had a wonderful time taking photos while cycling with my brother Jose on the Neuse River Trails in Raleigh, NC. Jose and I always have always spoken about riding together since he, over 35 years ago, reintroduced me and Dwayne to the sport of cycling. So, after spending the morning in Charlotte, NC at the ‘Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery,’ cycling here in Raleigh, North Carolina with Jo was indeed a blessing. God bless you Jo in all things done and the positive indentation you’re making in the earth. ❤️

I love you, Bruh.
❤️🚴🏿‍♂️🚴🏾‍♀️🚴👌🏾

10/02/2026

‘Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery’
presents
‘Creating Culturally In Diverse Mediums’
featuring
Artist Jose Manuel Cruz

Curator: Joanne Rogers
Proprietor: Author Rogers

I had the distinct honor of touring ‘Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery,’ a 100,000 sq/ft art gallery located in Charlotte, NC, where Curator Joanne Rogers is featuring the work of my brother-friend Jose Manuel Cruz. As a close friend to Jose, it is one thing to see the creative process of each installation. However, there is an emotional connection that I experienced while standing in the middle of that huge gallery space. It was as though I was in the middle of his creative mind and heart. ❤️

On another note, I was pleased to know that Proprietors and Curator Arthur and Joanne Rogers look like me. Author is an esteemed realist fine artist, who specializing in oils. So, for those of you living in the Charlotte, NC area, take a moment of your time to visit the ‘Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery,’ at 700 N. Tryon Street. Charlotte, NC 28202. Jose’s show run ends October 29, 2026. ❤️

Once again, Jose thanks for sharing your gifts with the world. ❤️ 🖼️ 🎨 🖌️