Quarantine and Chill

We’re all homebodies now thanks to Miss Rona, but that doesn’t mean boredom has to be the tone of everybody’s month. There are tons of activities and bingeable shows to enjoy while we wait for the curve to flatten – either online with friends or by your lonesome. 

Read … 

Given by Nandi Taylor

Given blends Caribbean and West African mythos with sci-fi fantasy and follows Yirba warrior princess Yenni as she desperately tries to avoid love, dragons and other distractions on a quest to save her father’s life from a terrible illness. 

Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories from the Harlem Renaissance by Zora Neale Hurston

Revered Black writer Zora Neale Hurston’s collection of stories and essays published after her passing contains eight renaissance-era stories about living life as a Black woman at Barnard College in 1925. Hurston was the only Black student in attendance. 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

When their father suffers a fatal plane crash en route to the Dominican Republic, two Afro-Latina girls discover each other’s existence, come to grips with what they thought they knew about family and learn, for the first time, what it means to be a sister. 

Watch …

Self Made, Netflix

You know the name, now learn the story. Tiffany Haddish and the dynamic Octavia Spencer revive the inspiring success story of Madam C. J. Walker, godmother of Black hair and America’s first self-made female millionaire.

What We Do in the Shadows, FX

Four modern vampires living on Staten Island have to suddenly explain to their master why they haven’t conquered New York, and instead favor late-night karaoke sessions. The second season of this dry witted, gothic comedy premiers April 15 on Netflix. 

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, Netflix

Wild animals, polyamory, luxurious and illegal lifestyles. Talk about escapism. Tiger King is a documentary about exotic animals and the characters who own them, turned upside down. 

The Banker, Apple TV+

Just the kind of story we need right now. Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie star as two Black entrepreneurs that hatch a plan to buy a bank and elevate their community, all while using a white man as the front. Like Sam says in the trailer, “I like seeing Black men succeed.”

Selah and The Spades, Amazon Prime

Selah Summers (Lovie Simone) runs the most dominant faction in her elite boarding school with an iron fist and immaculate elegance until life, love and competition starts to tear her reign asunder. Moonlight’s and When They See Us’ Jharrel Jerome stars in this twisted teen drama. 

Do …

Learn a new hairstyle

Raise your hand if you never learned how to cornrow. Don’t stress, we won’t take away your Black card. Why not take this extra time to finally slay that fishtail braid or get an expert grip on those bantu knots? You’ll save money on trips to the salon, feel accomplished and look good to boot. 

Teach yourself a foreign language

¿Hablas Español? If not, maybe it’s time to learn. Data says it’s easier to learn new languages as a child, but no one ever said a bored adult can’t do it, too. Rosetta Stone is one of the best-known paid immersion services, but free apps like Duolingo and Babel work just as well.

Teach a class

If you have a skill or talent that people would pay to learn, consider setting up a Skillshare account or posting educational videos to YouTube or other platforms. Not only will you be keeping yourself busy, you’ll be passing on cool knowledge to other people and providing them fun shelter activities.

Surf the web

The internet is a much more interesting place since people started taking COVID-19 precautions. There’s a lot of cool live events and content being streamed and shared with the public right now. DJ’s and artists are hosting online concerts, sing-offs, recording sessions and more.

The Detroit Zoo is streaming its animals 24/7 – apparently the river otters are a crowd favorite. If you’re worried about rounding out at home, your favorite gym or fitness star is probably holding remote workouts sessions on Zoom, FaceTime or Instagram.