Good morning/afternoon/evening! How are you?
I'm Shamontiel, a freelance editor, writer and fact-checker. I've been working in print and digital news since 2005. Before I can peacefully do any of the above, I start my day walking my unemployed security guard (and occasionally other neighborhood dogs). Post-walk, I clear my mind with at least 15 minutes of Pilates or weight training, and 10 minutes of morning meditation. I prioritize plant-based cooking (21-year vegetarian) for breakfast, followed by reviewing the latest trends in politics, news and culture. Then, it's time to grind. Want to know more? Check out some of my posts (below) and my top five.

MOST RECENT SUBSTACK POSTS

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Photo credit: ChatGPT Photo Generator
1. I DO SEE COLOR: Four tips to stay sane and at peace during a lawsuit ~ Hiring an attorney doesn't immediately make a lawsuit stress-free, but there are legal perks

2. ONE BLACK WOMAN'S VOTE: Attorneys are starting to be the new crop of journalists ~ Why 22 past presidents were able to offer expertise that Trump will never have

3. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: Enjoy the living blanket, but keep hygiene in mind while sleeping with dogs ~ Laundry tips to keep dog blankets, human blankets, dog beds and your own hands clean

4. BLACKTECHLOGY: ChatGPT may work wonders for mental health — or not ~ Along with tech instructions and fact-checking, ChatGPT suggested ways to handle busybody neighbors

5. I DO SEE COLOR: 10 times KevOnStage and Tony Baker take me down memory lane with Michael Jackson music ~ My then-and-now take on Michael Jackson music videos with commentary from the "Bald Brothers" podcast
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Photo credit: ChatGPT Photo Generator
6. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: In two-party consent states, is it legal to record noisy dogs? ~ The intimacy neighbor altercation that sparked noise complaint questions about pets

7. I DO SEE COLOR: Why Black girls should always take ownership of their hair ~ Speaking up about how you want your hair to be styled as a child creates a more assertive adult woman

8. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: The silliest part of the dog dispute between Presidents Lazarus Chakwera Versus President Peter Mutharika ~ Are there no other Dutch Shepherds or Malinois dogs to adopt and train in Malawi?

9. WINDOW SHOPPING: The shoe video that went all wrong: Six tips to avoid a poorly edited marketing video ~ Six ways to make sure your commercial message lands

10. I DO SEE COLOR: Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors join Ciara as dual citizens in Africa ~ My 2026 goal is to be able to easily find African countries on a map