Quick! Think of one thing you know now that you did not know this month last year? Feel free to share your answer with me here. (Click "Recent Discoveries" in my "Top Five" for my answers.)

Who am I? I'm Shamontiel, a freelance editor, writer and fact-checker. I start each morning walking my unemployed security guard. Post-walk, I grudgingly do at least 15 minutes of Pilates or weight training, then enjoy 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. Even though my bachelor's degree is in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing and I loathe math, I've somehow always had at least one or two clients in the financial literacy, stock and real estate investing, or money management industries. I suppose three decades of seasonal work where a family member managed a credit union discredited my "English major, I don't do math" protest. Math keeps chasing me around!

​Want to know more about me? 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: Cebo Campbell's 'Sky Full of Elephants' book: What happens if the U.S. is solely Black people? ~ I don't agree with Don't Call Me White Girl's views on Black people not having white friends

2. HOMEGROWN TALES: 17 underrated ways to use candle warmers (besides warming candles) ~ From removing adhesive to at-home spa days, candle warmers are multi-functional

3. I DO SEE COLOR: Black seniors may be increasing as solo agers ~ Being single and childless doesn't mean you can't create your own family (and emergency contacts)

4. ONE BLACK WOMAN'S VOTE: U.S.-born Black people should keep an eye on the birthright citizenship debate ~ Trump asks Supreme Court to rehear birthright citizenship case although rehearings haven't been done in 60 years

5. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: A cat named Diesel: Pet lessons learned from 'Love & Hip-Hop' host Nina Parker ~ Who is better at getting rid of rodents: mouser cats or hunting dogs?
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Photo credit: ChatGPT Photo Generator
6. I DO SEE COLOR: Instead of boycotting Yung Miami's 'Spend Dat,' just share and listen to better music ~ India Arie has a point about worldwide views on Black women, but the lyrics don't always influence the listener

7. BLACKTECHLOGY: Google's NotebookLM podcast may be the AI platform you need to use more than Gemini and ChatGPT ~ Without podcaster interruptions and self-promotions, this AI podcast helps you learn about a topic quickly and cohesively

8. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: Is your zigzagging dog misbehaving or following natural canine instincts? ~ From puppies to adult dogs, sometimes dog owners have to train the dog and the dog has to train the owner

9. I DO SEE COLOR: 12 ways that family members, friends and strangers can make a caregiver's life easier ~ Volunteer for a task so the caregiver can maintain a full-time job

10. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: For hybrid workers with demanding jobs, here's six ways to manage keeping your dog ~ Is your post-COVID dog anxious or did you adopt a high-energy dog and didn't know it?