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What's In Your Bag, 119 Elm St, Montclair, NJ (2026)

01/13/2026

G R A T I T U D E

As I prepare my heart and
mind to receive the OMEGA PSI PHI - ETA PI Chapter’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Humanitarian Award, I pause to honor my dear brother John “Jack” Farrell. Jack has been a constant line of support, nonjudgmental ear, present friend, and honest mentor throughout our nearly 30 years of brotherhood. Jack has always chosen to stay out of the spotlight while pushing me and others forward into intersections of new opportunities. So, as often as I am in the forefront of many movements, do know that there are stalwarts in my life paving new paths to me to follow. Jack, thanks for always remembering to “Leave More Than You Take.” ❤️

To the entirety of the OMEGA PSI PHI - ETA PI Chapter, I thank you for this most humbling recognition. Dr Martin L King Jr. has always represented the best in all of us. He is the epitome of what humanitarianism means, especially when you prioritize others welfare, wellbeing, and social reform. So, to receive an award that bears his name, it means that the path I’ve chosen has and will come with greater sacrifices and responsibilities. It is every reason why I have always pushed back on the phrase, “Tomorrow’s Not Promised.” Instead, I’ve offered, “Tomorrow is Promised. We just do not know how we are going to meet it.” Meeting this morning and everyone extended to me, I am intentional about finding new reasons to be grateful. I am extremely grateful. ❤️

Finally, in less than three weeks, it will mark the 1 year anniversary and transitioning date of my mother, Josephine Priscilla Williams Barbee. It will also represent the first of many years to come that I will be without a living parent. It was my father, Dea. Otha Donald Barbee, who raised his children to be socially conscious and award of community-based services. So, this year’s OMEGA PSI PHI - ETA PI Chapter’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Humanitarian Award will be dedicated to my parents who continue to live through me. ❤️

Forever grateful,

Mike
❤️🙏🏾

01/11/2026

Nothing beats being home after a long weekend. Peace. ❤️✌🏾

01/07/2026

A L T I T U D E

Eagles, vs Pigeons, Turkeys, Buzzards, and Crows. 🦅 👌🏾

01/04/2026

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT

This is an appeal to the conscience of morally, ethically, and legally sound members of the US Congress and US Senate, who have an ounce of courage left. Courage rises in the face of fear, and it is apparent that our legislative and judicial branches of government are afraid of President Donald J Trump. At what point do the US Congress stop fighting one another before launching Articles of Impeachment? The US Senate needs a two-thirds supermajority vote to convict President Donald J. Trump on at least one Article of Impeachment before he is to be removed from office. Let’s be clear, President Donald J Trump must be IMPEACHED. 😡

The longer President Donald J Trump remains in power, he will repeatedly violate the US Constitution, the rights of sovereign nations, and the world will become more unstable. President Donald J Trump is leading the United States of America and world into a possible World War III. This is possible because all branches of the United States government have been hyjacked and traumatized as a result of the actions of this morally bankrupt, racist, fascist, cognitively declining, narcissistic President. President Donald J Trump is a mentally unstable man operating with an undiagnosed mental health condition. Sadly, it appears that the members of our House and Senate are incapable of making morally sound decisions because they too have normalized their trauma and been morally compromised. 😡

While signs of President Donald J Trump‘s mental health decline and disregard for the rule of law did not begin with the illegal kidnapping of Venezuela‘s President Nicolas Maduro, or supporting President Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli leadership as they committed acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip as per the UN Human Rights Council, Trump’s acts of sedition, inciting an insurrection, violating the Foreign & Domestic Emoluments Clauses of the US Constitution, etc; we cannot sit back and watch this s**t show continue as if it’s a video game. It is wrong on ALL accounts. 😡

#

01/01/2026

Richard Smallwood, Thank you! ❤️🙏🏾

12/30/2025

Richard Smallwood
RIP
❤️🙏🏾

12/26/2025

Good morning,

My heart is still overflowing with raw emotions of love and gratitude after yesterday’s MAN VILLAGE Men’s Suport Group annual campaign to the staff and residents at the Newark YMCA. I am reflective of our many weekly MAN VILLAGE discussions prior to yesterday’s engagement. Every past topic from “IQ” Intellectual Quotient vs “EQ” Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Resolution of Internal Battles to reduce External Conflicts, Brother’s Keeper, Selfcare, Temperature Check, to Grief - Transitioning Through Loss, all of these topics and more showed up in our interactions with the Y’s staff, their residents, and one another. ❤️

It was great that some of our brothers invited their family members: wives, mothers, sisters, in-laws, cousins, and friends. Others brought their children: daughters, sons, and grands. The joy was witnessing everyone work as a community, even if they had just met for the first time. It was also good to be able to support some of the brothers who worked on the residential floors. Gratitude was their common theme. Two of our brothers mentioned how after interacting and conversing with some of the residents, they needed to step away for a moment or two just to collect their emotions while serving. Their willingness to work through their emotions gave them greater insights into the plights of others, grace, humility, and appreciation for all they have. ❤️

In the end, MAN VILLAGE’s mission is to Leave More Than You Take. It’s mainly about giving of ourselves to the greater causes of humanity while working to increase our individual self-awareness. In the new year, our goal is to be more visibly impactful within our communities. Whether it’s supporting (POP) People’s Organization for Progress, (YANA) You Are Not Alone Foundation, (MHA) Mental Health Association, (HCFO) Health Care Foundation of the Oranges, Salvation Army, other community-based nonprofits, to supporting initiatives that take our children to travel abroad, MAN VILLAGE will be present. ❤️

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

12/24/2025

Christmas Breakfast
@ the Newark YMCA

Annually, the brothers of MAN VILLAGE Men’s Support Group support the staff and residents at the Newark YMCA. We provide supportive services by distributing gifts and preparing a Christmas breakfast for their nearly 400 residents at that facility. Last year, nearly 60 volunteers showed up to support this most precious mission. ❤️

In addition to the members of MAN VILLAGE Men’s Support Group supporting community-based services, the majority of the work we do is on ourselves. Biweekly, we work on increasing our emotional intelligence, self-awareness, forgiveness, healthy boundaries, while adding mindfulness activities to our lives. Over the past 12 months, we marched in the (POP) People’s Organization for Progress led Dr. Martin L King Jr March of Resistance; engaged weekly physical and mental health walks; supported and march in the (YANA) You Are Not Alone Foundation Su***de Awareness Walk; raised money for the Salvation Army; and many more activities in between. So, supporting the Newark YMCA mission is a blessing, as we encourage all to Leave More Than You Take. ❤️

YMCA Christmas Breakfast
Date: December 25, 2025
Time: 6:00 AM
Location: Newark YMCA 600 Beoad St. Newark, NJ

12/22/2025

Good morning, ❤️🤚🏾

I had another full, yet wonderful weekend supporting the (YANA) You Are Not Alone Foundation’s “Seat At The Table” event. Since the sudden death of the founder’s son, they have taken their grief and used it as the catalyst to spread Love, Education, and Awareness through su***de awareness. During my keynote message, I spoke about the feelings someone with suicidal ideation might be experiencing, the difference between the death event and the process of morning, the forever changing stages of grief, and finally, ways to support self, as well as loved ones through the grieving process. ❤️

I am, and will always be grateful to my beautiful and blessed sister and brother, Nicky Monique, Alton Lee, and the entire Blue family for allowing us to learn through their pain and vulnerabilities. Their transparency is an eye opener, and it enabled the most silent amongst us to finally have a voice. Also, it was an honor to speak before a mixed constituency of professionals who found commonality in the occasion. We, as a community are blessed that the Blue family uses their platforms to educate us. I am better for it. ❤️

Facts matter! These are even more reasons why I am so grateful to the Blue family and the YANA Foundation. Though I may have delivered your keynote, I learned so much through your transparency. Once again, thank you for the invite. Please accept the returned honorarium, and allow it to be used to educate more families impacted by mental health. I love you dearly and will continue to speak life over you, while praying God’s comfort, peace, and protection over your life. Keep shining your light. You matter! ❤️

Mike
William Michael Barbee
Your Brother in Christ
❤️🙏🏾

***deawarenessprevention

12/21/2025

DELORES ARMSTONG ❤️

Nearly 40 years ago, I started my first of eight companies. It was a limousine service. I modeled my business after two African American entrepreneurs, “Lady G Limos” and “Mother & Daughter Limousine Services.” Mother & Daughter was owned and operated by (late) James “Jimmy” and Delores Armstrong. Their daughter Adrienne played a key role in the business. They were the first Black entrepreneurs who sowed into my professional journey. Together, Jimmy and Delores took me under the wings and treated me like I was one of their own children. ❤️

I was saddened upon hearing the news from my childhood friend Andrea, alerting me that Ma. Delores’ transitioned. I began reflecting on the many years of unconditional love, lessons, laughter, tears, and love shared. My heart smiled as I thought about her gentle and kind spirit. She believed in me long before so many others. Though we did not speak daily, we were both grateful to God for the times shared. Together, Jimmy and Delores’ unconditional love and tutelage gave me the confidence I needed to expand my limousine service into a private ambulance, school and charter bus companies. I am forever grateful to them. ❤️

Among many memories, I remember one event that changed my life forever. It was through them that I realized how I was living in excess. I had an antique car collection; and Jimmy loved my 1938 Cadillac. Occasionally, he would request that I leave it at his office so he could show it to his potential customers for prom and wedding seasons. Well, I totally forgot that he had my vehicle and thought it was stolen. Too embarrassed to speak up and ask my drivers and staff about the vehicle’s whereabouts, I became anxious and distrustful. Three months later, Jimmy called to ask a simple question regarding the car. Within 2 mins, I realized where my car was. That lesson alone taught me that I was living in excess. It began a painful, yet needed process of downsizing in my life. I am forever grateful to them for not judging me when I was in one of my weakness & most vulnerable moments. ❤️

My prayers and comfort are extended to the family.

Love,

Mike
❤️🙏🏾

12/21/2025

Good morning

😀❤️🤚🏾🤚🏾🤚🏾

12/18/2025

Good morning,

Under the banner of “Your Location Is Not Your Destination,” I witnessed the power of paying it forward through the initiative birthed by my little cousin Rahfael Gordon. Last evening, the Rahfael Gordon Foundation hosted their 10th Annual Whitney Holiday Dinner. There, they provided a night of elegance and relief for single parent mothers who have taken up temporary residency in shelters throughout the City of Newark, NJ. ❤️

This most noble cause brought out tears of joy, laughter, reflection, perseverance, relief, and love. I got to meet so many wonderful women who shared testimonies of gratitude and triumph. As I panned the room studying Rahfael’s engagement with the women, sponsors, and friends, I got a peek into Rahfael and his brothers stories. It’s one thing to watch from a distance the struggles of loved ones. However, it is another thing to understand the impetus behind Rah’s resolute posture as a result of going through struggle. I was further confirmed about God‘s promises to never leave or forsake us. Thanks Rah for breathing life into our community. ❤️
So, as you move through this holiday season, there’s a lot to be learned from Rahfael‘s initiatives of giveback. Despite whatever hardships he experienced as a child, he never forgot where he came from. In fact, he created a movement that positively impacted the lives of women and families who presently reside in the same shelter that he and his family once lived. There is so much that can be said and written about the selfless missions of this Man of God. He epitomizes the mantras of “Your Location Is Not Your Destination” and to “Leave More Than You Take.” ❤️

To sponsor a mother for the 2026 Whitney Dinner, please donate to through the following: www.WhitneyDinner.com/donate

Thanks in advance for your support. It means a lot. ❤️🙏🏾

What's In Your Bag

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