ABOUT SOPHIA NELSON
I am a recovering lawyer and a typical Gen-Xer female—I have officially entered middle age (the 40s) and I have embraced it (well, as much as anyone can). I threw myself a huge 40th birthday bash two years ago and danced on the tables with 100 of my closest friends, sorority sisters and family. Yet, I confess I still work too much, and don’t play near enough. But I am getting better. This summer I took a month long get-away writing vacation to the coast of Charleston, South Carolina where I plan to retire some day. I am becoming more like someone I once knew long ago in my 20’s—more carefree—more open—yet, ironically more grounded in the things that truly matter in life: learning to thrive in my relationships with those I love and in my service to others. I think the best of my life is truly ahead of me instead of behind me.
When I’m Not Working like a Crazy Woman:
I’m a living my dream of becoming a fulltime freelance journalist, TV commentator and author of my first non-fiction book on the lives of accomplished black women in America. I am also the president and founder of iask, Inc. (I Am My Sister’s Keeper, Inc.) an organization dedicated to the positive transformation and wellness of professional black women. I love playing my acoustic guitar, cycling, and listening to 80’s old school music. My favorite XM station is 71/Watercolors. I love to dance, watch politics on TV, and spend quality time with my sister girls and friends. I am a contributor/guest analyst to many national publications and media outlets such as: The Root, NPR, Huffington Post, Essence, The Washington Post, CNN, FOX, WHUR, BET, and Politico to name just a few. And after saying for years that I would never join Facebook, I am addicted. I love my two nieces (6 & 11) more than anything in the world, and look forward to watching them grow into fabulous tweens, teens, and young women.
Would you rather watch “I Love New York” or “Flavor of Love”? Neither
“Girlfriends,” “Living Single” or “Sex and the City”? Living Single closer to my generation
Who was your favorite character on “The Wire”? Why? Never saw it.
Which Housewife of Atlanta best describes you? Don’t watch it—show scares me
What TV family best describes yours? Mixture of Roseanne meets the Huxtables
What’s your all-time favorite album? Teena Marie—Naked to the World
If the title of any song could describe you, what would it be? "Someone to Watch Over Me" —Sarah Vaughn
Duke Ellington or John Coltrane? Coltrane
What was the first CD you bought? Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation
Favorite album of 2009? You mean they still make albums in 2009???
Which artist could sing the soundtrack to your life? Nora Jones
Biggie or Tupac? Tupac all the way!
Maxwell or D’Angelo? Maxwell
What’s your favorite Spike Lee Joint? Malcolm X
Favorite movie of 2009? The Time Traveler’s Wife
Favorite movie of all-time? The Way Were—Redford & Streisand
Denzel or Poitier? Denzel
Denzel in “Mo’ Better Blues” or Denzel in “Devil in a Blue Dress”? Mo' Better Blues
Angela Bassett or Halle Berry? I like them both a lot.
“Boyz n the Hood” or “The Wood”? Boyz n the Hood cause I was in college in southern California when it came out
Ossie and Ruby? Or Will and Jada? Great parallels with both couples—love them both
Harlem Renaissance or the Black Arts Movement? Harlem Renaissance
Favorite book? The Bible
What are you reading now? I am writing my 1st book—I only wish I had time to read anything else
Sophia A. Nelson is an award-winning journalist and author of the best-selling book The Woman Code: 20 Powerful Keys to Unlock Your Life. Follow her on Twitter.