The year is 1985. Berry Gordy produced a urban martial arts film entitled, "The Last Dragon." Bruce Leroy was in search of "The Master," who can help him unlock the power of "The Glow." Needless to say, I loved Bruce Leroy and despised Sho'Nuff. I still have an affinity towards fortune cookies and Vanity because of this movie. 

The year is 1988. Eddie Murphy starred in a romantic comedy entitled,"Coming to America." It was the 80's and Jehri curls, wave nouveaux, and texturizers were the latest craze in African American hairstyles. My mother and father both had curls. There was a commercial in the movie for a "jheri curl- ish" product called Soul Glo. I used to sing this jingle at the top of my lungs to my mother's chagrin.

The year is 2004. Jill Scott dropped her third studio album, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 with the first single, "Golden." I bumped this album so hard from beginning to end. It is still one of my favorite Jill Scott albums. 

The year is 2017. The beyhive is buzzing. Beyonce and Jay-Z have released a new duet entitled, "Shining." I'm sure it will be one of this summer's anthems.

From 1985 to 2017, there has been a constant theme of shining. From Berry Gordy encouraging us to find that "glow" to Eddie Murphy beckoning us to let our "Soul Glo" to Jill Scott telling us to "live our lives like its golden" to Beyonce telling us to keep "Shining." Even Birdman told us to "get our shine on!" We have something inside of us that needs to be seen. We need to let our little light shine. We need to let our soul glow. So, get your shine on! I'mma get mine on!