2025 April Newsletter
Candalada
Prince Issa Turns 13!!!!!!!!!!
Event: Prince Issa’s Coming to America Crowning Ceremony
Date: April 5th, 2025
Musical Special Guest: The DMV Saxophonist
Level One: Zamunda and display of artwork
Level Two: Various sketch work and 2024 portraits
Level Three: Prince Issa’s Dealership , car design art, sketches and engine drafts
Issa’s Birthday was a surprise. He has not had a party since he turned one . The cover story was, the family is preparing for a family photoshoot and everyone had to dress up. He was selected to represent his school in the Prince William County Art fair on the morning of his birthday and while he was out of the house we scrambled to finish the big reveal at another location that was being built out for weeks.
Exhibit #17 Airplane View of Mt. Kilimanjaro || PWCS Art Show April 5th 11am
I chose a “Coming to America” theme for the play on words. My grandfather came to America which is why mom grew up in New York. My grandmother came to America which is why my Dad lives in New York . This migration is how I became a New Yorker and a first generation kid. In my teens I moved to Virginia and subsequently Issa has grown up much differently than I did.
One thing we have in common is my Dad took me all over the world. He poured into me and made be believe I was capable of anything. He informed me I was one transaction way from growing up like a princess, since my great grandmother was a gold miner before she died suddenly and her empire crumbled. When other children wore typical Halloween costumes, I chose to wear authentic cultural garments and he didn’t encourage me to do otherwise. My Mom was a quiet genius who understood the economy and money. She was also my fashion icon. I’ve learned some of of my greatest style and beauty lessons watching her get ready on any day of the week.
Candalada 3rd grade
Hair Therapy clients turned family call Issa “baby Issa”. I branded him “Prince Issa” at my baby shower. I knew the world may want to call him everything other than an a Prince. I taught him that it is a title. There are behaviors and expectations that come with it. Coupling Prince with Issa was a bold decision. The exact translation is “Prince Jesus” however, the name isn’t meant to be taken literally. His name is about the principles. To live up to his name he would have to be Jesus like, kind, intentiontional, healing, forgiving etc. Watching him evolve as person has been the single most rewarding experience of my life and I am honored to be his mom.
Thank you to everyone for showering Issa with love and gifts throughout April. He has completed every lego set he received and they are pictured below.
Crowning Prince Issa , Garments custom made in Ghana by Frank
In conclusion the “Crowning Ceremony” was symbolic. By placing his crown on his head I am recognizing that he is at an age where he will be able to make more decisions that will shape his future. He will also deal with more adversity and pressures that I can not always protect him from. I trust that we have armed him with enough love and advice to make through the wild times otherwise known as “the teenage years”!
PHONE PICS
Issa’s New Journal
