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Raising Riyan Rules

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This Mother’s Day, I’m filled with gratitude as I reflect on this full-circle moment. Twenty years ago, I graduated from Virginia Union University with a baby on my hip. Yesterday, that same baby earned his degree from the very place that helped shape both of us.

The testimony is not just in the graduation, but in everything it took to get here.

Union was the place that allowed me to dream boldly and become everything I wanted to be. An Educator, AKA, RA, RahRah, Senior Queen. A young mother determined to graduate on time and build a life for my family. The faculty, staff, mentors, and village here poured into me in ways I will never forget.

And for Kian, there were detours, unimaginable loss, hard decisions, and moments where the future felt uncertain. But God said, come home, let me restore you!

Watching my son return to Union, find his footing again, build community through coaching and brotherhood, grow in confidence and leadership, and graduate with honors has been surreal.

An HBCU is more than a school. It is community. It is grace. It is people who see something in you before you fully see it yourself. And VUU is God’s gift to humanity!

Forever grateful. Forever Union.

Congratulations, son, there’s so much more to the story, he’s not done with you yet!

#VUU #DearUnion #hbcugrad #MothersDay by @dollsoftheking

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3 months ago

Since it’s National Doll Day, why not celebrate with a pic of this massive Selfie Wall from AG Place Los Angeles Pop Up Shop. Can’t wait to see the new store when it opens. @americangirlbrand can we have this when you are finished? taken in American Girl Place @ the Grove, Los Angeles by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

Dash would like to know if he can be your poolside companion?

Dash’s outfit is @ogdolls but his #birks have him looking like he doesn't know his right foot from the left. 😂

#dollcation #DashTags #CharlieDuke #TrulyMe77 #blackboyjoy #guysanddolls #GrandDolls #dollsoftheking #raisingriyanrules #RiysDollRise #18inchdolls #BoyDolls #agig #agiger #americangirlbrand #americangirldollsofcolor #blackdollsmatter taken in Hollywood, California by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

Sean for President 2052! But first Middle School.
I’m not ready for either.

#StevieWonders #DashTags #blackboyjoy #dollsoftheking #RiyansBrother #RaisingRiyanRules taken in Collegiate School by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

If you love Dash, you will love his Uncle Keys!

#Prom2022 #KeysTheOne #StevieWonders #DashTags #blackboyjoy #dollsoftheking #RiyansBrother #RaisingRiyanRules by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

One Last Ride for Morgan and Mason in their @joovy Doll Car seats. I decided to sell some of my larger non-AG items and toys in a consignment sale. No worries all of my “children” are still here with me. I just don’t need it anymore and I think it would make another kid happy.

Have you ever shopped or sold at a consignment sale before? @threadsevents @americangirlbrand

#MorganAndMason #BittyTwins #BittyBaby #Twins #americangirlbrand #agdollsofcolor #brownskindolls #agig #agiger #RiysDollRise #RaisingRiyanRules #notaphotographer #dollsoftheking #tiffanysdaughter #riyansmom #18inchdolls #18inchdollclothes #threadsconsignment taken in Porchedrva by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

She will be one of the greatest, this is a vow this is a promise!

Happy 13th birthday to my love, my heart, my girl, my boss, my mother, my daughter, my friend, my Boo! My Everything!

May his face continue to shine on you. 💕💕💕#proverbs31mom #proverbs31girl #dollsoftheking #rasingriyanrules #centralparknyc #riyday425 by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

Charlie’s Favorite Things! Happy Birthday Dash 🎉🎉🎉
#dashtags #charlieduke #guysanddolls #blackdollsmatter #blackboyjoy #dollsoftheking #raisingriyanrules #riysdollrise #americangirlbrand #TM77 #spacejam by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

Everybody get up it’s time to slam now
We got a Birthday Goin Down
Welcome to the Dash Jam
Here’s your chance,
Do your dance at the Dash Jam, Alright!

Party people in the house let’s go
It’s your boy CD aight so
Pass that thing and watch me flex
Behind my back you know what’s next
I Got my brackets done
It’s March Madness son
Say Hoop There It Is!

Swipe to see how I decorated Charlie’s Gym for his bday and the gifts I made him. 👟🏀⛹🏾‍♂️~ S

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I purchased @americangirlbrand #TM77 so Sean could help Riyan with Book Reviews. I didn’t expect him to do anything more than share a book from time to time. I had no idea that he would help us deliver Pure Black Boy Joy by developing a one of a kind character for us. Sean has so many ideas I can’t even keep up. Riyan can’t stand this guy but we love him oh so much!

Happy Birthday to our Young King, Sir Charles Duke a.k.a. “Dash” 🎂

The Kingdom would not be the same without you! ~ T

#DashTags #CharlieDuke #TrulyMe77 #4thGradeSean #blackboyjoy #guysanddolls #GrandDolls #dollsoftheking #raisingriyanrules #riyansbrother #RiysDollRise #18inchdolls #BoyDolls #agig #agiger #americangirlbrand #americangirldollsofcolor #blackdollsmatter #AmericanBoyDolls #MarchMadness by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

Rule No. 38

Do not worry about tomorrow!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 2 years since we closed our schools for what we thought would be just two weeks. Today’s sermon was titled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” I was immediately reminded of a conversation I had with 7 year old Sean in 2020. I shared it with my pastor and found the screenshot (swipe to see it) from almost 2 years ago. If you are here for the dolls, the books, the words of encouragement, if your a friend of my girl, or a friend of mine. Know how much you are worth to the creator! Please check on someone today! ~ T

#riysdollrise #tiffanysdaughter #riyansmom #hermom #hisdaughters #HisWord #OurFaith #dollsoftheking #proverbs31mom #proverbs31girl #TheDollKingdom #raisingriyanrules by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

My Dad: How much was it?
Me: They gave it to meeeeeee!!!!!

This is a HUGE thanks to my friends at @americangirlbrand for sending me my gorgeous Corinne Tan. There isn't anything to not love about her. Her brown eyes look vibrantly blue, in this first picture but I think it could be the sun reflecting off of her hair and the snow. Meanwhile, Corinne is trying to get used to the crazy Virginia weather since yesterday was super hot and today it snowed. - R

#CorinneTan #goty2022 #girloftheyear #RVAweather #whenDollsSpeak #Dollvolution #heretolearn #riyan2therescue #riysdollrise #dollsoftheking #tiffanysdaughter #riyansmom #raisingriyanrules #18inchdolls #18inchdollclothes #agig #agiger #americangirlbrand by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago

Looks like this is the closest I’m going to get to Coach K’s last home game.

This picture is from my visit to Duke a while ago.

These are the top colleges I want to go to
1. Duke and UVA are tied
2.
3. Hampton
4. Morehouse
5. UPenn
6. Drexel
7. UCLA
8. Ohio State
9. University of Richmond
10. University of Maryland

#itsMarch #SeanLovesBasketball #4thGradeSean #DUKE #dukebasketball #coachk #riyansbrother #blackboyjoy by @dollsoftheking

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4 years ago