This editorial is written by Aiesha Letman, Managing Editor & edited by Jadriena Solomon, Senior Editor at The Shade Room.
I created a core reminiscence, some of the spectacular in my grownup years — and I’ve the tissue to show it.
On Friday, December 17, 2022, I used to be invited to The White House to sit back with the President and First Lady for his or her vacation reception. Trying my greatest to arrange earlier than flying to D.C. from Atlanta with my plus one, I shopped for “business/festive” apparel, as listed on the invite. I made certain to carry my vaccination card forward of testing for COVID. Yet, I wasn’t prepared for a way I’d really feel inside.
I confronted a dozen (reasonably nice) secret service brokers and a reside classical ensemble outdoors earlier than coming into the President’s home. As I stepped in, I took a deep breath.
I inhaled presidential air. And exhaled the nerves I held about entering into this constructing — one tied to Black historical past in lots of ways in which triggered me, to be sincere. I took one other deep breath, desirous about how uncommon this chance was, and let off a tear earlier than getting myself collectively.
Down the hall, previous the coat verify, a string quartet performed Christmas music. And by way of a door to the proper was a portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
I took my final deep breath, exhaled, and felt pleasure. I used to be shocked.
My White House Experience & Paper Souvenirs
That night, friends ate lamb chops, pasta, greens, and desserts from a buffet. The social gathering occurred throughout 4 salon-like rooms with portraits in every of them. Some work, courting again to the 1700s, adorned the partitions as reside classical music performed by way of the rooms. I sipped spiked eggnog. And stared at hand-painted photos of Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Jackie O., and extra historic political figures who I assume had their portraits hand painted in that very same constructing.
Before lengthy, President Biden stepped into the room to deal with the group of perhaps 100 friends. I needed to stretch my arms as much as get a photograph of him from the again of the group.
Once his speech died down, I made a decision to go to the powder room. Inside, one other visitor greeted me with a nice “hello,” as I observed presidential seals on the hand napkins. I used one to wipe my palms after washing them. Then I instantly thought of giving one to my mom to maintain in her china cupboard. I considered taking one other for myself to show on my front room bookshelf. Then I gently stuffed two napkins into my purse.
The Shade Room had a brief however impactful historical past with the White House in 2022. This 12 months, we shared breaking information relating to Biden’s pupil mortgage aid plan. We had an unique interview addressing Monkeypox misconceptions with Dr. Fauci. And extra info straight from White House workers. It’s been a pleasure to serve our viewers of over 30 million Roomies information that propels our tradition, and the world, ahead.
While trying within the White House toilet mirror, I felt proud to be ending the 12 months like this with my very own, presidential-sealed napkins stuffed in my hand bag. And I’m not sorry about it, in any respect.
