The holidays are a time of joy, connection, and celebration, but hosting family and friends can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, host Ruth Williams-Brinkley welcomes Fredericka McCray, a school administrator and experienced event planner, for a lively conversation about making holiday gatherings more meaningful and less stressful, especially after 60. From simplifying decorations and preserving cherished family recipes to sharing hosting responsibilities and bringing generations together, Fredericka offers practical tips for creating memorable celebrations without exhausting yourself in the process. Together, they explore how to embrace new traditions, ask for help, and make space for what matters most: spending quality time with the people you love. Whether you're hosting a houseful of guests or celebrating somewhere new, discover how to make this holiday season one you can truly enjoy.

Meet the Guest

Fredericka McCray is an accomplished educator, leader, and creative event planner with a passion for bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. Fredericka has a love for event planning and design. Her experience includes coordinating professional events, community celebrations, organizational functions, and personal milestones. Known for her creativity, thoughtful details, and ability to bring a vision to life, she enjoys creating memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression.

At her core, Fredericka values faith, family, friendship, and balance. She enjoys traveling, attending concerts, reading, and embracing new adventures, while also appreciating moments of peace and relaxation. Guided by grace, growth, and a genuine love for people, Cheryl continues to embrace life’s unfolding journey with purpose, joy, and an appreciation for the experiences that make life meaningful.

What if the experiences that once made you question your worth could become the inspiration for your next chapter?

In this deeply personal episode of Beyond 60: Unscripted, host Ruth Williams-Brinkley welcomes author and educator Michele Roseman for an inspiring conversation about Black hair, identity, healing, and finding your creative voice later in life. Michele opens up about experiencing colorism and bullying as a young girl, the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and the journey toward embracing her authentic self. She shares how writing helped her revisit painful memories, how an unexpected encounter with Dr. Maya Angelou stayed with her for decades, and why she believes our personal stories have the power to encourage others. From her book Hairlooms to launching a children's book series at 60, Michele's journey is a powerful reminder that creativity has no expiration date. Together, Ruth and Michele explore the importance of self-acceptance, the healing that comes with age, and how sharing our experiences can create a meaningful legacy for future generations.

About the guest

Michele Roseman is an author, illustrator, and voice artist, and the creator of Shelly and the Curlovely Chronicles™, a children’s book series that helps young girls with afro- textured hair love the curls they were born with. Inspired by her own childhood experiences and dedicated to her late father, the series follows Shelly and her friends through the fantastical world of Kinkcurly Lane. Her newest book, Shelly and the Christmas Cornrows, is available now on Amazon.

Roseman is also the author of Hairlooms: The Untangled Truth About Loving Your Natural Hair and Beauty, which features contributions from Hollywood actresses Nicole Ari Parker and Kim Coles, Grammy-nominated rapper MC Lyte, and Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter. A songwriter as well, she writes original music that brings Shelly’s world to life, now streaming on Spotify.

She brings more than 30 years of communications experience to her storytelling and earned her M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from The American University. She lives in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area with Kyle, her husband of 19 years.

Shelly and the Christmas Cornrows Link to Purchase on Amazon

https://amzn.to/3UA3JcS

Shelly and The Curlovely Chronicles Original Music Spotify Streaming Link

https://bit.ly/3U5Ojgd

Instagram

@curlovelychronicles

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/share/18VKw8G3dG/

What does it mean to stay politically engaged as we get older, especially at a time when the news can feel overwhelming? In Political Activism After 60, Ruth sits down with Darrell Parrish Bakeman for a thoughtful conversation about using our experience, perspective, and voices to make a difference. Together, they explore the many ways people can remain engaged beyond the ballot box, from advocacy and volunteering to community involvement and conversations across generations. They also discuss finding a sustainable balance between staying informed and avoiding political burnout, and why decades of lived experience can be such a valuable resource for our communities. Whether you’ve been politically active your entire life or are wondering how to become more involved in this chapter, this episode is a reminder that retirement from work doesn’t mean retirement from citizenship.

Meet the Guest

Darrell Parrish Bakeman is a retired non-profit executive. Her decade of socio-economic, development and business ventures range from political and organizational fund-raising, public speaking, hosting radio and cable talk-shows serving as founder of Worship It’s A Simple Thing. She has served on the board of several major organizations and has a long history of active civic involvement. Darrell earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Huston Tillotson College, in Austin, Texas. She helped raise millions for the first African American mayor of Chicago, serve as focus group moderator and volunteer for national political campaigns; both presidential and congressional.