Wedding Party
Aminatu Yusuf
Maid of Honor
Since Birth! Aminatu (Mina, Meens, Meenatu) is my sister, best friend, energy guru and connoisseur of ratchet music. We've had a lifetime of amazing adventures, laughs, growth, obstacles and everything else in between. Mina knows me better than anyone in the world, and having her as my sister and friend is one of the best gifts God has given me. Whether on the phone watching TV (yes we do that) or laughing when no one else thinks its funny, I carry her in my heart daily. We have been besties for 32 years and I couldn't image my life or my wedding day without her by my side.
Annan Sheffield
Groomsman
Annan's been around for pretty much ever, and I couldn't be more appreciative of that fact. Annan is one of the most committed, trustworthy people I have ever met. His integrity is and always has been catching. The number of things I've experienced with him, talked with him about, and just generally lived through surpass measure. He came to my graduation from Gonzaga, visited me in New York and Oakland and Boston (though I wasn't there), and joined me at my mom and brother's memorial services. He's been in my corner since I was 13 and I hope he will be for a long time to come. He's also a current mental health professional, skilled auto mechanic and brewer, and a serviceable defensive midfielder.
Adina Braizer
Bridesmaid
Since 2007! As the third member of the DC trio, Adina is my sister from another mother. We met in Washington in DC and have been bonded ever since. Adina is one of the most caring, thoughtful, and giving people that I have ever encountered. Adina’s honest and hilarious counsel has guided me through many overwhelming and uncertain moments, both the ones I caused and the ones that kinda show up in life. She has always managed to balance logic with integrity and love with honestly. More than her counsel however, we have laughed, danced and loved our way thus far and I am so excited to have her by my side on my wedding day.
Kevin Anderson
Groomsman
Kev is an educator, hip hop enthusiast, road runner, and backyard horticulturalist. He and I met in the East Bay some years ago and have been philosophizing about relationships, Oakland politics, and the world, generally, ever since. Notably, he played a pivotal role (the waiter) in facilitating Aisha and my engagement. In fact, he started the first domino of the event, delivering my dearest love muffin a very special menu offering not food but a lifetime of love and enjoyment. I believe it was his salesmanship that caused her to opt for that over the risotto. Much obliged, Kev.
Charmaine Billingsley
Bridesmaid
Since Her Birth! Charmaine (Charlie) is officially my niece, but we are so close in age I call her my seester. I can always count on Charlie for a few things: she always sees the good in people, she is always the first to forgive, first to hit the dance floor with me, always ready for a party and always laughing. Most importantly, Charlie has a sweet spirit that radiates positive energy to everyone she encounters. Charlie is my #1 go-to for all things new, fun and exciting. She makes my gloomy days brighter and my good days fantastic.
Jason Shaad
Groomsman
Last fall, Aisha and I attended Jason's wedding at an outdoor camp in western North Carolina. We slept in cabins with no heat on beds that appeared to be made for adolescents who like uncomfortable beds. Normally, I would've put up a fuss or at least thrown some subtle shade in Jason's direction, but he's no normal friend. No, Jason's a bestie. He, Ryan, and I have spent more time trudging through mountains, woods, and rivers than most people probably ever will. And most of it has been pretty fun, as were the late nights in Brooklyn, runs in the park, and occasional dips into the East River.
Keisha Courtney
Bridesmaid
Since 2003! More appropriately named Keishatu during our first year of college. We met the first day of college and have been tied at the heart ever since. Keisha and I have never managed to live in the same city for longer than a year, but distance has never hindered our ability to grow, laugh and love each other via text, phone, IG, FB, airplanes, trains and automobiles. People have always mistaken us for sisters, and since family is both choice and DNA I no longer correct them, because she is my sister. Our bond grows as we grow, and I am immensely grateful that she chose me to be her bestie, I couldn’t imagine life without her.
Tracy Sessions
Groomsman
Tracy and I spent several very formative years trying to figure out how to navigate Oakland's educational politics. And while many of those several years were difficult (because that's Oakland educational politics) we were fortunate to have had each other for support. Some of the most impactful personal and professional moments I've had over the past 10 years or so have been alongside him. Fortunately for us both, there was each other's company and plenty of whiskey and wine to help through it all (again, we lived in the East Bay). And here we are. To note - Tracy had dual roles at the engagement, singing alto while taking care of percussion to keep the rhythm.
Tanisha Lang
Bridesmaid
Since 2004! Tanisha (Nee Nee) and I first became friends while living on campus during the summer at the University of Utah. We later became roommates on campus (apt. 220 stand up)- and the rest is history. Words cannot convey the amount of fun, laughter and drama that we created during those college years and beyond. Whether it was “ghost riding the whip” (yes we did that and learned it from a music video), or posing for an iphone photo shoot off the coast of Costa Rica, life is always good when we are together. I am blessed to be along for the ride of Tanisha's life, and I am so grateful that she stays with me for mine.
Ryan Patterson
Groomsman
In September of 2007, I lived with Ryan (and Jason) in an apartment in East Harlem. We owned a street-sourced couch, a random assortment of IKEA kitchen items, two chairs, and a blind cat. We were busy teachers and didn't get around to meaningfully upgrading any of that for the three years we taught together (though blind cat found a new owner who was way better than us). It's those sorts of experiences that build the foundation for a lifetime of friendship and so, here we are. Ryan and I have spent the last decade racking up roadtrips, sharing musings on NBA prospects, appreciating NYC's drinking establishments, and commiserating on aspirin-supported Sunday mornings. He's a gem.
Jamelle Rone
Bridesmaid
Since 2006! Welcome to the Aisha and Jamelle show. I met Jamelle while she was visiting the University of Utah with the Spelman College glee club. I later moved to DC and without hesitation, Jamelle welcomed me as her friend. The Aisha and Jamelle show started in 2008 and Washington DC was not ready. As two of the three founding members of the DC trio, we were inseparable during those DC years, sharing every moment and every laugh together. Jamelle is the tall to my short, the butterscotch to my milk chocolate and the AKA to my Delta. We have so many memories together and I am so blessed that we get to share this one too * clink clink.
Brandon Brown
Groomsman
I know just one person that I could imagine equally well as a yoga instructor OR professional DJ OR capoeirista OR software developer. And it's Brandon Brown. And yes those are all things he actually does/has done, to great effect. B Brown and I met at a book club meeting in the Oakland hills and if memory serves correct we had similar regard for Melissa Harris-Perry's analysis of interracial gender dynamics. And on various levels our friendship has kinda been like that ever since. Deep conversations about society and politics because, hey, you can't talk about EPL soccer all the time. Brandon sang bass at the engagement event. Barry White was surely smiling from above.
Denesia Rodgers
Bridesmaid
Since 2010! I knew God was shining on me the day I met Denesia. She was the roommate I never met, in a city I had never been in, in an apartment I had never seen. Yet, it was perfect. Denesia was my roommate in Boston while in graduate school. Although we did not know each other prior to moving in together we trusted our instincts, and hoped for the best. We survived the coldest winter ever, in the coldest apartment with the strangest landlord. We learned so much about ourselves that year, and created a friendship that will last a lifetime. So much life has happened since those colds days and I am so excited to share another chapter with her.
Daniel Streckfuss
Groomsman
There's a possible universe in which I don't really care much for wine, and it's surely a lesser universe than the one that actually is, and it's mostly thanks to Daniel. A former vintner (of sorts), Daniel brought home bottles of wine to the house we shared with too many other people back in our early 20's. And being broke and amenable to free alcohol, I drank it, he described what I was drinking, and everything grew from there. I joined Annan as a groomsman in Daniel's wedding some years later, have shared many meals/trips/chats, and have just generally appreciated Daniel's friendship, eventually even more than wine. Also, to note, he's the sort of guy you want with you when you finally convince yourself to go visit the Porsche car lot. Pragmatic in all senses of the word.
Charles Dorsey
RING BEARER - NEPHEW OF BRIDE
Charles is my nephew and he is 6 years old. Charles entered the world with a bang, and has not slowed down since. My little chef is always ready to bust a dance move, flip off any structure, whip you up a cake, and sing out songs from Frozen or Moana. Charles is always here to entertain himself and others. Beyond his hilarious and entertaining exterior, he is the most caring child. He will stand up for what he believes is right, will challenge anyone he thinks has wronged his family, and will rub your back when he senses sadness. I cannot guarantee he will walk down the isle, but whether he dances, prancing, skips or rolls he will make this day amazing.
Safiyyah Usman
Mother of the Bride
I know we don't get to choose our biological parents, but I see God's love for me in the simple fact that I was given the best mother in the world. My mother gave me the best of her- loving and praying me into the woman I am today. I will never know all of the sacrifices she made for me, but I do know that I plan to be the best woman, friend, sister, aunt, and wife I can be, as a proven testament of her love. It helps that I look like her, but if I can also take her generosity of spirit, quest for adventure, contagious deep belly laughs and love for her family- I know I am on a good path. My mom has accompanied me either in person or in spirit through so many new life adventures, so mom lets add another to the list. If I got to choose, I still choose you Mom.
Jada Dorsey
FLOWER GIRL - NIECE OF BRIDE
Jada, aka J Boogie is my baby niece. She is 8 years old, and wise as if she has walked this earth before. Jada is smart, witty and always listening (so be careful). Jada was first to show me what it means to love and care about another person so deeply you forget about your own needs. I changed her pamper, rocked her to sleep, and now talk about the drama of 2nd grade with her. Jada picked out her nail color over a year ago, and has been preparing for her walk down the isle as flower girl for a year, so be prepared to be amazed.
Michelle Love-Day
Officiant
Michelle is my Soror and friend. She was influential in starting and naming our text group, "life-lifters," because she is always here to encourage, support and uplift my spirits, accomplishments, and everyday life events. Whether Michelle is performing in a stage play, showing her acting chops on syndicated commercials (Google her), or loving and teaching her girls, she will always make time to show me that she loves and cares about me. As we both have very similar temperaments of hyper, crazy, irreverent and happy, often we understand each other when others don't get it. I am excited for her to be with me as I take this next step.
Montana Knox
Usher - Niece of Groom
One of the first loves of my life, my oldest niece has been one of my favorite people since my sister Jamie and her husband Eric brought her into the world.
Hunter Knox
Usher - Nephew of Groom
Hunter's a skilled bowman, former all-state running back, and co-valedictorian for his class of high school graduates. He's also a pretty smart dude, and one of my favorites, because he's my nephew, and I have about as many memories of him - riding on my back as a toddler, swimming in lakes, and eating delicious parmesan popcorn - as I have with anyone else in the fam.
Jamie Knox
Sister of the Groom
Without Jamie, I am not the person I am today. In fact, I am concerned about the person I might be in a world in which Jamie doesn't play a pivotal role in my life. Fortunately, the world I actually grew up in was one with Jamie at the center, and I have as much to attribute to her as I do anyone else in my life, ever. Her late husband, Eric, was one of my greatest mentors and friends, and we'll be thinking of him and appreciating the time we had with him for the rest of our days.
Tricia Delahunt
Sister of the Groom
Tricia might be the best friend I've ever had, which is especially special, because she's also my sister. Tricia taught (and reteaches) me the meaning of having unconditional love for those you care about the most.