On Sunday, Black Lives Matter and Black Girls Rock! teamed up to host a Black Excellence Brunch in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside Trell Thomas, the brunch’s founder. The event honored Black women’s groundbreaking achievements across industries. As part of the festivities, the brunch recognized a handful of remarkable individuals, including Beverly Bond, the founder of Black Girls Rock!, Towanda Braxton, Monica, and many others.
During the brunch, Monica took the stage for a fireside chat with Thomas, speaking candidly about her relationship with producer and manager Anthony Wilson and more. The “So Gone” singer explained how her childhood experiences prepared her for her relationship with Wilson.
“I didn’t know anything about love,” Monica said. “Having a father that didn’t always show up the way I needed him to and in some periods of my life, didn’t show up at all. But then, my mother marrying someone that never not showed up, so I have references.”
She continued, “Nothing happens for nothing. Because, here I am, blended family, co-parenting with Anthony and enjoying life and just having somebody that’s there for me…but who knew what my childhood was, was preparing me for what my life would be.”
Elsewhere in the conversation, Monica addressed being referred to as “auntie,’ a popular topic that has circulated throughout social media. To the singer, she doesn’t have an issue with the term, as she understands that it’s a term of endearment and “makes you respected.”
“When I hear ‘hey auntie, wassup,’ I know I’m in Atlanta,” she added. “I know they feel some connection to me. Auntie, to me, I don’t look at it in a negative manner or if it makes you old, it makes you respected. You was never more happier than when you say your auntie.”
Monica continued, “I don’t take it as a negative thing. I take as you get me, I take it as you see me. I take it as you understand me.”
Nonetheless, the conversation concluded with Monica giving flowers to Anthony for coming into her life and being a good partner after many years of friendship.
“We were friends for 14 years first,” she said. “For 14 years, we would work and I would do songs with artists, but one thing he always did was checked on me. That’s something people don’t do unless they can get something from you…The problem is that we give up to soon. If I looked at love like what I’ve been through in it, he couldn’t stay here. He couldn’t be in the space with me, but I don’t hold him accountable for something he didn’t do. Whatever happened prior t him was to teach me.”
