Michelle Appling Boyd
The Fashionista of a New Day!!
Happy Wednesday Golden Divas!
My Golden Diva Interview this month to kick off the summer season in “High Fashion” is someone I have admired fashion sense for a while now. A lady who has covered the majority of my golden diva topics as I watch her do her “thang” living her best life on the other side of 50. Michelle is an inspiration to women of all ages; whether she is jet-setting across the globe with her husband The Honorable Judge Carl B. Boyd, running to stay fit and fabulous in her fifties, encouraging and lifting up her fellow sistahs by giving them pertinent advice or reading a good book or planning the next big event at “Next Level” hot spot, you can bet she is doing all of that in “High Fashion” style looking forever glamourous and chic! That is why I am elated to introduce to some and reacquaint to others the most stylish Julianite I know (my alum as well) the Golden Diva who is a “Public Servant” at heart, that I will be in conversation with regarding Style and Beauty!” The woman with the impeccable taste in clothes that I look forward to seeing what she is wearing every day as she heads out to work.
MICHELLE APPLING BOYD: THE FASHIONISTA OF A NEW DAY!
Wife, Mother, Philanthropist, Fashionista, Entrepreneur, Public Servant, Presenter, and Motivator Speaker
Michelle is married to Judge Carl B. Boyd, PLJ class of 1983, and together they have four children. One of whom is a student of Percy L. Julian, High School. Michelle graduated in 1983, and she received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University.
She is employed in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois as a Paralegal Specialist, where she works in the Criminal Division and prepares and assists Assistant U.S. Attorneys for court and trials. She has Top Secret Clearance with the Federal Government, and she is the owner of ‘The Good Life Soul Food Café.’
Mrs. Boyd has done a lot of public service work; she was the former President of the Percy L. Julian Alumni Association in 2016. During her administration as President, she scheduled and hosted the PLJ Alumni Career Day, held a Membership Recruitment, created and hosted Julian’s Got Talent, distributed Laptops to PLJ graduates, and organized the Alumni Basketball Games. She also coordinated the PLJ Tailgate weekend, implemented the Chili Fest, organized the Christmas Party, and took 25 PLJ students out of state on a college tour. All the funds raised at any given event went directly to PLJ Students. Michelle is also the President of The Carl B. Boyd Foundation a uniquely funded educational support and scholarship program that helps more than five students annually from urban cities to travel and succeed in college. Participants receive financial assistance during their freshman year of college and continuous academic support until their graduation. To date, the Carl Boyd Foundation has graduated students with degrees in the areas of Engineering, Education, Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Trade Vocations. She is the President and Founder of Sisterhood for Life (SFL) since 2013. SFL is a non-profit organization that consists of inspiring and encouraging women by hosting events to address unique issues of women, including but not limited to, healthcare seminars, employment, housing assistance, holiday food drives, teen summits, and provides educational tools to youth. SFL has two hallmark events: financial support for women with cancer and adoption of families during the Christmas Holiday Season.
Michelle is the President of the Parnell Area Block Club since 2015, where she organized a four (4) block (area) block club. Sought and achieved resolution of various issues, such as crimes, loitering, etc. Organized and hosted a gigantic block party for the more than 100 neighborhood children who were attended by a host of community partners and elected officials. Lastly, this fashionista has been a Presenter and Motivational Speaker since 2013, where she presented and spoke at numerous organizations, community events, elementary schools, high schools, and churches.
In Conversation with Michelle Appling Boyd
C50: What does the word “fashion” mean to you?
MAB: Fashion is a statement of expression of who you are and how you feel.
C50: How much attention do you pay to fashion in the way you dress?
MAB: The attention I give to fashion is high because when I step outside my home, to the train, to the office, or to a meeting, your appearance is important and highly watched (whether we want to admit it). Not every outfit is for the office or the club. My attention is focusing on the setting of the day.
C50: Do you feel that fashion allows people to express their individuality or does it force people to conform?
MAB: Fashion is an expression of individuality. Not everyone is High Fashion. Whether you wear jeans and tees daily, that is who you are.
C50: How much time do you spend in front of the mirror in the morning making sure that everything looks nice on you?
MAB: Honestly, if I tell you five minutes that may be too long. Often, I have something in mind about what I am going to wear. After bath and morning rituals, I put on my clothes and rushing out of the door, before I call our son Logan to come and take my morning photo.
C50: Do you choose clothes because they are fashionable, comfortable, on sale, or because they make a statement about you?
MAB: I choose clothes that are comfortable and on sale. The eye I have for fashion is items I choose that I can wear or have for a lifetime.
C50: How much time do you spend in front of the mirror in the morning, more than five minutes, less than five minutes, or do you look in the mirror?
MAB: Less than 5 minutes, making sure the tucks are tucked and the tags are off.
C50: How do you personally feel about clothes shopping?
MAB: Actually, I do not like shopping in stores. I shop online a lot and I have personal shoppers for different stores.
C50: Do you believe that cultivating your personal style comes down to what you feel the best wearing?
MAB: Yes, I base my style on many factors, i.e., weather and how I feel.
C50: What would you say you are most comfortable in, during the week and on the weekends?
MAB: Jeans, t-shirts, and Blazer.
C50: What are your favorite three pieces in your closet right now?
MAB: Long Black Chic Ralph Lauren Coat, Purple Pants, Jeans
Michelle’s quote for today.
“Happy Hump Day. Life is too short. Communication is the key!”
Bonus Question:
C50: How did “The Good Life Soul” food Cafe come about?
MAB: My husband Carl Boyd always wanted a breakfast spot, and I always wanted an event venue. Therefore, the opportunity came for both. Carl and I went to Martha’s Vineyard on vacation last year, and we continue to see “The Good Life” in stores, airports, etc. Therefore, when we open the Café, it was a no-brainer, as far as the name. We serve breakfast and Soul Food (Chicken, short ribs, meatloaf, turkey wings, pork chop, mac and cheese, candied yams, beans, dressing, greens, etc.). Our hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 8: am-7pm.
Above the café, we have an event venue “Next Level.” It holds 60-70 people. Tables, TV, kitchenette, and rooftop available.
For information for both, please call 773-264-5433.
There you have it ladies, our Golden Diva for the month of June Michelle Appling Boyd, the lady with class and style representing the “High Fashion” world wherever she goes!!
