By Lynn Pearcey
Introduction
There’s a street adage that says if a brother is looking for a good haircut, all he needs to do is walk in a shop and find the barber with the worst-looking head. From there, ask how many he has in front of you, and then patiently wait your turn. The same theory applies to sisters looking to get their hair pressed, laced, teased, or styled. Peruse the shampoo bowls and find that one stylist with a hairdo that’s due for a redo. When you see her, make sure she sees you because that’s your girl. If you’re having car problems, big, small, or somewhere in between, pull up to the repair shop and find out who drives the car in the worst shape. Once you do, toss him your keys; no need to tell him what you hear when you crank, how it feels when you turn his way or accelerate past a certain point: he heard you coming a block away, just toss him those keys –he’ll take it from there.
What do all these people have in common? It’s simple: they’re so busy caring for and bringing out the best in others that they have no time for themselves.
She’s not a barber or hairdresser; you’d never mistake her for a mechanic, but just like the aforementioned, Aelicia Watson, affectionately known as Chocolate, stands out in a crowd, because she’s always doing something for others. Some days, make that most days, her tank sits empty because so much of her has gone toward filling the tanks of others. So, when she got the word that out of 50 worthy women sprinkled throughout the metroplex, she was the winner of The Dallas Weekly’s Working Women Contest, the tears flowed.
“It’s an honor, and I’m flattered. In all honesty, I wasn’t even aware that I was a candidate. But when I tell you I needed this boost, this jolt of joy, this hope: everything about this win is right on time,” said Chocolate.
Chocolate, up close and personal
A force to be reckoned with is how Chocolate likes to describe herself, and with a track record bursting with success, it’d be hard to argue against her. She’s a woman of strong character with an iron will, forged in the fires of a life filled with trials and tribulations that would break the spirit of most, but not her. Relentless is how some describe her, but to Chocolate, she’s just a girl who knows what she wants, and she’s not about to let anyone stand in the way of her getting it.
“No is where most people stop, but for me, no is where the hard work starts. Whatever journey I embark upon, yes, in whatever form it’s due to manifest, is my end goal. But to be clear, I’m not just fighting to get to the yes for me; it’s for the people watching, and depending on me, they fuel my drive.”
Honest and direct, while versatile enough to feel at home in the boardroom or the mean streets of South Dallas, she prides herself on getting things done. “We’re only here for a limited amount of time. My goal is to make the most of mine and leave enough of a mark for others to pick up where I left off whenever I’m gone and keep moving it forward.”
Chocolate, the friend we all need
To know her is to love her and it doesn’t take long after meeting Chocolate to feel like you’ve known her for a lifetime, feel like you’re in the company of an old friend. It might be because she’s sincere, kind, and authentic in a day and time when those qualities are hard to find. Or maybe it’s because she’s seen and overcome just about every hardship life can throw at a girl. From abandonment, rape, homelessness, teen pregnancy, and extreme poverty, Chocolate has just about seen, done, and survived it all. Whatever it is and however it resonates, she’s proven to be a blessing, a treasure in the truest sense of the word, offering wisdom, hope, and joy to all who make her acquaintance.
“When I meet anyone, no matter what they’re going through, there’s a pretty good chance I’ve been down that road. I found my way through it to a better place on the other side, and my message to them is that they can do the same, and I’ll be right there to help.”
Chocolate, the fighter
Cancer is a word no one wants to hear, and the mere mention sends chills down the spines of even the most ardent warrior – but not Chocolate. It doesn’t scare her because she’s stood tall and stared down the monster of Cancer on more than one occasion and hearing the zest, zeal, and spirit in her voice, one would never guess that she’s currently locked in a fierce battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. This bout is something she takes in stride, knowing that she has won before, assured that she will win again. Doctors have their treatment plans, and she dutifully adheres to them, but the most potent remedy in her arsenal is her devout faith.
“The same God that was present during those previous battles is the same God that will see me through this current one, so why worry?”
But God is the mantra this Dallas native lives by, and her faith is at the heart of her every move. She’s not one to preach and won’t hit anyone over the head with scripture, but Chocolate knows how God has and continues to work in her life. “Some doors that have opened and things that have happened in my life simply can’t be explained in the human realm and can only be attributed to a higher power. When walking in a season where nothing makes sense, but everything is happening just right, I’m quick to give God the glory.”
Chocolate, on sisterhood
There’s a storm coming, and so many sisters—young sisters, teen sisters—can’t see the clouds, can’t smell the rain, and don’t know it’s heading their way. But it’s coming all the same. Recent legislation banning abortions is the perfect storm for teen pregnancy, something that disproportionately impacts the Black community. “I know firsthand the challenges that come with being a teen mother. It’s a hard life that can limit your prospects and with this shift on abortion rights, now more than ever before, we need Black female leaders to step to the forefront and help steer these young women in the right direction.”
Aside from becoming involved in the looming plight and potentially devastating ramifications newly enacted abortion laws can have in neighborhoods like the one she grew up in, Chocolate wishes more Black women would embrace the concept of sisterhood.
“In too many cases, we as Black women are competing with one another instead of complimenting each other, and that keeps us from conquering whatever it is that stands in our way. I’ve seen instances where we’re content to merely survive instead of going the extra mile and supporting another sister, and that type of thinking prevents us from doing something special. That limiting way of thinking, being, and living has to stop; when it does, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish.”
Chocolate, on her future
The future for Chocolate looks brighter than ever which should come as no surprise. On the professional front she’s putting the finishing touches on her second book, set to be released by the end of 2024. She’s also gearing up to build a series of affordable housing units in the Fair Park area through her non-profit arm, Redeemed Women.
“There is no reason people living in a world-class city like Dallas should be forced to dwell in abject poverty. They deserve a nice place to call home and for it to be a place they can be proud of. Through Redeemed Women, that’s what we’ll be focused on delivering in the coming years.”
On the personal level, the woman who has loved so many is ready to find a love to call her own. Following her divorce, Chocolate spent time reflecting on her missteps, accepting parts of her life that needed to be better, and doing the hard work to get there.
“My heart is for the people, but I also feel like my heart is big enough to share on a more personal level. I’m open, excited, and looking forward to the blessing of love God sets along my path.”
She’s an irresistible object, an immovable object, a piece of action moving down the street, a source of renewable energy, and the friend we could all use at some point during our day. But when you boil it down, she’s just Chocolate, a girl who continues to overcome and truly wants to see everybody win.
Closing Thoughts
The Dallas Weekly created The Working Woman contest with the goal of recognizing female movers and shakers who are shaping the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. While it is the vision of The Dallas Weekly, the newspaper is not alone in their quest to acknowledge these powerful women. Sponsors play a major role in this initiative, including U unique Boutique, who graciously donated the clothes and the makeover for this year’s winner.
“I believe that when you look good, you feel good, and that alone can boost your confidence. With that, it’s our pleasure to be a part of an effort that recognizes and uplifts women in the Black community,” said founder Shetenne Walker.
Nikki Hill-Reece, founder of Allure by Nikki and another sponsor for this year’s event, echoed some of those same sentiments.
“Giving back to the community, especially Black women, matters because it allows us to recognize achievements. It means the world to me to help another woman of color smile, look, and feel amazing. I consider it an honor to be included in the Working Woman Contest because it makes another Black woman smile, and seeing her smile makes me smile!”
Another proud sponsor, Vanna Collins of Elemental Yoga + Meditation Studio, expressed her joy in helping make the 2024 event a success.
“Sometimes as a Black woman in business, all we have is one another, so it’s important that we build bridges, bonds, and become cheerleaders for one another. When we stand together, in unison, as one, the world has no choice but to recognize the immense power we sisters wield!”
Photographer Chelse ‘Storm’ Lilly, the photography sponsor shared her thoughts on what the event and this year’s winner mean to her.
“It’s important for me to constantly be reminded of how far I’ve come and the possibilities of how far I can go. This event was the perfect opportunity to give and receive. I’m thankful to everyone involved and I’m especially grateful to Chocolate for being exactly who she is: amazing!”