The History That Lives in Us

Renny Hunter
Feb 9
5 min read

Honoring Black History Through Legacy, Identity, and Becoming

Written on December 26, 2025

Becoming the Woman I Am Today

The advocating, trailblazing, creatively overflowing Black woman you know today grew up, through no fault of my own or my mother’s, deeply whitewashed. In grade school, I was called names like “Panda” and “Oreo Cookie.” These were microaggressions I internalized as compliments. Proof, I believed, that I was different from other Black girls, whatever that was supposed to mean.

Standing fully in the woman I am today fills me with pride and independence. So when my VP told me I needed to be the one to write our Black History Month blog post, it felt like a no-brainer. I have been witnessing and living Black history since the day I was born.

Before We Go Any Further

Hi. My name is Renny Hunter, soon to be Lyons. I am the proud founder and president of Our Quarterly Community, owner of RH Collective, and co-owner of Ladybug Creek Inc.

At OQC, we believe the real magic happens behind the scenes, in the passion, dedication, and purpose that drive everything we do. The Why Behind the Wow is our commitment to creating not just experiences, but meaningful moments that leave a lasting impact. It is about showing you the heart of OQC: the vision that fuels our community, the values that shape our events, and the reason our members feel truly seen, supported, and celebrated. OQC is not just a club. It is a movement rooted in connection, growth, and empowerment.

Building With Intention

Although RH Collective was officially founded in 2021, my professional journey in the creative space began in 2016. The mission has always been the same: to provide a full-service, deeply intentional experience that authentically brings our clients’ visions to life. RH Collective is an all-inclusive agency specializing in photography, visual content, social media management, event planning, community outreach, talent management, and more.

Ladybug Creek is an all-inclusive haven in New York’s Mohawk Valley, featuring waterfront views, a farm stand, photography studio, cozy lodging, and a Cars & Coffee café coming soon. Our mission is simple: help people immerse themselves in nature and bring good food to good folks, from our farm stand to your front door through local food delivery.

Why Reconnecting With My Roots Changed Everything

Ignoring half of who you are because no one introduced it to you is deeply damaging. I did that for nearly twenty years, sometimes subconsciously and sometimes consciously, hiding parts of myself out of fear of rejection.

As a mixed child, I never felt Asian enough for Asians, nor Black enough for other people of color. Diving into the parts of myself I once avoided gave me the grounding and clarity I needed before finding my future husband, becoming a mother, building fulfilling friendships, and reaching a new level in business.

Because of that journey, I want to honor a few people who are shaping the Black history my children will witness and be a part of.

People Shaping Black History in My Life

My Partner, My Legacy

I could not start anywhere else but with my husband-to-be. I am endlessly proud of the legacy he built before me and the one we continue to cultivate together for our children and the generations after them. Representation matters, especially when it comes to stable, successful Black love without scandal. That visibility is powerful for our children, our families, and our communities.

What began as a childhood hobby at age four became a path through prep schools, universities, summer leagues, and even training camp with the New York Knicks. A fifteen-year professional basketball career spanning Japan, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Puerto Rico and some much more shaped him into the worldly, grounded man he is today. After retiring at 37 due to injury, he shifted his focus to family, a career in cars, and a renewed passion for fashion design and content creation. Watching his evolution has been a privilege.

Follow his resurgence on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kaido_leo) and keep your eyes peeled to his new venture Le Depart 13's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ledepart13/) for more information on his Spring 2026 Rally!

Dr. Imani Eichelberger: Representation in Care

My cousin, Dr. Imani Eichelberger of Hampton Roads Pediatrics, showed me the importance of representation in healthcare, something I did not fully understand until my first pregnancy. Having the option of a provider who shares lived experience can be life-changing. Oppression teaches you how to protect those who often go unheard.

I will never forget my aunt telling me about kids at the park excitedly greeting “Dr. Eichelberger.” Representation plants seeds long before influencers and celebrities ever could.

Marie Rocha: Building the Future

Marie Rocha is an investor, entrepreneur, and ecosystem builder with over two decades of experience in software engineering and venture investing. She has founded multiple companies while remaining deeply committed to philanthropy, mentorship, and community building. To know her is a gift. To be loved by her is a privilege. To learn from her is an honor I do not take lightly.

Find her work here: (https://www.realistlab.org/)

(https://www.instagram.com/my.dailyposts/)

Saffiyah Walton: Redefining Sisterhood

Many know Saffiyah as a fitness inspiration, deep in her travels through the AirForce but to me, she represents true sisterhood. In a world where competition between Black women has been normalized, she has always led with support, grounding, and generosity since our formative years in middle school. I am grateful my daughter will grow up seeing her mother surrounded by women who move like family and are quick to step into their auntie roles.

Chosen Fathers, Chosen Love

Like many Black children, I did not grow up with my father present. But I did grow up with my godfather, Tom Day, someone whose presence has left a mark everywhere he goes.

Weekly dinners. Bedtime stories. Running alongside subway tracks. My first father-daughter dance. He showed me what stability, consistency, and love look like. Alongside his work as an actor, most recently seen in Dexter: Resurrection, Blue Bloods and Power and senior trainer at Serious Strength: Slow Burn Personal Training, he helped shape my early path into fitness and freelancing. More importantly, he taught me the power of showing up.

The History We’re Making

We are making Black history every day, my family, my friends, my peers, and myself included. We are also the keepers of the history that came before us, stories that were and are too often silenced or erased.