In June I threw a Juneteenth house party, had an overdue real-talk session with white women allies, was featured in a Black Woman-Owned magazine, launched The Inspire Tour, did some local and out of state events, and also managed to run a half marathon even though it was a heavy planning month.
First things first, I will always speak up
I made a statement about the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling because I needed to. As exhausting as it is to experience moments like this, speaking up for Black Women is my privilege. And we already know this ruling is going to have repercussions beyond college admissions, so I’m taking this as a call to action. Read my statement, share it, weigh in. Let’s talk solutions.
And while we’re on the topic of speaking up, the team over at Campowerment invited me to talk about the current state of allyship because it looks very different three years after George Floyd.
It was a good conversation, and I’d like to see more allies stepping up to hold each other accountable for the promises they’ve made and the commitments they’ve failed to meet.
I will always seek to inspire
June was a heavy planning month for the Buy From A Black Woman Inspire Tour presented by H&M and I’m so proud to say that we successfully launched:
We had a virtual meet and greet with some of incredible Black Women Business Owners who’ll be joining us on tour
The Black Women Founders who’ll be hosting community enrichment events came through to share what they have in store for us
Black Enterprise, 21Ninety and Yahoo have covered The Inspire Tour so far and the news is quickly spreading
And by the time you read this we’ll be on the road, probably in one of the 14 cities that we’re hitting up this July.
I will never get tired of this
Being featured in the media isn’t new to me. I’ve worked in radio, I’m a decorated wartime veteran so I’ve been on TV a couple of times, and I talk to journalists on a regular basis. But this Taji Magazine feature was a new one for me. Taji Magazine is an independent, Black Woman-Owned publication. So this article about the work I do for Black Women, was written by a Black Woman and published in a Black Woman-Owned magazine. That’s a milestone!
I will keep chasing my dreams
I ran the SHE Power Half Marathon in Indianapolis as a part of my goal to run a race in every state. This was number 21. I picked it because it’s an all-woman race that celebrates our strength, beauty and determination as women. It was a great race, and it also reminded me that storms only are temporary. You have to keep going.
I will keep learning
Black Innovation Alliance had their Sustainability Summit in Miami this year, so I flew down to connect with other Black nonprofit leaders who are innovating in this space. It was two days of programming focused on building strong organizations, sharing our experiences and fellowship. I’m already looking forward to next year's event!
And for my personal and professional development I also read Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable by Jamie Kern Lima and Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose by Leigh Cowart.
I will keep sharing
I attended a Coca-Cola Black Employee Network event in Atlanta and got to share some of the work I do through Buy From A Black Woman. It was good to connect with Coca-Cola employees and leadership. And it’s always interesting to see the work that organizations are doing to build cultural competency and encourage authenticity within their companies.
I will always celebrate us
It’s important to make time to celebrate ourselves and our family and friends, so I threw a Young, Gifted & Black party for Juneteenth. DJ Rasyrious played all our favorite songs, we had games, had a t-shirt contest and we even did some Black History facts. Time spent with loved ones is always well-spent, and I’m grateful for my family and the many different ways they show up for me.
I want to hear from you
So how about you? How was your June? Comment below and let me know.
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