B'Bye Black History Month!
It's so hard to say g'bye to the shortest month of the year.
I’m not much for Valentine’s Day, but Black History Month is everything in my world. I’ve had the pleasure of showing up as my best self every February—feeling seen, feeling heard, and elevating ideas and brands that are close to my heart.
Knowing that that feeling is available for a limited time only makes me so weak. Assuming, we live so long as to make it Rosa Parks’ level of ancestress, we’re talking 92 Februarys to make the most of.
Yet, this year marks a rotation around the sun for me that would have been Martin’s last—cut down at 39.
I’ve had the blessing of one more year than Brother Malcolm—only 38 when he died.
And, I’m feeling like what have I advanced in my years on earth. What is my legacy?
Knowing that we make history while unearthing it, I’ve tried to settle into the reality that I feel called to tell stories from diverse perspectives. I feel compelled to bring my life from the margins into the mainstream. And, I’m not the only one…
From SwizzBeats & Alicia Keyes’ Dean Collection exhibit at the BK Museum to Beyoncé’s country music releases, I recognize how we multi-passionate artists can’t really control our own narratives—we just gotta do what we do and hope that our consistency speaks for itself.
This month, I read my dual language books at a local school and it reminded me what I do this for. It is so that our kids won’t have to hunt as hard as you and I have for books with Black and brown kids in the lead. It is so multicultural stories aren’t rendered niche. The written word is truly transformative and I believe I can make my biggest contributions to the world by penning a legacy worth reading generations from now.
So, while we close the doors on my favorite month of the year, I hope you’re thinking about what your legacy is and how your actions today align with that big vision. I believe in you and I’m rooting for you. Let’s make history together!
Here are some articles I wrote this month that deliver on my mission:
5 Black Changemakers You Need to Follow to Stay in the Know
From filmmakers to community builders, these creators are making the world a more equitable place.
Beyond Snoop Dogg's cereal: Surprising celebrity-led food and drink brands
Snoop Dogg's cereal is making headlines, but he's far from the only celebrity with a food or drink brand. From bourbon to ice cream, these are the most fascinating celeb-led lines you've likely never heard of.
See How Cultures Around the World are Kicking off Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year revelry kicked off this week, with celebrations far beyond China.
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