That time Michelle Obama made me cry 😭

Nov 21, 2018

Spread the love, forward to a friend!

#WednesdayWisdom

"For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end." — Michelle Obama

Morning Musings

Before Michelle Obama even took the stage last week at the first stop on her Becoming book tour, I was in tears.

Could it have been because I was in Michelle's hometown of Chicago the day the book came out? Maybe it was knowing I was about to witness the #BlackGirlMagic that is Michelle and Oprah in all their glory sharing the same stage? Or perhaps it was the video montage of Obama's life up to that point?

I'm a sucker for a sentimental soundtrack, y'all.

So the answer? All of the above.

I've adored Michelle for what's felt like eons. In fact, anyone who knows me knows that I have a three-step plan to working alongside her greatness:

Step 1: Michelle and Barack move back to Chicago.

Step 2: Michelle launches a nonprofit for girls (aka Global Girls Alliance).

Step 3: Michelle hires me to run her communications team and we live happily ever after. Plus, occasional dates with our respective boos.

Hey, it could happen!

As I remarked to Jeff when we returned home after two hours of soaking up all the wisdom Michelle and Oprah had to offer, "now I love Bey, but I might love Michelle even more."

For starters, I'll never be light-skinned and have a waist-length blonde weave. But moreover, I feel a deep, visceral connection with Michelle. We're both smart, highly ambitious overachievers.

When I look at the cover of Becoming, I see my hopes and dreams reflected back at me. I see the possibilities. I see the woman that I am becoming. I see myself.

That's how powerful this book -- this testament -- truly is. Seeing that sold-out United Center, I felt inspired to dream bigger, dream bolder. Anything is possible. And I'm just getting started.

Love,
L'Oreal

IRL

Jan. 9: I Can't: Land My Dream Job (Can't wait until January? Check out part 1, I Can't: Figure Out What I Want to Do With My Life with Sheila Devi on Dec. 3)

Links I Love

My Latest Obsession

I mean, you really didn't expect me to rave about something else here, did you? I pre-ordered Becoming pretty much the minute it went on sale and, although it didn't arrive in time for the book tour (ahem, Amazon), I'm about halfway through and wish I could just spend all day reading it, tbh.

If you're an avid Michelle fan like I am, then you already know most of this story. Still, I can't get over how refreshing it is to hear a powerful Black woman speak so candidly about her life -- the ups and downs and everything in between. We do not deserve.

Now Hiring

Part-time Community Manager for Sacred Chill West
Manager of Annual Giving for Bottom Line
Senior News Editor for Cosmopolitan
Senior Director, National KIPP Through College Program for KIPP Foundation
Art Director for The New York Times
Associate Director of Communications for The University of Chicago
Director of Social Media for The New Yorker
Associate Style Editor for Elite Daily
Director of Digital Marketing & Communications for Hirewell
Chief Operating Officer for DataKind

Support LT in the City

Do you like what you see here? Here's how you can help!

1. Share the love. Like what you see here? Shout if from your (digital) rooftop and tell your friends!

2. Hire me. I'm available for all of your editorial, public speaking and career coaching needs.

3. Advertise. Have a personal project or side-hustle you've been dying to share with the world? Here's your chance to get in front of more than 8,000 smart, ambitious and engaged millennial women!

Well, that's all folks. I hope you enjoyed this edition of LT in the City Weekly! Be sure to follow me on the Interwebs using the buttons below or simply click "reply" to tell me what you think. Thanks a bunches!