LT in the City Weekly

Oct 14, 2020

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#WednesdayWisdom

"Let no one convince you that you are small. You are expansive, you are magnificent, and you are a force to be reckoned with." — Arielle Estoria

Morning Musings

First and foremost, much love and many thanks to everyone who spent their Saturday morning with me at the (inaugural?) Rest & Reset Retreat, donated and/or otherwise supported the event.

The idea came to me on the yoga mat while I was indulging in my own solo retreat. I thought to myself, "I want other people to be able to experience this."

At first, I thought I'd create a downloadable guide. But then I heard God whisper, "Bigger," and I quickly complied. I also knew I wanted there to be a charitable component. I'd originally had a larger national nonprofit in mind, then thought a smaller, local one would benefit more from a fundraiser.

I thought *maybe* 20 friends would join us on Zoom and we'd raise roughly $100. Y'all, nearly 100 people registered, 45 people attended and together we raised more than $600 for Sista Afya!! Like, what?!

There's a Marianne Williamson quote about playing small I often reference in my talks about impostor syndrome. But it wasn't until this year I realized I'm guilty of playing small and lately I've been hearing God calling me to not only think bigger, but believe bigger.

Perhaps unsurprisingly my favorite song on Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift is "BIGGER." Upon first hearing it last summer, I cried. From the first few lines, I knew this song was going to wreck me in the best possible way...

If you feel insignificant, you better think again
Better wake up because you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger

Message received. If you've been playing small, I invite you to also think bigger and believe bigger. Someone somewhere needs what you have to offer. What are you waiting for?

Love,
L'Oreal

ICYMI

A few years ago, I met Chris-Tia Donaldson, CEO and founder of hair and skincare company Thank God It's Natural, at a Girl Scouts fundraiser and I've been following her career ever since. So it was a pleasure to interview the two-time breast cancer survivor in my latest for Shondaland. We talked about her self-care journey, her book, This Is Only a Test, and holding onto hope.

Cool Opps

Oct. 15: 2020 Illinois Women in Leadership Symposium. I'll be chatting about the power of social media. ($99)

Oct. 21: Pinot x Poetry. I'm joining my girl Pam for an evening of storytelling, poetry and, of course, vino. (FREE)

Links I Love

1. Megan Thee Stallion: Why I Speak Up for Black Women (New York Times)

2. Solange Knowles: Reflections on Stillness, Joy, and the Year That Changed Everything (Harper's BAZAAR)

3. The Hidden Message in Kamala Harris' Smile (ZORA)

My Latest Obsession

While I don't necessarily judge books by their covers, I will certainly buy one if it's aesthetically pleasing. When I saw some of my fave writers were raving about Tiffany D. Jackson's latest YA novel, Grown, I quickly added it to be TBR list -- and then I devoured it in one weekend.

The book centers around Enchanted, an aspiring singer, and her journey to make her dreams come true. Along the way she meets R&B singer Korey Fields, whose predatory nature resembles another famed R&B singer.

The moral of the story? Protect Black women. Believe Black women. Period.

Now Hiring

Director, College Access for Achieve Atlanta
Audience Engagement Editor for Prism
Senior Publicist for Simon & Schuster
Public Relations Director, Social Purpose/CSR for Golin
Director of Development for Lighthouse Foundation
Program Director for Woods Fund
Director of Marketing & Communications for HealthyWomen
Freelance Writer for Equal Justice USA

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