unbought, unbossed & unbothered: intentionally seeking joy part 2
brb, minding my Black business ✌🏾
Wednesday Wisdom
“Your opponents would love you to believe that it’s hopeless, that you have no power, that there’s no reason to act, that you can’t win. Hope is a gift you don’t have to surrender, a power you don’t have to throw away….Hope just means another world might be possible, not promised, not guaranteed. Hope calls for action; action is impossible without hope.” ~ Rebecca Solnit
Morning Musings
Earlier this week, I was reflecting with my (mom) friend and neighbor, Deb, about MLK Day and our hopes and aspirations. We’d just finished Chelsea Jackson Roberts MLK-inspired yoga flow and guided meditation on the Peloton app—leaving our families and taking a 45-minute break from chasing our kids, who are also friends, around Great Wolf Lodge.
Deb had found a deal for the popular indoor waterpark earlier in the month and immediately I was like, you know what? Hell yea! Spending the day at a waterpark sounded infinitely better than doomscrolling social media, which is exactly what I would’ve done if I were behind my laptop on Monday. I mean, sure, MLK Day is a holiday but daycare was open and, as a freelancer, I sometimes (okay, often) find myself working on holidays because well, freelancing.
But I happily left the laptop at home, set a somewhat controversial (for me) OOO reply, packed up the car and off to Gurnee we went. It was the first time our little family of three traveled somewhere not to visit for family or for work (like our adventure to NYC back in 2023 for my book launch). And, as it turns out, it was just the distraction and adventure that my heart and soul needed.
After the meditation, I recalled how I felt the day after the last election: angry, anxious, frustrated, sad and scared. Later that day, I attended a yoga class and, thanks to a talk from the teacher about being of service, I started to feel less resentment and more resolve.
Fast forward to Monday and I was completely unbothered. America’s going to do what America has always done. This country has never been a safe place for Black and Brown people. Why would today be any different?
I’d debated sounding off in my out-of-office reply and ultimately did decide to go there, informing everyone who emailed me that I was part of the 92% of Black women who understood the assignment and therefore I would be signing off to tend to myself and my Black family.
Because what’s the point of being your own boss if you can’t push the envelope a bit? I was concerned, for a brief moment, that my autoresponder may be deemed “unprofessional,” “too much,” or “too Black.” But ultimately, I decided f*ck that. Because the ones that get it, get it. And the ones who don’t? Well, those aren’t my people anyway. Simple as that.
So instead of feeling anxious or angry on Monday, I intentionally sought out joy. I was laughing, playing and splashing in the wave pool with Violet; lounging about in the lazy river with Deb; and cheering on the Buckeyes while eating pizza with Jeff. Life was and is good.
Because I refuse to surrender my hope. I refuse to let them win. I refuse to cower and move in fear. I refuse to let them steal my joy and break my soul. And that, my friends, is an act of resistance.
Black women tried to warn you. We did our part. But y’all refuse to listen and do better. So, we’re signing off. We’re minding our Black business and tending to our Black families and communities. Y’all got this. ✌🏾
Upcoming Events
Jan. 28: Author Talk with Dr. Uché Blackstock at Call & Response Books. I’m absolutely delighted to be sharing space with my friend and fellow author Dr. Uché Blackstock to celebrate the paperback release of her instant NYT bestselling book, Legacy. Learn more about Dr. Blackstock in our conversation from Fortune last year.
What I’m Reading
Keke Palmer’s Greatest Role Is Herself (The Cut)
‘He knows it is gone’: What it’s like to parent through the Los Angeles wildfires (The 19th)
Behind the Byline: On IVF as a ‘Guarantee’ (
)
Now Hiring
Executive Director, Chicago for Thrive Scholars
Community Editor for Atlas Obscura
Senior HR Manager for Data & Society
Consumer Engagement Director for SirDavis Whisky
Bilingual Deputy Editor for Borderless Magazine
Editor in Chief for them
Director, Research and Evaluation for Power to Decide
Director of Social Media Strategy for Everybody at Once
🫶🏾 Paid Subscriber Shoutout 🫶🏾
A special thank-you to April, Jeff, Carol, Cait, Amanda, Harleen, Megan, Najja, Jessica, Priti, Cat, Jenna, Mallory, Rachel, Angel, Sarah, Camesha, Vix, Anna, Stephanie, Dominique, Tiffany, Emily, Mabinty, Lindsey, Casey, Lynnae, Dani, Amanda, Raina, Abigail, Sharon, Kristen, Heather, Renae, Jennie, Brittaney, Kyndall, Sarah, Cecilia, Jessica, Kimberly, Jessica, Ean, Lauren, Brittani, Jenni, Clement, Courtney, Gretchen, Elizabeth, Racquel, Genita, Olivia, Emily, Erin, Jeanice, Alex Jasmine and La’Chia for becoming paid subscribers and helping to fuel this newsletter. I truly appreciate your support! 💜
Your OOO reply is the BEST!
yes to this boldness ❤️