Inside This 54th Edition:
- A Word: Where Have We Been?!
- Up Next: What to Expect!
- DBWs Speak: Give Good Advice?
- News: A Black Woman is Free.
- Affirmations: Affirmation Letter of the Week.
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We're BAAACCCK! It's been a good lil while since we've hit your inbox with our weekly doses of Black girl love, events and social media. And Lawd knows we missed you! Why did we take a sabbatical?
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On the difficult side: I've been struck by loss and illness in the family and had the sense, courage and space to take some time to grieve and heal. On the great side: I've been preparing for the future of Dear Black Women and let's just say we SLAYED the competition season.
Not to stunt, but...to stunt with some updates:
- Dear Black Women won FIRST place in the university wide University of Michigan Business Challenge. More heerrrrree.
- Dear Black Women won SECOND place in the national UC Berkeley Inclusion Pitch Business Challenge. More heerrrrree.
Plus, your girl completed her studies and graduated with two Masters degrees (MBA & MSI, Human Computer Interaction) from the University of Michigan. At one of my graduations, I was even brought on stage and given an award for the fantastic work we're doing. **Cue Whitney Houston sangin' "I believe in MIRACCLLLESSS"** Peep the moment below:
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That's not all. Remember back in Newsletter #25 when we told you about Tia Freeman? She's the Black woman who. delivered. her. own. by. baby. by. herself. (with the help of Google). while. traveling. alone. in. Germany... Welllll, Brandi, DBW's first Lead Facilitator, decided to do her own remix.
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Picture it: One late night, Brandi and I are up brainstorming the future of Dear Black Women. Less than 24 hours later, weeks before expected, BRANDI. DELIVERS. HER. DAUGHTER. ARROW. AT. HOME. WITH HER HUSBAND. BEFORE. HER. MIDWIFE. COULD. EVEN. SAY. "I'm on my way!".
Yup. Brandi hand delivered her own baby in her bathtub. And no Google searches were consulted. (What can Black woman not do?! I'll wait...)
All that to say, it's truly been a whirlwind season and I'm so grateful for the blessings and lessons in the storm. I'm also grateful to meet you right back here, as the Dear Black Women movement forges ahead.
Let's go together, shall we?,
Flo
Founder, Dear Black Women
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Now that we're back, here's a sneak peek of what to expect:
- Newsletter: Expect regular doses of Black Girl Love in your inbox!
- Social Media: Will relaunch in October. Don't meet us there. Beat us there and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
- Events: Will relaunch later this Fall. Including some virtual events for the cities that we're not in (yet)!
- Join Our Team: We will be adding new Circle Facilitators and Hosts to our team. Interested? Stay tuned.
- Daily Affirmation Texts: We NEVER stopped sending these. You missing out? Stawp playin and sign up below!
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Let's be clear **grabs mic and clears throat loudly**: You. don't. need. a. single. degree. to. be. brilliant. In fact, many of our most powerful examples of Black Girl Magic went with nan one degree to their name. Still, many of us who have traversed the halls of academia know that the path can be treacherous and sometimes leave us wondering how we can make it through.
Across the country, 1000's of our fellow DBWs have begun or continued their journeys in school. Let's share some of our lessons to lighten these sisters' load.
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If you've made it to the other side of your academic journey, share a piece of advice on how DBWs can walk through this part of their journey as whole, loved and focused as possible. Go on, we want to celebrate you!
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The Dear Black Women movement is not new to encouraging each other. We did for Cyntoia Brown-Long when dozens of you wrote her letters of support, some featured in Newsletters 28 & 49. Once wrongfully imprisoned, Cyntoia is now free. You can continue to encourage her by purchasing her new memoir, Free Cyntoia.
Plus 11 ways you can support other incarcerated Black women.
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Affirmation Letter of the Week.
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By Lakeidra, Dear Black Woman, Detroit
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Hey Boo!
Things were dark a little bit ago. I know you felt like you were in a tailspin. On the outside, you were achieving, you were smiling and you were ok… but on the inside you were drowning. In your thoughts. In your fears. And in your worries. So scared of being wrong.
But today, oh today...I see you shining! After the dark night there always comes a rising sun, a brighter day, and the chance for you to flourish. I see you taking chances. I see you making moves. And I also see you trying to let the worries fall by the wayside. Of course, more tough, more confusing and heavy days are ahead. But... full affirmation letter here.
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In affirmation of you, and Black women everywhere,
The Dear Black Women Movement
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