have you told yourself 'thank you' lately?

gratitude for self is important.

"Rising from the ashes of my earlier life, I learned that our thoughts, words, and deeds are unified through spiritual practice. They are made whole within us. And when our thoughts, words, and deeds are aligned with our most positive intentions, magic happens."

― Tina Turner

Yes I know you haven’t achieved xyz goal yet, or you had a setback earlier this year/month or you feel behind but if you don’t get anything else from this newsletter, please get this:

You are worthy and deserving of gratitude from yourself even when you don’t feel like you have anything to celebrate.

Because you exist, you haven’t gave up yet, because you have committed to keep going even if you don’t know the way.

That is enough to say ‘thank you’ to yourself.

You deserve it,

Melissa, founder of #blkcreatives

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Reckon teams with acclaimed writers Deesha Philyaw, Kiese Laymon for 'True Stories' podcast

Reckon True Stories, a new podcast hosted by acclaimed authors Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Kiese Laymon (Heavy, How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America, Long Division), all about the stories we tell and how they impact our culture. Learn more about it here.

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Links that heal: creativity, kindness, safety, integrity

• 12 Great Films of James Earl Jones, may he rest well.

• The Mental Wellness Benefits Of Practicing Gratitude via Therapy for Girls

• The Black voters vs. Palestine debate is a trap. Don’t fall for it

• If you’re curious, read about social determinants of health (SDOH) - the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes.

• Remembering Toni Morrison Through Her Food

• What Is Progress 2025? YES Magazine has a breakdown for you here.

• Florida barbershop trying to raise literacy levels in Black & brown kids

Resources + Opportunities

• Roc Nation is hiring for Manager, Digital Marketing & Strategy (Brands)

• Create & Cultivate is hiring for a REMOTE Experiential Event Producer

• The Nature Conservancy is hiring for a REMOTE Senior Production Manager

• Check out more openings at The Nature Conservancy here