September is the new January
VOL 56 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Hey, #NoteddTribe! How was your long holiday weekend? For us, it was a fun one, filled with joy, celebration, and some downtime.
In last week's issue, we shared how the spiritual meaning of September is linked to refocusing your inner energy. Well, many are now saying that September is the new January. Any time you are on a new pathway, it's always great to start with self-reflection and goal-setting. If you're interested in doing one or both practices, check out this Inc article which features three questions to ask yourself while self-reflecting. Also, Stacey Abrams' framework for goal-setting is an invaluable tool for determining what you want, why you want it, and how you will get it.
We're still taking your ideas on anything related to self-improvement. Send questions, ideas, anything that you want to know directly to Lauren, and we'll find ways to incorporate and share with the rest of the tribe.
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Notedd News
Let the countdown begin! One more week until the launch of our crowdfunding campaign. More details to come throughout next week, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, remember to sign up for our community platform and grab your spot as a founding member before the big reveal later this year.
This Fall, Sephora is set to launch its first-ever Black-owned brand campaign, celebrating Black-owned brands and founders like Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross, Briogeo, Fenty Beauty, and Pat McGrath Labs. Starting on September 14, Sephora will debut its first Sephora Black-Owned Brands Favorite Kit with proceeds earmarked for the 15 Percent Pledge: an organization that calls on major retailers to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelf to Black-owned businesses.
Pamela Uba, a 26-year-old medical scientist, is making history as she has become the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Ireland in the country since the pageant began in 1947.
Companies including Bumble, Uber, and Lyft are creating funds to support people who seek abortions in Texas and to cover legal fees drivers may face if sued under Texas' new restrictive abortion law. Another dating service, Match Group, also established a fund for Texas-based employees affected by the ban. However, a recent NYT article points out that many businesses who expressed opposition to issues from restrictive voting laws to racial justice are declining to take a similar stand on the abortion measure.
Justice is deserved for Tamla Horsford, a Black woman from Forsyth County, GA, and mother of six who died during a "largely all-white adult overnight party" in 2018. After re-opening the case in 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation ruled it a "tragic accident," which coincided with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office investigation completed in 2019. The report concludes that no evidence was found that ruled anyone responsible for Horsford's death or foul play was involved. However, her family and loved ones are now petitioning for the FBI to investigate, considering the several injuries that Horsford endured that aren't adding up and the mishandling of the local investigation.
Camille A. Brown is set to make history as the first Black woman to simultaneously serve as a director and choreographer on Broadway in over 65 years through her 2022 production of Ntozake Shange's 1976 classic for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.
We are bringing a new take to this section by tapping into our fourth wall and using this as a space to ask questions and engage with you in more discussions and conversations because we're family, right? Join us in the comments section and let us know what you think of what we featured this week.
When was the first time you played Spades? We didn't learn until college (and tbh our skills are rusty), but writer Gabrielle Ione Hickmon explores how you play the game is how you play the game of life. Releasing in a visual essay in The Pudding, Hickmon conducted a first-of-its-kind ethnographic research project on Spades and the Black community. She explores the game's history, how it makes people feel, how people play it, and how it is an essential piece of Black culture. Alright, so the real question is: is table talk allowed? Yes or No? Why or Why Not?
Anyone heading to the gun range more often? According to the trade association for the firearms industry, gun purchases by Black men and Black women increased by more than 58% over the first six months of last year. Only 5.4% of firearm owners are Black women, a relatively small portion of the gun-owning population. Still, many are now heading to the shooting range and becoming registered gun owners more than ever, as they share their reasons why in this Associated Press article. We think it's time for us to learn how to use a firearm; what about you?
Who else is willing to confess that they, too, hate how much they love their Skims? Yes, this is the shapewear product created by Kim Kardashian West. Like Tahirah Hairston points out in her article in The Cut, we too love a good celebrity brand. Still, there is this "feeling" of supporting someone who has been called out for cultural appropriation and Blackfishing, or the alteration of your physical appearance with makeup, cosmetic surgery, filters, or digital editing to appear Black. However, and this may sound crazy, if Kim Kardashian West was to do anything right, it was to create a line of good shapewear. For us, it did start with their shapewear and then it went a bit beyond with the althesiure items. We always found it challenging to find something that didn't roll up or down or a shade that was a bit darker than the traditional nude. The article highlights multiple positions on Skims. Some women refuse to name drop, some purchase theirs secondhand to not feel as connected to the brand, and many disclosed their absolute disdain and refusal to purchase because of the woman behind the brand. Hey, if you share, we'll share!
We’re thinking of…
…the Martinsville 7. In 1951, seven Black men were tried by a white jury and sentenced to death for their supposed role in the gang rape of a 32-year-old white woman named Ruby Stroud Floyd. Seventy years later, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam granted posthumous pardons to all seven men, stating that they were mistreated by the legal system and didn't deserve to be executed by the state.
…Sloane Stephens. Following her loss to Angelique Kerberat the U.S. Open, Stephens shared in an Instagram story that she got over 2,000 abusive messages from fans "upset" by her loss. She shared that she's grateful for the positive messages that she’s now receiving and continues to choose "positive vibes over negative ones," but this senseless behavior must stop.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
In a recent Zora article, Amber the Alchemist describes the practice of radical self-acceptance as she urges her readers to soar and claim what we want for ourselves courageously. You start this practice by looking at yourself in the mirror, and if you are not pleased with what or who you are reflecting, Amber says it's time to make a change. Additionally, Amber says that the mirror is a reminder to see everything for what it is and make decisions based on what you see. Visit the link below to learn how you can start this practice today!
We're guilty of sitting for hours while working from home. A new study shows that standing up and moving every 30 minutes for about three minutes may lessen the health impacts of over-sitting. Just taking 15 steps or doing a few jumping jacks or squats during these mini-breaks can show significant improvements. Check out this study and learn how you can incorporate these mini-breaks today.
It's that time of year! Flu season officially starts next month, and the CDC recommends getting your flu shot by the end of October. NPR covers everything that you need to know about getting the flu shot this year. If you are interested in getting vaccinated, learn more by reading this quick guide and FAQs.
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