There is no force equal to a Black woman determined to rise.
VOL. 70 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 20
Hey #NoteddTribe! Happy New Year to you, although we can't believe that the month is near the end already.
You probably noticed that we took a longer-than-average hiatus, taking off the first two weeks of the month and releasing our first newsletter of the year today. We missed you all dearly, but #NoteddTribe, we were delighted to have that time off.
For us, we're accustomed to jumping right back into full speed after a break like the holidays, but taking the opportunity to ease back in was just what we needed. In these last two weeks, we experienced many life changes and had the time to process and deal with those changes without jumping into all elements of our work completely.
The new year allows us to create and set resolutions or things that we aspire to change, like a bad habit, improve like eating more healthy and working out more often, or accomplish a personal or professional goal. However, the term “resolution” would seem off-putting to us. We would make our list at the top of the year and be ready to throw it away soon after. Even committing to one resolution seemed out of reach sometimes.
While we have goals that we are committed to accomplishing this year, what’s different for us this year is that we’re focusing on a theme (or an intention for the year) and setting boundaries to make those goals and that theme more attainable. Maybe we’re saying the same thing with a fancier set of words, but resolutions seem more like ultimatums while having a theme/intention with positive boundaries feels more inviting and aspirational.
This year’s theme or intention is to give ourselves grace AND space. This intention relinquishes that pressure that we place on ourselves when we don’t reach the goal in the desired way. It allows us to appreciate what we could accomplish because anything is better than zero. Also, it removes this stigma to aspire to be like or be better than others, and in reality, we need to be better for ourselves. PERIOD.
What is your thing this year? Please share with us your intentions, commitments, aspirations, or even themes or words that represent 2022 for you. We'd love to add you to our community thread. This year, it's about encouraging and lifting each other all year long within the community.
#StayNotedd
HOT OFF THE PRESS
We were featured in Katie Couric’s website and today’s Wake Up Call newsletter!🎉 💃🏾
Check us out in today's newsletter and article as we detail our Great Resignation story and new work life as a marketing freelancer and CEO. We share our journey transitioning from Corporate America to freelancing for brands and organizations while also working on the awesome things we do here at Notedd. In addition to myself, two other women share their remarkable experiences and how they found and made their passions their new work lifestyle.
Thank you so much, Ryan Buxton and the Katie Couric Media team, for sharing our story! It's a true testament that when you see one of your favorite influencers (or mentors in the mind, like this is THEE Katie Couric, yall!) post and ask you to share your story, you should take the offer. See where it goes because you never know who's on the other side and all of the fantastic things that will happen next.
Since we were on our wellness break earlier this year, we couldn't share our recent blog that highlights what we are looking forward to this year and how you can express interest in becoming a Notedd Brand Ambassador. Check it out here, and let us know your thoughts!
We hope you all are staying safe, warm, and protected this season! You may already be aware of this, but if not, you can sign up to receive four free COVID tests here. Recent released COVID-19 guidance from the CDC recommends that N95 masks offer the strongest protection. Check out these N95 mask recommendations from CNN, Katie Couric Media, and The New York Times if you, too, need a restock.
The first internationally recognized Black and Native American sculptor, Edmonia Lewis, is the latest to be honored in the USPS Black Heritage Series. Visit the USPS website to purchase a book of stamps with her beautiful portrait.
Unfortunately, the Senate was unable to pass on Wednesday night the voting reforms package (the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act). Here's what happened during yesterday's debate and a detailed look into what could next.
If you are not watching Abbot Elementary, you are missing out, but there's still time to catch up. Check out this show synopsis and review, and why the show's creator Quinta Brunson gets a gold star (you understand if you watch the show 😉) by new tribe member Ineye Komonibo.
We recognize Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was recently sworn in to fill Florida's vacant 20th Congressional District. Her position creates a 222-seat Democratic majority in the House, as Democrats hold ten more seats than Republicans.
The Senate passed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. This medal is the highest civilian honor that Congress awards. There's also a sponsored bill from the House to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Mamie Till-Mobley.
Who needs a book pick-me-up? We mention a book in the Honorable Mentions section that we're excited to bring to our list year, but Refinery29 recently released their list of books by Black authors that they can't wait to read this year. Which ones are you excited to read?
HONORABLE MENTIONS
January is about New Year, New Us! What better way to start the first month of the year than by being more in tune with your intuition, committing to those goals with a planner, and setting those boundaries to create peace (or space and grace for us).
Our amazing coach and Ambition + Mischief Founder Sam Cartagena created this card deck of 100 powerful questions, prompts, and remembrances to help you tap deeper into your intuition. We use these cards as a part of our morning routine and ask ourselves the question on one side while applying the action that Sam provides on the other side in three ways:
Completing the action as it's described on the card.
Writing about it in our journal.
Letting it be the overarching mantra that we ponder over for the day.
Grab your deck today and tap into your intuition even more, this year!
Who else is a planner lover? Because chile, we love a good PLANNER!! Here's a new one that we recently came across in an Essence article. TSU Alum Tanisha Carothers and Brittani Hunt created HerSpace Co. to provide tools for modern women, help them manage their obligations, and ensure that their spirit and well-being are well-nourished, just like your best friend would. Designed with the life system of the modern woman in mind, their Layered Living Planner is more than just a planner. They share that it is a tool designed to challenge the modern woman to make her whole self - her layers - a priority. Two hundred and forty pages allow you to make plans for your year, grow into your good habits, and reflect on your growth.
We shared this excellent book last year when we were exploring ways to balance our days during our focus for March, but unfortunately, it didn't make it on our reading list. However, we're making it a priority this year!
Licensed counselor and relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab unpacks the complex idea of healthy boundaries in a digestible and readable fashion in her book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace. Rooted in the latest research and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) best practices, Tawwab provides simple-yet-powerful approaches to establishing healthy boundaries in all aspects of life. We'd love to hear from those who have read it and gather your thoughts on how you incorporated Nedra's practices into your routine.
For those who'd like to join us and read Nedra's book, grab a copy at your local Black-owned or independent bookstore, and let's start reading together. Who knows, maybe we should start a book club or something similar? 🤷🏾♀️
But wait, there’s more!
We’ll be circling back with more information in the coming weeks on:
Our new rewards that you can receive instantly when you simply refer our newsletter to your network.
A unique feature on our website that will allow you to pitch and share your ideas with the #NoteddTribe on our blog.
Our new brand ambassador program that will allow you to take Notedd center stage.
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STAY INFORMED | STAY CONNECTED | STAY NOTEDD
Interested in being a Tribe Talk speaker? Have any content ideas? Are you launching a product or service? Have any major accomplishments to share with the group? Reach out to us and we'll add it to our next issue.