You are never stronger...than when you land on the other side of despair.
VOL. 77 - THURSDAY, MARCH 17
Glad to be back with you all this week, #NoteddTribe! We're still dealing with our health stuff but hopeful that things will get better soon as we work towards recovery. Thank you all for the well wishes and positive vibes!
This was an interesting week, filled with celebration for historical figure Harriet Tubman, but eye-opening awarenesses as we honor the loss of Breonna Taylor and witness the very small changes in the racial and gender wage gap closing.
Sunday marked the second anniversary of the murder of Breonna Taylor. As columnist Hannah Drake points out in her article, Breonna's anniversary and many of the ones before and after represent a time to honor these lives that families and loved ones have lost due to senseless police brutality. Still, also it presents the line of questioning that Drake lists throughout her article.
This month marks the 200th birthday of Harriet Tubman. Since Tubman was born into slavery, there are no records of her birth, and the exact date of her birth is unknown. As we celebrate the past and present hidden figures within our communities and neighborhoods as part of Black Women's History Month, it's an honor to celebrate the legacy of Tubman through the list of works about her and were inspired by her and understand who she was beyond the myths. For example, Ms. Magazine reported that many have claimed that Harriet Tubman rescued 300 people in 19 trips to the Deep South. However, according to Tubman's own words and testimony from the people she rescued, she brought about 70 people—family and friends—to freedom during approximately 13 trips to Maryland. It shines a much-needed light on why we must tell our stories and own our narratives, especially as Black women.
Tuesday marked Equal Pay Day with the White House announcing steps aimed at closing gender and racial wage gaps. However, as we know, the numbers are still significantly disproportionate for women of color, mainly Black women.
In this emotional rollercoaster of news this week, we hope you enjoy this jam-packed issue filled with our weekly spotlights, perspective, and cultural highlights. As we also consider this month centered around balance and self-care for us, please also prioritize your health, particularly your sleep, in honor of Sleep Awareness Month. Check out the honorable mentions section specifically filled with items and practices to add to your nightly routine to get a better night's rest.
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#NoteddNews
#NoteddTribe, it's time for us to spend some [virtual] time together! As we head into Q2, let's get together for a collective reset.
Join our founder, Lauren Strayhorn, and serial entrepreneur, Teyonna Ridgeway, as they share best practices to create your own affirmations and ways to start journaling with intention.
Need a little inspiration? Check out our article on the power of affirmation and 60 examples that can carry you through the year or build from in preparation for the workshop.
RSVP below to secure your spot and receive more information. We'll see you there!
We are honored to work with Zema Meseretu, a graduate student at Georgetown University, on her capstone project! Zema is pursuing a master's degree in public relations and corporate communications. As part of her final plan, she is researching millennial BIPOC women's views on in-person and online communities in order to help Notedd better serve our community members like YOU!
Click this link here to take part in this community survey! The deadline for responses is March 25th. Your response will not only help us learn how to best serve and support you in this platform, but also you'll be helping a student complete one of their biggest milestones in their graduate student journey.
Korrine Sky, Patricia Daley, and Tokunbo Koiki came together to aid African students stuck in Ukraine while also dealing with racist mistreatment during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Learn more about their story and how you can support them. We also recently donated to this campaign led by friend Hillary Bridges to support Black medical students in Ukraine displaced by war.
Deqa Dhalac recently made history as Maine's first Black, Muslim Somali-American mayor. Read her incredible story leading up to this monumental moment.
A writer behind one of our favorite newsletters, Anti-Racism Daily, said the following: "Transphobia is not a red state problem; it's pervasive oppression we all urgently need to dismantle through the organizations we support and the way we unlearn cissexism in our day-to-day lives." They recently put together a list of the latest updates on anti-trans bills in states across the US, along with specific action items we can take to support trans and LGBTQ+ rights locally. You can also check out this state-by-state tracker provided by Trans Formation Project for live updates.
While COVID is on the rise again in China and Western Europe, many experts suggest that we could face another wave here in the US as they continue to monitor the subvariant of omicron known as BA.2. Pfizer and BioNTech are now seeking emergency authorization from the FDA to offer a fourth shot to people 65 and older. As we're concerned about the potential of a new wave, there's still a desperate need to shine a light on the health disparities impacting the Black community, especially for those living and dealing with long COVID.
We continue to witness the devastating stories of brands and companies using the work of Black creators without giving any credit or even compensation, like Mikhaela Jennings, who created the viral "girls that get it, get it" sound. Thus, we're recognizing Alexis Michelle Adjei, Cameryn Boyd, and Alexandra Zaoui who built a creator tag, similar to the people tags we're all familiar with, to encourage brands to properly give credit to creators who are creating trends that companies are profiting from. Learn more about how this trio is making a significant impact within Facebook's rebranded company Meta and uplifting Black creativity.
The US Labor Department reported that US inflation soared 7.9% in the past year, the sharpest spike since 1982, but what does this mean, and how did this happen? The Washington Post helps answer these questions through this visual narration of what happens when everything goes up, up, up.
Congratulations to Zadie Smith, this year's winner of the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award, an honor previously given to Toni Morrison. Known for her novels White Teeth and NW and essay collections like "Changing My Mind" and "Intimations," Smith is the youngest ever recipient of the literary prize at age 46.
No matter the intention behind Jane Campion's comment to tennis superstars and entrepreneurs Venus and Serena Williams, the fact is that she took her acceptance speech as the opportunity to disregard the accomplishments of other women, particularly women of color. Also, making a backhanded compliment by calling the Williams sisters "marvels" while also implying that they haven't faced any form of challenges or battles as women, as Black women, is completely inconsiderate, and insensitive.
It doesn't go unnoticed that fellow tennis superstar Naomi Osaka continues to keep the Williams sisters’ legacy alive. After being recently heckled at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, Osaka pointed out the traumatizing experience Serena faced when she and her father were booed and the target of racial slurs at a 2001 tournament in the same city.
Let's also not forget that NYT recently featured a story highlighting Serena's success in raising more than $100 million for her venture fund. However, the article featured a photo of Venus. All Black people look alike, right? It's easy to brush this off as a thoughtless mistake, but you have to call it out for what it is.
Recent studies conducted at George Washington University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School found that "single, analytically-minded counterparts are more likely to be considered unfit for leadership positions at their jobs than male or female married co-workers or single men." These studies also show that while married women may be at a disadvantage for having commitments outside their job, single, analytical women "were specifically punished" for not being perceived as having "people skills."
Elle Magazine recently interviewed multiple single women professionals across various industries who express the pressures and challenges as childless women. While not mothers, some of these women are or were caregivers to their relatives. Most of these women were given more responsibility in their workplaces as it's assumed that they had more time to offer than their colleagues and leaders who have children. As we compare the studies that show backlash in single women wanting to pursue more within their position, there's a double standard and assumption that they don't have as much responsibility and deserve more of it through long hours and bigger workloads.
What are your thoughts on Jane Campion's comment? Have you or are you experiencing any of the challenges expressed in the Elle article? Please share your stories with us either in the comments or anonymously via email here.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
March is designated as Sleep Awareness Month. This week is Sleep Awareness Week, a week specifically scheduled right after we lose an hour of sleep but to help promote better sleep to increase our health and well-being.
Recent reports share that far more Black and Hispanic people routinely get less than 6 hours of sleep than white people. Overall, POC communities take longer to fall asleep, wake up more during the night, and spend less time in deep sleep. We all could use an aid or two to help sleep better. Here are a few to consider adding to your sleepytime routines.
Zenluxco's mission is to spread the message that self-care, skincare, and self-love go hand in hand. Their products and kits like the Luxury Selfcare Bundle are made to complement your night routine while also adding style and comfort. The bundle includes a two-piece short sleeve satin pajama set, 100% silk pillowcase, jade roller, strawberry lip mask, and spa headband.
Try adding breathing techniques and meditative practices to help clear your minds and calm yourself for sleep. We've found the box breathing technique helpful. It's a four-part breathing exercise where you inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, and hold for another four counts. Meditation apps with sleep series Calm's Slowing Down With Tabitha Brown can help you wind down with a narrated story to put you to sleep.
Herbal blends and tinctures can also give you the restorative sleep that your body needs. They've been proven to improve sleep quality and duration while also reducing overall stress levels to enhance long-term sleep performance.
Peak + Valley's Restore My Sleep Blend empowers your body's natural ability to heal during sleep and strengthens your cognition, energy, and immunity during the day. Add 1 tsp to your coffee, milk, or tea. Xula's Lights Out is crafted to ease your body back into its ideal circadian rhythm with eight potent sleep-inducing botanicals. Take 1/2 to 1 full dropper directly 30 mins before sleep, or you can add it to bubbly water, tea, coffee, or beverage of choice.
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