This newsletter can finally be written in peace. Because, dearest Stella fam, my January was spent dealing with a housing nightmare. I’ll spare you the details (I’ve told this story enough times), but long story short: I moved into a new flat only to discover, quite quickly, that the circus-like conditions directly above me were not compatible with my work-from-home lifestyle (even if I didn’t WFH, really).
Resolution came by way of support from some amazing people in my life, multiple recorded conversations (it’s legal if you only use it for your records), and identifying the parts of my lease that were in breach: namely that my landlord violated my right to “quiet enjoyment.” That was an understatement. Ultimately, things panned out: The landlord was compliant. The lease was prematurely terminated. I’m out of there — and fortunately have found a super cute new place that better suits my needs. Where I can work in peace. All because I read and referenced the fine print.
By now, the story is more funny than sad, mainly because I’m on the other end of it. A new lease has been signed. For a place I’ve triple vetted and then some. I’m excited to move in soon. February feels like the refresh that January was supposed to feel like. Happy New Year to me and all those who agree that January was a doozy.
I don’t regret any of it though. It reinforced something that’s universally important, whether it’s a lease, a letter of employment, or any other agreement put in front of us. I’m now hyperconscious of all the contracts I sign and the ways in which I can protect myself. A few examples have surfaced that I’m taking heed of even more now: A friend of mine, for instance, mentioned how she puts an anti-bullying clause in her contracts. That gets me thinking about the important questions we should all ask: Is your IP being protected? Do you have a clear termination clause? Are payment terms spelled out? What are your rights if the other party breaches? And with the constant reality of publications shuttering left and right, sadly, the work produced within them often becomes collateral damage; in some cases it’s permanently removed from the Internet, which opens up new conversations around ownership and access. (Side note: keep PDF records, or similar, of your work when you can!).
Above all, trust your gut. Don’t wait to address the red flags taking shape, the noise building up. In my case, quite literally. You are always going to be your biggest advocate.
Now onto this week’s featured guest…
Featuring Bianca Gracie
Bianca knows the value of self-advocacy very well. As we cover on this podcast episode, her bylines go crazyyy and so does her resume — she’s written everywhere from Harper’s Bazaar to The Recording Academy to Vulture and was Editor in Chief of EDITION by Modern Luxury. But when layoffs reached her, she was forced to reevaluate the brand she was building for herself and ultimately what it is she wanted. With lots of grace, gratitude, and grit, Bianca’s actively welcoming the opportunity to design her next chapter intentionally.
Upcoming events for your calendar:
EatOkra’s O’kra & the History That Binds (February 12, Brooklyn)
Femmeland at Sea (February 20-23, Miami to Nassau, Bahamas)
Babes on Waves’ Matchmaking Party for Ambitious Creatives, Founders, Freelancers (February 26, London)
HERspire’s Brush & Bond (April 11, London)
Black Women in Food Summit (April 23-25, Washington D.C.)
Some job opportunities I’m seeing:
Junior Insights & Editorial Producer - Word on the Curb
Digital Platforms Producer - Capital B
Social Video Editor (Part-time) - Her Campus Media
Content Marketing Manager - Range
Social Media Manager - Vocal Media
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship - The 19th
Health Writer - Blavity
Associate Manager, Social Media - Vogue
I’m back at it with supporting Forbes 30 Under 30 — we're in Europe season right now and I would love your recs! Send me a note directly with your thoughts, or submit your nomination here. (FYI: I'm co-reporting on the Art & Culture, Retail & Ecommerce, and Social Impact categories, specifically.)
Stella Selects:
“You have more power than you think.” - Jayde I. Powell on the role creators play within the current state of the world
“How Losing My Limbs Turned Me Into a Different Kind of Cook” by Yewande Komolafe
“For This Influencer, Rejection Is the New Perfection” by Megan Farokhmanesh (featuring Gabby Beckford)
DonYé Taylor: “I don’t avoid rooms just because I am the outlier”
Cree Myles on “reading to failure”
Shola West: “The hot girls are on LinkedIn”
Till next time x
Bri
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