In All about Love: New Visions, bell hooks gives us guidance on how to do love individually, as a community and as a society.
On how love came to shape her work, she says:
“Throughout my life I have endeavored to not only do work I enjoy but to work with individuals I respect, like or love”
Since I read this sentence at the beginning of the year, it has become a guiding mantra for the project work I do. While I am still in a season of keeping a corporate job in tech, I maintain purposeful work that I value with people I value.
In a perfect world, I would spend all my time strategizing and executing events alongside brilliant, compassionate, confident women that I respect, like or love- centered around the common thread of supporting and uplifting women in community.
I would write. I would speak. I would connect. I would teach.
For now, I do this a little when I can. Even though I wish I could do more, I am filled with gratitude for the consistent, small steps toward the big, fulfilling life I want to live and work in.
As I think about this past year, I am proud of myself for working toward my goals. I have spent my time and energy:
Founding the Orlando Women of Color Writing Community.
Speaking to college undergraduate women about self-leadership.
Working with, learning from, and laughing with my mentor, Anna Laura
Leading a session on legacy at a friend’s retreat.
Co-founding a community for women with a good friend from college, with upcoming literary-themed events honoring Black women authors in Miami, Nashville, Atlanta and Orlando.
Writing and evaluating training curriculum and tech resources for doulas.
Planning writing workshops with my writing mentor, Dhayana Alejandrina and a new literary editor friend.
Looking back at 2025, I am thankful for meaningful work and community care and for all the people I respect, like or love.
Journaling through change:
What does meaningful work with the people you respect, like or love look like in your life?
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