February is an especially lovely month. It’s Black History Month, love month, and my birth month. I always expect something magical to happen, or at least some kind of profound transformation. This year, I thought a lot about letting go and the winding road that led to my becoming. By the end of February, change arrived in all the familiar places. The fog lifted, the birds came home, Spring’s shadow lingered in all the corners of the room.
Below are six things from February that made me feel inspired.
What I’ve Scene:
Visual Artist Cassi Namoda, whom I had the pleasure of meeting last year, is a generous well of inspiration and admiration for me. Namoda conveys rich narratives brimming with life through arresting visuals and an extraordinary command of color theory.
You can find her paintings on view at 303 Gallery, Goodman Gallery, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and in a solo exhibition at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU, opening September 2026.
It was Just an Accident, directed by Jafar Panahi, was by far my favorite watch of February. The film follows a group of former political prisoners confronted with the opportunity for revenge. The film received the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and is currently nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars. Panahi’s story is one of resistance and resilience, and necessitates a much lengthier write-up handled with care. For now, all I can say is watch his incredible film.
Lonely Crowds, a novel by Stephanie Wambugu, was on my radar since its release in July 2025. The story follows childhood best friends Ruth and Maria as they evolve from precocious girls to young women clamoring for their big break in the New York art scene. I was excited to devour Wambugu’s ambitious künstlerroman, but found myself unsettled by Ruth’s story. Wambugu’s spare prose served as a cynical interrogation of upward mobility and the cost of bonds marred by resentment.
Industry Season 4, Episode 8: Both, And was a blistering crescendo to a phenomenal season. Some of the most fervent yasharpers out there were stunned by the fate of Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela), but I can’t say I was surprised.
As a viewer, we’ve been privy to Yasmin’s worst impulses since season 1. As a black girl, I’m far too familiar with the tension corroding Yasmin and Harper’s friendship to believe it would find solid ground. While I find Marisa Abela an exceptional performer, Yasmin has always been the worst; she just so happens to have shiny hair.
Harper (Myha’la) carried the finale on her back through expert physicality and the steady weight of her gaze. In real life, Myha’la is the coolest girl in school, and I can’t wait to see how far she goes.
What I’ve Heard:
Changes by Joy Oladokun soundtracked my February. With her emotionally resonant lyrics and gorgeous, raspy vocals, I know I’ve found my way through the changes.
entertnmt by Oklou, A Colors Encore. My favorite bit reads like a love poem:
“I don't know what part of me you see
But whatever it is, it makes me feel
Like I could survive from anything”
That’s all for now. I hope the flowers bloom wherever you are.
- CR
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