What a month February shaped up to be. 😅

I survived Austin’s Winter Oakpocalypse unscathed by fallen branches, only for the pollen that came down with them to get me in the end.

Two ear infections and a sinus infection later, and it’s no surprise that I’m just recently catching my breath.

Wasn’t all rough times though!

I made a friend of the author of Dear Yesteryear and contributor to The 1619 Project Book, Miss Kimberly Annece Henderson. 💖 Met HGTV’s Carmeon Hamilton too!

I collaborated with a Black creative that I mentor to tell the stories of 5 Black co-workers on MullenLowe’s PROUD Stories. I co-led all of the agency’s Black History Month programming.

Last weekend, I’d planned to pick up where I left off to bring you Blackstories 10-28 as promised. But one thing I’ve taken away from this project is that I am living and breathing Black history right now.

The last thing that the people in my stories—who lived and died breaking literal and figurative chains—would want is for me to miss out on my own story for the sake of telling theirs.

All month, my grandmother’s voice repeated in my mind, reminding me of one of her favorite sayings: “The only thing I HAVE TO DO is stay Black and die.”

I’m embracing her energy. 👑

So instead of going back in history, I hope you can grant me a little grace for not giving you 28 stories last month while you catch me and my camera outside later this week, telling Black stories in real time, sequins, and feathers. 💚💛💜