While the country prepares for the historic run of Vice President Harris, we recognize all of the Black women who have paved and plotted the way in her stead. To quote Holmes, “we’re all gonna be there for each other.”
When you consider some of the more high-profile ways artificial intelligence has gone rogue, it might leave you wondering if the technology is truly ready for prime time.
In the face of global scrutiny, Andrea could have crumbled. Instead, she chose reflection and accountability. As she told the gathered women at the lunch, “two weeks ago, I had been the first person to interview the President following his debate. Just two days after that, my reputation was being questioned throughout the world.”
On this, the first day of the Paris Olympics, and in the wake of this week’s amplified awareness around the death of Sonya Massey, I am reminded of this team of young Black girls, ranging in age from 5 to 19, and their activism for Black Women and Girls.This film shows us what love looks like when it’s put into action in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty. It’s not just warm feelings and kind words. It’s empowerment. It’s education. It’s standing up and speaking out, even when your voice shakes.
In many ways, Fernandez-West’s life mirrors her mother’s. “Bumi wants to see everyone win,” says Radeen Scott, a friend since kindergarten. Like Lois, “Bumi does so much behind the scenes, whether it’s clothe people’s children, pay someone’s bills….she’s mentored so many girls behind the scenes.” Those acts of kindness and generosity were ingrained in Fernandez-West simply by watching how her mother moved through the world. It surprised no one that two years ago, when Kesha Simpson, Fernandez-West’s best friend, was dying of breast cancer, Bumi didn’t think twice about taking in Kesha’s two children.
Love Now Media has been buzzing with activity this summer. If you’ve been following us on our social media, you’ve likely caught glimpses of our productions and projects. From facilitating stories from our community of Woman’s Way Fellows to spearheading tools and events for industry players in the city of Philadelphia, our team has been collectively helping to empower and transform the media landscape. Here’s a small taste of our summer.
“We created a space that we always wanted to come to,” says Taahirah. “It’s so important for us to put our point of view out there as Black women. We have a specific point of view of herbalism, and sometimes that’s overshadowed, or it doesn’t get a storefront.”
For some time, though, I resisted this truth about myself. I wanted to put distance between myself and stereotypes of women of color as being unable to handle their emotions. I thought that crying meant I was volatile and unstable. I considered bursting into tears to be a weakness, to be something embarrassing and unwanted. And people told me this, too, saying I needed to grow a thicker skin because I was “too sensitive” and thus “illogical.”
Listen to Episode 1 of Making Love & Designing the Future to learn more about Toms’ journey, how difficult conversations can help a business grow, and why he believes empathy and quality leadership are keys to driving social change.
In Philadelphia, second-generation Latine gardeners cultivate plots alongside family, friends, and neighbors, creating a communal atmosphere filled with laughter and shared stories during planting and harvest seasons. This vibrant community reflects a deep-rooted connection to the land and cultural heritage.
Financial instability can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Clarifi stands as a testament to the power of empathy, resilience, and collective action. Through their unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and communities, they are not only changing lives but also redefining what it means to build wealth and achieve financial freedom.
Founded in January by Asemota, HNI Collective’s mission is to make sustainable clothing accessible to all bodies. Her approach is two-fold: help consumers make their clothes last longer while helping fashion brands be as sustainable as possible.
Participants begin the hiking trail as strangers and emerge as a part of something bigger. The conversations during the hike were amazing, from noticing and appreciating the beauty of a magnificent red maple tree to discussing hiking gear and commenting on the children’s adventurous nature to deeper, more existential ponderings.
Each performance of ‘The Duat’ is a unique experience, with the audience playing a crucial role. As Mason puts it, “I know that each performance is an opportunity to discover, to play, to find something different and more penetrating, whether it’s thematic or narrative or social that the piece is mining.” The June premiere in Philadelphia was a culmination of learning and adaptation, with changes in the script made following the final previews. This reflects Mason’s decisive commitment to refining their work through feedback and review, as well as the audience’s active participation in the evolution of the play.
“Ancestors in the Sun” is a reflective poem that seeks to give gratitude and pay homage to the ancestors and guardian spirts that came before us and protect us.
Every second Sunday in June, the river goddess Oshun is honored with an annual offering, a beloved and critical component of the Philadelphia Odunde Festival. Believers of the Yoruba religion consider the deities or Orishas as mediators between humanity and God. Oshun, the deity of love, fertility, and sensuality, rules mainly the fresh waters and is also associated with the divine feminine. She hears and answers prayers and teaches self-forgiveness and love.
“Fair chance” hiring is the practice of hiring individuals with a criminal record. It is also sometimes called “second chance hiring.” When formerly incarcerated people can’t find a job after leaving prison, they face significant challenges, including lack of food, clothes, transportation, or shelter. This can cause desperation and lead to additional crimes or addiction issues, perpetuating the cycle of incarceration.
This is especially true for certain groups of the Latine community, particularly for undocumented immigrants. Philadelphia has had a long history of community gardens, creating a melting pot for those with and without citizenship — the city has become a sanctuary for the Latine population who have since founded communities across the city.
When asked how he discovered his passion for music, it felt serendipitous to hear Joseph Conyers respond, “Music found me.”
Before receiving recognition as Forbes ’30 under 30′ honoree in 2021 for his remarkable social impact, gaining prominence as Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of REC Philly, a multimillion-dollar creative hub, and serving as a board member of several nonprofits dedicated to humanitarian efforts, William Tyrone Toms was a precocious Black boy living in the Germantown section of Philly, Pa., using his inner strength and forced resilience to navigate familial trauma.
There is something nostalgic about opening a box of new sneakers: the anticipation as you peel back the paper, pluck them from the box, spin them around in your hand in admiration, and take in that fresh sneaker smell. He’s never forgotten the confidence he felt as a child when he stepped into a new pair. “I felt like a Superhero,” shared Killebrew, “especially when I played ball. It may sound like a small thing, but it can be a big feeling, particularly to underprivileged children.” He wanted to give that feeling to youth in need.
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