The Birthday Spectacular <3 (Issue #51)
My little newsletter turns 1-year-old this weekend!!!
Hi friends!
This a really exciting week for me because not only was it my birthday on Tuesday (pls sing 2 meee), but this newsletter is having her own first birthday this weekend! It’s not a coincidence; I planned the original launch during my birthday week as a present to myself, and it’s been so special to experience the last year alongside this community. And now, 52 weeks deep, I’m happy to report that I have no plans to stop anytime soon.
Originally, my goal was to create a space where I could show up, share, and build community holistically. Many of my previous ventures have left me feeling really pigeonholed, and I wanted space to show the full range of things I’m thinking about and engaging with daily. But this space isn’t just for me, it’s for you, and people like us. People who are excited about life, its possibilities, and its ups and downs. People who know the world can be brutal and scary, but are committed to finding ways to continue showing up.
It’s a commitment that I’ve found so healing, especially in such an uncertain time. And I promise, we’re really just getting started. I’m already scheming up a long list of ideas to make this content more valuable for you, dear reader, and to help grow our community even further. If you’ve been enjoying this newsletter and want to give me a little birthday gift, I’d be forever grateful if you’d consider sharing it with even just one friend!
No matter what, thanks for reading, replying to my emails, leaving comments, sharing my work, and just generally being here!! Today’s birthday issue was made with a true sense of appreciation for just how lucky I am. Enjoy! <3
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
The Dallas Morning News: Fort Worth’s Abraham Alexander pours his growing pains into new album for a stunning debut by Thor Christensen
Abraham Alexander is an incredible musician who I first discovered when he opened for the Black Violin Experience in Minneapolis. At the show, I bought a T-shirt and vinyl, which has been in frequent rotation ever since. I really appreciated this profile, which dove into Abraham’s unique life story and how his life experiences shaped his work as a songwriter.
The Ringer: Redemption Songs by Eric Ducker
Andrew and I saw the new Bob Marley biopic, and while I wasn’t the biggest fan of the movie itself (I wanted more!!), this article was a great follow-up to the film. The piece discusses the Bob Marley album “Legend,” which was compiled after his death and soon became his most famous record. But before this, Marley produced a wide discography and left behind a huge legacy of political activism. In the article, Ducket analyzes “Legend” and the limited view it gives on Bob Marley as an artist and activist.
The Ann Friedman Weekly: Death of the Artificial Influencer by Mercedes Gonzales-Bazan
If you, like me, have never heard of Lil Miquela, this article is a fabulous rundown about the internet’s most followed AI influencer. She’s been around for a while now, so there’s a lot to catch up on (including celebrity collaborations, controversies, and all the other ups and downs human influencers might experience).
Action items to support and care for the world around us.
To have a career and platform like this one is an immense privilege and one I really want more people to access. So today, I’m highlighting two organizations that are helping to elevate the careers and voices of folks not traditionally represented in media and entrepreneurship.
I love being an entrepreneur and supporting folks in their journey to starting their own businesses, so I was pumped to discover Black Girl Ventures, whose mission is to “provide underrepresented woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship.” With chapters all over the country, there are tons of ways to get involved!
This organization trains incarcerated writers to be journalists and functions as a platform for their otherwise underrepresented stories. Their focus is transparency in the world of mass incarceration, allowing folks in prison to have a voice in the dialogue around criminal legal reform. You can read a bunch of incredible stories on their website, subscribe to their newsletter here, and donate to support this vital work here.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of this newsletter, I’m planning to make this olive oil cake with brown butter frosting. The comments all say it’s amazing and unlike any other cake. Someone mentioned that they made two cakes and put lemon curd between the layers, which sounds yum!!
Travel is one of my favorite things, and there’s nothing like looking forward to my next trip to help me get through a busy time. I was targeted on Instagram for this travel planning service, and I’m super intrigued! All you do is fill out a questionnaire, and they plan a surprise trip customized to you. Planning trips can be half the fun, but I’d love to try this service.
Also, for a bit of inspiration to get you through the week, check out this incredible young coach motivating his team before a game.
To keep boredom at bay this weekend, take a peek at Monday’s issue! In it, I highlighted some of my recent favorite internet deep dives, complete with a reading list to keep you engaged and informed. Check it out here!
See you Monday!
Want to stay connected between now and next Friday? Don’t be a stranger!! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Know someone who you think would like Sincerely, Celisia? It would mean the world if you could help spread the word by sharing this newsletter through the button below!! <3