When I’m having an overwhelming day here in London, I try to take a break and roam the streets. I love taking the tube, maybe even the bus more (bonus points if I can get a front seat on the second floor of a double decker). It gives me time to breathe. To observe. To reflect. Maybe it’s the Lunar Eclipse, but I felt a particular need to do this this week in between completing work tasks.
Getting outside my bubble and into the world reminds me that, outside of that email that hasn’t been responded to, outside of that weird interaction from a meeting I can’t get out of my head, life still goes on. Strangers I smile at while taking a seat on the bus have no idea who I am. The small yet friendly encounter with the barista who takes my coffee order makes me feel warm inside. When I eavesdrop on an Australian couple catching up with an old friend after weeks of travel, I wonder about their exciting life together. People all around me have lives. Lives that don’t revolve around me. It gives me a fresh, humanizing perspective. It reminds me that the people are, at the end of the day, people.
When I go back to my laptop and sign on to my next meeting, I try to carry this logic with me: I can, and should, talk to people like they are people—even in work settings. I should treat them like they’re people, too. Flawed, layered, and human, just like me. So when I stumble on a word during a call, when there’s a small typo in an email, when an idea I present isn’t well-received, I remind myself that, at my core, I’m a good person. People want to work with me for a reason—and, perhaps, it’s not just about my credentials. It’s also, I’m learning, because of how I show up. How I make them feel.
I’m inspired by people like Stella’s latest featured guest, Keyaira Boone, who navigates the industry with keen perspective. She’s undoubtedly talented. She knows how to identify a unique story angle, she certainly knows her camera angles (*wink*), but I’m also very impressed by her social craft; her POV is sharp yet considerate. When it comes to navigating industry relationships and important conversations, Keyaira is herself. And it shows.
That’s what keeps her grounded in an industry that’s constantly trying to tell her who she should be. Here’s a quick sneak peek of our interview:
When Keyaira isn’t vocalizing all the things we as media professionals are collectively thinking (lol), she’s hyping others up, amplifying features from her peers, and re-sharing job opportunities. “If you like them and you trust them and you think their content is cool and it passes your timeline, it hurts nobody to repost it.” Keyaira earned my respect a long time ago, before I even met her. Not just because she’s good at what she does, but because of who she is.
Stay In The Groove
Upcoming events for your calendar:
Pretty Girls Sweat Fest (September 20-22, Atlanta)
Revolt World (September 20-22, Atlanta)
Black Women Talk Tech’s Roadmap to Billions (September 29-30, Toronto)
The Chronic Boss Summit (September 30-October 2, Virtual)
BayHaven Food and Wine Festival (October 3-6, Charlotte)
CultureCon (October 5-6, Brooklyn)
Black Travel Summit (October 10-13, Fort Lauderdale)
Black Love Summit (October 12, Los Angeles)
EatOkra’s inaugural Culinary Creatives Conference (October 13, New York City)
Stylist Live (November 8-10, London)
AfroTech Conference (November 13-16, Houston)
The ADCOLOR Conference (November 14-16, Los Angeles)
Some job opportunities I’m seeing:
The New York Times is hiring a Journalism Education Editor
Under Armour is seeking a Social Media Specialist (Women's & Run)
Fortune is looking for a London reporter
Penguin Random House is accepting applications for Summer 2025 internships
Business Insider is hiring an Editorial Assistant Fellow, Special Projects
Prism is seeking a Copy Editor
The San Francisco Chronicle has an opening for an Investigative Editor
DoorDash is hiring a Sr. Manager, Brand Social
L'Oréal has opened up submissions for its 2025 Fellowship Program
WORTHI is now accepting applications for its fall Apprenticeship Program
Really excited that the smart Forbes video series, “The One Who Changed Everything,” hosted by my friend Maggie McGrath got picked back up. Add this one featuring Christina Lewis to your queue.
As someone who has used Mielle products in the past, I was curious to learn more about the recent backlash the company has been receiving, with many customers claiming hair loss and damage and some taking legal action (quick reminder: Mielle was acquired by P&G last year). I appreciate that this Allure piece from Jasmine Browley breaks things down in a way that denotes there’s always multiple sides to a story.
Still thinking about this CultureCon Uncut conversation between Imani Ellis and Elaine Welteroth on how pivots often bring you closer to your purpose.
And in a very different way, I also can’t stop thinking about Amber Thurman whose untimely death—a result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and healthcare’s ongoing inequities—could have been prevented.
My current read: The List by Yomi Adegoke
My current listen: Olivia Dean on repeat
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