I’m writing this edition from the gorgeous Isle of Skye in Scotland, where I’ve hiked beautiful trails and tasted some of the best whisky of my life. I’ve also been playing passenger princess, thanks to my dear friend and travel companion who is braving these curvy, narrow roads like a pro. She’s also dodging deer and sheep left and right and adjusting to driving on the opposite side of the road (bless her!)
I’ve met some lovely people here—both locals and other travelers. I can count the number of Black people I’ve encountered on one hand. It’s an observation more than it is criticism. I’m not surprised, nor am I discouraged, but I am reflective about the ways in which I show up in these kinds of spaces.
Visiting a new place always sparks curiosity: questions are asked, new knowledge is exchanged, and, if you’re lucky, your perspective is broadened. The realization that I’m capable of broadening someone else’s perspective (and not just being on the receiving end) has never been as top of mind as it is now—and I’m really leaning into it. I told a white Scottish woman she should subscribe to Stella and explained exactly what it is—a community championing Black women in media across both sides of the pond. She was receptive and curious. Maybe she’ll subscribe, maybe she won’t. Who knows. But I did my job.
The work of Stella’s latest featured guest, the award-winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper, predominantly centers Black legends across categories ranging from music to art to sports and beyond. Her latest project, James Brown: Say It Loud, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Documentary. Whether or not these films can be universally enjoyed and appreciated isn’t even a question, says Deborah.
“ I've enjoyed The Godfather 1, 2, and 3,” Deborah tells me, with a chuckle. “As divisive as people like to make it, it's not…you can watch a story where it's cast with people who don't look like you and love it. And laugh and cry and have a full cinematic experience where you are not only entertained, but you're moved, and you're inspired to have deeper thinking and deeper conversations and to engage in different ways.”
(You can check out our full conversation below or on Stella’s podcast tab and learn more about Deborah’s production company, Coffee Bluff Pictures, here.)
As I take in the incredible Isle of Skye, I’m reminded that, like this landscape so vast and breathtaking it feels boundless, my impact knows no bounds. Thanks to Deborah, I’m also reminded that I need not sabotage its potential with limited thinking.
I’m raising a glass of delicious Laphroaig and cheersing to that!
Stay In The Groove
Upcoming events for your calendar:
Beverage Seminar: Women Winemakers and Culinary Artisans with Julia Coney (March 16, NYC)
She Did That x Madame Noire Queens of The Food & Beverage Scene (April 6, NYC)
Cherry Bombe’s Jubilee (April 12, New York City)
Black Women in Food Summit (April 25-26, Washington, DC)
Blavity Fest (May 31-June 1, Atlanta)
Black Food & Wine Experience (June 7, Oakland)
RomanceCon (September 5-6, Milwaukee)
Some job opportunities I’m seeing:
Applications are open for Penguin Random House's Fall 2025 internships
British GQ is looking for a Senior Social Video Producer
Headspace is hiring a Principal Brand Strategist
Raedio is seeking a Vice President of Publishing/A&R
National Geographic is filling a few Social Media Manager roles
Vox is looking for its next cohort of Future Perfect Fellows
HuffPost is hiring a Senior Life Editor, Family & Relationships
Spotify is on the hunt for a Manager, Marketing and Brand Communications
More to Her Story is seeking pitches centered on women and girls worldwide
Applications are now being accepted for the 19th News Fellowship
Apartment Therapy is looking for a Cleaning & Organizing Editor
ARRAY is filling a Social Media & Outreach Coordinator role
Black Ballad seeks pitches from Black women, transwomen and non-binary people
Blavity is looking fill spots for its Creator Collective Fellowship
Google has a slew of opportunities within its Creative Lab
Substack is bringing on a Creator Partnerships Manager
The Forbes 2025 HBCU Scholars Program is now accepting applications
While I haven’t seen Meghan Markle’s new Netflix cooking show myself (I plan to check it out eventually), I don’t need to watch to know what much of the criticism is fueled by—shall we take a wild guess?
very eloquently breaks down the hatred in her debut newsletter on Substack. And Arianna Davis shares an important reminder on Threads, “She was a rising actress in a show called Suits who was pitching ideas from her blog, The Tig. It was all about delicious food and exotic travels and beautiful objects. Whether it’s YOUR thing or not, whether it’s ‘out of touch’ or not, aspirational content and indulging in life’s cozy luxuries…that’s always been HER thing.” Anyways, I’m happy to see the show has been renewed for a second season.Currently reading: The Three Of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
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