I hope everyone had a joy filled Christmas. I’m hosting family and enjoying a new addition this holiday—my four month old nephew! His name is Kaleb and he is the sweetest baby! 2025 was a challenging year for many of us. I hope you found some time this holiday season to enjoy to love on yourself, your loved ones, and share a little of that holiday magic with others. We’ll be back next year with a renewed commitment to allyship and leadership. We have some exciting things in store and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you! Have an amazing New Year and see you in 2026!

Hey Awesome Allies! Checking in to see how your holiday is going—specifically around spending and shopping. Did you all shop Black Friday or sit it out? How are you feeling about holiday shopping this season? And so you need any support around investing with Black and BIPOC businesses during the holiday? Drop a note and let me know!!

So when we did the call, someone had said they were from Missoula Montana - I’m curious if that person joined the group as well or if she’s/they are forever lost. But I’m praying that you are by the luck of the good Lord in this group and are open to a friend! LOL! I’ve been in this town over a year and I haven’t made a single friend and I’m starting to lose it a bit.. a lot.. /a lot of the places I love here are in old buildings and I’m temporarily (fingers crossed) in a wheelchair so.. if anyone has tips on being an adult with no job 6 months shy of 30 and disabled, I would love ANY and ALL advice!!

Actions mean more than words.

So I’d say roughly 1/4 of my extended family is liberal/ open minded including my amazing immigrant grandparents!! The rest of the group, not so much. Now I am physically disabled. I use a walker or a wheelchair to get around, and I also have Low Needs Autism, severe ADHD + other mental health needs. Thankfully despite my parents being as conservative as they are when it comes to voting, they accept that I am also pansexual. Which is a huge relief as they are my main caregivers. (The rest of the family is in the dark on the LGBTQ+ thing except one cool cousin who lives in the French Alps..) However my aunt, uncle, and cousins and their side of the family (my mom’s, brother’s in laws so my cousins other grandparents) and that part of the family, all use the “R” slur. We moved here to be closer to family for support for my physical health care needs. They do not know I have autism but they do know I have ADHD, panic attacks, and lots of mental health struggles. Every time I hear them use the “R” slur instead of saying “annoying” or “dumb” etc. it feels like a jab to my chest. I used to just kinda deal with it because I only saw them once or twice a year - and my social anxiety simply wasn’t going to call it out when I was 12 - but now we live here. I see them for holidays, dinner gatherings, etc. I’m wondering if anyone has advice on how I should verbalize that the word really does bother me without outing myself as Autistic. I can see myself snapping at Christmas dinner and I’d rather it be a civil conversation… if I have to out myself as autistic I will! I’m just tired 🥱