Hi, collective! Just sliding in with a very quick note to let you all know that due to a family emergency, the US BHM Centennial Celebration webinars have been moved by one week to February 24-26. I got the call last week that my paternal grandmother’s health took a sharp decline, and it was looking to be definitive. After a few days of deliberation, I landed in Chicago yesterday to join my dad and his siblings to say goodbye. I wasn’t sure if I should make such a long trip for such a short time, but ultimately I’m glad I did. When I arrived, she was half conscious but awake. When I sat down at her bedside, her eyes opened wide and her face quivered into a fragile but visibly elated smile. I squeezed her frail hand, concentrating on one finger at a time. She nudged back almost every time, still seemingly in disbelief that I was in front of her having just called her from Barcelona. I played for her and sang to her one last time, alternating improv and a few of my favorite spirituals. After one or two more gentle squeezes to let me know she heard me, she slipped back into the “in between” and fell asleep shortly afterward. I made it just in time. She hasn’t opened her eyes again since. I’m glad she waited for me. 💛 This experience—a first for me this close up—has been a timely reminder that Black History is past, present AND future. It is in the books we read, the ground we walk on, and the pictures that remind us of the steps taken before us. It is as big as the historical figures whose names are known and celebrated, or as intimate as the family photo albums of everyday revolutionaries we have been so fortunate to share space and time with. Next week’s energy will be about so much more than sociopolitical milestones and famous names. It is a gathering to joyfully celebrate all the ways in which the Black community has persevered, survived, and even managed to thrive in spite of it all. I hope that with the extra week to prepare, you’ll continue spreading the word and block off that time to be in community with us. 💛

https://youtube.com/shorts/goPfBZqRL_8?si=0PKdRxFwX4BUmppc

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On this day one year ago, the doors opened to this humble little free community—and with it, the Hola Magnolia Virtual Village grew from one Skool community to two. From the Accomplice Accelerator to The Changemaker's Haven and now the R.I.S.E. and Shine Collective, I thank you all for being on this journey of discovery not only with me, but with each other. In one year, we have completed over 60 hours of webinars, another 40+ hours of coaching, mentoring and stargazing sessions, and exchanged countless words of care, encouragement, and knowledge. We are 227 members strong, and soon to be growing steadily stronger in numbers with each day! I look forward to a 2026 filled with even more fellowship, learning, and growing in impact as we design the world in a way that would make ALL of our ancestors so immensely proud of who we are becoming as a society in spite of so many forces working against us. If you'd like to leave a gesture of support, you all know me: I'd LOVE for you to pay it forward by funding our first campaign of 2026: the R.I.S.E. Global Black Community Founding Member Fund! We're aiming to sponsor 4 seats for four Black impact professionals, entrepreneurs and creators as an homage to our Reparations Race roots. You can contribute to the fund in one of two ways: Contributions of $1100 USD or more, up to a full seat: https://buy.stripe.com/9B69ALeSnbDX6D1fB7cEw02 Contributions under $1100 USD: https://ko-fi.com/holamagnolia Any and all contributions are so important to us, regardless of size. It all adds up, and you are supporting Hola Magnolia's ongoing rebuild (as you always do) in the process. All contributions over $1100 USD will receive a complimentary Ask the Identity & Belonging Coach session to gift or take! Thank you all so much for your support and for being part of this incredible community. Here's to more of what we do best in 2026: caring for each other while making this world a better place for all. 🌟

Happy 2026. On the last day of Kwanzaa it is a tradition to ask: Who am I; am I really who I say I am; and am I all I ought to be? Imani (Faith) "To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle." I was today years old when I realize that Imani the super model's name meant Faith. As someone recently unemployed, Faith sustains me. Faith that I am enough and will find or create opportunities, faith in my immediate family and network, and faith in the goals of this community. This is going to be a struggle because faith is living with uncertainty and believing the impossible is possible. I can honestly say that I am not all I ought to be. I'm not proud of it, nor am I going to beat myself up. I think it's taking this long to process recent events and to understand how toxic corporate environments can be. We have to build something different. I have the Faith that we can. This is why the power center seems to divide us because together, we are unstoppable. Thoughts?