16/06/2026
Recently, we gathered to celebrate . What was planned as a luncheon became something much bigger.
We shared food, stories, dreams, laughter, lessons, business ideas and hopes for the future. We stayed long after the official program had ended because nobody wanted to leave. And perhaps thatâs the greatest sign of all that something special happened.
Throughout the afternoon we reflected on freedom, legacy and becoming. We wrote letters to our future selves and the sister next to us, celebrated our wins, spoke honestly about our challenges and explored the first pages of The Book of Becoming. At one point, the conversation naturally evolved into an impromptu pitch session where sisters shared their businesses, creative projects and visions with one another.
But beyond the food, gift bags and activities, something else happened.
A recurring theme throughout the day was rest. The radical act of allowing ourselves to enjoy life.
At one point I jokingly said, âwe too deserve to look cute, be stress free and drink champagne on a yacht.â
Everyone laughed.
Then the conversation turned serious.
Because beneath the joke was a truth many of us recognized. Black women are often expected to carry, nurture, solve, survive and sacrifice. We are taught resilience but rarely given permission to simply enjoy.
Our Juneteenth luncheon reminded us that joy is not frivolous. Rest is not laziness. Pleasure is not a reward we must earn through suffering.
We deserve friendship.
We deserve softness.
We deserve adventure.
We deserve peace.
We deserve pure love.
We deserve safety.
We deserve freedom.
To everyone who joined us, thank you for making this gathering what it became.
For those who missed it, donât worry. More is coming.
The Baws Co summer cruise.
The Montenegro retreat.
And many more moments designed for connection, growth, freedom and joy.
Because becoming doesnât happen alone. And neither should celebrating.
Freedom. Legacy. Becoming.
đâš
