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Perhaps our relationships are the very make of us,
For fellowship is both our nature & our necessity.
We are formed primarily by what we imagine.
- Amanda Gorman, Poems Call Us What We Carry

Since the last newsletter, life’s been nothing short of polarizing emotions. I entered April without one of my uncle’s; he passed away and earned his space suit. This was by far the family favorite, the uncle that lived and let live.

My uncle was the epitome of there. He was at my birth, he never missed a graduation, he took me out to Boston, Massachusetts for my first job out of college. The loss was hard too since his children (19 and 17 years old) are the youngest of all us cousins, so their pain feels inconsolable.

After more than a year managing a different kind of grief, I had a number of tools to process my pain. Everyone grieves differently and my recent post, grief and why you shouldn’t make it go away? offers a reflection and possible starter guide.

Y’all, I’m in a book 🤗

In 2019, I interviewed with University of San Francisco School of Law Professor and Criminal Justice Attorney, Lara Bazelon for her book, Ambitious Like a Mother.

The recent book release is timely considering the impacts mothers have felt prior and since the pandemic shifted many realities and pressures. The book highlights ambitious moms like me (pseudonym: Vanessa) and the case for why mothers in the workplace matter and especially for their children.

Wait wait, there’s more: After my blog post on the world doesn’t deserve Black women, people encouraged me to share with a larger audience. Minnesota Women’s Press magazine said yes to my pitch and well, I’ll let the piece speak for itself — and oh my, it’s my most powerful to date. Check me out in print and digital. *Tunes the song “Ambition” from rap artist Wale*

It’s hard to describe how grief mixed with joy can be so raw and tender to the soul. I’m choosing to accept the joy and opportunities that abound me. I’m also choosing to take care of my grief — for I am far better managing it than dismissing it.

My cousin and I are running a 5k in my Uncle Myron’s honor soon. Man, I miss him. May his mighty spirit live on. Shout out to the good ancestors. May they always rest in power.

Quick links and references:

Why the World Doesn’t Deserve Black Children by Jocelyn McQuirter, Minnesota Women’s Press

On the Bolder Joce Blog: Grief and why you shouldn’t make it go away

Purchase your copy of Ambitious Like a Mother

The End of Mom Guilt by Lara Bazelon, The Atlantic

“Ambition” by Wale featuring Meek Mill (song)

In case you missed me on Instagram:

Little Brown Press Instagram Takeover - moms featured

Book announcement on BolderJoce Instagram

Grief is like a fresh paint job and the smells, shifting something new

Slay sis, slay — Celebrating The Honorable Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

A thread on Infidelity and not the kind you might be thinking of…