A Steadying Breath and a Step Forward – The reFRESH

June 21, 2019

Photo by Victor Garcia

Written by Jackson Bird

This week we’re taking a breather from the usual horrorshow of world news to focus (mostly) on the positive––including celebrating trailblazers and marveling at the beauty of the universe.

What we’re checking out…

There were some excellent firsts in the arts and entertainment world this week. Joy Harjo has been named the first Native American U.S. poet laureate and Janet Mock signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Netflix, making her the first black transgender woman to be a creative lead at a major content company.

Juneteenth was marked this year by a historic reparations hearing in Congress. One of the more powerful moments of the day was writer Ta-Nehesi Coates’ testimony, which you can watch part of here and read in full here.

And ICYMI we recommend this piece by Bridget Todd about the history and importance of fashion on Juneteenth.

Speaking of racial justice, white folks should take some time to read this interview about white fragility with Robin DiAngelo.

This month, Roxane Gay’s Gay Mag is themed around the idea of pleasure. We particularly enjoyed Rumaan Alam’s piece on the pleasure of not knowing.

Retired colonel running for U.S. Congress in Texas or a peek at Captain Marvel thirty years from now? Either way, this might be the most badass election ad ever.

Our reFRESHing Talk of the Week is Sarah Kay’s TED Talk about poetry and how our sublime universe often steals the best metaphors.

The latest from our speakers…

Applications are open for The Cru’s next class of women! Founded by Tiffany Dufu, The Cru is a constellation of women committed to helping each other thrive. Apply before July 15!

Mia Birdsong’s beekeeping wisdom was illuminated in FRESH friend Wendy MacNaughton’s illustrated New York Times column.

Simran Jeet Singh appeared on Aymann Ismail’s new Slate podcast, Man Up.

On the latest episode of Call Your Girlfriend co-hosts Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow’s spoke to adrienne maree brown about her new book, Pleasure Activism.

And don’t miss the latest episode of Melissa Lozada-Oliva and Olivia Gatwood’s podcast Say More, featuring comedian Lucy Cotrell.

Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya recently completed an interactive mural for an upcoming Boys and Girls Club center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mychal Denzel Smith has a powerful new piece in Oxford American about home and chosen history.

Franklin Leonard was interviewed by The New York Times, alongside two dozen other Hollywood powerhouses, about the future of movies.

Like what you see? Get the reFRESH in your inbox each week.



Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

freshgraylogo

Copyright, 2018 | All rights reserved.

reFRESH Newsletter

@FRESHSpeakers
FRESH Speakers, Inc. is a next-generation speakers bureau, uniquely representing women and people of color--two groups historically left off the public stage. Our speakers range from business leaders to artists, scientists to athletes. They have given ground-breaking TED talks and written best-selling books, but, more importantly, their wisdom comes from real world, lived experiences. FRESH speakers routinely grace the world's biggest thought leadership stages, host nonprofit benefits, and keynote Fortune 100 corporate retreats, university lecture series, leading tech conferences, grassroots organizing convenings, and countless other venues, the world over.
Go top