Art by FRESH speaker Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, currently on display at bus and subway stations across New York City

Written by Jackson Bird

This week, we’re reaching out to communities in need while also looking inward at our individual journeys with healing.

What we’re checking out…

Severe storms ravaged much of the United States this past week, leaving millions without power and hundreds of thousands without access to clean water. The situation has been particularly dire in Texas. Even as power returns for many, the recovery process will be long and fraught. The Texas Tribune has an extensive list of resources for Texans as well as numerous ways that people out of state can lend a hand.

To hear from a reporter on the ground and learn more about why Texas’ power grid failed in such a crucial moment, listen to this episode of The Daily. And to stay up to date, we recommend following Representative Joaquin Castro on Twitter.

by Emily Griffin (@daybrighten). Click here for links to these resources and more.

Monica Lewinsky interviewed Roxane Gay about her experiences writing about trauma and, just, wow. Set aside some time this weekend to read it. 

For another great conversation between two powerful women, see Viola Davis and Stacey Abrams in Variety. 

On the subject of processing trauma through the written word, Jami Attenberg shared her thoughts on writing through grief in the latest edition of her Craft Talk newsletter.

by Steffi Lynn (@haveanicedayy_)

With a horrifying uptick in racist attacks against Asian Americans, we recommend tapping through this comprehensive post from actress Gemma Chan about the many ways to take action and be a better ally going forward. 

We also recommend following artist Jocelyn Chung, who has been posting wisdom and reflections on topics like internalized racism and the gaslighting of Asian Americans.

For our reFRESHing Talk of the Week, we’re revisiting this nearly ten-year-old TED Talk by Vicki Arroyo about what our cities need to do to prepare for the changing climate––a lesson this week proves that too few have heeded.

The latest from our speakers…

Simran Jeet Singh wrote for TIME about how the farmers’ protests are a turning point for India’s, and perhaps the world’s, democracy.

Mychal Denzel Smith wrote about J’Ouvert and the policing of Black joy for The New York Times.

This past week was the late great Toni Morrison’s birthday and Veronica Chambers put together an annotated reading guide in The New York Times to help you pick the right Morrison work for you.

Susan McPherson shared some advice on bringing your authentic self to the workplace in the Harvard Business Review. 

Pat Mitchell has a new column with Ms. Magazine called “Table for 12,” celebrating the historic number of women appointed to President Biden’s cabinet. Read the first installment, featuring Representative Deb Haaland.

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