This last week has been a big one, in many ways. I’ve spent so much time listening, reading, learning, digging in, reshaping, breathing and praying for true healing. I’ve felt my eyes opening and my mind growing in so many ways. And to honor that, I’ve spent most of the past week quiet over here.

Asking some hard questions of myself. Examining a lot. Taking full responsibility for my white privilege and what I can (and want, and NEED) to do so much better.

Maybe you feel the same?

I don’t have answers today, but what I do know is this: This is just the beginning– for me, this brand and this community– of a much deeper commitment and conversation. My biggest takeaway this week has been about all the little things that CAN be done, to create change in our world, over time. Aka, not just this week when the topic is trending, all throughout the year, in intentional ways.

As a brand and community, I am committing to making changes. I am committed to not being complacent about this issue. All of us have to engage and lean in and keep learning more so we can do and be better, together.

I am committed to sharing what I’m learning- whether that be books that help me, podcasts that teach me, leaders I admire, and small businesses, foundations and non-profits that are doing great things in the world that I want to support (with time, attention and financial support).

I am committed to creating new initiatives as a company over here, including reserving spots in each of my programs, events, and gatherings, and providing scholarships, access and education to the topic I know best: teaching about real food, and health and wellness to BIPOC community.

More on that later (I’ll be announcing those things when they open) because right now I’m still listening as much as I can from some new voices that I adore, perspectives that are broader and different (and hearing louder from those voices I’ve loved for a long time) and that are teaching me so very much. Many of them have written books, programs and have had platforms for years, with so many amazing teachings that are here for all of us. So here is the beginning of my list of people I’m learning from and surrounding myself with to know more.

And please note: I am in no way an expert on this topic, and I welcome feedback and suggestions and ideas from you here in this community too– all I ask for is grace upon grace with each other in the comments as we learn together.  I also know that in taking a stand on this issue of racism, I realize that there will be many people to unfollow me or unsubscribe. I am ok with that. This is important. “And it’s time to evolve”- Alex Toussaint (listed below).

Antiracism Voices to Listen to & Words to Amplify

Great resources for families:

This article shares so many amazing books to explain racism and protests to kids.

I love any and all Ezra Jack Keats’ children’s books.

The Loveland Foundation: this foundation is a wonderful cause to support as it focuses on protecting, healing and providing opportunities for Black women and girls.

LoomHQ: a health education company focused on parenting, pregnancy, doulas and more (based in LA but online too)

Leaders & inspiring humans to follow on IG:

Lalah Delia (@lalahdelia) one of my very favorites for a long time, and new author of Vibrate Higher Daily. Her wisdom is profound, in so many ways.

Morgan Harper Nichols (@morganharpernicols): just pure beauty, encouragement, and words in her art. A must follow.

Danielle Coke (@ohhappydani): and artist and creator, and just a sweet soul making a difference with her work. Her recent videos have been to helpful to get better educated for me.

Preston Smiles (@prestonsmiles): An epic and inspiring human to follow, dad of 3 and motivational speaker.

Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown): her videos, her smile, everything.

In health, wellness & beauty:

Influencing In Color (@influencingincolor): this is a beautiful feed. “A positive influence for women of all colors”.

Earth to Earl (@earthtoearl): one of my fellow lululemon ambassadors, a legendary instructor at soul cycle, and secretly a writer.

City Sweats (@citysweats): if you live in Seattle, this is one of my favorite spots. Owned by one of my favorite people, and a fellow lululemon ambassador, Dee.

Tunde Oyeneyin (@tune2tunde): A newer instructor on the Peloton app, who I love her perspective on things. This woman! You’ll see.

Alex Toussaint (@alextoussaint25): my fav instructor at Peloton, and I love his perspective as well.

Ally Love (@allylove): one of my fav Peloton instructors, TED talk speaker, and so much more than a spin instructor.

Inside Outer Beauty Market (@insideouterbeautymarket): a clean beauty & wellness shop/market

Pretty Well Beauty (@prettywellbeauty): a clean beauty & wellness shop/market

Mischo Beauty (@mischobeauty): non-toxic nail polish & beauty company

Beneath Your Mask (@beneathyourmask): a non-toxic skincare company I just found, with all clean ingredients.

Sweet Potato Soul (@sweetpotatosoul): author of Sweet Potato Soul Cookbook, vegan chef and a new mama

Style Fit Fatty (@stylefitfatty): the author of Ready, Set, Be Still, a mama to 4 littles, and a beautiful writer too.

In home & design:

Marabou Design @maraboudesign): Brandy a fellow Seattlelite, beautiful designer, and such a sweet soul.

Restoration House (@restorationhouse):  and her beautiful blog here. If anyone came to the panel event last Fall I did with Gather Seattle on book writing, you already met the beautiful Kennesha. She is truly amazing human, designer, mama, and her work is so inspiring (as well as her story). I love this post she did last year on this topic. 

Made By Carli (@madebycarli): an inspiring interior designer with beautiful spaces

Lolly Lolly Ceramics (@lollylollyceramics): ceramics like art…although she is sold out now. Stay tuned for more.

Books & podcasts:

 A Kids Book About Racism (this is on backorder until July, but sounds so helpful, especially for kids who are old enough to read)

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (A book club, anyone? I just got this one this week and can’t wait to dive in).

Good Ancestor Podcast by Layla Saad (episode rec: #GoodAncestor Robin DiAngelo on White Fragility) I’ve listened to this three times already this week alone, and everytime I learn more. This is the one I keep posting on my stories. So helpful to me personally. 

Me and White Supremecy by Layla Saad: podcast host that’s been my favorite to learn from, and her book is next on my list.

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

Therapy for Black Girls (episode rec: Talking to Kids About Race) a great episode for parents

13th (a Netflix documentary): on tap for us this weekend, I’ve heard really good things about it so far

---

What else?

Do you have any other great spaces and people to learn from? Let’s make a list below. I hope everyone is taking care of themselves this week in the best ways they can. Sending you love from here, as always.