Over the last seven months, I feel like my heart has really come to notice so many things that I didn’t used to.

I’ve spent a lot of time these past few months, really paying attention to and continuing to get educated on unpacking my white privilege, and understanding more about the systems that continue to uphold them. Especially as it relates to being a small business owner, a woman, a mother and most of all for me-  learning to raise Noah to be an anti-racist in every step of the word.

I haven’t done it all perfectly, that’s for sure. On that note,  I also wanted to take a minute to say thank you for each of you for being around and doing this with me, and for the grace you’ve showed to me  and as we all navigate the world’s events this past year.

Back in June, you may remember we shared a blog post called Anti-racism Voices to Listen to & Words to Amplify,  and it’s been a while since I’ve done a little update on some new things, people, resources and books that have helped me understand so much more, and I’d love to share some of these things with you too.  February is also Black History Month, so it’s a great time to dive in, if you’ve been wanting to do so more.

As someone who tends to process things inside, reflecting and thinking and sitting on things, this year has been full of  so much growth for me, especially on this topic, and much of it has been quiet and internal. I know so many of you are the same (aka, calling all my empaths, feelers, enneagram 2’s): you intake first, then process, THEN act or react.  And  I have dedicated a ton of time here recently to learning (like, actually learning), reading, paying attention, and building out a life and business that truly does embody anti-racist values, peace, understanding, empathy, maturity, listening and a heart-centered view.

And I think it’s important to keep this conversation going. It was my goal that that blog post wasn’t a one time thing, but that over the course of the next year, we took consistent action to keep getting educated, keep learning from those much wiser than us, keep supporting in the ways we could, and keeping our word and commitment as a team and to this community.

Updates from Simply Real Health HQ:

Through the proceeds of the Baby Food Files, we have donated over $1,000 to Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a non-profit organization to help black mothers have access to healthy pregnancies, care and post-partum support, so that all babies and mothers have the resources to thrive as new mamas. I am so thrilled about this, and the donations will continue with each sale. 

We also now have 2 scholarship opportunities in place for each of our programs, in effort to give more access and education to the topics we know best: teaching about real food, and health and wellness to BIPOC community and those who may not have access to real food education. This includes The Baby Food Files, The Simply Real Life Program and for the next round in the Spring, The Simply Real Health Cooking Club.

*Each is announced at the time of  program opening, or you can nominate yourself or someone to know to the waitlist at hello@simplyrealhealth.com.*

Anti-Racism Voices to *Continue* to Listen To & Amplify

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), here are some of my new favorites and discoveries these last 7 months.

Continuing Education:

Rachel Ricketts Spiritual Activation 101 course: I was introduced to Rachel’s work through my work as an ambassador through Lululemon, and got the chance to hear her speak, and then be a participant in her online class. It was so helpful and incredibly light-shedding to listen to.  She also has a new book that just came out, called Do Better, which I just started and has been so good.

Layla Saad’s Good Ancestor Academy (her podcast was one in the first roundup we did) and her courses are on my list to do next. She has a course on Parenting & White Supremacy that is next on my list this Spring. I have been so interested in parenting in this conversation, because so much of true change starts there, and for the next generation.

Monique Melton’s courses and podcast are a new one I’ve found, and really enjoy learning from her. She’s got such great energy about her!

Books:

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett was soo good. The story follows two identical twin sisters born in South, who run away and become separated and living two completely different lives. The conversation of race, privilege and human connection, family and sisterhood was so good and powerful. Highly recommend.

Next up on my reading list is a book called Assata, a political autobiography about a Black woman activist, Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard), in the ’60’s and ’70’s.

Podcast: Emmanuael Acho on Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us Podcast.

Movies & Documentaries To Celebrate Black History Month this month:

Harriet (Amazon Prime)

One Night in Miami (Amazon Prime)

13th (Netflix)

Mudbound (Netflix)

New Companies I’ve Found & Black Women to Follow:

It’s Brown Girl Jane for clean wellness & beauty products,

Dr. Cleopatra for all things fertility biohacking & preconception.

Jynette The Oracle who has an amazing take on astrology 7 business if you’re into that sort of thing like I am.

Be sure to checkout all the other amazing BIPOC resources, people, businesses, etc in our last post here too. 

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Now, it’s your turn!

Is there a resource, a person, or a business that exemplifies the kind of learning we should all be doing? Please share it below.