What's your biggest fear?
#WickedWednesdays: who would have thought good news could be so #wicked.
The #WickedWednesday newsletter is inspired by my desire to share stories focused on promoting community and creating positive change, something we all need more of nowadays.
The title to this week's #WickedWednesdays isn't intimidating at all... said no one. I was inspired to ask this deep, hard hitting question after a networking conversation with someone who said her biggest fear was being visible. This response made me pause, as a virtual stranger just shared a very vulnerable aspect of herself with me. Just by naming her fear, she was confronting it.
As an extrovert myself, sometimes it can be hard for me to relate to this fear. But, part of my goal with Wicked Writers is to help folks from marginalized identities feel more comfortable being seen. It is my true belief that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be an effective leader, but you do have to be visible, and that takes a lot of courage.
In that vein (and with her permission), I'd like to introduce the woman who shared her fear with me: Pamela Richardson of Money Mastery with Pam, LLC., a financial coach and speaker. Talk about a touchy subject people don't want to talk about, especially when there are issues! However, taking control of your financial future is essential, especially for women, so if you want to get calm, comfortable and confident with your finances, Pam's your gal!
So, what's my biggest fear?
Having too many things to juggle and not doing any of them well, with a side of FOMO.
I love going to community events (shocker), meeting new people and soaking in the knowledge of everyone around me. And while I'm often told my ability to connect with and comfort others is a wonderful trait, I find myself wanting to do all of the things, and at the end of the day it's not humanely possible to do anything well if you are trying to do everything.
Maybe a less intimidating question we can all ask ourselves is:
Are you happy with how you spend your time?
Big things happening.
I started Wicked Writers as a podcast at the beginning of the pandemic where I interviewed cool #creatives in my network about their latest projects. While my activity level with Wicked Writers has ebbed and flowed over the last 3 1/2 years, I'm excited to share some professional updates with the #WickedWednesdays community as I officially kick my business into high gear.
Last week, I started a six-month contracting gig with MassArt doing internal communications. As the only publicly funded, independent college of art and design in the nation, their mission is to "prepare artists, designers, and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good."
NBD. Just going to be working with #creatives right next to the Museum of Fine Art, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Northeastern. Needless to say, I'm really excited!
I even did a water color interpretation of Princess Parker at the MassArt Art Museum on my first day! If you haven't been, it's a must visit.
In other big news, I have joined Black Lion Strategies, a social impact and public affairs consulting firm, as a senior associate.
I first met Managing Director Samuel Gebru almost seven years ago (!!) when I joined his campaign for Cambridge City Council. Since our paths last crossed, he has accomplished MANY things and became a professor at Tufts University - creating courses like "The Art of Good Trouble". He is also heavily involved with the Tufts Prison Initiative, teaching a course with returning citizens - pretty #wicked if I do say so myself.
This past Friday, the amazing Black Lion Strategies team hosted a New Year’s Breakfast Reception at the UMass Club and gave the inaugural Good Troublemaker of the Year award to none other than the incredible Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
I have to admit, every time she gives a speech, I cry -- her words just really hit home and I also discovered she loves poetry! Can we make #CreativeCongresswoman happen?
In her remarks, she shared the following affirmation from Brittany Packnett Cunningham, another badass #creative, educator, activist and writer:
"I choose the discipline of hope over the ease of cynicism. I choose fortitude over fatalism."
I felt that one in my BONES.
Being a part of the Black Lion Strategies team also means I'm now officially a part of the Cambridge Innovation Center community (where our offices are) - which is a pretty cool spot for entrepreneurs if I do say so myself :)
If you have any pressing mission-driven public policy/communications projects, feel free to reach out.
Connecting it all.
I was reflecting on the affirmation above and came across this article on fear - politics style.
DYK? There is more to the quote from President Roosevelt’s first inaugural address, where he famously stated “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
The quote continues: “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
That's right, I just tied this week's #WickedWednesdays into a neat little bow 🎀 on how fear impedes progress, your welcome.
Department of Congratulations 🎉
Shout out to my former colleague, Elisangela (Lyzz) Almeida, for being #WickedWednesdays 100th subscriber, just eight days after the newsletter launched!
Another former colleague, Chloe Cumbie, hit an incredible milestone of being three years alcohol-free! She is an inspiration in many regards and I'm in awe of how she speaks about how this decision has empowered her to be the best version of herself. Make sure to check out her website.
Sweet vintage stuff.
Also, look at this sweet peace sign antique I got at the Avenue C Love Story vintage market in Framingham!
That's all she wrote for now folks. Plenty more #WickedWednesdays content coming your way in the weeks and months ahead.
Got feel good stories to share for future #WickedWednesdays? Visit wickwriters.com, post a comment below or drop me a line at rachaeldubinsky@gmail.com.
Until next week, stay #wicked.