Who doesn't love baked goods?
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.
Yes, you read the headline correctly. This week's #WickedWednesdays is all about baked goods! I'm a huge fan of baked goods, and while Valentine's Day is right around the corner (thanks, Hallmark), the scrumptiousness of these delectable treats is certainly a year-round thing.
Ok, Rachael, my mouth is watering, what are we getting at here?
Small businesses have incredible stories and this week I'm highlighting the super cool, Asian-inspired Nine Winters Bakery. A Korean-American concept, based in Somerville, MA, that was founded by a Korean adoptee, Marissa Ferola, and her two young daughters, the bakery uses Korean ingredients and flavors in American-style pastries to highlight that Korean food belongs on everyone's table in innovative and approachable ways.
Think: sweet and spicy gochujang into cookies and cakes
Here's where the #WickedWriters community comes in: help fund their new location or cultural comfort zone as they call it (LOVE).
The new space would offer a home away from home for everyone, supplying comfort to those who needs it, whether it's seeking familiar ingredients to bring a piece of home to the table, or trying something new. They also have plans to host cultural story time for kids, adoptee support groups, and be there for the community beyond quick conversations over the counter.
Photography credits: Mim on Roseway
I mean how can you say no to those faces?!
Not only does this fundraiser support an amazing bakery with an important story to tell, they've sweetened the deal by giving credits for baked goods back to those who donate!!! I was excited to help put them over the 2K mark and now they are over 6K - let's help get them even closer to their 20K goal!
DYK?
This year's Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts." Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQcPbja
"African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world."
Look at this beautiful piece of art by Bisa Butler - it's quilted, isn't that wild?!
World Cancer Day
Cancer sucks. World Cancer Day was Feb 4 and many of us have personal experience with cancer, whether it be as a patient or a caretaker. My mom was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2021 and has since had two bone marrow transplants. I'm so happy to report that she is currently disease-free (15 months later!) thanks to the incredible staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering. None of this would be possible without organizations like The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), who help people diagnosed with blood cancer to live longer, healthier lives.
Last year, my sister organized a Cycle for Survival team through SoulCycle, which will be happening again this year. Please consider a donation to Sharon's Support Squad (today is the last day for all gifts to be matched!) that will go toward rare cancer research.
I also had the pleasure of participating in an Air Guitar competition (yes, it's a real thing - I'm a #punkrockprincess at heart) to raise funds for LLS.
My sister shared a beautiful quote from Suleika Jaouad's Between Two Kingdoms that I wanted to share with the #WickedWriters community:
“Recovery isn’t a gentle self-care spree that restores you to a pre-illness state. Though the word may suggest otherwise, recovery is not about salvaging the old at all. It’s about accepting that you must forsake a familiar self forever, in favor of one that is being newly born. It is an act of brute, terrifying discovery.”
As people who are constantly evolving, it's important to remember that it's ok to have a new normal (what is normal, anyways?).
In addition to supporting my mom and sister, I'm also cooking up some plans to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in the National Marrow Donor Program (formerly Be the Match). More information to come.
Things I'm reading (and you should too)
Forbes: I’m a founder living with chronic illness. Here’s how I thrive.
Lilly Stairs, a 2015 Northeastern graduate, launched Chronic Boss Collective, a networking group for women with chronic conditions looking to prioritize their health and professional dreams.
Non-Profit Quarterly: Love as Social Order
Great piece on incorporating more love into our actions by Cyndi Suarez. "How do we build a world based in love? This is a critical question for social change agents. If we do not consider what drives our work, we may inadvertently be driven by fear or rage." "bell hooks may have been the first theorist to popularize the concept of a love ethic. However, she was influenced by Erich Fromm’s book The Art of Loving. In it, Fromm defines love as an orientation that shifts us from a focus on “being loved” to a practice of “creating love.”
Center for Effective Philanthropy: Reparations is an Investment in the Future“ When we ask for donors to support reparations, we are not begging for money for Black people. We’re extending a lifeline into your humanity, into your liberation and freedom, by being a part of this healing journey and process,” says Edgar Villanueva, founder and CEO of the Decolonizing Wealth Project. “When we work to repair as a nation — including ensuring Black folks achieve reparations — we are all going to benefit tremendously, and there are going to be generational impacts.”
We certainly covered a lot in this newsletter and I hope this content inspires you to get involved in your personal passions.
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.