Entry No. 20
Halfway Through
It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through the year. It feels like the older I get, the faster the days, weeks, months and years come and go. So bittersweet but grateful 2023 has been so, so generous and abundant in more ways than one.
Reflecting on the past 6 months, grateful is an understatement.
If you know me well, you know that practicing gratitude is a lifestyle for me.
My long-lost gratitude series may return to Instagram soon but in the meantime—for everything I’m endlessly, eternally grateful for from the first half of 2023—you saw it here first:
Endless, Eternal Gratitude: Halfway Through 2023 Reflections //
January & February
Quality time, celebrating beautiful milestones and new chapters of life with family, friends, my sorority’s sisters and chapter after my first year of traveling, living and thriving abroad in 8 countries, 16 cities and counting.
The feeling of chronic resistance and how it shows up in my life teaching me that doing the inner-work is essential and necessary to live the life I desire and deserve.
March
My first NYC trip of the year—part work, part play, part celebration.
Producing my third successful program and graduating class of Black, brown and marginalized creatives, the D&AD Shift with Google Class of 2023. If you or someone you know is an underrepresented, self-taught creative without a college degree living in NYC or Tri-State area who’s interested in a professional creative career, consider applying for this free transformative creative night school. It’s really, truly life changing but you don’t have to take my word for it—just ask the Shift Class of 2022 Alumni. Applications go live soon.
April
My first stop abroad this year: Mi Amor Mexico. The food, the community, the experiences, the memories—A TIME and a half! Shoutout to D’Mario, Nadia, Tavia, Ellicia, Dani, Bebe, Tati, Quanii and all of the dope folks I met and reconnected with in CDMX for making my return to Mexico really, truly unforgettable.
May
Returning to the States for my baby sister Amber’s graduation. If you know my baby sister, yes she’s E I G H T E E N and Claflin University bound. So, so proud of her and can’t wait to see how she evolves and thrives in college and beyond.
Witnessing my God-daughter Zola graduate from Pre-K. And for the record, her mom and I were *not* ok.
A girl’s day out with Miss Zola, her Mommy and Godmommy to see The Little Mermaid.
Getting out of my own way and manifesting my wellness offering #WeAreUnbreakable into the world during Mental Health Awareness Month for my beautiful, Black people.
Speaking at one of my home churches on Why Black Mental Health Matters during Mental Health Awareness Month.
June (& Julyish)
Seeing three of my favorite guys in one month—one of my high school best friends Leon whom I haven’t seen since 2020 along with his wife and my two adorable nieces; a surprise dance concert and lunch date with my high school best friend Darrell and a Monday Funday on Juneteenth with my good friend Stefon who I haven’t seen since 2019!
Celebrating 11 years a Delta with my beautiful line sisters. Witnessing our growth and evolution into new versions of ourselves over the years as career professionals, entrepreneurs, wives, mothers and beyond has been absolutely, positively beautiful.
Spending a blackity, Black Juneteenth in Brooklyn, visiting my church FCBC in Harlem and reconnecting with my NYC family and friends, new and old. A massive shoutout to The Layout—Black joy abounded tenfold and it truly gets better and better every year!
Returning to Essence Festival for the first time since 2017 to celebrate one of my high school best friend Jas’ birthday and wrapping up my time in New Orleans with a family vacation with my mom and sisters. The food, the vibes and memories made—*chef’s kiss*!
Progressing on my Q1 and Q2 goals giving myself grace when and where I needed it most along the way.
May the next 6 months be just as generous and abundant—full of blessings, joy, growth, grace and gratitude.
With Endless, Eternal, Gratitude,
Kiera
P.S. Wherever you are in the world, I hope & pray that you are safe & well. Thank you for being here. Happy BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! In honor and celebration, I'm curating #WeAreUnbreakable Live, a safe space for my beautiful, Black people to explore, connect and reflect on cultivating resilience, self-preservation, inner-peace & joy as a community. I hope you’ll join me or donate to show your support and/or allyship!
P.S.S. You can now become a paid subscriber to show your love, support and receive exclusive entries and content. Free subscribers will receive impromptu entries throughout the year. Love offerings via Paypal or CashApp are also welcome and appreciated. As always, feel free to share this entry with a friend or on your favorite platforms using #ForeverPerfectlyImperfect.
Meet The Curator //
Thank you for this & reminding that it could be a good idea for me to tap into a more intentional gratitude process. Also, number two on chronic resistance was exactly what I needed. The video was right on time!