The thoughts coming through after reading this… The necessity to never forget. We are not alone. We are never alone. And so many of us are apart that if even just a few come together that bit of the world can be changed. Powerfully changed. And the more of us who gather multiply that change. There is no gathering too small. There is no ripple too gentle. Look within and know the power you hold, and that with another, and another, and another… the whole becomes so much greater than the sum of its incredible parts. I saw this demonstrated this week. My heart filled to bursting. My mind swam oceans. My spirit is flying. I’ll share more about it soon. 🙏🤍 In the meantime many thanks to the magical @urbanjukejoint9 — one of my treasured, early soul expanders — for posting this simple but profound prompt.
Image description: White background. Black handwritten lettering reads —
“But what can
I do, I am
just one
person”
said
7 billion
people..”
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…. 20 years… how? And really what is time? You’re gone and you’re with me, all at once. I’ve said it before, I’d take back the worst day if that’s all I could get, and I’d live in that day smiling to myself, knowing it was worth everything. More than everything. But I can’t really remember the worst days anymore. My heart and mind are filled with the good and sweet and beautiful. I hope that’s what it’s like where you are too. I love you. I hope you’re still dancing.
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…. 20 years… how? And really what is time? You’re gone and you’re with me, all at once. I’ve said it before, I’d take back the worst day if that’s all I could get, and I’d live in that day smiling to myself, knowing it was worth everything. More than everything. But I can’t really remember the worst days anymore. My heart and mind are filled with the good and sweet and beautiful. I hope that’s what it’s like where you are too. I love you. I hope you’re still dancing.
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…. 20 years… how? And really what is time? You’re gone and you’re with me, all at once. I’ve said it before, I’d take back the worst day if that’s all I could get, and I’d live in that day smiling to myself, knowing it was worth everything. More than everything. But I can’t really remember the worst days anymore. My heart and mind are filled with the good and sweet and beautiful. I hope that’s what it’s like where you are too. I love you. I hope you’re still dancing.
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…. 20 years… how? And really what is time? You’re gone and you’re with me, all at once. I’ve said it before, I’d take back the worst day if that’s all I could get, and I’d live in that day smiling to myself, knowing it was worth everything. More than everything. But I can’t really remember the worst days anymore. My heart and mind are filled with the good and sweet and beautiful. I hope that’s what it’s like where you are too. I love you. I hope you’re still dancing.
We’re doing it again!! @rainnwilson and I will be cohosting the annual @themonafoundation gala online! I’m so excited for folks to see what I’ve been getting to see — truly mind-blowing, soul stirring stories of the lives of young people worldwide that are blossoming and thriving with Mona’s support. This is not about donations — tho they’re deeply appreciated if you’re able to invest with us! This is a celebration of this work, a chance to spread great news, a chance to learn about what’s possible in the world when we work together for the good of all. The theme is Alone a Drop, Together a Surging Sea. That’s the truth. 🌊 Hope to see you there! Sat Sept 23, 11am pacific, 2pm eastern, 6pm GMT. 📚✨ More info and registration at monafoundation.org/gala2023
I’m so excited for folks to see what I’ve been getting to see — truly mind-blowing stories of the lives of young people worldwide that are blossoming and thriving with Mona’s support. This is not about donations — tho they’re deeply appreciated if you’re able to invest with us! This is a celebration of this work, a chance to spread great news, a chance to learn about what’s possible in the world when we work together for the good of all.
#GenderEquality #International #Education #GirlsEducation
Image/Video description: me, a brown skinned woman with dark brown hair and eyes. I’m wearing a dark blazer over a white and black striped shirt and looking directly to camera. In the photo I am holding a black post it that reads monafoundation.org/gala2023
Our connection. Stark. Infinite. So fixed that to forget another’s only snuffs out our own. This thought rises over and over in my mind, in my heart, in conversations, in these dark days. Days filled with grieving in and for Israel, grieving in and for Palestine, grieving the world over. Days of anger, fear. Days texts stay green, whatsapps sit unread. Nights wondering if dear ones in the Holy Land, our Holy Land, didn’t make it. Relief, as a reply makes it through. I remember gunshots in another place, hiding under car windows, forced out for food but fairly sure we’d be ok. Now so many have no such hope. No hope at all.
After weeks healing from illness, years healing from scrolling and fighting and watching and pleading — a crumbling world taking me with it — I’ve learned to breathe and rest, to value mindful silence, constructive patience, prayer, joy. Not to forget but to remember, to hold space, hold myself together because the battles are lifetimes long.
I watch as the logical response to bitter hatred is bitter hatred, an eye for an eye for an eye. And I know, in my soul, in every fiber of my being, that the enemy is the hatred itself. The old logic has to die.
In its place: Opening. Wisdom. Knowing. Humanity is one. Every border, class, caste, race, fight over religion is a lie. And that lie is where we must bury our swords, claw through sinew, rip and shred with ragged breath and tears streaming. Roar at the top of our lungs that we won’t believe those who’d send thousands to war for their coffers or egos or ancestral quarrels, from the comfort of any place at all.
And when the steaming mess lies strewn about we stand on its jagged pieces, making sure it never comes together again.
We look to each other across this battlefield, different hues and languages and prayers, and closing eyes that have all seen slaughter we bow our heads in a promise to never forget each other again.
Humanity can’t really be taken. It can only be given away. Many hope you’ll join them in this squandering. Defy them, remind them by remembering your own and theirs. #IStandWithHumanity
Image: Black background, white lettering. Centered, the word “humanity”.
Thank you so much for the loving support, the kind words, and shared vulnerability in your comments on the post about the 20th anniversary of my dad’s passing. I continue to be so moved by the kindness I encounter here, and the possibilities for future connection that we are all exploring via spaces like this. Wishing you joy in whatever you’re up to, in the midst of whatever else you might be feeling. 🙏😊💛
Video description: Me in a yellow @thehappygivers Love Thy Neighbor sweatshirt (that I wear a lot on here lol). I have medium brown skin and dark brown hair and eyes. This is a close up of me talking into camera. @andrewbirdmusic is playing in the background.
Happiest Birthday to my dearest sister-in-love, my occasional internet wife (iykyk), one of the silliest, coolest women ever, the most incredible mom, lioness, lamb, dork queen. @koolkelsey you are the gift that keeps on giving. I’m in awe of your resilience and grace, your grit and imagination, your fierceness and tenderness. You are an incredible example to your little ones and to me. I love you so much and I can’t believe I get to keep you. Wishing you a joyous new year of life! And wishing me lots and lots of it with you! 🤓💓🤓
Btw y’all these are our behind the scenes pics. If you want to see Kelsey in all her badass creator glory check @koolkelsey here and TikTok. 🥰
Slideshow description: A combination of images of @koolkelsey and our family, mostly laughing and smiling together, with a lot of Kelsey being cute and silly.
Feeling this so deeply. 🖤 Thank you for posting (and for all you do to embody this) @syrusmarcus
Image description: Background is a blurred dictionary page. Superimposed is a silhouette of Angela Davis and the following words in black —
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”
Angela Davis
I’m excited and encouraged by my first @themonafoundation birthweek campaign! $670.83 will cover schooling for at least 61 students through Mona’s worldwide partners. 🙏🥰💓 That’s an investment in at least 61 futures, at least 61 families and a whole lot of communities. At a time when finances are tight for so many of us, the monetary investment is so appreciated — and so are all the non-monetary gifts, which are meaningful in their own right. If you’d like to get to know #TheMonaFoundation have a look at their IG page, which links to their website, or check Mona out on YouTube for short videos highlighting the wonderful efforts of Mona’s partners and the work of Mona Foundation itself. 🙏🥰📚 Many thanks!
#Education #GirlsEducation #Prosperity #Service #ScalingHope
Video description: Me, sitting close up to camera. My brown hair is out and curly. I’m wearing gold hoop earrings and bracelets, and a light blue jumpsuit.
TODAY’S THE DAY!! Join me and @rainnwilson TODAY ONLINE for @themonafoundation annual gala! 🥳 11am PT, 2pm ET, 6pm GMT. A FREE hour of fun, moving stories, and connection. Our theme this year is: Alone A Drop, Together a Surging Sea. Soul-stirring and inspiring stories from Mona’s partners around the world. Great for spurring convos with kids too! Dress up or dress down. Be on camera for a bit or not at all. Just come and celebrate with us! Registration link in my bio.
I’m so excited for folks to see what I’ve been getting to see — truly mind-blowing stories of the lives of young people worldwide that are blossoming and thriving with Mona’s support. This is not about donations — tho they’re deeply appreciated if you’re able to invest with us! This is a celebration of this work, a chance to spread great news, a chance to learn about what’s possible in the world when we work together for the good of all. Hope to see you there! 💓 #Education #GirlsEducation #GirlsEmpowerment #School #Global #Community
Been grieving lately. We lost a beloved family member way too soon, so suddenly the words “this just doesn’t make sense” echo through conversation after conversation, day after day. @andygrammer’s words touched my heart. 🙏 Reframing challenges and getting proactive (aka creative) with them has always brought me growth and joy. I look forward to using this example for our recent loss, and for the many that are sure to come if I get to hang out on this planet as long as I’d like to. Embracing and flowing with the realities death, loss and grief feels so healthy. I’m so grateful for insights like Andy’s that provide such guiding light. 🤲✨🕊️
Video description: @andygrammer and @podcrushed ( @nnnava @pennbadgley @scribbledbysophie ) dressed casually and in different locations, on a video call/interview.
Thank you for posting @drewapeters
In my ‘after-feels’… 🙏🥹💓 Thanks to all who joined us for @themonafoundation gala today. It’s such a gift to know this organization and to connect with you through them. If you’re new to Mona please get to know them and their phenomenal work in getting millions of kids around the world a fantastic education for almost 25 years. You’ll be glad you did. #Education 🙏📚💓
Video description: Me, a woman with medium brown skin, dark brown eyes and hair. Im wearing a bright pink dress with a bow tied at the neck, sitting in front of a silver patterned background. I’m speaking to camera.
ONE MORE DAY!! Tomorrow Sat 9/23 join me and @rainnwilson for a beautiful, fun, inspiring time! REGISTER via link in my bio. 🥳📚✨
We’re doing it again!! @rainnwilson and I will be cohosting the annual @themonafoundation gala online! I’m so excited for folks to see what I’ve been getting to see — truly mind-blowing, soul stirring stories of the lives of young people worldwide that are blossoming and thriving with Mona’s support. This is not about donations — tho they’re deeply appreciated if you’re able to invest with us! This is a celebration of this work, a chance to spread great news, a chance to learn about what’s possible in the world when we work together for the good of all. The theme is Alone a Drop, Together a Surging Sea. That’s the truth. 🌊 Hope to see you there! Sat Sept 23, 11am pacific, 2pm eastern, 6pm GMT. 📚✨ More info and registration at monafoundation.org/gala2023 #GenderEquality #International #Education #GirlsEducation
Image/Video description: me, a brown skinned woman with dark brown hair and eyes. I’m wearing a dark blazer over a white and black striped shirt and looking directly to camera. In the photo I am holding a black post it that reads monafoundation.org/gala2023
My dear friend of 25+ years @raziwilson is taking things back home to Maui in a few days to help after these heartbreaking fires. This is for people she knows personally and whose needs she’s able to address directly. She is inviting others to contribute. If you feel moved to donate through an individual, she is someone I’ve always known to be trustworthy, huge-hearted and no non-sense. She’ll make sure people get what they need. Thank you. 🙏
For those who’d prefer an org, via @abcnews: “The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement pledged to match donations — up to $100,000 initially, now increased to $1 million — for a campaign they began Wednesday, with initial support from the Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies. An online tracker shows that more than $442,000 has been given from 3,300 people as of Thursday.” And GoFundMe also has vetted fundraisers for individuals.
If you’re reading this from Hawaii, please know you’ve been in our hearts and prayers. May your hearts be soothed in the midst of all this loss and grief. And may you have the gentlest, quickest healing and restoration possible. Sending you so much love. 🙏🌺🤍
Slide descriptions:
1. Video of me up close, talking to camera. My hair is up and I’m wearing a black t-shirt.
2. A background that looks almost like a sky at sunset, but is actually an area of hills, trees and homes with flames and smoke all around. The message superimposed reads: “FROM RAZI: I am traveling back to Maui on the 18th and am going to bring supplies. If you would like to donate please Venmo @razi-wilson. I’ll be bringing specifically what families are needing right now.
3. A Venmo QR code for Razi with her photo at the center.
My dear friend of 25+ years @raziwilson is taking things back home to Maui in a few days to help after these heartbreaking fires. This is for people she knows personally and whose needs she’s able to address directly. She is inviting others to contribute. If you feel moved to donate through an individual, she is someone I’ve always known to be trustworthy, huge-hearted and no non-sense. She’ll make sure people get what they need. Thank you. 🙏
For those who’d prefer an org, via @abcnews: “The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement pledged to match donations — up to $100,000 initially, now increased to $1 million — for a campaign they began Wednesday, with initial support from the Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies. An online tracker shows that more than $442,000 has been given from 3,300 people as of Thursday.” And GoFundMe also has vetted fundraisers for individuals.
If you’re reading this from Hawaii, please know you’ve been in our hearts and prayers. May your hearts be soothed in the midst of all this loss and grief. And may you have the gentlest, quickest healing and restoration possible. Sending you so much love. 🙏🌺🤍
Slide descriptions:
1. Video of me up close, talking to camera. My hair is up and I’m wearing a black t-shirt.
2. A background that looks almost like a sky at sunset, but is actually an area of hills, trees and homes with flames and smoke all around. The message superimposed reads: “FROM RAZI: I am traveling back to Maui on the 18th and am going to bring supplies. If you would like to donate please Venmo @razi-wilson. I’ll be bringing specifically what families are needing right now.
3. A Venmo QR code for Razi with her photo at the center.
My dear friend of 25+ years @raziwilson is taking things back home to Maui in a few days to help after these heartbreaking fires. This is for people she knows personally and whose needs she’s able to address directly. She is inviting others to contribute. If you feel moved to donate through an individual, she is someone I’ve always known to be trustworthy, huge-hearted and no non-sense. She’ll make sure people get what they need. Thank you. 🙏
For those who’d prefer an org, via @abcnews: “The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement pledged to match donations — up to $100,000 initially, now increased to $1 million — for a campaign they began Wednesday, with initial support from the Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies. An online tracker shows that more than $442,000 has been given from 3,300 people as of Thursday.” And GoFundMe also has vetted fundraisers for individuals.
If you’re reading this from Hawaii, please know you’ve been in our hearts and prayers. May your hearts be soothed in the midst of all this loss and grief. And may you have the gentlest, quickest healing and restoration possible. Sending you so much love. 🙏🌺🤍
Slide descriptions:
1. Video of me up close, talking to camera. My hair is up and I’m wearing a black t-shirt.
2. A background that looks almost like a sky at sunset, but is actually an area of hills, trees and homes with flames and smoke all around. The message superimposed reads: “FROM RAZI: I am traveling back to Maui on the 18th and am going to bring supplies. If you would like to donate please Venmo @razi-wilson. I’ll be bringing specifically what families are needing right now.
3. A Venmo QR code for Razi with her photo at the center.
A couple days left for my @themonafoundation birthday week campaign. The Mona Foundation has supported SO MANY young people worldwide through the transformative power of education. And they’ve been so wonderful to work with. I’m so happy to do anything to get the word out about their work and help others join me in supporting it. I hope you’ll invest with me in the future of our planet by investing in powerful futures for young folks. My goal this week is to raise $1,111 for 1 month of schooling for 101 students. It’s amazing how far even $1, 1 prayer or 1 share can go so please know they are all appreciated. 🙏🥳 Please see the link in my bio to contribute or learn more. Thank you!
#Education #GirlsEducation #TheMonaFoundation
Video description: Me, facing camera. I’m wearing a multicolored dress.
Thank you @missladym1981 for the beautiful portrait. 🙏😊🩶🌟🩶🌟😊🙏
Image description: on a cream colored background, in shades of gray, a crescent moon with many stars and the letter P surround an image of me.
🙏😭🖤💛💚🇯🇲💚💛🖤 Heart bursting!
Video description: Various post-match angles of fans cheering in stands and players on a football pitch as members of Jamaica’s ‘Reggae Girlz’ football team, Brazil’s football team, and coaches process the results of the match. Several players are crying either in sadness or joy.
Repost @kaminajsmith 👇🙏
WE ARE THROOOOOOUGH!!! PROUD BEYOND PROUD!!!! #BeyondGreatness #DeterminedWarriors Our Girlz have made History upon History upon History!! 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🖤💚💛🖤💚💛⚽️🏆⚽️🏆⚽️
So deeply proud of and grateful for @wgaeast @wgawest @wgastrikeunite and ALL of the writers who have fought an exemplary fight. The sacrifices have been enormous, but they will not be wasted. Congratulations on coming to an agreement. I can’t wait to see what emerges from this journey. 🙏✊💛
Image: White background, black lettering. Text reads — “Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it’s the answer to everything. … It’s the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it’s a cactus.”
—Enid Bagnold
Have you heard this word before? Today closes #DisabilityPrideMonth — a month that’s seen so many amazing creators and activists share their experiences w/disability. In conversations this month & previously I’ve noticed how many of us aren’t familiar w/ableism — even if we have a disability ourselves.
Social media has been an incredible venue for people w/disabilities to share, many of whom haven’t found in-person venues to be accessible or welcoming. The covid pandemic made that painfully worse — and continues to — for many w/disabilities, while also showing wider communities how possible things like virtual work & virtual social spaces are (after decades of saying there was no way… & now returning to that).
I learned this word on Twitter (RIP) & was introduced to so many amazing voices there. I learned that about 25% of a population is disabled, that the disability community is the only minority anyone can become part of at any time in their life, that about 4% of tv includes disability (cable does twice as ‘well’ as network), that anyone — probably almost everyone — can have some internalized ableism.
I learned that MANY of our casual insults & ways of dismissing things as unimportant are words for or imitations of disability. These are hurtful slurs I won’t mention here but I HIGHLY recommend looking them up. You might be surprised at how EXTREMELY common they are.
You might also be surprised that you have experienced or are experiencing disability. I have. And many around me have. There are many expressions of it, only some of which are visible.
If the word ableism is new to you google up. Learning about it has been so enlightening & exciting for me. I realized I’d unknowingly been ableist to others & myself & that I could do better. I realized how much better the world can be for everyone as we root out ableism.
I’ve learned we can not truly be about DEI or social justice if we leave the disability community out of discussions & don’t provide safe communal spaces. And how much the world is missing by not welcoming disabled voices to their rightful place at the table.
Tagging a few great resources below. Please add more. 🤍
ID in Alt Text
