will you allow yourself to evolve?

the closing of #blkcreatives

photo credit: Jonathan Ennis

With a heart full of gratitude, I am closing down #blkcreatives

I’m not sure how many people realize this but I’ve been building and running this platform in an official capacity since 2012 with the seeds first being planted in 2010. In 2010, I was a frustrated college graduate working at FedEx, throwing boxes and contemplating what I was gonna with magazines folding and my dream of being Editor-In-Chief of VIBE Magazine becoming wrapped up right along with the industry. What I didn’t see coming was this major shift kicked off by social media - by Twitter specifically - that would change the course of my life and everyone connected to me.

The shift I saw then - worlds changing, wars brewing, hard issues breaking the hearts of the collective, new pathways being discovered - is the same shift I feel now.

The only difference is me, and honestly, that’s who I need to make space for, that’s who needs more of me - dreams that I’ve buried, healing, expansion, an opportunity to do something new.

Simply put, it’s just time.

There’s no possible way I can fit over twelve years of stories, collaborations, epiphanies, testimonies, breakthroughs, breakdowns, wins, campaigns, notes, lessons learned, hospital visits, failed attempts, etc into this letter so I won’t try to do it. What I will say, is that my heart is full of gratitude for every single person who believed in this platform and for every single story, every dollar, every mission, every creative spark that has been given to Black creators.

There have been a million hours of work, sacrifice, and heart that has gone into this work and I’m so proud of every version of me who existed during this time frame and for every contractor, teammate, and contributor, who accepted the invite to join me on this mission. This work honestly never ends, and it doesn’t end here. This newsletter will continue weekly, my focus and my approach to the work - well that will change and evolve as I step into a new era and season of my life.

If you’re reading this, I hope that you’re allowing yourself to grow and evolve not because something bad has happened but simply because you’ve made the decision to follow your heart and your calling. And if you feel led to do something, trust that it’s coming to you for a reason. It’s okay to change your mind and it’s okay to change direction on your path. I’ve experienced a million endings and I know each time, the beginning is worth the release.

Thank you for being you and thank you for allowing #blkcreatives to take up space in your story.

Never stop creating,

Melissa, founder of #blkcreatives

PS. I’m sure this is something I’ll be processing for a while (at minimum, I’ll need a few years) so if you’d like to have me on your podcast/blog,etc to discuss closing this platform hit me!

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a quick peak into what’s now/next for me

1. Again, this newsletter will continue every week. Support by subscribing for free or with a paid subscription. Interested in sponsorship? My email is below.

2. I’m writing A LOT and one of my goals is to nurture my writing craft. Here’s my portfolio, reach out to me if you’d like to assign me something around culture, creativity, digital wellness, and more.

3. all project based inquiries, love notes, stories, questions and love offerings: melissa@blkcreatives.com - my website is live and will be updated soon.

A MAJOR shout out to

PhillipsWriter365

,

Erica L. Blake

, and

Niema Jordan

for being paid subscribers!

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