Stories of Us

❤️!

To look-up one year later and see how the vision from my TEDx talk in Hong Kong (https://youtu.be/VsAtwkHRorY) has not only grown into a successful global business, i.e. Dr. Keisha Cares, but the impact of the message is reaching two generations at once!

“Lay aside your fears that I will be undone, for I shall not be moved.”

Dr. Maya Angelou wrote those words in the closing lines of her poem Our Grandmothers. As we stand on the knife’s edge of an uncertain tomorrow, we must gird ourselves with the understanding of what we have already overcome. Beloved, please hold on to that understanding and use it as mental food for the journey ahead.

I don’t know how this election will turn out. What ever happens, I have resolved within myself that I shall not be moved. When fear, anxiety, and racism rear their ugly heads - we must firmly declare that we shall not be moved. We will keep the steady rhythm of progress within our hearts as we march forward.

Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.

❤️,
Dr. Keisha

Take 10 mins of me time, and unapologetically engage in one or all of the following activities:

: Repeat this affirmation from Malcom X ”I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I am for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” Reflect on these words and ask yourself - What small step can I take today that will support truth, justice, or humanity?

: Spend 10 mins (break it up into 2x5 min or 5x2min segments if needed) read ANYTHING you enjoy. Read Dr. Angelou’s poem Our Grandmothers in its entirety: https://genius.com/Maya-angelou-our-grandmothers-annotated

: Tasha Page-Lockhart sings a powerful song that asks “Why Not Me?” Allow these words to encourage you and visualize yourself coming out of this storm even stronger than before. Link: https://youtu.be/3T6TVs3KjBk

: step away from the social media and news pundits and do something you enjoy. Take a walk. Doodle on a notepad. Move your body and lift your spirits in anyway that will bring you joy. Here are additional ideas from VICE News: https://www.vice.com/en/article/4addb3/relaxing-things-to-do-instead-of-stressing-over-2020-election

I had a great time talking to adults in Australia about Dr. Keisha Cares. Thank you MAKE Studios for the opportunity to share my passion with others! Listen to The Reinvention Podcast, episode 4, on Spotify, or click their link below.


Just in time for the weekend, we’re excited to share new episodes of the Reinvention Podcast!

In episode 4, Keisha Siriboe, PhD (she,her) reveals the power of reading aloud, and how literacy can build resilience and hope in families - especially during times of uncertainty. Dr. Keisha is an international advocate of literacy education and founder of Dr Keisha cares and Stories of Us. In a special segment, Dr. Keisha addresses question from the community and shares actionable techniques for all the parents out there.

Listen to the episode on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gghXGsA

Produced by MAKE Studios, The Reinvention Podcast takes a close look at the things that are broken in the world and showcases the brave people working to fix them.

Episode 7 of HBO’s LoveCraft Country, was so good I watched it twice! 🔥🔥If you haven’t seen it yet, I promise there are no spoilers in this text. Of the many talking points raised during the 60 minute show, the language around black women shrinking was profound.

One of the scenes that felt the most powerful was the conversation between George and Hippolyta Freemen. Their words planted thoughts in my mind last night that grew into questions this morning. How many women have felt like they were shrinking? And what would it look like if you allowed yourself to be as big as you can be? Help me water these seeds and share your responses in the comments below.

❤️,
Dr. Keisha

Take 10 mins of me time, and unapologetically engage in one, or all, of the following activities:

: repeat this affirmation from the episode “Name yourself. Where do you want to be? Who do you want to be?
Name it.” Be still and ask yourself - what name would I give myself if I allowed myself to be as big as I can be?

: spend 10 mins (break it up into 2x5 min or 5x2min segments if needed) reading ANYTHING you enjoy. Start Here Suggestion: https://bit.ly/3cGVNMO

: Dance! Listen to the song Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monáe featuring Erykah Badu and revel in all the good feelings their words inspire: https://youtu.be/tEddixS-UoU and here’s a bonus track cuz I’m fly like dat
https://youtu.be/8CFrCk6_0rM

: learn more about the artwork of French Street Artist YZ Yseult, and create your own art work that blends history with creativity: https://bit.ly/36cQJhO

There are days when the audacity of injustice leaves me speechless. Today is one of those days. In these moments, I find comfort in the genius of others. Today’s post will feature content by individuals giving voice to the voiceless.

❤️,
Dr. Keisha

“In 1856 the New York Times published the story of Margaret Garner, an enslaved Black woman who fled the horrors of slavery with her family.

They made it to the other side of the Mason-Dixon line all the way to Ohio, free territory, but were surrounded by U.S. Marshalls. When faced with the prospect of returning to slavery, Margaret - who was pregnant - slit the throat of her two-year-old, stabbed her other two children and herself. Her daughter died instantly; she and her other children survived.

When brought to trial, the issue was whether the Garners would be tried as people, and charged with the murder of their daughter, or tried as property under the Fugitive Slave Law.

While Ohio argued they should be charged as people, Kentucky leaned on Federal law and indicted the Garners not for murder, but on charges of property damage. If the Garners were convicted of murder, they would be recognized as people by law which would call into question the institution of slavery.

Yesterday, a Kentucky grand jury indicted 1 of 3 police officers, not for killing Breonna Taylor, but for "reckless endangerment" when their bullets pierced the walls of her neighbor's apartment.

Read it again, and sit with that.”
Written by L Flowers Brissett on 9.24.20

Take 10 mins of me time, and unapologetically engage in one, or all, of the following activities:

: reflect on these words From Ibram X Kendi shared on Twitter. “To be Black in America is to walk in the valley of the shadow of pain and death. The fact that Black people still manage to carry on and create and find joy and love in the valley is nothing short of a miracle. And right now, our love of is filling us with rage. Or your purpose.” Be still and ask yourself - what am I feeling right now? How can I channel these feelings into action that aligns with my purpose?

: spend 10 mins, break it up into 2x5 min or 5x2min segments if needed, but engage in the power of the written word. Start Here Suggestion: https://wapo.st/3iZkdU7

: Rise Up! Listen to the song Glory by John Legend and Common: https://youtu.be/nr2VLI8jKww

: Teach young children how to push for collective change and get your family involved! Check out the website https://www.getyourcousins.org. Brilliantly created by Alliah Agostini Livingstone to help raise voter awareness.

Ode to Notorious RBG

There is a ceremonial tradition of holding a jazz funeral in New Orleans when a beloved soul transitions to the other side.
A brass band leads a parade of people in slow progression to the cemetery, playing negro spirituals on their instruments. Loved ones cry openly over the loss and publicly acknowledge the hurt caused by their death.

The power of a jazz funeral is felt on the way back from the cemetery. Once buried, the band starts to play melodic and joyful tunes that celebrate the departed. They celebrate their memory and all of the good times they shared. What’s known as a “Second Line” parade forms, and the brass band marches down the street. The same people who were crying moments earlier start dancing to the music. As the parade moves through neighborhoods, people join in the dancing, and before you know it, a block party forms. People who may have never known the departed are swept up in a celebration of music that signals to the crowd that they were once here, and they were loved.

On Friday night, the nation learned of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing. Reminiscent of a New Orleans jazz funeral, many of us felt the sadness of her absence and mourned all that her life represented. Today, some may be battling fears about who will replace her on the Supreme Court. Others may feel overwhelmed by the emotional toll of 2020.

No matter how you are navigating this time of uncertainty, these words are extended to you in love and community.

I invite you to join me in a digital second line of The Notorious RBG. She is an example of a life well-lived, and she left wisdom for us to hold on too in her absence. I take comfort in believing she has reunited with her husband, Marty, and they are catching up on all that they missed in the decade since his passing.

I leave you with her words and an unshakable faith that we shall overcome if we continue to fight for the things we believe in.
Video: https://cnn.it/2FBMHVx

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