What were some moments from the night that gave you goosebumps from the stories told and the connections made?

Roti: There were several moments that gave us goosebumps. For one, most of the women we invited were strangers so it was a little bit quiet at the beginning of the evening. I remember a distinct moment about thirty minutes in when the energy in the room softened and it started to get loud – people were getting comfortable, laughing, smiling, and getting to know each other. It was very cool to bring people together like that. 

It was also great to see the response from everyone at the end of the night. People were so grateful for the space we created that night. And almost every guest said they’d love for us to do events like this on a recurring basis. 

The open discussion we had after our journaling session was the main highlight of the night. We asked everyone to respond to two simple questions: What will you do to show up as yourself this year in your personal and professional life? What boundaries will you put in place to protect your peace and avoid overextending yourself?

The responses were vulnerable, relatable, and honest. People shared about things like the fear that comes with leaving a stable job in hopes of something better, the stress of being separated from a family member, and how hard it is to just say no to things we know aren't meant for us. There were some tears, some laughs, and a lot of validation.

“I think it's beautiful to be honest about what you’re going through and have people acknowledge that your feelings are real and important and remind you of how capable you are.

How do you see the act of putting pen to paper as a moment of connection? What role did this play in the night?

Jessica: When Roti and I began ruminating on this idea initially, we really kept coming back to reflection.  We personally wanted to turn inward and reflect on life and career and set ourselves up for a more intentional year.  So when we decided to make this a small event we immediately felt that reflection in the form of question prompts and group journaling felt like a fitting idea.

As mentioned, many of the women attending had never met one another before so the thought of quietly journaling together about vulnerable topics could potentially be uncomfortable. But it was exactly the opposite. Roti and I each presented a question to the group and then the room fell silent for about 10-15 minutes while each person reflected and put thoughts to paper alongside each other. It was honestly really moving. At one point Roti and I silently squeezed each other's hands because it just felt so surreal.  I know I personally had never experienced such an intentional space like this.  Being surrounded by inspiring and creative Black women and watching as they lean into their truth.  I think the setting made everyone feel safe and free to explore these reflections because all the women around them, with shared experiences were doing the same. It was really beautiful.

What does genuine connection feel like and mean to you?

Roti: For me, genuine connection looks like validation. I feel most connected to people when they’ve made me feel seen and heard. I don’t always need advice or answers, most of the time I’m just looking for understanding. 

Jessica: I’m incredibly drawn to personal stories. What are the things that brought you to where you are now? What moves you? What motivates you and keeps you pushing forward? These are the conversations that tie us together in this human experience. And this is also what we’re often lacking in such a digital world.

“Genuine connection can be so many things but this evening was a reminder to me, that physically being in a space with others and sharing your authentic self, there’s no greater connection than that."