The Black Female Narrative: Preface Edition

Welcome to The Black Female Narrative, my dedication to us as Black British women. It's my space to love on you, give you some joy, some truths but all with your higher growth and power in mind. Every week we'll get to do something that really makes me happy: celebrating us because you know what? We deserve it. All day. Every day.

This is our preview edition as we'll be officially launching on Monday 12 February 2024 and we'll be with you every Monday thereafter.

So pull up a chair, relax and enjoy this preface edition. This space is for you so if there's anything you'd like to see covered here just respond to this email and more importantly, make sure you share and subscribe.

Until February 12th loved one,

How often do you take yourself out on a date? So many of us tend to be all things to the people in our lives: mother, sister, friend and then the myriad of roles that are often bestowed onto us - not always through choice - as chef, nurse, cash machine, IT support and the like.

Most recently I find that I am reaching a stage in life that I don't remember talking to my peers about when I was younger and crept up on me unexpectedly: the role of carer. Alongside being a business owner - I run a marketing, PR and Talent Management agency - I am mother to a teen and a toddler plus I am often called upon by aunt and mother who are in their 80s and 60s respectively. In the melee of it all it, it can be easy to forget yourself in the process, spending too much time spinning the plates that keep other's lives together and ticking over.

As I approach the first milestone birthday I've had in a decade - I turn 40 this May - I've decided to spend the year celebrating by doing one thing that brings me joy a month. January's thing is laying the foundations for The Black Female Narrative to relaunch. The coming months who knows but I have decided that the minimum requirements are it must happen, must genuinely makes my heart sing and if possible involve the people I deeply love. And, more often than not, sweet stuff should be involved.

So this week this is my call to action for you. For some of us, taking time to do something for ourselves ends up way down our priority list. And even worse, sometimes we continue to pile things in front of it never reaching our end goal. So my ask is that you do something nice for yourselves this week. It could take 30 minutes or a whole weekend. And if you're looking for some ideas here's 40 ideas to get you started:

1. Visit a local art gallery or museum.

2. Take a scenic hike in nature.

3. Attend a yoga or meditation class.

4. Treat yourself to a spa day.

5. Go on a photography walk and capture the beauty around you.

6. Try a new restaurant or café and enjoy a meal alone.

7. Have a picnic in the park with your favourite snacks.

8. Take a dance class, either in-person or online.

9. Explore a nearby town as a tourist for the day.

10. Attend a book reading or poetry event.

11. Visit a botanical garden or greenhouse.

12. Have a DIY pampering session at home with facials, manicures, and a bubble bath.

13. Take a cooking or baking class.

14. Attend a live theatre performance or concert.

15. Go on a bike ride and explore your city or countryside.

16. Visit a local farmers' market and pick out fresh produce.

17. Take a day trip to a nearby beach or lake for sunbathing and relaxation.

18. Try out a new workout class, like kickboxing or Pilates.

19. Go stargazing in a nearby park or countryside area.

20. Take a pottery or ceramics class.

21. Have a movie marathon with your favourite films or genres.

22. Go wine tasting at a local vineyard or wine bar.

23. Take a scenic drive and explore new roads and landscapes.

24. Attend a workshop or seminar on a topic that interests you.

25. Visit a nearby zoo or aquarium.

26. Have a solo dance party at home with your favourite music playlist.

27. Take a scenic train ride and enjoy the views.

28. Try out a new hobby, like knitting, painting, or gardening.

29. Volunteer at a local charity or organisation.

30. Have a DIY craft day at home, making cards, jewellery, or decorations.

31. Visit a historical site or landmark in your area.

32. Go on a ghost tour or explore haunted locations in your city.

33. Take a scenic boat tour or cruise.

34. Visit a nearby farm or orchard for fruit picking.

35. Attend a comedy show or improv performance.

36. Have a self-care day at home with journaling, meditation, and reflection.

37. Take a solo road trip to a nearby destination you've always wanted to visit.

38. Try out a new outdoor activity, like paddleboarding or rock climbing.

39. Visit a themed café or restaurant for a unique dining experience.

40. Take a day to disconnect from technology and spend time outdoors, soaking in the beauty of nature

OTHER SELF STORIES

“I've been running for 25 years but my midlife runs are my favourite yet”

As more women start thinking about generational wealth, they might think about what options might be available to them. Some may consider investing in property, traditional assets such as stocks and shares and even newer spaces such as Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency. But have you ever considered art?

Meet Founder and Gallerist, Sherece Rainford. Through Gallery OCA, the gallery she founded in 2020 she is making art especially that from the Caribbean accessible to all.

As a British-Jamaican, her love of her dual heritage and her connection to her roots led to the gallery opening in 2020.  Sherece wanted to create a platform that would both uplift the Caribbean art niche from a social and commercial standpoint and educate the wider industry and stakeholders.

Having worked with the likes of Christie's and Sotheby's, Sherece is perfectly placed to advise you on how to select your perfect investment. We asked her why few people invest in art.

“I think for a long time people saw investing in art as something we in the black communities couldn’t do," says Sherece. “People are used to seeing the auction house experience on TV and films or have heard of art pieces going for millions of pounds, so on the surface buying for investment can seem inaccessible, but that really doesn’t have to be the case.

“For example, you can invest in early-career artists who are just beginning to gain recognition in their genre and pick up pieces for as little as £100. Just like stocks and bonds, you get the best out of your investment when you buy to keep for a sustained period, which could be at least five years. The longer you hold on to a piece, the better the returns.”

So what's her advice on those wanting to have a go at investing?

"I would advise that new art investors consider what I tell all art investors... do your research; seek expert advice; visit galleries and art fairs; consider the long-term perspective; set a budget that aligns with your investment goals and a level of risk that you're comfortable with; recognise that the market changes; educate yourself about the art market continuously; and invest in what you love!

Discover more about Sherece and Gallery OCA at www.galleryoca.com

OTHER CAREER & MONEY STORIES

Ken and Mary Okoroafor, founders of The Humble Penny feature on This Morning and talk benefits

This edition's book spotlight is shinning on Vanessa Walters and her book, The Lagos Wife (Also known as The Niger Wife to our cousins stateside).

Vanessa Walters was born in Britain to Jamaican parents. Her debut adult crime novel is inspired by some of her own experiences as a Lagos Wife after moving to Lagos with her Nigerian husband in 2011. She draws from the experience of joining a community of expat wives from all over the world – also described as Nigerwives, an immigration term meaning the foreign wife of a Nigerian man – taking inspiration from how they navigated cultural differences, isolation from their own families and cultures, and learning to find their purpose in a new place.

Not only can you enjoy Vanessa's written work but it'll soon be coming to a screen near you as HBO the distributor that brought us shows like Issa Rae's Insecure will be bringing The Lagos Wife to the small screen!

You can get in on the action early by joining Vanessa at her book launch which takes place at the end of February. Head to Vanessa's website for more information as it becomes available.

Harper's Bazaar spoke to model, humanitarian and business owner Sabrina Elba about her journey to build her “melanin-inclusive skincare brand” S'ABLE LABS. You'd think that by virtue of being successful and married to Hollywood actor Idris Elba launching their family business would be a simple affair but apparently that's not the case.

I love how Sabrina describes how her husband was an integral part of encouraging the brand to grow when others just didn't see her vision. Such an invaluable quality foundation in any relationship: pouring life into each other’s dreams.

“Sabrina Elba: Not everyone is going to agree with you”

OTHER CONNECTING THE DOT STORIES

“It's A Family Affair” Businessman and Apprentice winner Tim Campbell and his wife Jasmine holiday swap

Daniel Kaluuya is on his latest press tour, this time for his directorial debut, The Kitchen, which stars Kane Robinson and newcomer Jedaiah Bannerman. The film is a thoughtful, emotive, commentary piece on social housing and also speaks to relationships in community, between men and a more subtle underlying thread acknowledging how women unify family.

In a recent interview with Jay Shetty on his On Purpose, Daniel discusses how he's built his career on an unwavering faith in finding away to what he wants despite what might seem like challenges initially. What I like about him is that his interviews have always been arresting because they are unfiltered, deeply resonating and all in that beautiful London dialect that probably makes people unfamiliar with it have to sit and listen just that little bit harder, making the message even more impactful.

Check out Daniel's interview with Jay Shetty on YouTube and the official trailer for The Kitchen.

Here are a couple of stories I've seen across the week I thought you might find interesting.

• Online event: Great Black Women in Caribbean History

• Why are Black British female musicians still having to prove 'marketable' beauty myths wrong?

• New Haircare service for Black women with cancer