Nov 13, 2021Member-onlySo you want to be introduced to someone? Here’s the right way to do it.There will inevitably come a time when you want or need to be introduced to someone. It could be for an informational interview about a company or industry, a job referral, funding for your startup, or any number of things. These introductions are an important benefit of the ongoing work…Etiquette3 min readEtiquette3 min read
Jul 19, 2021Member-onlyEmail Templates for Dealing with Single Opt-In IntrosIn my recent essay, The Tyranny of the Single Opt-In Intro, I laid out my case for why single opt-in introductions are so harmful. TL;DR — they rob people of their agency and ability to decide for themselves how to use their time and energy. I’ve received many inquiries about…Email2 min readEmail2 min read
May 26, 2021Member-onlyThe Tyranny of the Single Opt-In IntroA sure sign that a situation has gotten out of hand is when you need to create a scripted response to it. I was driven to that point a few years ago when I received one single opt-in introduction email too many. My employer…Email5 min readEmail5 min read
Published in Heated·Aug 20, 2019Member-onlyIn Search of Peak MacIn the pantheon of soul food, mac and cheese is one of the most important dishes — It finally happened the day before Thanksgiving in 2017. I knew I’d done it the moment I slipped that first forkful into my mouth. The pasta was perfectly tender, neither too firm nor too soft. The cheeses combined into a heavenly blend of sharpness, richness, and…Food4 min readFood4 min read
Published in ZORA·Jul 17, 2019Member-onlyIs Southern Pride Only for White People?The current racial climate often makes it uncomfortable for me to reclaim my roots — I was able to keep my face a neutral mask when a young White woman recently described her upcoming plantation wedding to me. I was attending a gala dinner where an acquaintance and his fiancee excitedly relayed their plans to get married at a “beautiful, old-time” plantation in the South…Opinion6 min readOpinion6 min read
Published in Forge·Jun 19, 2019Member-onlyThe Pomodoro Technique Can Be an Act of ResistanceFor black women, it’s especially crucial to protect your focus — The “strong black woman” is a familiar trope in American culture, embodied by heroines ranging from Harriet Tubman to Florida Evans to Beyoncé. Black women are indeed strong — we have to be — but some of us are now rejecting the archetype, and the emotional labor it requires of…Productivity4 min readProductivity4 min read
Published in Forge·Apr 17, 2019Member-onlyYour Donations Will Be More Impactful If You Have a Giving StrategyCharitable gifts deserve the same thought and care as any other investment — What’s your process for deciding how to donate your money? It’s okay if you don’t know how to answer. For plenty of people, charitable giving is mostly ad hoc or reactionary — something done after a natural disaster or around the holidays—and that’s certainly better than not giving at all…Donations5 min readDonations5 min read
