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. …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 at the time had posted a…Email5 min readEmail5 min read
Published inHeated·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 saltiness with the right…Food4 min readFood4 min read
Published inZORA·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 inForge·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. …Productivity4 min readProductivity4 min read
Published inForge·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
