🔥 It's not just you alone: In Community #50

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“You are not alone. You are seen. I am with you. You are not alone.” - Shonda Rhimes

Last week, I wrote about finding your voice, even when it can feel uncomfortable. Rhimes, the Hall of Fame-inducted producer and screenwriter behind some of television’s biggest cultural phenomena (Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton) is a clear example of how using your voice and backing your words with actions can help to move us all forward.

By using her positions of power in rooms where she was consistently the only one who looked like her – and by taking steps outside her “day job” like co-founding Time’s Up – she tangibly drove progress.

At a time when 80% of Americans report their employers haven’t made meaningful progress on creating equitable environments for employees of color, Rhimes continues to push the boundaries of what seemed impossible only a few years ago, by reimagining what could be. Her teams, along with the content they produced, was a more vivid representation of the world around us than what we’d seen before.

Her work has been a mirror for so many of us, reflecting ourselves back through the stories we’ve seen and inspiring doubters to see the power of our voices – emotionally and economically.

It’s also a reminder that we’re not alone.

What you’re hearing, what you’re seeing – it’s not just you. When we take the first steps to use our voices and platforms to show what others may not see (but needs to be seen and understood), we’re not just broadcasting a message.

We’re calling in those around us who’ve seen it too – who’ve had the same lived experiences and can support us in community as we take the second step and each step after that. This week’s Need to Know features trailblazers who’ve done just that.

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Need To Know

💥 Venus Williams is showing how to prioritize self-care. The tennis legend takes a preventive approach to burnout.

💥 Eva Longoria and Anthony Ramos receive Life & Legacy and Monarch awards. They’re coming together in community during Dia de Muertos.

💥 Deborah Yeh says Sephora wants to create “a safe and welcoming space for everyone.” Their mental health partnership with Selena Gomez’ Rare Impact Fund kicks off its second year.

👋🏽 Before you go, I’ve got a quick ask:

Who are the creators, authors, community leaders, entrepreneurs, or execs who deserve to be featured for how they’re moving us forward together?

Are you one of them? Reach out with your ideas by replying to this directly, so we can feature them in future editions.

In community,

Fahad