THAT'S WHY WE BUILT ONE.
When I started planning the launch of my book, I could feel something telling me, “This is bigger than you.”
I owe my career to so many incredible men and women whom I met through JMU, so I wanted to pay it forward by hiring one 2020 graduate from my alma mater to help with the book launch. I chose Megan Gallis, who I was connected with while working in Los Angeles at NBCUniversal while she interned there. She is a total jack-of-all-trades (she designed this!). She is my backbone.
During the interview process, I couldn’t believe the amazing young women I was meeting for the first time and their undeniably impressive skill sets. I brought on Natalie Burgos and Brooke Long because I could not stand the idea of not getting to work with them as well. Natalie has been invaluable in forming the language surrounding this book, and Brooke Long in helping me edit this very newsletter.
But it didn’t stop there. I had three friends reach out to me, offering their help and time. Madison McGhee offered to help me design the very newsletter you’re reading, Shakinah Starks called me up saying she’s my go-to-woman for outreach (The secret Pull Up stickers that no one knows about except my team and now you guys that will be coming out on Friday? All her idea), and Maddy Ley is taking charge with everything she can get her hands on (Those stickers I mentioned? You’ll be getting an email from her).
I know now that this team was divinely appointed and perfectly timed.
It’s been a really tough week, and each of these women have helped me in different ways. Please reply to this email giving them a HUGE thank you for me.
I would also be remiss to not thank my Mom, who has been there for me since day one and is present for me now, even from across the country. And Dad, who provides the comic relief.
Dan, my sweet Dan, thank you for being there. For being patient when we’re watching Schitt’s Creek and I pause five times to run over to my laptop because “I just thought of something.”
Thanks are in order to my friends who helped me sort through quotes for the book, but I’ll save that for another letter.
Thank you all, too.
What a f*cking amazing village.
