July Event & Conversations With KJ

It's July, which just seems impossible. Like I blinked and so much of this year is over. As I get back into the swing of work I have to say I'm so thankful I was able to take some real time off. Thanks for sticking with me while I did.

First up this month, a conversation with KJ, who was nominated for a James Beard Award!!!, and a meetup in July in NW Arkansas. During the summer season when we can be outside, I'll be focusing on in-person meetups for this community so be on the lookout for those. I'll be hosting multiple events in DC in mid-August now that my trip there has been settled, so I'll drop the sign-ups for those next week. Then, once fall and winter hit and the weather is more uncertain, we'll transition back to virtual events so members can join in from anywhere.

Until next week!

Take care,

Anela

PS - If you entered to win the Allegiant Airlines gift cards, be sure to check your notifications as I've selected winners (in the post comments) and need your info to send you your prize! I'll be selecting someone to attend the Tucson trip with me this week as well!

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Conversations With Anela & KJ

Video Description: Anela and KJ talk on a video call about KJ's attendance of the James Beard Awards, the commercialization of Juneteenth, and upcoming plans for a meetup!

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Join Us

Community is what's gotten me through the last couple of years and I'm excited to be able to connect more in person with you as well. So I'm very excited to host my first informal MATM meetup in NW Arkansas this July! I've heard amazing things about the Dirty South Exhibit at Crystal Bridges and the museum is hosting a Dirty South Weekend July 15-17. I'm going to be there to experience the exhibit for the first time on Sunday the 17th and to catch some free performances. I'd love to meet you there! See details below:

• Arrive & meet in the coffee shop at Crystal Bridges at 11:30 am.

  • This gives us time to make introductions, use the bathroom, get coffee, and more, before entering the exhibit around noon. Entrance is free for the weekend!

• After the exhibit, I'll be staying to check out hip-hop performances on Walker Landing. These performances will be outside!

More About The Dirty South Exhibit

The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture, and the Sonic Impulse, organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, examines the aesthetic and musical traditions of southern Black culture in the past century, influences now common throughout the American South and contemporary American art and culture.

In an immersive experience that engages multiple senses, The Dirty South spotlights the southern landscape through its musical heritage, spiritual complexity, and regional swagger. The exhibition features works of sculpture, paintings, works on paper, assemblage, textiles, and music as well as ephemera from music culture, including instruments, music videos, costumes, lyrics, and personal effects. Ultimately, The Dirty South creates an engaging opportunity to experience a deeper understanding of the African American South and its undeniable imprint on the history of American art.

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Continued Education

• Freedom, Finances, And Fried Chicken

• Romance Novels Hot & Heavy In The Kitchen

• Aquaculture Moves To Cut Ocean Plastic Pollution

• In Defense Of Garlic In A Jar

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Housekeeping

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