🥧Get Free: Eat Pie, Make Memories

Get Free Fam!

Greetings from a four-day weekend and some much needed downtime with friends and family. The hubs threw DOWN yesterday. I will be dreaming about that lamb for a hot minute - we are a turkey free zone! If you’re Stateside, I hope you’re enjoying a break. If you’re not here, I hope you have some time for yourself coming up soon!

While it’s a holiday I didn’t want to leave you hanging this week. Even if it’s not a four day weekend where you are, the weekend IS here, and it’s a great time to connect and gather stories. How often do you spend time documenting your own life? Have you taken a moment to gather the stories of your elders? The holidays are a great time to do so, and this season reminded me of a Get Free Conversation from September with Martina Abrahams Ilunga about Black Storytelling Week. Even though we’re knocking on the door of December, the tools outlined in Black Storytelling Week can be used all year around, especially at times when families - chosen and blood - come together.

Need some help thinking about how to open up discussions for family research? You can find more details in the Conversation Guide and keep up to date with Black Storytelling Week news and events at blackstorytellingweek.com (the work continues all year, including regular convenings for those doing genealogy work.) I recently used some of the tools in the Conversation Guide as I chatted with my own parents. chef’s kiss

Check out the full conversation I had with BSW founder, Martina Abrahams Ilunga or read a short excerpt below: :

The conversation guide emphasizes making time to celebrate. Why is this important?

I have never met somebody that I've shared the black storytelling ethos with that has not thought it is a great idea and something they need to do. The big challenge is finding the time to do it.

This work takes effort. Building trust with elders, digging into archives, piecing together stories that were erased by slavery—it all requires time and patience. Getting kids interested in their grandparents, getting kids interested in their history, teaching them who they are - all it takes is just a little bit of dedicated time. And so that is why so much of this is about creating a tradition.

If we're encouraging people to carve out time one week in a year, that can hopefully build to something where maybe they are doing it a couple of times a year, maybe it becomes a part of a holiday celebration or tradition, and maybe it can grow from there.

This is a great framework when it comes to connecting with family and elders. Support this work, click on the link, take a read, and if you know people who might benefit, share it—because we don’t gatekeep around here.

• More information at blackstorytellingweek.com

• Follow Black Storytelling Week on Instagram

• Find out more about Martina’s creative storytelling studio, You Had Me At Black

I’ll be back with a regular newsletter next week as we get into the closing of 2025. I’m excited for some things coming up—resources and tools for the Get Free Fam. If you know folks who are looking to Get Free in 2026 and want to join for the ride, share this with three people you know who might get something out of it.

Have a great weekend. Go outside, drink your water, call somebody and take good care. 

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🚀Get Your Life: Things to read, listen to, enjoy🚀

🍿What I’m watching: I took the little guy to see Wicked: For Good this week. Why did I spend the last hour on the edge of tears? And then the ending? 😭Well worth the two hours and change. Go see it (also, Cynthia Erivo is incredible!)

🎧What’s on the pod: Been listening to music this week, so no new show recommendations, but…

🎵 Soundtrack for the week: Nights Like This by Donae’O featuring Omar, Lemar and the House Gospel Choir has been on HEAVY rotation this week. It feels and sounds like summer. Enjoy!

THANKS FOR READING!

If you got something out of this issue of The Get Free Guide, give us a follow or a shout out on Instagram and share the love with a friend. We don’t gatekeep around here!

See you next Friday!