Bonney - The Fear (less) Issue

Editors Letter

Photo by Jacqueline Harriet

Too often we see the stories of creative people and their careers boiled down to a highlight reel. We are shown their greatest achievements, but we arent reminded of all the moments they stumbled (and continue to)or how they got back up again. No matter what stage of life and work youre in, fear and failure are part of everyones journey. And sometimes we actually learn more from what hasnt worked out rather than what has.

So for our second issue, I wanted to jump headfirst into these topics that can make us feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Because as intimidating as fear and failure can be, they are the issues we need to be discussing more openly and with more compassionboth for ourselves and for our communities as a whole.

In our last issue, we explored all the different facets and parts of our creative communities and learned an important lesson: We are stronger together.

So with this issue, lets work hand in hand to talk openly about the things that scare us. Lets form new bonds and connections as we help our communities air out the issues were most afraid of and find the most intimidating. Because when we work together, solutions and support systems become clearer and problems become less overwhelming. There is always someone in our community who understands our experience, knows how we feel, and has an idea that can help us push through to the other side.

This issue is filled with stories of creatives who have faced challenges, asked for help, and learned new ways of looking at fear and failure that take the sting out of lifes most challenging moments. I hope youll find their stories, experiences, and advice as uplifting and reaffirming as I did. After finishing this issue, I felt a little less alone, a lot more connected, and infinitely more inspired to try harder and dream bigger. I hope youll feel the same.

xo,

Photo by Myles Loftin

Activist and founder of Equality for HER, Blair Imani talks about facing her fears head-on and finding a balance between life online and off.

Story

Contents

Five creatives talk about embracing and overcoming their greatest fears.

Rhea Butcher and Jacob Tobia discuss the intersection of gender identity and work.

Meet the women using song to turn fear into joy.

Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu is breaking barriers and redefining success on her own terms.

Author, speaker, and professional troublemaker Luvvie Ajayi gets real about life, work, and embracing your voice.

How one designer is connecting her communitys artistic past and the present.

Nine up-and-coming indigenous designers share their work.

Seven creatives share their tools and tips for getting through tough times.

Why the future is about accessibility and the importance of fostering community.

We talk to the Radical Monarchs, the next generation of young women working to change the world around them.

Author and activist Blair Imani on how shes found strength to persevere through harrowing situations.

A conversation between Paula Scher and Debbie Millman, two graphic design legends.

Connecting the threads between indigenous tradition and contemporary fashion.

Eight creatives gather to share what theyve learned from fear and failure.

Taking risks and telling truths, one film at a time.

A new look at venture capital that invests in women and non-binary entrepreneurs.

Author and beauty entrepreneur TANAS faces the dreaded sophomore slump head-on.

Activist and educator Shakirah Simley connects her love of food and community.

Chef Norma Listman turns a setback at her restaurant into a powerful lesson.

How the team at Lagustas Luscious is working to redefine the way a business can look and operate.

Step inside six coworking spaces devoted to supporting women and non-binary entrepreneurs.

Contributors

Special thanks to: Lia Ronnen, Aliena Cameron, Kelli Kehler, Caitlin Kelch, Julia Turshen, Rochelle Udell, and Doug Turshen for their support on this issue.

Lindsey Day

is the cofounder and editor in chief of CRWN magazine, a premium, independent print pub-lication about natural hair and the women who wear it. Through beautiful content, thoughtful commentary, hair inspiration, and resources, CRWN exists to edify and empower Black women across the globe.

Website: crwnmag.com

Social: @crwnmag, @lindseydayy

Lora DiFranco

is the founder of Free Period Press and coauthor of Self Care Index: A Pocket Guide for Remembering the Things You Like to Do. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with her wife and houseplants.

Website: freeperiodpress.com

Social: @freeperiodpress

Erin Ellis

is an award-winning letterer and illustrator who likes drawing flowers with her eyes closed. Her client list includes Facebook, Aldo, The Body Shop, NASA, Emma Roberts, and Ceres Organics. A recovering tumbleweed, Erin lives on a farm in New Jersey and treasures her creative community.

Website: erinellis.com

Social: @leavesandletterforms

Nora Gomez-Strauss

is an arts administrator currently serving as the Public Art Funds director of digital strategies. She lives in her native borough of Queens, New York, with her husband and two children, where they can be found going for long walks and listening to records.

Website: nogophoto.com

Social: @nogophoto

Ebony Haight

is an artist, writer, and clothing maker who lives and works in San Francisco. Shes passionate about good stories well told, and beautiful things well made.

Website: heira.studio

Social: @ebonyh

Deun Ivory

is a creative visionary, brilliant photographer, multidisciplinary artist, engaging speaker, and the art director for the culture-shifting wellness brandBlack Girl In Om. Her signature aesthetic and thought-leadership has led to content creation for Nike and brand partnerships with VSCO, HBO, Netflix, and Make Up For Ever.

Website: deunivory.me

Social: @deunivory