From the Book Table to the Big Girl Content — Y'all, We Outside!
An ode to the women who make room for you, the words that find you, and the courage to finally show up.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) — “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”
Hey girl hey! 💜 Yesterday was my first Grace-N-Melanin event as a featured author, and listen… I was excited, nervous, and trying to remember that I actually wrote the book I was standing there talking about! 😂
A huge thank-you to The Amara Kollective for inviting me to speak and making room for Grace-N-Melanin. One of my favorite moments was Karmara sharing how she received the devotional and how it met her right where she was. That's the heart behind this book: reminding women that God's Word can meet us in the middle of real life.
Sometimes you write something from your own journey, and God allows it to become encouragement for somebody else's. That's grace, sis.
Thank you, The Amara Kollective, for the invitation, the opportunity, and the connection. Y'all, please go show them some love!
Now, Knee-ahhh and Myalamis… We Need to Talk! 😂
Knee-ahhh and Myalamis, the TikTok creators who encouraged me to stop being shy and start creating content: I heard y'all! Sometimes we have the gift, the message, and the ideas, but fear keeps us sitting on them. Your encouragement was a reminder that I don't have to be perfect to begin. So don't be surprised if y'all start seeing me pop up on your screens a little more!
The Holy Ghost Side-Eye? How are we going to encourage others to use their gifts while hiding our own? Sis, we can be nervous and still show up! Yesterday reminded me that sometimes the blessing isn't just the opportunity, it's the people you meet and the courage you carry home.
Sis, Let’s Reflect:
Who has encouraged you to step outside your comfort zone? Thank them, take that next step, and become somebody else's cheerleader, too.
To My Grace-N-Melanin Crew: Let's Show Some Love!
Please go connect with these wonderful people:
The Amara Kollective — Thank them for creating space for women, for the invitation, and for being part of this special Grace-N-Melanin moment.
Knee-ahhh — Go show some love to the TikTok creator who encouraged me to stop being shy and start creating.
Myalamis — Go show some love to the TikTok creator who reminded me to stop holding back and put myself out there.
Go find them, follow them, engage with their content, and let them know you appreciate what they're doing. Let's be a community that celebrates people out loud!
And to every woman who has ever supported Grace-N-Melanin, purchased a book, shared a post, spoken a kind word, or prayed for this journey: THANK YOU. This is bigger than a book sitting on a shelf. It's about women being reminded that faith can meet us in real life, that our stories have value, and that we don't have to hide while we're growing.
Yesterday, I walked into a room as a nervous author and walked away reminded of the power of connection, encouragement, and showing up.
So, Knee-ahhh and Myalamis, consider this my public acknowledgment. The Amara Kollective, thank you for the invitation. And Grace-N-Melanin crew? Y'all better go show my new people some love!
Because apparently, we are writing books, attending events, meeting dope people, and making content now. Girl, we outside! 😂💜
With grace, melanin, gratitude, and just a little Holy Ghost side-eye,
Crystal
Grace-N-Melanin: Stories, Scriptures, & Sass for the Journey
