Even God took a rest day, right? We’re all about finding moments to unwind, relax, and do something we love. Can we get an amen?!

Easier said than done with the daily demands of our jobs, motherhood, and everything else on our plates, but we’ve got to make time for ourselves.

And for us Black folks, self-care can be shaped by our cultural practices and traditions, so it might look a little different. Maybe you like heading to the salon for a fresh do and some good laughs with your sistas, rewatching classics like Martin and Living Single, or curling up with a book by your favorite Black author.

 

Whatever your self-care looks like, please make sure you’re making space for it. This Self-Care Awareness Month, we want to remind you that you can’t pour from an empty cup. You’ve got to be good mentally before you can take care of anyone else.

 

Your mental health should be your top priority, especially considering that a 2023 study found Black women aged 18–65 years have the highest risk for suicide among women regardless of socioeconomic status. This is an alarming statistic that we have been taking seriously. We could tell by the tone of conversations over the last two years that things were shifting. Feeling darker and heavier. But we also committed to doing something(s) about it.

 

That’s why our 1M4 sistahood is here to support each other. When one of us goes through it, we all do. We lift each other because we know that we’re stronger together. Whether you need a listening ear, a word of encouragement, or just someone to remind you that you’re not alone, we’ve got your back.

“Self-care is one of the active ways that I love myself. When you can and as you can, in ways that feel loving, make time and space for yourself.”
— Tracee Ellis Ross

Sista Spotlight

In our community, we team up when needed.

But don’t get it twisted; our Sistas are out there changing lives on their own.

Today, get to know one of our Sistas and see how she inspires us!

Monteria Robinson

Monteria was recently honored for her fearless pursuit of justice for her son Jamarion’s murder. We are in awe of Monteria’s resilience and fortitude.

Laurie Walker Hill

Last week we honored our 1M4 Board Member , Laurie Walker Hall, for being awarded Best Music Video in this year’s JXN Film Festival. We had to run this one back because we had a typo and we wanted to be sure her shine was done in excellence.

Please check out and share her award winning directorial debut of What Say You HERE

Case Update and Call to ACTION for Timothy McCree Johnson

This past week we stood with Timothy’s family in Fairfax County, VA. However, the court case hit a hiccup. One of the lead counsels had a heart attack the Saturday before court. Yep, you read that right. Heart attack. Thankfully, they are ok but court was delayed a week. So, you/we have another opportunity to stand with this family all week this week at 10am daily at the Fairfax County VA courthouse (Address: 4110 Chain Bridge Rd Fairfax VA)

Meet us there!

Your presence and support is welcomed and needed.

Read HERE about the importance of showing up.
And a little sidenote: if your body is giving you signs that it needs a break, listen to it. Don’t let a heart attack be your wakeup call.

Voter Check-In

 

Alright, the big day is almost here! Just a quick reminder to confirm your voter registration status before election day. It’s also a good idea to check your polling location and decide how you’ll cast your vote—whether in person, by mail, or through early voting.

Taking these steps is crucial because every vote truly counts. The Black vote matters, and so does your voice. Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make it heard. This is our chance to create a better future for our community, so let’s do this!

Please send us your early voting pics so we can highlight you!

Note: photos cannot feature any specific candidate. Just highlight your gorgeous face and the “I Voted” sticker

Article of the Week

 

Take that cape off, Sis.

Check out this article on Black Women and the Superwoman Schema.

A Mental Health Tip For You!

For all of you music lovers, ever thought about creating a “self-care playlist” for different moods or needs? You can curate playlists that uplift, calm, or energize you depending on what you’re feeling.

For instance, you might have one for relaxation with some neo-soul tunes, one to cut up to when you’re feeling upbeat (don’t hurt yourself!), and so on. It’s a personalized way to use music as a tool for self-care and emotional support.

But if you ain’t got time for all that, we get it.😂 Self-care shouldn’t feel like extra work. There are plenty of pre-made playlists on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube that you can use to fit your mood with minimal effort. Here, our Founder, Tansy, made one to help her move with a little “hip groove.”  Feel free to tap in and two-step the joy in. P.S. Try not to judge Tansy’s music taste lol.

    Spread Some Blessings!

    The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.

    Sis, sending you all the love and encouragement! We want to see you thriving and prioritizing your peace.

    But sometimes, we can start spiraling without even realizing it, and it can shift the way we view the world around us. If you’re feeling like you’re reaching that point or you’re already there, it’s important to seek out support.

    Our Suicide Prevention Resource List is a great place to start for the help you need to navigate tough times. Also, don’t hesitate to call 988 if you’re facing symptoms of depression or anxiety, and make sure you know about the Mobile Crisis Units in your area when you need the right response.

    These resources are here to support you through difficult moments and help you find the assistance you need. Feel free to share them with your loved ones and community members as well.

    Your Sistas In ALL Of This,
    The Ladies of 1M4

    You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?

    Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re stepping out with style and advocacy. All sales help support and fund the work of 1M4.

    Be sure to tag us when you rep the gear! @1M4

    Oct 11th is Black Girl Day Off

    Listen…we didn’t make up the holiday but we will honor it. Ok? Go ahead and schedule your PTO for Friday Oct 11th and take a day to just be, Sis.

    Google it yourself. It is real. Just as real as our need for it.

    World Mental Health Day is October 10th

    Help us raise awareness of The Right Response on the day and throughout the month.

    Because mental health emergencies deserve mental health responses.

    The Mental Health Literacy Collaborative (MHLC) has officially launched its MHL Aware Certification Training. 

    Mental Health Literacy (MHL) Aware is a 60-minute training (with an optional certification) that benefits professional, personal, and community needs for knowledge, language, and confidence around the topic of mental health. This training is the first step in guiding people to successfully integrate MHL into the fabric of their community. The Aware training focuses on educating individuals about 1) What MHL is, 2) Why it is beneficial, and 3) How they can bring this information to their community. In addition to these core focus areas, the training provides basic, real-world application strategies. The cost is $30 per person for live trainings and $25 for the asynchronous course. Group rates are also available by contacting info@themhlc.org.