As creatives, we are constantly being inspired and bursting with ideas. A lightbulb turns on in our minds and we just can't stop thinking about all the possibilities. Sometimes, we come up with amazing ideas and sometimes they're not so great. It’s a steady cycle of stimulation going on in our creative minds.

Who motivates you as a creative? It’s a question we try to raise to our readers often. As a creative individual, it's important to have a source of inspiration that motivates you to do your best work. When you have someone who inspires you, you are more likely to push yourself to exceed expectations and reach your full potential.

I don’t know about y’all, but I like reading the words of people who share similar experiences as me. I like reading books where the characters look like me and I can see myself in the descriptions. I like reading stories with characters who are aware of their identities. It makes me feel valued and seen in a world that sometimes doesn't recognize our existence. That’s why I made it a goal of mine to read more Black authors all 2023. With the year coming to an end I wanted to share some of the special reads I discovered along the way and encourage you to add them to your own reading list.

Telfar recently announced a special giving sale where you buy a handbag and gift one for free. And before you think about scamming the system, customers had to submit a short video describing who they wanted to give a Telfar to and why. But in case you missed Telfar's "Gifted" sale, don't worry, we've got you covered! The holidays are here and the deals are popping off. There are plenty of other Black-owned handbag companies that you can support this holiday season.