ordinary thoughts: a note from the founders
Hola familía, happy Friday! 💐The first half of 2024 practically flew right by us with no warning. Well, you might consider the sit down between Shannon Sharpe and Katt Williams at the top of the year a proper warning but, nonetheless, here we are.
Within the last five months, narrative has grown in more ways than imagined. Conversing, interacting, and brainstorming with our growing community has been a wondrous pleasure that we shall never take for granted. We have so much in store for you all, which we’ll cover in today’s Founders Letter dedicated to our readers, listeners, and supporters who have made our experience growing this creative community - an extraordinary one.
Have fun this weekend and please, please be safe out there. We’ll see you back here very soon!
- Isaiah & Cybele
a new home
our new website is live! jam-packed with fresh content for our growing community and discounted opportunities for new clients. help us out by spreading the word!
new on the blog
new season, new site, new blessings!
A thank you note to our beloved community, and what’s next for narrative.
stories that have our attention
Ireland, Spain and Norway say they will recognize a Palestinian state
Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state next week, in a move that is likely to bolster the global Palestinian cause but further strain relations between Europe and Israel.
The three European nations say their landmark decision is the best way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, but it sparked swift condemnation from Israel, as its foreign minister ordered the immediate recall of its ambassadors from those countries.
Top UN court orders Israel to halt military operation in Rafah; Israel is unlikely to comply
The top United Nations court ordered Israel on Friday to immediately halt its military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. While Israel is unlikely to comply with any such order, it will ratchet up the pressure on the increasingly isolated country.
Criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza has been growing — even from its closest ally, the United States, which warned against an invasion of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter from fighting elsewhere. And this week alone, three European countries announced they would recognize a Palestinian state, and the chief prosecutor for another U.N. court requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, along with Hamas officials.
A mega-gift for an HBCU college fell through. Here's what happened — and what's next
Transformative financial donations don't come along often in higher education. So when a donor promised a $237.75 million gift to Florida A&M University, school officials were understandably excited.
The donor was Gregory Gerami, a 30-year-old businessman from Texas who said he wanted to make sure the historically Black school's windfall would help students who needed the money most. Funds were also designated for FAMU's athletics department.
in other news…
Politics
UN's top court orders Israel to halt military operations in Rafah
Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State makes moves to become investor magnet
Abortion can be difficult to talk about. These 14 strangers took it on anyway
Markets
Mortgage rates fall for the third straight week, dipping below 7%
Walmart and Target are slashing prices. What does that mean for inflation?
Fed officials aren’t easing Wall Street’s nerves
Tech
Your iPhone will soon be able to replicate your voice after 15 minutes of training
TikTok is testing a new option to create AI-generated avatars for profile pictures
AI tech designed for bakeries could help detect cancer
Sports
NCAA signs off on deal that would change landscape of college sports — paying student-athletes
Some NFL fans see disparities in its responses to Harrison Butker and Colin Kaepernick
Angel Reese buys stake in DC Power FC women's soccer team
pa' la cultura
cultural trivia
Question: On January 1, 1863, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. However, it took well over two more years for all slavery in the U.S. to be dissolved.
In what city did Union troops arrive to announce that all slaves were free by executive decree on June 19th, 1865?
Atlanta, Georgia
Memphis, Tennessee
Galveston Bay, Texas
Louisville, Kentucky
Scroll further down to see if you’ve got it.
song of the week
We’re paying close attention to the latest exceptional music output from artists who deserve more flowers. This week, you should listen to:
tight rope - Samaria. Samaria is a contemporary R&B artist with an aptitude for narratives that captivate whether she's portraying characters or navigating real life.
words of wisdom
Cultural Trivia Answer
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is… *Drum roll please*
3. Galveston Bay, Texas
Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.