Progress Reports: July & August 2025
How Strange it Is to Be Anyone at All — POV: The World is On Fire, Run it Back, On Repeat, The Community Corner, and a Little Housekeeping
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Note: This post discusses sensitive topics.
POV: The World is on Fire
Well, what is there to say these days that doesn’t reek of pessimism?
It’s 8 months into that guy’s second term, and it’s dire. I can’t even focus, I’ve been doomscrolling and overstimulating myself, so I can’t hyperfixate on all the legit evil that exists in this world. But it’s all real and happening.
The federal takeover of Washington, DC is ongoing. It’s been three weeks.
Sudan’s government stay gaslighting after bombing aid convoys meant for the thousands starving in Darfur.
The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face “critical humanitarian conditions” with growing displacement, sex-based violence, and forced recruitment of children!!! It is being called one of the world’s most severe emergencies.
Just last week, there was a double strike on a hospital in Gaza that killed multiple journalists, medical staff, and first responders who were literally there to assist after the initial strike!!! Don’t worry, America is still funding and supporting the terrorist organization of Israel.
Oops, sorry, we aren’t supposed to talk about those horrors because it could affect our brand deals, give us “““empathy fatigue”””, or make us feel sad. Everyone’s trying to avoid talking about it, and highkey, I was, too. But let’s be real. The state of the world is upsetting me and my homegirls. It’s maddening to pretend it isn’t.
So, I’m not gonna pretend I’m not human. There’s ruptures in my inner world, too.
Like, did you know government workers are stealing EBT funds from those who qualify for benefits? Ask me how I know…
Picture this: You wake up with an empty fridge. You’ve been waiting all week to receive the meager monthly food benefits from the government so you can buy food. You open your phone to check your EBT balance. Once you’re logged in, you see that someone on Flatbush Ave in fucking Brooklyn used every single penny just hours after the money was deposited.
You never even took your card to fucking Brooklyn.
When you check the fine print, the website says there is currently no way to be reimbursed for stolen benefits. In complete shock, you start laughing so hard that you start crying, holding your empty belly and writing in the painful pleasure.
And you know what’s funny? Nothing. Deadass.
The world is on fire, and some days I feel so angry and helpless under the weight of it all. And no, I don’t want no book recommendation about it.
Duh, I still revel in joy and gratefulness for all I have. I believe in the strength of our communities, the power of a love ethic, calling our senators, disruptions, boycotts, and all that. It’s just…in the back of my head, I know that the people of Congo, Sudan, and Gaza tried all of that peacemaking, too. They shared books, helped their neighbors, and called out bullshit. The bombs still came.
This is all to say: I am feeling very, incredibly tired, and very incredibly human.
I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else is, too.
Run it Back: July & August
July
Temple and I were vending every weekend. There was even one day when we tabled at two whole events omg! Even though we would like (read as: NEED) more sales, it’s so humbling when anyone approaches our table and buys our work. So thankful to our supporters! You can now purchase prints on my website and Temple’s!
Needed a break after all the work. Took another trip to Los Angeles. I still can’t completely distinguish the vibe of the city, but I do have a particular radiating glow and energy about me when I’m over there or whatevaaaa. So many people commented on it, which confirms that Philly is a city full of fucking haters.
This time, I got to know the city better and stepped out of my comfort zone by socializing more, slowly building a network on the West Coast.
I attended a yoga group, ate at new restaurants, tried the infamous Hailey Bieber smoothie at Erewhon ($17 yummy smoothie at a bougie grocery store), went on a another date with a beautiful woman who lives too far away, ate 10 snack tacos before passing out next to my best friend at the movies, and actually enjoyed a vacation where I genuinely did not do any work. That is such a HUGE accomplishment for me.
I even got to go to the beach in Malibu, which was so calming and needed. I always feel happier and calmer when I’m near a body of water.
August
Idk man, the passing of time is hard to process, but I’m glad I took that vacation because once I came back to Philly, I haven’t stopped working and worrying about anything and everything.
I had a lot of deadlines at work for the exhibition, and I got to help craft some sculptures for the show, which was fr very cool. Super honored always to be learning how to do the work I feel passionate about.
But let’s not get it twisted, a job is a job. Once I leave the office chile…my mind is somewhere else. They don’t pay for that ad space in my brain fr. Ngl, it’s pretty spooky/isolating/peculiar to go from a predominantly Black workplace to a predominantly white workspace in the same city. All I know is I’m not arguing about no racism in 2025. I clock in and clock out. Still documenting my business casual journey when I get time to take flicks of my outfits thoooo.
I was awarded a big grant, and obvi had to take my sister out to celebrate at El Rey’s cunty happy hour with tacos and margaritas. Honey, the tea was scalding! Nothing better than a night of psychoanalyzing strangers with your girl.
Went to Red Hook for the first time and hung out with my buddy, Willy! Red Hook is like a quaint little beach town, and I loved my visit there so much. My only regret is not taking videos of our super sweet and fun guitar jam session.
Literally the next day, Temple and I got our suit jackets on to see the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibition at the Met. It was so fun to have a bestie day on the town.
We were excited to see the exhibition, but unfortunately, the experience fell a little flat. In part, the exhibition is deeply exploitative of the enslaved experience, Black identity, and Andre Leon Talley’s legacy. Frankly, all the unnecessary racist imagery on display made me feel sick. As a Black Art Historian, I make no excuse for the museum as an institution. I personally believe that art thrives best in and amongst the community. And that museums are not the bastion of history everyone thinks they are.
But that’s a conversation for another day.
On Repeat: July & August’s Playlist
Ok, can somebody please tell me what Ayra Starr put in her latest single, Hot Body??? I’ve been obsessed since it first came out in late July. I think it’s the drums that really make me want to dance around my living room in my undies, and feel hot af doing it.
Honestly, every song on this playlist makes me feel a bit nostalgic in a way. Like I can remember so many moments in July and August where the song playing is ingrained in my memory. In its entirety, the playlist is eclectic—throwing together songs I listened to with friends, heard out in the wild, have been practicing on guitar, and have been listening to multiple times every day. Features include: Luther Vandross, Olivia Dean, Tems, Soulja Boy, June McDoom, and Tabu Ley Rochereau.
Honorable Mention: Dianna Lopez has gone platinum on my office computer. I love her gorgeous, calming videos. She’s inspired me to take my headphones off sometimes, and try to enjoy the noise of the streets, the trees, the hum of atoms vibrating, the voices of my loved ones, and everything in between.
The Community Corner
The Community Corner is a space to uplift community members, events, and resources.
We are still applying pressure for Court L., who has raised $5,818/$7,500:
Court L. is a disabled and queer Black public health worker, housing activist, and harm reductionist seeking our support. This is one of the most overwhelming and dangerous periods of her life. She urgently needs to be relocated due to two serious threats to her safety and well-being.
Since 2002, Court has worked countless hours supporting community members, even working through the 2020 lockdown before vaccines were readily available. Recently, she unfairly lost her employment, medical coverage, and food assistance benefits. Without benefits, it has been difficult to pay for her necessary medication, which can cost thousands without coverage. Unfortunately, Court’s support systems have turned their back on her in her time of need. When she is in a better headspace and physical housing location, she plans to pivot away from frontline services and return to school to be a therapist for the same populations she worked with, like those experiencing domestic violence and trauma. Funds raised will help be used for relocation costs, emergency housing, basic living expenses, and give her a chance to breathe and focus on recovery.
Please purchase an item from her wishlist, as it will support her relocation and healing from harassment. To learn more, please read Court’s full story on her GoFundMe and donate!
If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this with others. Every bit of support—financial, emotional, or social—makes a meaningful difference. Thank you so much for your compassion and care.
Candice W., a local performer and educator, is also looking for financial assistance to support their well-being after being laid off.
You can donate to Candice via Venmo and Cash App.
A Little Housekeeping
Thank you so much for reading Progress Reports!
Curating these monthly updates has been some of my most consistent work in a while. Even I can see how working this writing muscle more has made it easier to write and write well. It also feels fulfilling to read past posts and see the effort I put in to accomplishing my goals and aligning with what’s meant for me. I am so grateful to say that my life is blossoming quickly, and I’ve reevaluated what needs my energy right now.
This is why Progress Reports is pivoting into a quarterly column. This is positive because it means I’m opening more space up in my life to receive blessings that further expand my path.
I am so excited!
Thank you to everyone who subscribes to this newsletter and supports me by buying artwork. I wouldn’t be here without you!
Until next time!
xoxo,
Richelle
I love you making the most of things even though we're all struggling, very inspiring and good reminder of what really matters
Yes, I feel it too. It's terrible, horrible, no good, and very bad. No amount of thinking positively is going to change that.