It’s been a long 6 months of pretty consistent travel, - Uganda, NJ/NY, Florida, NJ/NY, Florida Part II, NJ/NY, California (Broken ankle), NY/NJ (for too long while on the mend), DC, Uganda, Austin.
I’m FINALLY back in my own bed in Harlem. AHHHH! Feels great.
Someone asked me how old I was the other day and I thought to myself, well no I said out loud, “Damn, I’m still 32?” Feels like this year has kept going and going and going.
Thinking back to my mental state back in Sept. I’ve got a lot to process. But when you are an entrepreneur there is no time to process. I need to figure out what my next couple of months will look like NOW!
I will take the moment to pat myself on the back for finishing up some long term projects and planting the seeds for hopeful future opportunities.
1. I wrote a text book - Apparel Costing - Coming to you end of 2019
2. I got an apartment in Jinja, Uganda - Each time I visit Uganda I have to start from scratch figuring out where I will stay and how I will consume coffee each morning.
3. I applied to get my PhD and didn’t NOT get in. I applied to the London School of Economics and received a letter stating they were suspending the program for 1 year for retooling. I think my ideas were too mind expanding and I blew it up. Back to the drawing board.
4. I learned I could live in a suit case long term. I’ve always been a great packer (Shout out to Louis Vuitton #KnowYourHistory) but I didn’t know if I’d feel comfortable being a nomad. Can I feel at home with myself even when I have no home? Yes… Yes I can.
5. I led a very successful trip to Uganda. The group consisted of 8 travelers. I was unsure if I’d like touring that size group around but LOVED setting the tone of the trip and seeing Uganda through their eyes. It truly made me realize how lovely, helpful, and friendly Ugandans are. In Uganda there is never a, “NO”… but a, “We will make it work.”
There are plenty more updates on my side but for now that will have to do. Looking forward here is what I’m working on now.
1. Global Fest - As well as teaching and organizing trips, I run the NYC Fair Trade Coalition. We are working on our first fundraiser. So far I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my ability to ask for help, money, and donations. I’ve always doubted my ability to gather such help. #NYCFairTrade
2. Trips, trips and more trips! The plan for A. Bernadette has always been to bring people to Uganda but this year we’re expanding to offer trips to a variety of different locations. Each trip will consist of fashion/artisan exploration, nature, and coincide with a conference, festival, or workshop. July - Uganda, August - Alaska, September - Peru. #travel
3. WORKSHOPS! I love to create dynamic group environments where learning is at the core covered with entrepreneurial, business development, and smothered positive vibes. #learn
4. This May & June I’m bringing our Business Workshop back home(we’ve been on tour to Chicago, and LA). We’re looking forward to reconnecting with NYC friends and very open to going back on the road to Detroit and other cities soon! #fairtrade
5. Sustainable Fashion Community Center - If I keep saying it enough, it will happen. The goal: open center June 2019 in a co-working space near you. Half swap shop/NYC FTC Collective, this space will give us a home to do MORE programming, MORE planning, and MORE coalescing. #SustainableFashion
Want to get involved? Hit me up and let’s spend the day together getting ish done!
xoxo,
Prof. Reyes