Do you want to know my favourite part about starting Glowreel? It's learning about and connecting with incredible women who share their stories and support other women. I've spent the past few weeks connecting with some awesome women from around the world and can't wait to share their stories with you!
This week is all about women supporting women, and women sharing their truth. From women led investments c/o the Fearless Fund and the Startup Girl Foundation, to women like Carmen Yau and Lena Patel - who advocate for the women in their community. Not to mention the incredible voices of Shina Novalinga and Celia Cruz - seriously, such mesmerising voices.
So, let's get glowing!
-Shilpa
P.S Welcome to those of you who are new to the Glowreel community. I'm thrilled to have you here, and I look forward to getting to know you and your story.
The Future Of Investment Is Women Of Colour Led And We Are Here For It!
Fearless Fund Is Helping Women Of Colour Founded Businesses To Grow, And Mastercard Just Joined The Party
Mastercard has announced a multimillion dollar investment in Fearless Fund, which will help support women of colour-led businesses.
Fearless Fund is a Black women founded venture capital firm. The firm invests in women of colour led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level or series A financing. The mission? To bridge the gap in venture capital funding for women of colour founders building scalable, growth aggressive companies.
The Mastercard investment is a huge deal for the Fearless Fund.
“This deal also marks a major milestone for our brand ... when women of colour are provided with the necessary resources and funding to launch their businesses, the sky’s the limit," says CEO Arian Simone.
When Two Worlds Collide: Fine Jewellery And Female Empowerment
Shilpa Yarlagadda is making waves in the jewellery industry, and she's only 23 years old! Her fine jewellery company, Shiffon Co, is all about empowering women.
"Fine jewellery was never an industry that was about women. It has always been about men buying jewellery for women in an industry that was basically run by men. So if we can reclaim this multi-trillion dollar industry, then it’s that much more powerful and empowering."
In true Gen Z style, Shiffon Co is committed to using recycled metals, minimal and repurposable packaging, and ethically sourced stones. But wait, there's more!
Shiffon Co funds its own non-profit organisation, the Startup Girl Foundation, through profits made from its fine jewellery sales. 50 per cent of profits from Shiffon Co's famous Duet Pinky Ring go directly to the foundation.
The Startup Girl Foundation invests in entrepreneurs with companies that empower women and directly funds talented, budding entrepreneurs across the globe through seed grants. A full circle female empowerment moment!
You Need To Listen To…
Bre Mitchell's Brown Girl Self-Care podcast.
The 'self-care pusher' shares life experiences, weighs in on current events, amps up her wellness/health habits and finds clean(ish) products to try all for the sake of taking her physical, spiritual and emotional well-being to the next level.
The end goal? To inspire other women of colour to do so as well. It's time to become obsessed with our self-care, so let's get to it!
Bites
- Make some noise for Whoopi Goldberg, Zendaya, Michaela Coel, Andra Day and Cynthia Erivo! The women were honoured at Essence Magazine's Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Goldberg thanked the publication for making it "a little bit easier" to be a Black woman in Hollywood. "I’ve been a Black woman my whole life. To be a Black woman in the world is not always the easiest thing. Essence has always made it clear that we don’t have to be anybody else’s idea of a Black woman"
- These 14 Asian women are shaping a more inclusive global society. From Carmen Yau, a sexual rights campaigner for disabled women to Trisha Shetty, Founder of SheSays and gender equality activist, to Naomi Osaka, tennis pro and racial equality champion, this list of trailblazing women will have you feeling inspired. Go on, have a read and get ready to make the world a better place!
- Meanwhile, Vogue India spoke to four content creators who are using their influence for good. We're talking about some fierce women here! Like Lana Patel, a trans woman of colour who uses her platform to create safe spaces for trans women, and Sophia Chowdhury who uses her platform to talk about vitiligo, style and owning her heritage.
- ICYMI, Ginny & Georgia season 2 is coming! 2021's version of Gilmore Girls is expected to return to our screens in early 2022 and will no doubt continue topical conversations about race, sexuality, identity and ability. You can read all about what's expected for season 2 of Ginny & Georgia here (Disclaimer: season 1 spoilers ahead!). If you haven't already, check out season 1 here.
- LinkedIn is adding caretaker titles to its list of job titles. This is a big win for parents and carers who take time off work for caring responsibilities. Especially for women who tend take on primary caregiving roles more often, and have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. LinkedIn will also be adding a field for people to add in their pronouns.
Have You Heard Shina Novalinga's Beautiful Throat Singing?
The proud Inuk woman is leveraging social media to teach the world about Inuit history and the rich and beautiful Inuit culture
Based in Montreal, Novalinga provides education and a space for conversation on her social media platforms.
Her incredible throat singing videos have gone viral! Novalinga often performs alongside her mother, Caroline, who taught Nova the art of throat singing. In throat singing, two people, traditionally women, sing in rhythmic patterns, usually standing and facing one another. It was an art form that nearly died out after being banned by missionaries, but thanks to artists like Novalinga, it's being kept alive and growing in popularity.
Novalinga also showcases fashion made by Inuit artists and designers. Including custom parkas, handmade by her mum.
"It's important for me to educate others on my platform because not a lot of people know about our history, or know about the Inuit culture. It has always been brushed off. My goal is to change that and not be afraid to speak about it."
All Hail The Queen Of Salsa Music
Celia Cruz brought Afro-Cuban music to the world stage. With a musical career that spanned decades, she was a symbol of pride and freedom
Cruz was one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century.
Born and raised in Cuba, she rose to fame there during the 1950s as the lead singer of the group La Sonora Matancera.She was the group's first Black front person since it was founded around 25 years earlier.
Cruz wasn't afraid to use her voice - obviously, she was a singer! But she also used her voice to speak up for people in Cuba
Following the Cuban Revolution, the music industry in Cuba became nationalised in 1960.
Cruz moved to Mexico, then to the US where she eventually settled in New Jersey. She became one of the symbols and spokespersons of the Cuban community in exile.
She started her solo musical career in the US, with a focus on salsa music. She helped popularize the genre in the US and became central figure in New York’s vibrant salsa scene!
She became the reigning Queen of Salsa, known equally for her incredible voice and her flamboyant costumes
Cruz's costumes included varicoloured wigs, tight sequinned dresses, and outlandishly high heels. Fun fact, one of her costumes was acquired by the Smithsonian, where the portrait above of Cruz lives in the Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection.
Cruz's musical legacy lives on today with 37 studio albums plus additional live albums and collaborations. Throughout her career, she received many awards including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards.
One Lioness To Another
“You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself.”
-Diana Ross
