THIS This painting in progress by @jordanmcasteel of my loves @damanibaker and our newest addition, Shola! A baby born in pandemic who hasn’t gotten to meet all our friends and family... and now, what a beautiful way to share this new baby glowing. This is the most precious gift Jordan, to see the people one loves being seen and loved and celebrated. Thank you, for this, and for all of your work ... I am speechless. And @damanibaker, even in this little frame, I’d know your hand. Know that gentle support that lets all our babies find calm & confidence. Shola, Yoruba for blessed, the sound of the ocean, the shola forests in South India, biodiversity hotspots, oasis amid grassland. We love you baby. And a little background...this beautiful moment was born out of Damani and Jordan both reaching out to connect with black artists upstate where we have been living and slowly building community in pandemic. “Moving at the speed of trust” like @adriennemareebrown says, and it’s visible in the work!