A Love Letter to Black Women

Dedicated to all the women who paved the way…

I was fortunate to grow up in an era where women before me had already blazed a trail that provided me with a myriad of options and opportunities.  Fourteen years ago, a Black woman I greatly admire first shared the analogy that stewardess’ give passengers before taking flight: “remember to put your oxygen mask on first, before assisting others”. While this concept was foreign to me at the time, this message stuck with me as I quickly learned first-hand how detrimental putting myself last could be and how intentional one must be in taking care of yourself to create the life you desire.

Kell’s Well was birthed out of a dream and frustration. My frustration is that Black women continue to strive and prove themselves to a society that chooses to overlook their goodness.  My frustration is that patriarchy, racism, sexism, misogyny, ablism, capitalism, and every other ‘ism, has created the need for increased self-care, yet these very systems create barriers that prevent us from responding in the way that we need. My frustration is that women are burnt out, but continue to pour into others and push themselves through the pain and exhaustion, all while blaming themselves for not being able to do more. And at the end of the day, when women finally choose themselves, they feel guilt, as if basic self-care is a luxury that needed to be earned.

My dream is that women recognize their value, worth, and identity, separate from what they can produce for others. I dream that Black women break generational curses and take care of their own bodies as well as they take care of everyone else. My dream is that by having practical tools and space to work through the difficult work of unlearning, self-care will be so deeply engrained into your lifestyle that you won’t even notice when you’re doing it.

Kell’s Well is intended to be a space for women to receive the messages that they should be hearing from their partner, children, collegues, and friends. Kell’s Well is a space where boundaries are honored and respected. Kell’s Well is also a space where women can just be, without code switching, without performing, and without aiming for perfection. This is a space for the “angry” women, the “strong” women, the “bitchy” or “spicy” women, the perfectionists, the people pleasers,  the eldest sisters, the matriarchs of the family, the super women, and the glue that holds everything and everyone together.

Welcome. I am glad you are here.