Reflection, Gratitude, and Harvest: BOS Newsletter, September 2024

Good morning, Family!

I have missed you so much during our hiatus! Aerial and I had a jam-packed summer with our separate endeavors, and now I am excited to return to this work as we reflect on some recent blessings and future projects.

In our short five years as a collective, BOS has published seven works and curated one extremely successful art exhibition. With the experience and wisdom gained along the way, I have changed my approach to BOS Magazine, Vol. 7. We announced the call for submissions some time ago, but the funds and support were not there to make the magazine the best one yet.

Since then, NC BLOC and VAE Raleigh have generously granted us $10,000 to lay the infrastructure for our BOS Magazine Vol. 7: North Carolina's Black Foodways. With these funds, Aerial and I could pay ourselves for the first time since the magazine began, upgrade hardware, and start the search for Vol. 7's managing editor! Thank you so much, NC BLOC and VAE Raleigh, for your vital support! BOS aims to raise another $15,000 by February 2025, a campaign I will share more about in the coming weeks.

I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support of our work. Whether you have purchased our publications, checked out Give Black Raleigh Her Flowers at the library, or have spoken BOS's name in your network, I greatly appreciate you! BOS is back and ready to continue our mission of giving Black Raleigh her flowers now!

Have a beautiful season!

Courtney Napier

Founder, Black Oak Society

EIC, BOS Magazine