I realized that I have not given enough air time to the work I’m settling into. Which is being the new Community Leader of Culturally Enough.
Culturally Enough was started by the founder of Brown Girl Therapy, Sahaj Kohli. This part is important - because it feels like it is a manifestation of a movement that has been years in the making.
I found Brown Girl Therapy over 4 years ago - and remember immediately telling all of my friends about it. “Have y’all seen this?? This woman telling the truth on the internet?? Putting words to feelings and phenomena I myself can’t describe?!” It felt deeply validating – like the comfort of a weighted blanket when you didn’t even realize you were feeling anxious.
I proceeded to stalk BGT, and Sahaj (sorry, girl) - gobbling up everything I could find. This woman was my safe place in the virtual void. I reached out to her, back in 2020, when I found out we had a mutual connection - with little direction, and big desire, in equal form.
Then - the pandemic hit. And we all know what happened next. But 3 years later, I found her newest venture: Culturally Enough. In this newsletter, Sahaj draws on a well of research, but boils it down into digestible words. She does the labor of translation for us. I for one had been benefiting from her free content for years. And it was a true joy to finally have a way to pay her.
The more I consumed Culturally Enough, the more I saw the sanctity of this place, where Sahaj shares her deep wealth of knowledge with the rest of us. She creates a space that Western Therapy often misses. She gives us a chance to hear from a rare breed - a psychotherapist of color.
AND - this shindig also includes bi-weekly conversations with other readers?!
Oh my god - a way to access a community of other fans, of other folks doing this work.
The love was real, y’all. The spark had been reignited.
(Photo taken at Kolkata Chai in New York City)
So back in March, I dug up that old email, slid into her inbox with a screenshot and a “remember me?”, and presented more clear ideas on how we could take this even further. Cue my fan-girl joy when a month later - she responded. After some honest conversations, and some trial runs on working together, I’m elated to report that I’m officially on her team (yay!).
And the best part? It ain’t over yet. In fact, we’re just getting started. We are actively in evolution and experimentation mode.
So - if you’ve struggled to find a space where your first, second, or third-gen identity belongs. If you’ve read excerpts of Sahaj’s writing on Instagram and found yourself spontaneously crying. If you love all things self-help but wish there was some cultural context, damn it. Look no further. We got you. Together.
You can join Culturally Enough for free, or for $9.99/month. The price of 2 grande cups of coffee - and its joy lasts a lot longer than the beverages do.
As of now - here’s what a paid membership entails, if you want it:
Weekly discussion threads to unpack and reflect on monthly themes
Bi-weekly conversations to connect and meet other community members
Monthly round-ups of resources, readings, BIPOC products & more
Access to a global network of people you may have been looking for
Listen - we have ideas. So many more ideas - on what we can do for this space. In Sahaj’s words - “There’s no blueprint for this level of being community-led.”
Personally, I think that’s exciting. Rebellious. A friggin’ delight.
If you do too - join us.
Come play.
With love,
-Av