Dear 2024

What an insightful year it has been. With every barrier there has been a breakthrough. With every limitation there has been a lesson. 

As a Black woman in PR there is an expectation that I have to ensure the visibility of my clients whilst remaining invisible. This is something that I have often pushed against but for some reason this year I had to really be intentional about my visibility. I recognised that my visibility was not about serving my ego or being “known” in order to be validated but the purpose of being seen in an industry that does not often like to see women like myself is to empower others. And whilst it can feel lonely at times I move away from that feeling by embracing community and connecting with amazing women within PR and beyond. 

I also learnt that life is precious, unpredictable and at times precarious.  This is why I started to buy myself a bouquet of flowers each week, to honour myself and to beautify my home in celebration of who I am and what I have accomplished. For so long I have been moving forward, committed and disciplined in the pursuit of my goals but with that commitment and discipline I did not always show myself the kindness and tenderness of someone I love. Because, Dear 2024, I do love who I am, I love who I have become, I love what this year has taught me. I love that I am willing to learn and adapt and change. This willingness has led me to change the direction of my business to empower other women, particularly Black women to be more courageous and not shy away from shining a spotlight on who they are and what they have accomplished. I have been so blessed to have worked with so many phenomenal clients this year – as they shine I shine in my purpose.  

I have embracing going outside more often, albeit mainly to eat but to nourish myself is one of my greatest pleasures. I have been on stages and spoken to people nationally and internationally and hope to continue to this and more in the years to come. I have also leaned into digital spaces without fear of judgement; very often the interrogation that I received from being actively engaged in social media spaces like X in particularly came with a sense that I was not being taken seriously but 2024 taught me that those who judge or comment were merely attempting to silence me and make me shrink. I said NO!  to being made to shrink or feel small or feel silly! I said YES! to being who I am supposed to be and who I am supposed to be is phenomenal. 

May the new year teach me more. I am filled with hope that it shall. 

With love, 

Ronke 

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