Better to Speak to Sunset at the End of 2024
Written by Kési Felton, Founder and Publisher
Over the past seven years, Better to Speak has been a labor of love for me, fueled by a deep passion for sharing stories of and by my peers across the Black diaspora, and empowering voices within our community. I am immensely proud of the work we have accomplished together and the impact we’ve had.
The number 7 often represents completion – and in that vein, I’m writing to let the Better to Speak community know that after much reflection and consideration, I have decided that Better to Speak’s seventh year of operations will be its last.
This decision has not been made lightly, but despite our efforts, I do not see a sustainable or viable future for Better to Speak as it currently exists.
To provide transparency and context about this decision: One of the key challenges I’ve faced as a first-time, young founder is the lack of traction with sustainable fundraising. Additionally, I believe the landscape I have been working in and thus Better to Speak’s potential has changed significantly over the past three years – in particular since transitioning out of my college career where Better to Speak started, to now being a young professional working to balance full-time employment and social entrepreneurship.
Despite my hopes for a more positive outcome and path forward, I believe I have reached an opportunity to end Better to Speak intentionally and create a “point of preservation” in my life, both professionally and personally, and I recognize the need to reassess my priorities and commitments for the near- and long-term future.
Looking ahead, your continued support and involvement would be invaluable as I navigate this transition: As I come to terms with this decision, I am still hoping to move forward with some “archival projects” to document and make accessible the voices and stories of the young Black storytellers and changemakers that we’ve had the honor of collaborating with over the last seven years. This will include the long overdue finale season of Better to Speak: The Podcast, and I am thrilled to announce that we will move forward with publishing volume two of ‘Your Silence Will Not Protect You’ this fall.
I think these projects will serve as a fitting conclusion to this chapter of our collective journey, and I invite you to stay tuned as they roll out. I will soon start the process of building a team and accepting submissions for this project, and plan for opportunities to celebrate its release and Better to Speak, together.
Aside from Better to Speak’s direct operations, I also plan to fulfill my current roles and responsibilities – including my terms as a Board Member for VOX ATL and Advisory Circle Member for Press On, both of which will conclude by July 2025.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every person who has been a part of the Better to Speak community in any capacity – from contributors, donors, partners, team members, and everyone else who supported me, my team, and our mission. Making it to seven years is absolutely an accomplishment worth celebrating, and it is one that I could not have reached alone. Your support and contributions have meant the world to me, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with and alongside such passionate people and organizations.
While this chapter of Better to Speak may be coming to a close, I am hopeful that it will pave the way for new opportunities and endeavors in the future. I am committed to continuing the work of narrative power-building for young Black folks, albeit in different forms and contexts.
Thank you for your understanding, and for your unwavering commitment to the values that Better to Speak stands for. I am truly grateful for the memories we have shared and the impact we have made together.
In Endless Gratitude and Solidarity,
Kési Felton
Founder + Publisher, Better to Speak
