Growth in 2024: How Far Have We Come?
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s time to pause and reflect on the mental, emotional, and cultural shifts we’ve experienced as a community. Here in Minnesota, the Black community’s journey has been deeply shaped by our unique local history, challenges, and triumphs—a testament to our enduring spirit and commitment to healing and progress. This reflection is as personal as it is political—because for us, the personal has always been political.
Mental Shifts: Prioritizing Wellness and Rest
This year, the Black community in Minnesota has embraced wellness as an act of both survival and revolution. Therapy has become more accessible, thanks in part to the growing number of Black therapists and culturally specific mental health programs. But wellness hasn’t been confined to therapy rooms. We’ve reclaimed practices like herbal healing, movement, and rest as legitimate forms of care—not just coping mechanisms but radical acts of self-preservation.
Rejecting hustle culture has been a powerful theme. The “Rest Is Resistance” movement—rooted in rest, joy, and abundance—is a reminder that we are not just cogs in a capitalist machine. Our worth has never been tied to our productivity. Here in Minnesota, this looks like gathering for restorative yoga in Minneapolis or simply holding space for each other to rest unapologetically.
Emotional Growth: Naming and Honoring Our Feelings
In 2024, we’ve grown bolder in naming our emotions and holding space for the messiness of healing. Grief has been a constant companion for many of us—grief for the lives lost to police violence, for the weight of generational trauma, and for the systems that refuse to value our humanity. Yet, even in the midst of that grief, we’ve found ways to dream.
As a therapist, I’ve seen clients find their voice in ways that are profoundly revolutionary. Naming anger—not shying away from it, not smoothing it over—has been one of the most radical acts of 2024. We’ve embraced anger as sacred, as fuel for change, while also cultivating joy as a necessary counterbalance. Joy is a form of resistance, and Minnesota’s Black community has celebrated it boldly—from Rondo Days in St. Paul to intimate gatherings that nourish our souls.
Cultural Shifts: Reclaiming Narratives and Building Community
Culturally, 2024 has been about abolition—not just of the carceral systems that harm us, but of the internalized narratives that tell us we are not enough. We are dismantling those stories and rewriting them in our own language—sometimes literally. Spanish phrases and African dialects are being reclaimed as part of our diaspora’s rich linguistic tapestry. This year, I’ve seen clients and community members alike reject the need to fit into Eurocentric molds and instead celebrate their full, complex identities.
Community remains at the heart of our cultural shifts. Mutual aid networks in Minneapolis neighborhoods have continued to thrive, redistributing resources and power. Black-led organizations have led efforts to not just “help” but truly empower—whether through food sovereignty programs or initiatives centering queer Black voices. It’s been beautiful to witness and be part of a community that understands liberation is collective, not individual.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum and Facing 2025
As we reflect on this year, it’s clear that we’ve planted seeds of radical change. But as 2025 looms, we must prepare for the challenges ahead. The political landscape is shifting, with a new administration coming into office. While it’s unclear what the future holds, history has taught us to be vigilant. Systemic challenges and potential regressions will attempt to ruin the progress we’ve made.
We cannot ignore the weight of what’s ahead. Economic disparities, ongoing police violence, and legislative attacks on marginalized communities remain pressing realities. Yet, we know how to navigate these struggles. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again—this time with even greater clarity and unity.
Here are a few practices to carry forward:
Celebrate Wins: Big or small, acknowledge your progress and the community’s achievements. This could mean supporting a new Black-owned business in the Twin Cities or honoring the courage it takes to simply keep going.
Build Bridges: I’ve seen the power of intergenerational conversations in my work. Let’s continue sharing stories and wisdom across age groups and across the diaspora.
Embrace Revolutionary Rest: Engage in practices that restore your energy—whether that’s through a long nap, dancing, or spending quiet time in nature.
Hold Systems Accountable: Advocate for abolition, equity, and justice. Here in Minnesota, this might mean supporting housing justice initiatives, police abolition work, or education reform.
A Tool for Reflection: Mini-Journals for Growth
As we navigate the complexities of reflection and growth, having structured tools can make the process more meaningful. I’ve created a series of mini-journals designed to support personal exploration and healing. These journals, rooted in therapeutic approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic practices, can help you reflect on the past year and set intentions for the journey ahead.
Whether you’re processing grief, exploring joy, or envisioning new possibilities, these journals are a guide to deepen your understanding of yourself and your path. They’re here to remind you that reflection isn’t just about looking back—it’s about building the future you deserve.
A Realistic Yet Hopeful Outlook
Growth is not linear, and the path forward will have its twists and turns. But as I look back on 2024, I see a community that is not just surviving but daring to thrive in so many ways. The road ahead will require us to remain steadfast and creative in our fight for liberation. Let this reflection inspire us to keep moving forward—not with the expectation of perfection, but with the intention of liberation, love, and radical care.
2025 will test us, but it will also offer new opportunities to rise, rebuild, and reimagine. Together, we’ll continue to resist, to heal, and to dream of a world where we are all free.
