2019 was rough. We learned some painful lessons, accepted harsh truths, and really evaluated who we are. Honestly, we’re glad it’s almost over.
The new year is all about leaving behind old ways and embracing transformation. With the skin of 2019 nearly shed, we’re ready to live the lives we’ve worked for and exist as our higher selves. And what about the Imanigold family, specifically? We’re excited to continue creating music, educating ourselves about social justice, and strengthening our community. And we’re thrilled to have you with us along the way.
We can all agree there is an abundance of reasons 2020 will be a bomb-ass year. But here are 10 more reasons: 10 people with big plans to make this next decade the best yet. We hope you enjoy hearing from some of our favorite voices on earth about what’s to come.
Love,
April and Niara
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Samiah Fulcher, Student Activist, @s.a.fulcher
Everything about 2019 has represented the power that lies in evolution, in being malleable and open to experiencing life in all of its complexity. This year ripped me open and left me vulnerable in ways I would never have imagined. It’s been a series of transformations as well as the expected ups and downs that life wouldn’t be the same without. What fun would it be to learn about yourself without coming undone a few times?
So, here I am, at the end of it all, ready to take on more life. 2020 is reserved for the fully-realized and ever-evolving.
Morgan English, Ethical Non-MonogAmy Educator at @chillpolyamory and Owner of @tattrx
My 2020 optimism can be distilled into three trends: the rise in community solidarity, the decline of respect for corporatism, and our collective decision to laugh into the void.
As we 80s and 90s kids gain social and political power, I see a swell of support to disband corporatist oligarchies. That makes me so hopeful. We’re waking up to unchecked data collection and dark money, to poisoned water and premeditated drug epidemics. We’re rolling up our sleeves to be part of the solution.
We’re choosing community over competition. People unite at a local level, share resources, untangle previous divisions of class, and pay each other for emotional labor. We look out for Chosen Family more than ever before, which is vital and even life-saving in this Age of Anxiety.
So together, we can find comfort in the darkness. We work, we fight, and when we’re done, we dance. We play. We delight in the present moment. I’m so inspired by the resilience of the human spirit. Is the world on fire? Absolutely. Can we band together to protect our people? It’s already happening in a radical way.
Shabab, Community Organizer, @aunty_babs
Next year is my Saturn’s return, and I will embrace the self-knowledge that the universe will bestow upon me throughout this time. I have many milestones to look forward to in 2020: we will be united as a global community once again at the Tokyo Olympics, the Star Wars saga will enter its post-Skywalker phase, and I might even become a dog mom for the first time. I can’t wait!
image courtesy of @strawberreli
Halle “Halo” Alice, Musician and Artist, @hallealice
At 21 years old—with half of my existence held up in the last decade—it becomes easy to recall my previous 10 years. My adolescence birthed a powerful, growling voice that shaped the footing I would solidify in adulthood. These last 10 years have taught me how to use the power of my sound to influence, inspire, and illuminate paths while being a blessing. 2020 is one of those miraculous rebirth years.
This next year is going to be filled with so many blessings because we have planted the seeds for success. I’m overcome with gratitude reflecting on the last decade of my life. Half of my life has been in the midst of one of the most influential cultural shifts we’ve ever seen. Technology gives me accessibility to worlds not yet discovered, and I’m excited to embark on those journeys. This next year brings some incredible new musical releases and some powerful new applications that I have been working my butt off to bring to life.
This year was a year of becoming. And I take the lessons with me into this new decade, and I’m even more grounded in myself. The biggest lesson was to embrace every part of myself fearlessly. I’m having fun. I’m living large, and I’m evolving quickly with grace and ease.
Marco Pavé, Georgetown University Hip-Hop Artist in Residence, @kingofmarco
The older I become, the more aware I become of time passing and the importance of something like a shift to a new decade. I’m seeing all that can happen in 10 years and how long that is. From birth to age seven, I was learning my way around the world and discovering my art. From seven to 17, I was defining myself and rebelling against authority. And in the last 10 years, I’ve transformed in so many ways. I’ve been learning more about feminism, trans rights, and new philosophies that guide me in being a better person—both for myself and the world around me.
I’m also excited about shifts I’m starting to see in others. People are getting more involved in spirituality. They’re less bogged down by old ways of thinking. They’re letting go of perfectionism. And as a result, you’re seeing people become more confident in themselves.
Amelia Hallin, Student Activist and Circus Performer, @ameliahallin
I am so excited about the new year. 2020 is a new decade, a fresh start, and a new beginning. It’s going to be the best year yet.
Everyone is really taking 2020 seriously. It will be a big year—for teens especially. We have so many young people caring and trying to do something around issues like climate change. Like me, so many teens will be voting for the first time. I think we have a really good chance of actually getting a new and improved president because so many new faces are able to vote this year.
Personally, I think it’s going to be a fantastic year because I have AMAZING mentors guiding me through it. I am realigning and coming into a space of self-love, and I only think it’s going up.
2020 will be a bomb-ass year because everyone is devoted to making their life a better place and improving themselves, and if everyone is happy within, then we got ourselves a good world!
Ana Camila, Student Activist and Community Organizer, @anacamila.cast
In 2020, I’ll be a year closer to completing my bachelor’s degree, finished paying off my car, and I’ll finally visit my motherland and loved ones back in the Dominican Republic.
2020 will be marvelous.
I can’t wait for the things I will rejoice in next year. This past year was full of breakthroughs, and the next decade is my year of joy, acceptance, and clarity. I can feel the happiness within my tribe and me. This year will bring so many more blessings and God-sent experiences. I know I’ll see the harvest of all the effort and sacrifices I’ve made up until now. I’m speaking it into existence.
Dominique Kae, Costume Designer, Artist, and Musician, @cockroach.princess
I believe 2020 is going to be amazing, and I’m so excited. There’s a definite switch in spiritual growth happening personally, and socially. One of the things I’ve loved about how connected society has become is that we’re growing up together—especially Black, queer women. All of us, we’re learning and acting on the things we learn.
2020 will be an open space of support so we can make room for bringing passion into the world. It’s electrifying to feel like “This is a new decade. This is a new time. This is MY time.”
In 2020 we’re going to wear sunscreen, respecting each other’s pronouns, reducing our use in straws, trying to use Amazon less—although I probably won’t succeed at that last one. I’m super excited about working with creatives on projects, too. And hopefully, we can move on from the eyebrows situation we’re in and move forward with skincare routines.
This is a time where you get to do exactly what you want to do. Let’s do it.
DJ Seriousblack, DJ, Producer, and Mother, @djseriousblack
I turned 40 in 2019, so I had a full transformative year before entering a new decade, just to find out at the end of the year that I may finally have a grip on life. 2020 will be a rendition of finding yourself while being at a point of letting go—and things will come together as they should. Well, not should, but can. Things will come together as they can.
Speaking from my experience as a solo mom, when I turned 40, I knew it would be my “you can’t fuck with me” decade. I’ve been able to do so many awesome things within this past decade. I remember coming into 2010 and what that felt like. I was very giddy and excited. It felt really good, and everyone had hope.
Yes, 2019 was a life-truck to the face. But it had to be difficult because there’s always a “Holy shit yikes!” moment before growth.
Jazmine Shepard, Model and writer, @jazmineshepard
I’m so excited for the next year, and this next decade because it’s going to be the best one yet. Personally, I’ve accomplished my major goals in 2019. Over the past year, I moved to New York City, started studying at an outstanding school for sketch writing, and signed to a modeling agency. In 2020, I’m going bigger and better with setting my goals and growing as an individual.
There’s been a huge push in social change, even during our tender social climate. Conversations are growing and changing, inclusivity, and diversity are becoming more regular. The way we talk about gender, race, and privilege has changed, and I’m excited to see more of that in 2020. As a transgender woman, it’s exciting to be part of that. I can use my modeling to guide the conversation in a way that celebrates diversity. Here’s to 2020!
