“I cannot do all the good that the world needs.
But the world needs all the good that I can do.”
― Jana Stanfield
#JamieTheBrave
James Brave Salgado chose his own official name just a few months ago, before being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The name didn’t come easy, but as a transgender teen coming into his own, he needed a name that simply stated who he was. Jamie Brave didn’t know how deeply his name would resonate until finding out that thyroid cancer is rare in children and his lymph nodes had also gotten into the game.
Usually freaked out by needles and all things medical, #JamietheBrave is staring this thing down! He is funny and a little dark, artistic and accepting. A loyal friend.
The Salgados are a low-key, full-of-love family from Richmond, Virginia who have built a life around giving unconditional kindness to others. They’re actually sorta famous for it. Facing Jamie’s cancer diagnosis without health insurance, they now need some kindness – and financial support – to flow in their direction. Thyroid cancer is treatable but requires surgery, lifelong therapy and diligent monitoring. Jamie's diagnosis sparked a whirlwind of worry. Surgery is on the immediate horizon; so is a lot more worry.
This family usually on the side of giving
now finds themselves on the side of need.
Jorge and Patience Salgado have four thoughtful kids (Jamie is #3). Jorge is a small business owner and Patience is a kindness worker and birth/hospice photographer. Several years ago, they minimized their possessions and focused on experiences for the kids and living an intentionally kindness-driven life. Patience has always said that being truly kind, as opposed to ‘being nice,’ can be really difficult and messy and humbling. The same applies to being brave:
“We are learning that being brave is not so much about ‘being strong’ but more about making space for our own humanity, and sometimes falling apart and being loved back together while we face and do hard things.”
Being without health insurance feels messy; it’s humbling and really really difficult. Maybe you can relate, those crazy high deductibles and a premium higher than your mortgage are just too much for a lot of families.
Truth is, we’re all this close to being in the exact same situation OR we know someone dealing with a version of it – perhaps they just haven’t been slammed with an out-of-the-blue cancer diagnosis like the Salgados.
Is kindness ever messy or humbling for you?
What does being brave look and feel like?
Please DONATE now . . . and SHARE this message #JamietheBrave #sharekindness #beingbrave
Send a message of kindness or support to Jamie Brave @kindnessgirl on Instagram.
Support the GoFundMe campaign here.
"No one has ever become poor by giving."
― Anne Frank
THE TIRAMISU FOR BREAKFAST SCHOLARSHIP
Christina is a proud alum of VCU's Robertson School of Media & Culture. She also teaches at the Robertson School, having taught classes such as Content, Completeness, and Professionalism.
The Tiramisu For Breakfast Scholarship supports students in Public Relations, Journalism & Advertising who wish to become involved in their local industry community through conferences and networking events. You can support the scholarship by buying a TFB t-shirt here.
THE ARTS
"The Richmond Performing Arts Alliance is an organization whose mission is to provide diverse local and world-class performing arts, transformative arts education experiences for students of all ages, and inspirational venues - all to strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of the Greater Richmond Region."
Christina served on the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (then Richmond CenterStage Associates) board for 3 years.
CELEBRATE RVA
CelebrateRVA, an organization committed to throwing birthday parties for disadvantaged children. Some of the children touched by this group have never celebrated a birthday before and had to have the act of blowing out candles shown and explained to them. I’m so excited to work with CelebrateRVA and be a small part of bringing them joy. Christina served on Celebrate RVA's junior board. We encourage you to read up on what they’re doing and volunteer to attend a party if you can.
RICHMOND SPCA
"The Richmond SPCA, founded in 1891 in Richmond, is a non-profit, no-kill humane organization dedicated to the principle that every life is precious." We love supporting the Richmond SPCA, since it is an organization that is very close to our hearts. Our agency mascot, Kitty, was adopted from the SPCA and is considered a "foster failure." (Although foster care begins as a temporary refuge for a homeless pet, some foster volunteers become so closely bonded with the animal that they can’t bear to return the pet and decide instead to adopt. It may be dubbed a “foster failure,” but it’s really the best kind of success: a lifelong, loving home for a formerly homeless pet.)
Read | Listen | Watch | Learn | Do | Buy
1. WRITEWITHPARKINSONS.COM An Art Director Created A Font Based On His Mother’s (Who Has Parkinson’s) Handwriting. My friend Tim Roan posted this on LinkedIn. “A lovely Art Director at Lyft created a new font called Shake…it’s his mother’s handwriting…and she’s in early stages of Parkinson’s. All proceeds go to research. Hope you dig it.” 2. LULULUEMON…
Read | Listen | Watch | Learn | Do | Buy
1. CREATIVE PEP TALK PODCAST | 20 Surprising and Super Powerful Prompts that will make 2020 the year you do your best work ever. I like to listen to podcasts as I’m easing into work each day and this one from Andy J. “Pizza,” is always super-energizing. 2. ABC NEWS | The Family of the late Steve Irwin is rescuing animals from…
TFB Favorites: My New Favorite Face Mask
My new favorite face mask is “The Problem Solver” from May Lindstrom. My friend Jess introduced me to this skincare line. She read about it in Goop. I first got to try May Lindstrom products when I visited The Detox Market in New York City over the summer. I ordered The Youth Dew serum/facial oil…
TFB Favorites: Spa Robes
I kept a note in my iPhone to keep track of things my boyfriend mentioned or things I thought of through out the year that would make good gifts. One of them was matching robes. I took jay for his first massage two years ago, and he adapted to the experience verrry quickly. We love…
My Favorite Tweets About Little Women
I showed this post to my friend Aíne (AWN-ya) as I was writing it because she’s a super smart Master of English and I know she’d seen the movie, too. I was struggling with the point I was trying to make and if this would be helpful/interesting. She talked me through it and I hope…
Read | Listen | Watch | Learn | Do
1. ELLIE BURKE | From Compassion to Compassionate Action I just signed up for this 1/11 workshop all about turning your care and concern for the world around you into action from Ellie Burke, who I’m a huge fan of. 2. CNN | McDonald’s employees assist woman who mouths ‘help me’ in the drive thru The Golden State…
Tiramisu For Breakfast 2019 Holiday Gift Guide – Part Two
Look Beyond Fine Art Print of a Landscape | $37.00 | Etsy I follow this artist, Emily Jeffords, on Instagram and love her work. I have never seen anything like the way she does landscapes. They feel ethereal to me. Ka’iuliani | $30.00 | Haley Mitchell Art This is probably my favorite piece of art…
Tiramisu For Breakfast 2019 Holiday Gift Guide – Kim’s Picks
Kim’s Picks: Vegan Leather Boots | $189.00 | Alohas Sandals I absolutely ADORE these boots! I’m in love with the chunky block heel with a square toe. Plus, they’re vegan leather. Leather Sling Bag | $118.00 | Madewell This bag may slouchy but you can throw so much inside! I love how the handle on the bag…
Tiramisu For Breakfast 2019 Holiday Gift Guide – Part One
Tribe of Mentors | $16.79 | Amazon I bought this book for myself for Christmas last year and I LOVe looking through it. It’s so cool to get a peek into Over the Top | $16.79 | Amazon LOVED this book. If you want to smile/laugh/cry, this is a great read. I listened on Audible…
Shots of The Shenandoah
SVEC is a locally-run cooperative, giving us a personal connection to our members. We believe in saving energy, saving dollars, and serving our community. We made this video to help tell the story of you, because while we provide electricity, we’re all part of powering Shenandoah Valley. These are my three favorite photos from our…
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
"Ronald McDonald House Charities®of Richmond is an independent, non-profit chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities®, providing a “home-away-from-home” for families with children receiving care at local medical facilities through our Ronald McDonald House® on Monument Avenue. They also support a number of in-hospital programs."
Christina serves on the marketing committee for the Ronald McDonald house, and TFB loves supporting the charity through our client partnership with Richmond's 68 McDonald's franchises.
MASSEY CANCER CENTER
"VCU Massey Cancer Center is among the top 4 percent of cancer centers in the country and is one of two in the state designated by the National Cancer Institute to lead and shape America’s cancer research efforts. Founded in 1974, Massey is dedicated to discovering, developing, delivering and teaching effective means to prevent, detect, treat and cure cancer through innovative research, patient care and education."
THE EDGE CAREER CENTER
At Randolph-Macon College, the EDGE is the application of your education. We integrate critical transferable skills with every student experience. Providing full access to self-assessment, career exploration, personal & professional development tools that enable every student to apply their education with purpose, awareness and confidence.
EDGE Center of Career Development and its collaborative partners recognize the value and importance of involving external stakeholders from appropriate fields (business, nonprofits, government, education, industry, artistic partners, and others) in the development, delivery, and promotion of its programs through a strategic advisory council. This group provides a critical link between educators, students, and practitioners in the field in order to achieve program quality and relevance.
The SAC and EDGE Team will work together to ensure that the program is delivering learning that is current, up to date and relevant to current business, industry, labor, and professional employment practices. The SAC will provide support and advice to existing programs, assist in the development of new programs, and identify best practice standards.
SAC members will also serve as ambassadors to the EDGE providing a connection to and ongoing exchange of information and ideas with members of a broader society.
