A humanistic movie on porn, UN Women remote intern, Anti-racism newsletter

Inside Bangladesh's first school for Trans students: Dawatul Koran Third Gender Madrassa is Bangladesh’s first Islamic school for the transgender community. The privately funded school is home to more than 150 students who study Islamic texts free of charge. > Full Story

How a young activist is helping Pope Francis battle climate change: Molly Burhans wants the Catholic Church to put its assets — which include farms, forests, oil wells, and millions of acres of land — to better use. But, first, she has to map them. > Full Story

Economics professor revisits history to value Black women's community activism: Dr. Nina Banks says this labor by Black women should be counted as part of the economy. She argues that community activism by Black and other marginalized women has been historically overlooked and uncounted. > Full Story

For most people, daily commutes are just another part of routine mundanity. But this Singaporean woman is disrupting commutes with a unique reading selection that’s far from boring. Once in a while, she parades passive-aggressive book titles that warrant a double take — printed on comically large covers. 

A humanistic movie about porn, a queer refugee story, and other gems from the Sundance Film Festival. 

The Iraqi Cookbook by Dr. Lamees Ibrahim was the first of its kind in English to document Iraqi recipes handed down through generations. Now, more than 10 years after its publication, Ibrahim shares with the world an exciting follow-up: the Vegan Iraqi Cookbook. Veganism is a rich facet of Iraqi cuisine and its culinary history, and the book does beautiful justice to this history in between some excellent recipes.

She's a co-writer of Beyoncé's Black is King, she's interviewed some of the most powerful women in music, and now, she's the author of The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop, a comprehensive book celebrating the contributions of women in rap from its inception all the way to Cardi B. 

"I'm learning that I am not lightening that strikes once. I am the hurricane that comes every single year, and you can expect me to come again soon" is one of the many quotes you'll want to write on a sticky-note and paste on your bathroom mirror that you can borrow from Michelle Obama's interview of Amanda Gorman. 

We love them. We know you love them. Here is yet another brilliant NPR tiny (home) desk concert...should this be a regular thing?? This week, Melanie Charles, a Brooklyn born singer-songwriter, actress and flutist of Haitian descent, takes the stage. Charles combines her love of jazz and soul with her Haitian roots to create a style of music that can only be described as blissfully unique.  

For many around the world, February marks Black History Month! For those of you who know us, you'll know that the celebration is one that goes far beyond just "one month" but...who doesn't love a good excuse to celebrate something special?! And in the spirit of going "beyond the month", here are two resources created by some incredible Black women, with a unique focus on Black history, that you can integrate in your daily routine: 

• Subscribe to Anti-Racism Daily, a newsletter that helps you read the news and do something about it. Each weekday edition of the newsletter usually takes a deep dive into a major news story through an anti-racist lens. For Black History month, sign up for their special campaign 28 days of Black history, a virtual exhibition of 28 works that celebrate Black legacy in the U.S.
• Shine is an app crossing between traditional mediation and more modern-day coaching. The founders started Shine because they didn't see themselves – a Black woman and a half-Japanese woman – or their experiences represented in mainstream wellness. They recognize that identities intersect with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, and wanted to create a space where everyone feels supported. In their podcasts, for example, you'll find sections specifically dedicated to Black mental health, with podcasts like "Connecting With Ancestors" and "Pride For Your Whole Self."