In 2020, as we navigated the pandemic (one we're still trying to figure out), I started a "Substack" named CapitalizeTheB. Honestly, looking back on it still feels like a blur. There was the murder of George Floyd, the death of Breonna Taylor, and the massive protests that ensued within a turbulent election year. Not to mention, we were all sitting at home trying to comprehend the “death toll” of losing thousands of people a week.
I don’t think we have had time to sit and understand everything we’ve lost. Many times, I feel like the world is in a state of mourning – waiting for somebody out there to give us a hug and let us know everything is going to be okay.
I made CapitalizeTheB because I needed a place to write about what I was feeling – not only as a journalist, but as a minority living in a country that had no choice but to REALLY see how injustice and prejudice affect people. I wrote about The CARES Act, Blackout Tuesday, The Passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and former President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office. There were just things I needed to get out, and I wanted to show versatility. I’m thankful for CapitalizeTheB every day, and in many ways, it has set forth a wild and exciting next few years of my career.
But as you take a look around, you'll notice something different about the newsletter/blog (well, a few things). It’s not on Substack anymore. Ghost gave me more functionality, and I didn’t want to call my newsletter/blog a “Substack.” (Could you imagine me asking, “Come subscribe to my Ghost?”) There’s also a new layout that feels pretty fresh. Last, but not least, there’s a new name.
CapitalizeTheB is now Multipotentiality. What the hell is Multipotentiality? As Wikipedia says, “is an educational and psychological term referring to the ability and preference of a person, particularly one of strong intellectual or artistic curiosity, to excel in two or more different fields.
Writer Emilie Wapnick did a TED Talk in 2015 and coined the term "multipotentialites." Think of the word polymath or the phrase “the jack of all trades.” I’ve always prided myself on being a forever student and diving headfirst into things that interest me. It’s why I report on so many beats in journalism (entertainment, politics, sports, culture, etc), am a photographer, a poet/author, podcaster, and whatever my heart desires. Curiosity has been my strength, and knowledge has always been a north star. It has not killed me yet. It has only made me better.
There’s always been this negative connotation with trying to excel at multiple things. It’s not to say specialization isn’t a bad thing. It certainly isn’t. However, I think we need to start embracing curiosity about life and all its beautiful aspects, rather than placing limits on it. The media space has been volatile for a while, to say the least. I feel that for much of it, outlets have been too beholden to the algorithms and lack of empowering diverse and unique voices to the point that the house is on fire once things change. The ones that ultimately lose out in that cat and mouse game are the journalists/creatives and those who take time out of their day to check out what they are doing.
I’ve long been a fan of worker-owned media outlets like 404 Media, Aftermath, and Defector, to name a few. Not only do they have sharp writing and reporting at the forefront of their missions, but the writers are also allowed to be themselves, bringing their distinct voices to the world.
That's what brought me to Multipotentiality. This is me bringing my whole, authentic self to my writing and reporting - just as I did when I first started this long love affair with journalism back in 2014. CapitalizeTheB’s spirit is still here and will be back in another form one day. Until then, you can read the archives from that time here.
So, there are a couple of things I want to tell you
- None of these articles will be written by AI
I can hear a million chatbots or thousands of tech bros wanting to shout at me, "It is inevitable." Well, not in this blog/newsletter. We champion the beauty of human creativity and thought here. I'm sure you can use ChatGPT to help decide which laundry detergent to use, but it's less effective for writing something genuinely unique.
- Subscriptions are free until February 1st.
I know times are hard right now, so here's the deal. Subscribing to Multipotentiality will be free until February 1st. At that time, I will be introducing paid tiers. Don't worry, there will be a discount for early subscribers. Buttttttt, there is a tip jar that you can donate to if you ever feel so kind as to show your support.
A newsletter version of Multipotentiality will be published twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays), covering current events (aptly named Doomscroll), entertainment, sports, and other topics.
Starting something new is scary, and revamping an existing project can be even scarier. But doing the thing is so rewarding. One of my favorite songs of all time is Every Time I Die's "Religion of Speed." As I was putting this site together, a set of lyrics has been stuck in my head. I think they are the perfect way to kick off this new adventure.
"When all I am is a stone that says the name I had and the years that I had been/
The quiet depths and the measured steps won't echo like the shriek of riot did."
