Gifts for Good — Convers(ate) x StartingBloc
Written by Taylor Buonocore and Mollie Khine
This year Convers(ate) teamed up with the StartingBloc Fellowship to feature products created by the talented makers in the StartingBloc Community. If gifting is a part of your holiday season, we encourage you to support your fellow Fellows by purchasing from this list!
“We need each other. I love the idea of shifting from ‘mile wide inch deep’ movements to ‘inch wide mile deep’ movements that schism the existing paradigm.” — adrienne maree brown
2019 is the year of depth for StartingBloc. In the spirit of giving, if you’ve not already made a contribution to StartingBloc’s Mile Deep Campaign, we encourage you to do so. Your investment in StartingBloc is an investment in the growth of a new paradigm of leadership and an investment in people who can truly make change happen — our Fellows.
And now, introducing some of the products that are helping to drive change…
1.Convers(ate) |Co-created by Taylor Buonocore (LA ’11) and Mollie Khine (NY ’16) — Convers(ate) is a game designed to spark authentic and meaningful conversation. It’s an ideal gift for those who love to gather and comes with 30 conversation topics and 300+ expertly crafted questions to explore the topic from different angles. Dinner party anyone? @convers_ate
2.Do Good, Be Good Shirts and Sweatshirts | Owned by Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom (LA ’11) — Shirts and Sweatshirts with the message, “Do Good, Be Good” which fund a podcast to tell the stories of people trying to be helpful and the challenges they face. A unique gift because it comes with stories of service and helping others. @dogoodbegoodshow
3. Elijah Was Brave | Written by Anem Aweh (DC‘18) — A great gift for kids because it brings family together and encourages healthy dialogues around mental health. @elijahwasbrave
4. ENAT | Cofounded by Olivia Amter (NY ’17) — Life-ready leather goods handmade by small business owners in Addisa Ababa, Ethiopa, with a focus on sustainability and fair partnership. An ENAT bag is a unique gift because they are the simple, beautiful bags you’ve been looking for — made consciously and fairly. @shop_enat
5. Fashion & Compassion |Founded by Michele Dudley (DC ’18) — A non-profit organization that provides transitional employment to women overcoming poverty & injustice. The act of making beautiful jewelry and other accessories is a courageous step toward a bright future for many of the women in the community. @fashionandcompassion
6. Gami | Founded by Olivia Nicolaus (BLD ’14) — Gami is a monthly origami subscription for beginners. It’s a unique gift because it’s great for meditators, crafters, artists, and just curious people who want to try something new. It’s also a gift that keeps on giving! @get.gami
7. MovementMakerTribe Inspirational Merchandise |Founded by Terri Broussard Williams (LA ’17) — If you’re looking for empowerment merchandise (tshirts, mugs, totes and hats) that will inspire you to lead for change from politics to women’s empowerment to leadership, you’ll want to visit the #MovementMakerTribe. @terribwilliams
8. Nu Market |Cofounded by Caroline Gutman (NY ’16) — Nu Market’s (‘Nu’ = ‘woman’ in Mandarin) All-In-One tote and Urban backpack are unique gifts because not only do they support ethnic minority women artisans, but they also help to fund women’s education… And they’re beautiful inside and out! @numarketco
9. Ompractice |Cofounded by Sam Tackeff (Bos ’06) — Ompractice is bringing online yoga and meditation classes to people around the world in a two-way live format. That means the teacher can see the students, and the students can see each other. This is yoga with all the support, personal interaction, and accountability of a studio class — but one you can take at home. (Bonus: A digital gift certificate comes with the option of a small batch letterpress version!). @ompractice
10. PACK Retreats |Cofounded by Catherine A. Wood (DC ’17) — At PACK Retreats, adventure meets personal development. Desiring more sisterhood, self-love, self-worth, and joy in your life? Did we mention you’ll be staying in a treehouse?! Join for the 3rd annual Women’s Retreat to the Dominican Republic in March 2019. @packretreats
11. Pulp Pantry | Co-founded by Ashley Miyasaki (LA’13) — A women-owned, sustainable food company on a mission to make fruits and vegetables as ubiquitous as grains and sugar (and end food waste by doing so!). They’re doing this by turning surplus fruit and vegetable juice pulp into clean-ingredient reinventions of classic snacks — think Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but made of 50% carrot pulp! @pulppantry
12. Putih the Traveling Pelican | Written by Lindsey Nubern (LA ’17) — This story gives parents and children the opportunity to read and talk about why it’s important to appreciate our differences. @putihthepelican
13. The Breakthrough Speaker | Written by Adam Smiley Poswolsky (LA’12) — This book helps new voices get on stage and get paid for speaking their truth. It’s the first of its kind for our generation to take over the speaking industry from BOWDs (Boring Old White Dudes). @whatsupsmiley
14. The One Project |Founded by Bryce Evans (NY ’18) — The One Project membership is a unique gift because it helps empower people to start talking about mental health with a caring community using something people love and use all the time — photography. Gift certificates for a one year membership are available for purchase. @theoneproject
15. wearwell | Co-founded by Erin Houston (NY’14) and Emily Kenney (DC’14) — wearwell is a personalized shopping experience that makes it effortless for women to find clothing that fits their style and their values. Each month, members receive a selection of clothing and accessories that are ethically and sustainably made. A wearwell gift card is a unique gift because it connects women with clothing they love while supporting emerging brands that positively impact the livelihoods of garment workers around the world — 80% of whom are women. @shopwearwell
16. 501 Questions: A Travel Game |Written by Lindsey Nubern (LA ’17) — Long road trip coming up? Anticipating lots of idle time at the airport? Don’t scroll. Make fun new memories with these 501 great conversation starters for ages 4–104! @nuventuretravels
17. 734 Coffee |Co-founded by AJ Nwosu (NY’17) — 7˚N 34˚E are the geographical coordinates for Gambela, a region in Ethiopia, where over 200,000 displaced South Sudanese citizens now live after fleeing war, atrocities, drought, and famine in their home country. 734 Coffee is harvested by growers right in the Gambela region, and after it is brought to the US, 80% of sponsorship dollars go to educational scholarships for refugees of Sudan. @734coffee
What do you think? If you have a tip to share or other great gift for good ideas, we’d love to learn from you. Drop us a line at hello@convers-ate.com.
From us to you — have the happiest of holidays.
