Hey there Reader, heyy!
Almost twenty years ago, my daughter Elizabeth wanted a Sweet 16 party.
This was the era of MTV's My Super Sweet 16 - every kid wanted one. Elizabeth was no different. She attended a humanities magnet school on the West Side, had a beautiful, diverse group of friends, and wanted to celebrate with all of them.
There was just one problem.
Some of her friends came back with a clear message: My parents won't let me go east of La Cienega.
Now, we live in the Crenshaw District. Have for over thirty years. It's a historically Black neighborhood, with beautiful homes, deep roots, strong community. It's where we chose to plant ourselves and raise our family.
But rather than fight that battle, rather than make Elizabeth's celebration about someone else's fear, we looked for a place that spoke to who she actually was.
A girl who loved the arts. Who loved ideas. Who was already becoming somebody remarkable.
We found 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica.
And here's what I want you to know about that party.
We left our neighborhood. We did not leave ourselves.
We hired a DJ from Project Blowed, the legendary underground hip hop collective rooted right in Leimert Park. Elizabeth had a graffiti artist create her swag for the party. We brought in Earl's Weiners to cater the whole thing.
At the time, 18th Street was running an exhibition about owning the American Constitution, about showing up as a full citizen. Elizabeth's Sweet 16 was themed around the โ80s and mixtapes. It was joyful, creative, and completely, perfectly HER.
We walked into that Santa Monica arts space carrying everything we were. And it was enough. It was MORE than enough.
Fast forward to Elizabeth's senior year of high school. She started teasing me, "What are you going to do without me, Mom?"
And I said, "I have a life. I have a life other than just being your mother."
I meant it. And 18th Street helped me prove it.
I became a board member. Then board president. That space, the one where my daughter danced at her Sweet 16 to a Project Blowed DJ, became part of MY journey of becoming more. Of understanding what more could look like for me.
That's why October 10th happens there.
Because a dime piece doesn't leave herself at the door to gain access to a room.
She walks in whole. Roots and all.
This full day is built around one question. We gather, go deep, share an exceptional lunch, and close with a celebration toast for every woman ready to take her next bold step.
Early Access seats are still available at $27 - and when you register today, The Daily Rise arrives as our gift to you. A $17 morning practice rooted in Black liberation energy that helps you start your day as somebody. Not just somebody's helper.
General Admission moves to $37 soon. Door price is $47.
๐ช Visionary Leaders' Salon
October 10, 2026
18th Street Arts Center | Santa Monica, CA
โ10/10 - What Would Make Your Life a Dime Piece?
This full-day experienc
โ[CLAIM YOUR EARLY ACCESS SEAT - $27]โ
Current and former clients receive two complimentary tickets. RSVP required by September 15th. Reply to this email, and I'll send your personal link.
See you October 10th.
With love and intention,
โ
โCoach Lori
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โP. S. REALLY--ONE SPOT LEFT-CLAIM IT!! This September, I'm hosting Discovering Black Walden, an intimate wellness retreat rooted in the history and landscape of Concord, Massachusetts, September 24-27, 2026. One spot left. One transformative experience. Learn more at discoveringblackwalden.com.
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