the kindred
a newsletter for students + dropouts + working professionals
hi·a·tus
hīˈādəs/
noun
a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.
"there was a brief hiatus in the war with France"
synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension, lull, respite, time out, time off, recess;
PROSODY GRAMMAR
a break between two vowels coming together but not in the same syllable, as in the ear and cooperate.
synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension,
lull, respite, time out, time off, recess;
no. 12
hey,
how are you? no, really how are you? okay.
happy national poetry month! go to tribeca film festival. do more yoga. run around central park’s reservoir. okay? later.
here's the list. please enjoy.
getting trashed: inside the deadly world of private garbage collection by kiera feldman in propublica
what they really want: what colleges want in an applicant (everything)
listen: this american life / the problem we all live with part 1 & part 2 by nikole hannah-jones
major key: six myths about choosing a college major by jefferey j. selingo
the kids were alright by ryan mcginley (a truly dope photographer, but not always safe for work!!!)
go to your professors’ office hours. build a rapport with your ta
wake up early and exercise. you will feel better.
go see saint joan at the manhattan theatre club starring condola rashad
listen: s-town podcast by brian reed
call your friends
playlist: satie: 3 gymnopediés; 6 gnossiennes etc. performed by pascal rogé
currently reading: white girls by hilton als (of the new yorker)
“the paradox of education is precisely this – that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.” ― james baldwin
march madness + marching for our lives,
- brandon
reminders & remainders:
book an advisement or a career counseling session, click here
reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family)
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co
no. 11
hello,
what up? how are you? i’m well. i don’t know about you all, but i’m very much looking forward to the last of winter’s snow and to future contemplative walks through central park when i’m not nearly freezing to death.
to those in school, hold the rope. you got this! find the purpose and the pleasure in the pain. and to those in the workhouse, keep pushing.
in the meantime, here’s the list. please enjoy.
omitting admissions: white liberal insecurity (and hypocrisy?) on affirmative action
letter from emerald isle by david sedaris in the paris review
like school for prison (or like water for chocolate): these for-profit schools are like prison’ by sarah carr & co.
getting into your dream college
the third education revolution by jeffrey j. selingo in the atlantic
gre v. lsat (I know right?!?!)
go see the amazing artist, maya sharpe & the natural, at pianos on 3/21/18 at 8pm. nyc.
listen: serial podcast (season 1) by sarah koenig
call your friends
student rush tickets are everything. take advantage. your 30-year old self will thank me.
eat a healthy breakfast
playlist: rap caviar on spotify
currently reading hold tight: the truck darling poems by jeni olin aka truck darling
“the only thing that makes one an artist is making art. And that requires the precise opposite of hanging out; a deeply lonely and unglamorous task of toleration oneself long enough to push something out.” ― david rakoff, half empty
harlem nights + a dream deferred,
- brandon
reminders & remainders:
book an advisement or a career counseling session, click here
reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family)
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co
no. 10
hello,
how are you? i hope the first month of the year was productive. if not, here's to february. wakanda forever!
here's the list. please enjoy.
i am not throwing away my shot! i'm gonna rise above what i was doing
stop complaining about mondays. do the work. get better. you got this!
the brief and wondrous guide to being late in nyc: mta edition
we out here! #blackandbobsledding by jamie lowe
update your to-do list and goals
a seat at the table: boardroom robot by danielle paquette
protect ya neck: protecting your reputation when you leave an organization by rob walker
travel. It could be within your own city, state, or country.
nas performing illmatic with national symphony orchestra
drink less. sleep and read more (maureen corrigan)
you better work: is 'rupaul's drag race' the most radical show on tv? by jenna wortham
playlist: leave me alone by calypso rose (feat. manu chao)
currently reading this will be my undoing: living at the intersection black, female, and feminist in (white) america by morgan jerkins (not jenkins!)
“it's hard to be told to lighten up because if you lighten up any more, you're going to float the f**k away.” ― roxane gay, bad feminist: essays
reminders & remainders:
reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family)
book an advisement or counseling session, click here
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co
super bowls + little known black history facts (lol),
- brandon
p.s. a year ago this month, my dear friend barry jenkins' movie 'moonlight' won best picture. i see you, homie. dream big. work hard.
no. 9
hey,
happy new year!
how are you? how were your holidays?
here's the list. drumroll, please...enjoy.
be coachable.
befriend others in your field.
put your portfolios online (everywhere).
make work. share work. repeat.
a reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family).
network all the time. do it with genuine interest in the industry.
stalk your dream job.
draft your resume(s) collaboratively. do it with a professional.
human nature is rooted in avoiding conflict. this is why you don't hear back from hr or hiring managers when you're not a good fit for the role.
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co.
show enthusiasm about a job before and during interviews. expressing your enthusiam afterward, in a thank you letter/e-mail, is too late.
remember, large job sites cater to keyword-focused applicants.
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here.
don't depend on your resume. it's the starter, not the main course.
don't be afraid to make your own job.
currently reading the smartest kids in the world by amanda ripley.
“i took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart; i am, i am, i am.” ― sylvia plath, the bell jar
bonne année + bon iver,
- brandon
no. 8
hey,
how are you? december is upon us?
here's a list of things that might pique your interest. enjoy.
learn the skill of managing up. it will help you throughout your career (even when you're the boss).
focus on quality over quantity
career change is inevitable, so plan for it.
go see the amazing artist, maya sharpe & the natural, at rockwood music hall on 1/21/18 at 3pm. nyc.
a reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family).
get a writing partner or editor on your squad so that you can run documents across their desk before sending them out. pay them in cash, cookies, or hugs.
shop your local bookstore. here's mine, bookculture.
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co.
learn how to get over a workplace slipup from years ago.
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here.
currently reading essentialism: the disciplined pursuit of less by greg mckeown.
“the classroom was a jail of other people's interest. the library was open, unending, free." ― ta-nehisi coates, between the world and me
winter is coming + sorrel + parang,
- brandon
no. 7
hey,
how are you? happy october. what is a tree's least favorite month? sep-timberrrrrrr. sorry, sorry, that was terrible. one more chance: what did the tree say to autumn? leave me alone (do you get it? lol). my apologies, last one. i promise. how do you fix a broken pumpkin? with a pumpkin patch. thank you, i'll be here all week.
more importantly, here's a list of things that might pique your interest. enjoy.
be honest with yourself about what you want from a job or a career. start there and then build.
find a physical space that allows you to concentrate. here are a few: university libraries, breather, soho house, the wing, kettle space, and the austin space.
a reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family).
a job doesn't define you.
twitter can save you. find the animals that speak your language.
shop your local bookstore. here's mine, bookculture.
recognize burnout before you burn out.
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co.
speak up.
money helps. learn to negotiate.
create time for workouts. that might require letting go of other things.
boss playlist for work (headphones) --> walk in like you own the place.
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here.
currently reading bad feminist by roxane gay.
“where does it all lead? what will become of us? these were our young questions, and young answers were revealed. it leads to each other. we become ourselves." ― patti smith, just kids
oktoberfest + halloween parades,
- brandon
no. 6
hello,
how are you? november is upon us. keep working hard, keep grindin', and enjoy the upcoming holiday season.
more importantly, here's the list. enjoy.
read jelani cobb. here are two articles: weinstien + bill cosby and another worst mass shooting.
go see jason alexander (seinfield, curb your enthusiasm) on stage in the portuguese kid.
find your professional association and join it. this directory will help.
did you get advised yet? did you register yet? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co.
don't waste other people's time.
Recruit recruiters for your next role. Use google or linkedin to get started.
a reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family).
watch lion by garth davis. starring dev patel + rooney mara. it's a really moving film. enjoy.
boss playlist for work --> end of day uplift.
treat your self: aire ancient baths.
working/studying from home: get dressed. don't sleep where you work/study. plan against distractions. don't be afraid to get out of your office space. take breaks, avoid burnout.
update your resume, cover letter, and linkedin profile. i can help, click here.
currently reading swing time by zadie smith.
“i am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own." ― audre lorde
- brandon
no. 5
hey,
how are you? yeah, me too.
fall is near. us open, new jobs/new semester for many of you, american football season, late registration, add-drop period, maple this/pumpkin-spice that, office hours, books, sport coats, hiking boats, compact umbrellas, seasonal allergies, overspending at whole foods, light scarves, ipads, notebooks, layers, polo shirts, and light bubble jackets.
here's a list of things that might pique your interest. enjoy.
houston. donate if you can, whatever you can. obj's hurricane harvey relief fund. #gmen #gobigblue
barbuda is small island in the caribbean that is very near and dear to my heart. the island was completely devastated this hurricane season. please donate if you can, whatever you can here.
did you get advised yet? did you register for the fall? if not, e-mail me up at bg@brandongraham.co.
a reminder: go deeper with people (friends, co-workers, and family).
apply for a job or internship (even if you have currently have one). keep your interviewing skills sharp, network, and explore new interest. if you need help with interview prep, click here.
check out tonl. diversity leads to innovation. shouts to the homie joshua kissi (1/2 of streetetiquette).
scurred: fall movie season is upon us. check out it (9/8) and mother (9/15). us release dates.
update your resume, cover letter, and linked in profile. i can help, click here.
go giants!
call your friends. nah, like tonight. for real. messaging is cool, but it's nice to hear their voice.
rebrand yo'self. i can help. click here.
get your flu shot.
let go of the expectations. you got this!
currently reading marion nestle's 'food politics'.
“ Love is an abstract noun, something nebulous. And yet love turns out to be the only part of us that is solid, as the world turns upside down and the screen goes black.”
― Martin Amis, the second plane: 14 responses to september 11
- brandon
p.s. and so it goes.
no. 4
hello people, hey hi you dern?
afropunk, class registration, and the dog days of summer are upon us. summer eclipse on aug. 21. get that vitamin d, but stay hydrated. edel rodriguez will save us. okay? okay.
charlottesville: race and terror. vice news. watch. shouts to the homie elle!
the other inconvenient truth. nyt. charles blow. read.
zocdoc. feeling meh? find a doctor.
get a vornado fan now. your future, next summer self will thank me. cheers.
when in harlem. eat @ morning coffee & biscuits. biscuits are mad real.
call your friends. nah, like tonight. for real. messaging is cool, but it's nice to hear their voice.
did you get advised yet? did you register for the fall? if not, hit me bg@brandongraham.co.
afropunk is coming! nyc.
read the new yorker. subscribe here.
get familiar with the meyer-briggs typ indicator (mbti).
the bushwick starr theater released their 2017-2018 season. geeked!
currently re-reading the homie rio cortez's 'i have learned to define a field as a space between mountains' (2nd edition).
“We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man. Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. Now marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support but why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? We raise girls to see each other as competitors not for jobs or accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing, but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are.”
― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists
- brandon
no. 3
hey, what up?
it's america's birthday. be safe. this article might help you understand part of politics' cruelty. but hey, despite all the negativity, at the moment, don't forget what to focus on.
listen to roxane gay talk about her book 'hunger' on npr's fresh air.
sza owns the early part of the summer. watch: love galore.
need help with test prep. reach out to kaplan's very own, expert teacher, jabari brisport.
4:44.
rebecca naomi jones is my favorite part of broadway/theater.
today tix will save you. see more theater for cheap.
call your fam. nah, like tonight. for real.
did you get advised yet? did you register for the fall? if not, hit me bg@brandongraham.co.
pick up a copy of the new yorker. july 3, 2017 issue. features kadir nelson's 'bright star'.
see more plays. hear more music. all summer '17. rattlestick playwright theater.
became a student member of nacada. $20/per year. learn all about student advising.
healthcare. an overview. good read. get familiar.
heather christian will heal you. listen: jet thrust & blushes.
currently reading the homie morgan parker's 'there are more beautiful things than beyonce'.
“i imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.” - james baldwin #45
donuts + martha's vineyard, brandon
no. 2
hey, what up?
summer. 20 days and counting. go abroad.
grammar.ly will save you.
call your friends. like tonight.
go see shakespeare in the park. support the public.
festivals, festivals, festivals. check out everfest! oh, and don't go to fyre. ever.
if you need space to study, interview, or just to take a breath on a busy day. take a breather.
currently reading rio cortez!
sweetgreen 4 life.
vine. nvr frgt. study breaks.
use google drive for all your academic documents. it's a law.
pod save america might actually save america. download and listen. i use downcast.
my dear friend made a movie. that movie won oscars. watch moonlight on prime.
quietude is not overrated. try headspace. om...om...om...
listen to nyt podast. the daily.
"i am enough of an artist to draw freely upon imagination. imagination is more important than knowledge. knowledge is limited. imagination encircles the world." - albert einstein
falafels + summer concerts, brandon
no. 1
hey, what's up?
don't stress too hard. it's almost summer. we got this.
i trust that you're doing well. i hope the april rain hasn't gotten you too down, but if has, thinking about these thing below might help. cheers:
work. save money. go --> The Damn. Tour
dfw was a hero of mine. i hope this little commencement speech serves you well. if you're graduating this year or next, watch/listen to this is water.
pen gala was lit. intern or volunteer next year if you can. and if you're balling, grab a seat (for like a stack). i'll see there you.
interesting read about homelessness and college students.
google's night walk is one of my new favorite things.
it's hard out here for a fact. you might need this over the next few years. fact check.
currently reading exist west.
read this man. often. charles blow of nyt.
get smart(er). use this tool to tutor yourself in your spare time. khan academy.
because science matter. shout to ndt. fighting the good fight.
remember, "done is better than perfect."
veggie burgers + hope, brandon
p.s. special shout to saki. my favorite blerd. and pg(2) & co.
p.p.s. and very big thank you to following people who helped, inspired, and encouraged me to start and expand BGCG:
jazzi m. + amy m. + deanna f. + marvin r. + b. lyons + j. murray