TODAY IS THE DAY! BTW TURNS ONE!

Words cannot express how I am feeling today as I deliver this newsletter to you all! BTW is one years young :)

Having an idea is one thing, but seeing it through is another.

With Behind the Work, I've re-learned what it is like to build something from scratch again. It is incredibly humbling and it has re-affirmed to me that I can do whatever I put my mind to… and I am convicted when I say that YOU can also do anything you put YOUR mind to.

In just one year, we've been able to grow this community to almost 10,000 people across all channels, have produced 34 episodes, have written 54 newsletters… and tonight I am having my first LIVE event in Miami. WILD!

We're expecting the BEST turn out! For those of you who can't attend in person, make sure to tune into our @BehindTheWorkShow Instagram account where we're going live at 6:30pm!

Today I want to take the time to acknowledge my community…

Community has been at the helm of this brand since its beginning stages and I really would not be here without my tribe.

Every guest I have interviewed on Behind The Work has been part of my community and my tribe. They are people I have met on my journey and have had the privilege to experience them in meaningful ways.

From chopping it up with my best friends Evin and Yoni, to discussing businesses and careers with people like Latesha and Khalia, to going deep on loving God with Stacyann, to loving yourself fully with Catalina. To discussing the pain points for first generation professionals with Layla and advocating for yourself unapologetically with Minda.

I am grateful to every one who said yes to interviews and took a bet on me as I took a bet on myself the last twelves months. I needed this project more than words could explain when I launched it in March 2025.

I didn't know what to expect, but seeing RSVPs roll in for the event this week, and even having people change their flight itineraries to show up for me does not go unnoticed. I feel a tremendous amount of love.

Community is a true gift from the divine world…

Not everyone is blessed with community. In fact, there have been several studies in recent years that share reputable data on the loneliness epidemic and how it disproportionately affects those from underestimated racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States - especially Black and Brown communities.

The rate of loneliness among young adults has also increased every year between 1976 and 2019, and when you consider the aftermath of COVID, those numbers continue to increase.

I believe that we're not meant to be alone…

Of this belief is also my friend Terence…

This Week's Interview Is Here:

Terence and I met in 2022 when I was living in LA. He is the CEO of a company called JoinLinks, an app where you can meet new people who share your interests through in-person hangouts of ~15 people or less.

Motivated by addressing Black loneliness, Terence has been building this start-up the last several years and has been able to bring so many people together and encourage event organizers to curate events in their local communities. I've always loved the concept of using technology to build bridges and JoinLinks is doing just that.

In our conversation this week, Terence and I talked about community, considerations for being in community, leadership, getting success slowly and finding the motivation to keep going when your numbers are not skewing in your favor. It was a beautiful exchange.

As I leave you today…

I have never known a day without love and I have never known what it is like to not have true community. I have been blessed with incredible people (my family, my friends, my co-workers, my neighbors and my peers), all long-term relationships that have lasted decades.

I don't take that for granted and I wish community for each of you.

We don't have to do life alone.

Please know there are spaces that love you, that reaffirm your humanity, let you know that you matter and that you are valued.

Thanks for being with me the last year and the many more years to come.

About Terence Simpson:

Terence Simpson is the CEO of JoinLinks, an app where you can meet new people who share your interests through in-person hangouts of around 15 people or less called "Links".