Return | A Gift to Us Part 1 and 2

A Gift To Us Part I & II

Written by Us | Layout by Ebony Nkrumah & Gabriela Garcia-Mendoza

Written by Charcoal’s staff to our future selves, “A Gift to Us” is a collection of Charcoal’s promises, hopes, and dreams for the future of this publication and the people that are keeping it alive. We hope these fortunes can act as a time capsule of this publication and the people who hold it dear. May it remind you of the people before you 10, 15, 20... years from now.

Remember the beautiful days you currently have a bad one. — Mya

Seek freedom in your life. Hunger for it and create it by all means. — Chike

Unapologetically own your identity. — Ruofei

You still have time to live like you want to be alive. — Gaby

Let your wishes be the advice you see in your vision. — Mateen

Dont think too much. — Rayne

Dont take life too seriously--we arent here forever. — Uni

The boundaries in your life are only visible to you--once you remove the importance of,they dissappear. — Melanie

Let your passion drive your purpose. — Erin

Let your heart become fond of the embrace of love. — Ben

Making space for recreation and rest is a radical act. — Isabella

Individually we grow and together it will show. — Kritika

you the shit, bitch. — Gloria

In a world that continues to oppress, the best repsonse is to be unapologetically you. — Kasandra

Be intentional and remember creativity exists in everything. Carry that. No matter where you go. — Izzy

Give yourself time to grow. — Madison

Don’t let strange inputs from others stop your “strange” output into the world. — Matthew

You are your own universe! Love every bit of you. — Emmy

Everlasting prosperity will grace all those who dream. — Adiera

I will find myself through Charcoal. — Shre

Love is always the answer! Brenda

The way you treat yourself is the standard you set for everyone else. — Ashley

No matter where I go in life, I will have modes of expressing myself creatively. — Raniya

You will eventually work towards creating something great, but dont worry about that now. — Ramsey

Tomorrow will be okay even if you are scared of it. — Audree

I wish that every person can find home within themselves and spread kindness around them. — Huley

Don’t let “what ifs” stop you from pushing past your comfort zone. — Emily

The path you follow should be one that makes you want to keep going. — Aman

Sometimes you must wander through space to find the galaxy you belong in. — Skye

Don’t overthink things. — Tiffany

Charcoal will continue to pervade the world with it’s message, mean the world to so many people, and open a new world to those in the dark. — Ebony

Don’t be afraid to be authentically you. Regina

Guiding with empathy will create space to express the most creatively free and authentic self. — Anne

Word to Miley Cryus: There’s always gonna be another mountain, I’m always gonna wanna make it move, always gonna be a uphill battle, sometimes you’re gonna have to lose. It ain’t about how fast I get there. It ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb. — Rafeeat

All of the love you need is inside of you. — Charline

A bad chapter doesn’t mean your story is over. — Andrea

Don’t force things that aren’t meant to be and learn to let go. — Maika

Be easy on yourself and it’ll invite others to do the same. — Torin

The things I want are within my reach but, the things that I need are right in front of me. — Kohana

When you love yourself, you’ll never feel alone. — Brianna

Don’t let the nasty Boston weather keep you from being great. — Nyayian

What’s meant for you is already yours. — Shay

Dont be afraid of your own vulnerability. — Esther

Don’t force things that aren’t meant to be and learn to let go. — Maika

Whoever is reading this, you matter in the world, and care about you. — Brianna

Let your heart become fond of the embrace of love. — Ben

Imagine your higher self then start showing up as them. — Olivia

Being able to study abroad in Korea over the summer. — Angel