Hey y’all, it’s ya girl! I’m Vilissa Thompson, a woman who wears many hats & goes by many titles. If you’re new here, I’m a: macro social worker, writer, speaker, consultant, and Founder of Ramp Your Voice! I’m also a visionary, creative, and currently establishing the second act of my career with new and exciting projects.
Thank you for reading and subscribing! This newsletter is for YOU - those who may be new to me and those who are “long time listener, first time reader. This newsletter gives you a bird’s eye view of who I am, what I’m getting into, and what I’m working on.
Photo of a Black woman with her hair parted and hanging down straight. She is smiling and facing the camera sideways in her wheelchair. She is outside under the tree branches while wearing a white and black dress.
Patron Saint of Boundaries
Sometimes The Hard Decisions Are The Right Decisions
The last year has been riddled with hard decisions I had to make when it comes to shifts, particularly on the professional end. There are some people I’d never work with again, though I appreciate them dearly personally.
Having the understanding that these are great people, but not so great to work with were hard realities to hold. Making the decision to no longer have these people be a part of projects was my way of sustaining some form of a relationship I have with them. Being placed in this position sucked - I’m not going to sugarcoat it. However, a saving grace in each moment - therapy. My therapist has witnessed a lot of rightful rage and resolution to each situation. My therapist is the reason I haven’t entirely lost my shit on anyone. LOL.
The reason I’m writing this - none of the hard decisions I made has been to my detriment. In fact - quite the opposite. It forced me to decide how I want people to show up for the projects I’m passionate about, and dig deeper in the work culture I’m creating collectively. For some projects, people cross-over in roles, and I want to ensure that whoever is a part of the work, feels good to be there.
I realized - this is the part of being a boss/head of bodies of work that isn’t glamorous. However, it’s necessary to ensure that the work environment being cultivated aligns with the values and energy that not only I want to see, but those who are a part of the work should experience. I’ve been in a lot of shitty professional situations - I refuse to allow shakiness to exist in the very spaces I’m building.
The spillover reflection from 2025 is carrying me in 2026. Make the hard decisions - not doing so can be more harmful than you can imagine.
Returning back to the basics in 2026 - a priority, not an option.
Unapologetically HER:
Winter Season Messing Up Plans, But… Spring is Near to Correct That
This month, I haven’t been outside - it has been cold and snowy. Yes, even in good ole South Carolina.
However, just like the trees will begin to have leaves on their branches over the next few weeks, I too feel like I’m coming into myself as Spring draws near.
I was supposed to go to the Kamala Harris book tour stop this month, but it got rescheduled for April due to the snowstorm we had the week of the event. Though I was bummed about it, I remembered - a Spring event means that I don’t have to be bundled up to venture outside like I live in the Arctic.
As of right now, that’ll be my next “I’m outside” adventure.
My Faves!
These are a few of my favorite things…
It’s Lent season, and though I’m not Catholic, I like to partake in the observance because of the intention behind it.
It has been a few years since I have partaken, but this year - I want to engage.
What am I looking to give up? Not making the time to do my crafty hobbies as I’d like. I’m very good at checking off tasks for work; not so much in making the time to do fun activities like learning how to draw.
So for Lenten season, I feel that the 40 days can be of me pushing myself to get artsy/crafty. I bought a few books from a renowned artist, and plan to read her books as inspiration. I also have a few drawing eBooks on my Kindle that I will read & make sketches of.
I love art, and feel that it’s well overdue for me to give it a serious try.
I’ll report back in April when Lent season ends!
Take Action
Image Description: A Black Man with loosely curly Afro walk with sunglasses and white cane. The background is green red and yellow blocking that reads “WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE? BLACK INVENTIONS THAT IMPROVED ACCESS”
We are in the last days of Black History Month, and I wanted to share about the video series I’m doing.
For both Black History Month and Women’s History Month, I’ll be covering Black inventors and their inventions that benefit disabled people. I got the idea from Ms. Pat, who’s a famous comedienne. During Black History Month in 2025, she covered a Black woman who developed the first self-directed feeding tube. That caused me to think about other Black inventions in this fashion, and an idea was birthed.
For this installment of the “Who Made It Possible?” series, we’re covering the inventors of the automatic elevator door, the microphone, and the ice cream scoop.
If you want to do the learning, watch the series on my YouTube channel (and follow ya girl on there!).
Until Next Time…
If you cannot tell, I’m ready to say adieu to Winter and let Spring set up shop. If the year hasn’t gone as well as you had hoped, restarting in Spring may not be a bad idea.
You can always restart - the calendar means nothing (except for filing taxes…). If the Spring is where you’d shine, then let’s take that stroll together. You know where to find me - on the porch with my analog bag.