We asked entrepreneurs, artists, creatives and folks from every walk of life to share stories of kindness with us because we believe that hearing about kindness inspires more kindness. Our world needs more kindness.

Dana Drissel

In 2021, my husband and I welcomed two beautiful twin babies. When Baby A (Senna) came out, she was born crying and healthy. When Baby B (Alessi) was born, we immediately knew that something was wrong. Alessi needed immediate resuscitation and unfortunately, did not survive with all medical efforts from our birthing team. We had in what seemed like seconds, lost the life we thought we were going to have. We lost milestones, birthdays, holidays. We lost a daughter. Our daughters lost a sibling. And Senna lost her twin. We didn’t think that it was possible to continue to survive when a large piece of us had died. Read more>>

Cynthia Luvlee-Austin

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was forgiving me when I didn’t show up for them during one of the darkest times in their life. Years ago, a dear friend confided in me about their depression, and instead of listening with presence and compassion, I was too caught up in my own world to truly hear them. When they told me how hurt they were by my inaction, I didn’t know how to respond, so, I didn’t. We lost contact for five years. Read more>>

Adriana Lara

I think the kindest thing anyone ever did for me when I was first starting out was when my first boss in the beauty industry reached out to me directly to ask for my help at her salon. I want to say she found a picture of my work on craigslist or instagram and she reached out even though I explained I was such a fresh new artist. I really find it to be the kindest thing because she really didn’t need my help. She was such a hustling mom & insanely slammed with nonstop clients every single day and even though many of them were hesitant to give me a chance, many of them eventually did and I actually still have a few of those clients to this day 6 years later. It’s something I always think about honestly! Read more>>

MaryEllen Hackett

This conversation changed my own attitude about my artwork.

When I was about 4 years post getting my BFA, I was attending an art residency in northern Vermont with about 50 other artists and writers. Most of the people there were “full time” artists, and there were more than a few who held prestigious national grants. I was very insecure, liking my own work but worrying that I was not a professional because I had a non-art day job as my primary income. Read more>>

Anna Majure

One of the most meaningful and generous things anyone has ever done for me wasn’t a grand gesture—it was a quiet, steady act of trust and belief that unfolded over time. My very first client, Ann Lamar, gave me the chance to grow, to learn, and to truly become the decorator I am today. Read more>>

Mal Starks

When I was 18, my interest in fashion was primarily focused on illustrations and sketching. At the time, I was really into magazines and editorial fashion, with Vibe, a hip hop music and fashion magazine, being one of my favorites.
I had always been shy about sharing my work, but one day I gathered up the courage to write a letter to a fashion editor at Vibe magazine, including some copies of my sketches and asking for an honest critique. Read more>>