Welcome!
What’s good? Welcome to The Wakeful, a curated newsletter and community by Patrice Peck that delivers hand-curated global news about Black girls and women straight to your inbox.
In a world overflowing with headlines, hot takes, and digital noise, The Wakeful offers clarity, context, and care. Whether it’s a breaking news moment or a quiet story flying under the radar, we help you stay informed, stay grounded, and stay woke to how the world impacts Black women’s lives in unique and layered ways. (FYI: “Woke” is not an derogatory term in these parts, okay!)
Why The Wakeful?
Because staying woke isn’t a trend. It’s a practice.
You’re already doing the work of seeking truth, but the media ecosystem isn’t built to make that easy. Excellent writing about Black women’s lives exists, but it’s often buried, siloed, or missing the nuance and consistency it deserves. Legacy outlets don’t go deep enough. Independent ones are hard to find or keep up with.
That’s where The Wakeful comes in. We bring you thoughtful curation, original journalism, and a steady editorial voice that doesn’t just inform, but amplifies, connects, and empowers.
What You’ll Get:
Thoughtful curation of the most pressing and powerful stories impacting Black women globally
Analysis from a seasoned journalist who's written for Essence, Ebony, The New York Times, The Atlantic, MSNBC, Vogue, The Cut and more
Nuance, depth, and editorial care
A newsletter that feels like a conversation, with passion, rigor, and receipts
A growing community of readers who believe Black women’s lives matter and want to stay woke together
Who’s Behind The Wakeful?
I'm Patrice Peck, a seasoned journalist and digital media professional with over a decade of experience writing and editing for leading outlets including Essence, Ebony, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Vogue, MSNBC, BuzzFeed, and more.
In March 2020, I launched the Substack newsletter “Coronavirus News for Black Folks” to cover the pandemic’s disproportionate toll on our communities. That newsletter earned national attention and recognition, including a spot on the WIRED25 list “People Who Are Making Things Better",” alongside Dr. Anthony Fauci and Ava DuVernay.
In 2023, I reimagined and expanded that work into The Wakeful, a global, holistic, and urgent look at Black women’s lives. This is journalism with intention. This is media that remembers, respects, and reflects us.
This Is for You If...
You believe protecting and uplifting Black women is essential
You’re curious, justice-minded, and tired of news cycles that erase or flatten our stories
You read newsletters like Zeba Blay’s Carefree Black Girl and Phil Lewis’ What I’m Reading.
You crave both thoughtful curation and meaningful analysis delivered with care.
Subscribe to Stay Wakeful
This work matters. It takes time, energy, and labor and your support helps keep The Wakeful alive and growing. (We’re also on Instagram and TikTok!)
Subscribe for free to stay in the loop and join a growing community of readers committed to staying wakeful.
Become a paid subscriber to receive special perks and directly support independent journalism about Black women because our stories deserve more.
