Anchored in reflection, renewal, and inspiration, Bloom Through the Seasons will honor women as symbolic gardeners—cultivating resilience, wisdom, and healing in every season of life.

 The evening will begin with a signature reception, followed by a moderated conversation with Tara Pringle Jefferson, author of "Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing." Guests will explore self-care as a leadership practice and generational healing as an act of courage.

 Each attendee will receive a signed copy of "Bloom How You Must." This event is open to the public, and all are welcome.

Bloom How You Must reminds us that self-care is not a trend for Black women—it is a throughline in our history. From Coretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, and Myrlie Evers-Williams taking intentional pauses amid the Civil Rights Movement, to Rosa Parks practicing yoga, to Toni Morrison tending her gardens while writing literary classics, this book situates rest, joy, and community as acts of resilience and survival.

Blending guidebook and journal, Bloom How You Must excavates the roots of self-care and community care and transforms them into a practical, affirming blueprint for modern life. Drawing on research from leading wellness experts, interviews with women aged 19–99, personal stories, and reflection exercises, the book offers readers a grounded path toward a less stressful, more intentional way of living.

Author Tara Pringle Jefferson joins Grounded DC to discuss Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman's Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing

Our agenda includes:

• A brief reading from Bloom How You Must

• A lively, thoughtful conversation about Black women's self-care practices and how we can fortify ourselves for the forseeable future

• Audience Q&A

• Journaling workshop following prompts from Bloom How You Must

• Book signing following the book talk + workshop

Join us for a Women’s History Month convening dedicated to advancing the leadership and wellbeing of girls and young women across generations — thoughtfully designed for young women in high school and college, alongside women leaders and mentors committed to empowering the next generation. Hosted by the iamRuth Foundation, Bloom Through the Seasons will honor women as symbolic gardeners—cultivating resilience, wisdom, and healing in every season of life.

This is a private event.

The evening will begin with a signature reception, followed by a moderated conversation with Tara Pringle Jefferson, author of "Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing." Guests will explore self-care as a leadership practice and generational healing as an act of courage.

 Each attendee will receive a signed copy of "Bloom How You Must." This event is open to the public, and all are welcome.

The fourth annual Akron Book Fest will showcase authors, publishers, and booksellers.

In collaboration with Literary Cleveland’s Plum City Reading Series. Books will be available for purchase on site.