What Are We Doing Here?
On purpose
In Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, she expounds on the importance of gathering with purpose. She states, “having a purpose simply means knowing why you’re gathering and doing your participants the honor of being convened for a reason.” When I read this quote for the first time, I finally understood why wedding officiants always start ceremonies by telling us that we are gathered to watch two people come together in holy matrimony, even though the event’s purpose is obvious to the audience. I’ve hosted many, many times in my life. I love putting hours into considering the menu, designing the decor, creating the guest list, and all of the other seemingly endless decisions that come with treating hosting like a sport. And yet, I spend considerably less time thinking about why I am hosting in the first place.
Upon reflection, I’ve realized that the same is true of this little digital gathering I’ve been hosting for the last five years. I started this newsletter in 2020 because I wanted to write more. This space served first and foremost as a container for my writing; a place to remind myself that writing is what I want to do. But now there are hundreds of you here, and I am a completely different person than I was when I started, so we’re long overdue for a reintroduction. I owe you all the honor of being convened here, at Choice Cuts, for a reason.
But first, a little about me. My name is Mbiye Kasonga, and no, it’s not pronounced the way you think it is1. I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and emigrated to the United States as a kid. I learned English in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and it shows in my very proper diction. In undergrad, I self-designed a major in New Media and American Studies because I was fascinated by the internet and how it has changed or reinforced pre-existing cultural hierarchies — a topic I also write about here. I had a career in marketing, specifically as a Market Researcher and Marketing Strategist, before leaving corporate last year to run my production agency, Moyo, full-time. I contribute to The Strategist at New York Magazine, where I write about beauty and skincare. I love movies, knitting, cooking, and stubbornly defending strong opinions about trivial things. My favorite color is red, my favorite thing to wear is a dress, and I’m one of those people who cries easily and often (it’s healthy!). I built my career in production from scratch, and I’m very glad to be making a living from my creativity. And most importantly, I’m currently writing a novel (!!!!!!!) about prolonged unemployment, a romance that flourishes in a record store, and how love can give us the courage to pursue the truth of who we are. I can’t wait for you to read it.
So what exactly are we doing here? Dearly beloved, we are gathered here digitally to notice, to savor, and to think together. Choice Cuts is a newsletter where I give you the very best that I’ve got. The name Choice Cuts came to me when I was working in consulting a few years ago. I realized I was giving the very best of myself, the Choice Cuts, to everyone else, a practice that left me frustrated and spent. I named this newsletter as a reminder to save the Choice Cuts for myself, especially when it comes to creative ideas. You can expect essays about whatever topic is swirling in my brain about once a month; otherwise, you’ll hear from me at the end of every month during my monthly recaps. I’m also going to try some new things this year — interviewing other people, sharing my watercolor paintings, and experimenting with fiction. I’ve listed a few of my greatest hits below so you can get a sense of what’s to come.
So there it is, a stated purpose. Welcome to Choice Cuts, I’m so glad you’re here :)
Mbiye
Choice Cuts’ Greatest Hits
My next newsletter will be a name pronunciation guide, don’t worry.
All of the yes to this. ✨
YES! I've been thinking a lot about the art of gathering, even in digital spaces, after listening to an episode of the Vibe Check podcast featuring Sam Sanders and Priya Parker. I put the book on hold at the library immediately after. Also, I can't wait to read your novel.