studio notes #1

updates on what’s moving, what’s under construction, and where we go next

So first things first: yes, the name here has changed.

When you’re building an intentional practice, you can’t ignore the elephant in the room: ownership. Where should your work live? Where can it actually thrive? Substack is easy, familiar, and built to spread. But lately we’ve been reminded that our words aren’t always as safe as we’d like them to be. Plagiarism and creative theft aren’t inevitable, but they happen.

Substack is a hub I genuinely enjoy. The synergy here is a breath of fresh air compared to other “social media” spaces. But we don’t own it — we rent it. And what we’re seeing in real time is a platform that’s scaled without real recourse for the bad actors who’ve slipped in.

This isn’t a letter to harp on the pitfalls of Substack (I’m still using it and plan to use it in full capacity). These issues have haunted the blogosphere and small creators since the dawn of dial-up. But I also know I’m not immune to the comfort of low-maintenance spaces… and CTRLALTBLACK Studio was never meant to be a low-maintenance effort.

update 1: Tom from Myspace would proud

I started building out our website. Balanced, layered, and flexible enough to hold the kind of work Notes Towards a Feeling is meant to be: quick sparks, visuals, and unpolished drafts right next to the pieces that dive deep.

Now, let me be clear - I’m not a coding genius. I know enough to feel comfortable working my way around open-source software. But through the strength of Myspace muscle memory, Reddit, and amazing friends, my Frankenstein is looking real good.

update 2: submissions

Even as we transition into a bigger digital space, submissions are still open. In case you missed it: Notes Towards A Feeling is not only a digital zine but also creates printed media.

We offer a variety of ways to submit - from microdose thoughts to explorative pieces that stand on their own. There’s space for an authentic exploration of your creativity here.

If you’re visual like me, you need to see the vision… and don’t worry, I got you!

I have the first visual curation of take what you need vol.1 locked and loaded. Can’t wait for you to see it on the new site (and yes, subscribers to this newsletter will be the first to know).

update 3: community meets care (digital recycle drive)

Over the past month, I’ve been showing up more in real life — networking, building, and expanding the ways coaching and community efforts actually meet. My work in Adult Education and Transformational Leadership always circles back to this: people grow best in spaces where dialogue and care live side by side.

Community isn’t just about gathering; it’s about creating resources that move us all forward.

So, where do we start? Well, I’m developing a digital recycle drive — taking unused tech and rehoming it with creatives who need it. Businesses discard millions of devices each year for the sake of upgrades and security. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the U.S. alone generates over 6.9 million tons of e-waste annually, with only about 15% properly recycled.¹ The rest? Landfills, storage, and banished to the corners of a basement, never to be thought about again.

Intentional recycling — especially when it puts resources back into the hands of artists, educators, and makers — is one way of practicing care. It’s another way for many of us to provide support tangibly. For CTRLALTBLACK Studio, this is just a glimpse of the work ahead, which is about finding more of these intersections where growth, wellness, and access meet, and where we can transform what’s often discarded into something that creates possibility.

…did you make it this far?

Thank you for the shares, donations, and words of encouragement. It means a lot, and it keeps ya girl motivated. If you ever want to pick my brain or contribute to the vision, drop me a line.

I am very transparent that this is a grassroots effort—a work of the heart. Donations, personal contributions, and the volunteering of expertise and collaboration are the driving forces behind this work right now. But just know - I’m working on providing what I can, and if it can’t be through monetary contribution - then I’m going to find us some software, books, and technology, mkay?!

Until our next update… keep ya girl uplifted.

love, peace, and vibes
b.nicole

1. Why We Need A Strong EPA