iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

It’s Black Maternal Health Week and I think it’s time to share why I disappeared 2025 and slowly coming back. The joys of bringing life met the complexities of being a Black Woman.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

All my devices are below 5% and I feel like this also reflects how I feel

Hello Kitty laying down flat on the floor with the view of the back of their head with stress bubbles around her with the little ghost version of yourself hovering above her showing that she’s exhausted

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

I told the moon my dreams and she sent a shooting start to make them real

Claymation woman who’s pregnant looking down with arms around belly.

Me and my partner taking photos in a forest, looking at each other

Close-up photo of My thumb being held by a baby

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Throwback to when I had to see this screen multiple times before getting approved by TikTok to use their API 🤣 Sidenote, I added a new feature that helps me create better description text for images to @onsolosocial.com and it's actually really helpful!

A white background with black text screen grab of TikTok's with a cartoon line drawing of a person holding a red checkmark dev portal with that reads "Your application to request access to content posting API has been submitted!"

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day to the world’s best dad 🖤 I’m a better person because of you 👨🏾

Smiling Idris Elba with a short beard wearing a black beanie and a light gray long-sleeve shirt, standing indoors in a softly lit room with modern decor.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Manifestation without work is just wishful thinking

Background of a forest with text that reads “Maybe we are here to enhance ourselves spiritually”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

I feel like I got my life in order enough to handle the ups and downs for the next few months Had to shift a lot around and spend more time pouring into myself to find my fire 🐦‍🔥

A minimalist, earthy-toned illustration of two figures with shaved heads, kneeling on either side of a tall, stylized flame rising from a stone base. Their hands are extended towards the fire, almost touching it and each other. Below the image, text reads: “Seek what sets your soul on fire.” The background is a textured beige, giving the artwork a natural, organic feel.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

My latest whimsical arrangement 🖤

This is an image of a beautifully arranged floral bouquet placed in a textured, vintage-style glass vase with a short stem and a wide bowl. The arrangement sits on a light wooden tabletop against a minimalist background with white walls and dark flooring in the distance.

The bouquet features a variety of flowers with different colors and textures, including:
1. Ranunculus: Dominating the arrangement are bright orange and deep red ranunculus flowers. These flowers have densely layered, delicate petals, giving them a lush, full appearance. Two of the orange ranunculus stand tall above the rest, while a striking red-orange ranunculus bends gracefully to the side.
2. Icelandic Poppies (Papaver nudicaule): A couple of soft yellow poppies are included. Their crinkled, papery petals and drooping heads are distinct, adding an airy, delicate quality to the arrangement.
3. SOLOMIO DIAN THUS: Scattered throughout are small, vivid red flowers. These blooms provide pops of bright color and contrast nicely against the greenery.
4. Chrysanthemums (Green Button Mums): There are round, green button chrysanthemums tucked in among the stems. Their compact, pom-pom shapes and vivid green color add texture and a fresh, earthy tone to the bouquet.
5. chamomile flower: Tiny white flowers of chamomile flower delicately fill in the gaps, softening the overall look and giving the bouquet a light, airy feel.

The entire composition combines tall, elegantly arching stems with a variety of textures and vivid hues, creating a natural yet artfully balanced display. The vintage green vase adds charm and complements the green tones in the flowers and stems.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

These are the best photos I could find for the comparison. It’s not a 1:1 but the overlap of symbolism is strong The connection between the impact that Black people have in creating the American we know today

Photo of Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime show where his backup dancers are dressed and posed as the American flag with Kendrick standing in the middle

A black-and-white portrait by Gordon Parks featuring a Black woman in glasses and a modest dress, standing in front of an American flag while holding a broom. A mop rests beside her. The juxtaposition of the symbols of labor with the national emblem underscores themes of racial inequality, dignity in work, and the struggle for justice—hallmarks of Parks’ socially conscious photography.

A black-and-white photograph by Gordon Parks depicting a large gathering of Black women wearing white headscarves and dresses, seated in organized rows. Among them, a woman cradles a baby, adding a moment of tenderness to the structured scene. The uniformity and composition emphasize community, discipline, and sisterhood—central themes in Parks’ visual storytelling.

A black-and-white photograph by Gordon Parks capturing a group of Black women dressed in matching white uniforms and head coverings, standing in formation. The woman in the foreground stares directly into the camera with an intense expression, while the others behind her gaze forward with solemnity. The image conveys themes of unity, strength, and resilience, characteristic of Parks’ powerful documentary style.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Cronyism means you hire people in your network without them needing to have qualifications or skills I promise I didn’t make this word up lol

Screen shot of dictionary definition of cronyism that reads “• cronyism

cro•ny•ism | 'kröneizam |
noun derogatory
the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications: there are complaints that cronyism is behind the rise of various executives through the ranks.”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I’m choosing happiness when nothing else seems possible 🖤

Ink drawing of a lotus with text that reads “like a lotus flower
we too have the ability to rise from the mud bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

When I was little my aunts would call woman they didn’t like a heifer 😂 This used to tickle me so because I just imaged the person they where talking looking like cow from cow and chicken 😂😭🤣

Cartoon cow from the show cow and chicken

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Post a picture of yourself from a different era 👩🏾‍🦱🎀

Photo of me in club with red lighting sticking out my tongue, eyes squint bow in my curly Afro hair with a drink in my hand

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Today’s a grate day to be a black woman in tech I have big things cooking for 2025 but what I’ll share right now is you’ll be seeing my face a lot this year. Talking about navigating the tech job market, leveling up as a dev or tech in leadership, & being a solo tech founder So tap in with me 🥳

Selfie of Valerie Phoenix with big hair and glasses smiling into the camera

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Excited for what we have planned for the new year! Also, I made this cute graphic for 2025 that I would love for yall to see

A stylized graphic showing the number '2025' with overlapping numbers in yellow, blue, and red colors. The text 'We Made It Together' appears in black to the right of the numbers. The design has a minimalist, modern feel with a warm cream-colored background.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Yesterday I received the last bit of feedback from things I’ve been working on. That last full moon of the year really said “you will close out this year with answers to everything you’re looking for”

Photo of the moon at night with a red filter over it

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

I didn’t even think about it like that but you right 😭😭😭

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

The fact that this is the first real bit of media I took in today is wild 😂🤣 16 years ago today, Rick Astley rickrolled everyone at the 82nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade with ‘Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends.’

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Good morning blue sky Starting today off showing the most realistic photo I have of me in my camera roll. Would love to see yours 😊

Photo of Sanrio character, eating a potato with lots of potato with text that reads, I love potatoes

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Coding on my Mac mini from my bathtub feeling like rev run

Rev Run sitting in a bubble-filled bathtub, holding a phone and looking contemplative, as seen in his iconic scenes from “Run’s House,” where he often shares wisdom and reflections.

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Woke up feeling terrible 🤒 I usually get sick once a year and it’s usually before or on thanksgiving I guess my moment is now

Hello kitty plush doll in a floating in a sink with water with text that reads “I’m at my fucking limit” so show a new level of “I’m over it”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

I’m also a white man but it added hello kitty 😂 I use Joe Biden for my slack photo at work sooo technically it’s not wrong 😂🤣

An AI generated image of a white male in front of a computer in a office with a hello kitty, plush doll to the right of him that he’s looking down at. on the wall there’s images of code in different posters. There are photos that says “senior leader” and “executive director.”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

Right before I found out my role was impacted by layoffs, I was drafting a blog post about how we can change company culture for the better if we worked as if companies offered pension plans …. There’s truth in this work but I’ll be editing tf out of it before I publish it

Bumblebee from Teen Titans cartoon with the normal face that goes to her face looking stressed out to the point her to Afro puffs fall off

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

Did my part and voted today! I have no clue what tomorrow will look like but today I’m hopeful

Mirror selfie Photo of my “I voted” sticker on my finger in the background, there is a reflection of me and a mirror that slightly blurryMirror selfie Photo of my “I voted” sticker on my finger in the background, there is a reflection of me and a mirror that slightly blurry

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 04/11/2024

Reminder that it’s the baby steps that will get you to where you’re trying to go

Image of a poem that reads “one morning you will breath just like you used to — without why heaviness”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

Halloween 2024 I'm not like a regular cat, I'm a cool cat 🐈‍⬛

Photo of me with cat makeup on and yellow tinted cat eye glasses posing with a smile

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

I ignored so many red flags because I wanted the “good environment” to be good for me. The reality is you don’t have to make do extra lifting for a good environment. The environment will change to support you. 🍋

Page of a book that reads “i take all my bad experiences and flip them in a way that can be beneficial to my growth
— lia the butterfly”

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

I wish I could slow down time for so many reasons

Poem from a page that reads, Time: the healer and the killer

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Apparently I make this face so often that my friends have made gif and sticker of it and use it to react to things in the group chat 😂😭

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

If you're reading this, Solo Social is now integrated with Threads 🎉 onsolosocial.com

Image with text that reads "threads" with the threads emojis

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

Just came across the image I made for a workshop I used to run to help people generate cover letters and resumes on the fly during the job hunt www.eventbrite.com/e/job-huntin...

Job hunt automation workshop flyer with a retro robot in the left-hand corner with text that reads, "Stop struggling to navigate your next job hunt efficiently. Learn to achieve more with less work."

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

I took the time to write clean, easy to read, and extendable code solo social. Because of this I've it only took about an 2 hours to connect it with bluesky

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 22/05/2023

Good morning. Let’s tap into our inner eternal baddie this Monday ✨

Maybe we are here to enhance ourselves spiritually

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 21/05/2023

BTW @techbychoice.org I run a monthly leadership vent group where tech leaders come together to chat, vent, and strategize about work Zoom chat! 🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/598050594427

Tech ledershiip support group where leaders grow together. Happens every 3rd wednesday @ 4 pm PT | 7 pm ET

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 21/05/2023

If you played this game, what part of town did you live in? Also, I thought the black eyed peas being a part of this game was a fever dream 😂

Game cover of "The Urbz: Sims in the city"

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 20/05/2023

lmfao I'm adopted, so by default I'm at least one mother's favorite 🤣😭😂 All of my siblings hate this joke but it’s my favorite

Fred from scooby doo with Carltons face with a smirk from fresh prince face supper imposed on Fred’s

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 19/05/2023

I really enjoyed this movie. If you’ve seen it can you recommend other movies I would be into?

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 16/05/2023

Got it ok! For community building I look at the way Ella Baker’s approach to leadership In community, and I would read more on the blackfoot nation hierarchy of needs. I don’t think there’s a 1:1 translation but the more you read about these spaces the more you understand how to be in community

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Valerie Phoenix @digitalblkhippy.bsky.social · 15/05/2023

Well great news blue sky. I’m officially 30 😮‍💨

Me taking a mirror selfie with my hand over my face

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