33 Cool Kitchen Products You Probably Haven't Heard Of Yet
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This "Deli ProKeeper" and $10 berry saver are about to save you gobs of money in wasted produce.
1. The Pink Stuff's new "Sqeezy" sponge set, which is living up to its "miracle" catchphrase by helping reviewers with their toughest cleaning projects, like grimy pans, mildewed showers, and marked-up walls. If you aren't already in the cult of Pink Stuff cleaning paste, it's so good at its job that reviewers call it " gold in a jar" and " witchcraft."
Promising review: "The 'abrasive sponge when cold' or 'squishy when hot' is an awesome feature for the type of scrubbing you want to do. The Pink Stuff with the sponge does wonders! We have a hideous 30-year-old shower and although it doesn't look brand new like I was hoping, it's 10 times better!! This product really does work!" — GreenGoddess
Get the set (one Pink Stuff jar and a "Sqeezy") from Amazon for $9.99.
2. An airtight Deli ProKeeper that is actually the *updated* version of the wildly TikTok-viral original ProKeeper — not only does keep your deli meat and cheese *super* fresh and free up space and clutter in your fridge, but the updated version is fully transparent so you can easily see the contents, and has grooves at the bottom to keep moisture off your items.
Amazon
Promising review: "Best cold cuts storage ever! I've used this container for storing sliced cheeses and sliced deli meats and I absolutely love it! Keeps them fresher longer and looks nicer sitting in the refrigerator! Win win!!" — Mandolin Buglar
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in four styles).
3. And a hybrid berry basket and colander designed not just to make cleaning your fruit way easier, but to keep your fruit fresh for as long as possible, so you can snack on your farmer's market haul without racing the clock.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "My blueberries stay fresh and crisp in this container, rather than the familiar fate of becoming soggy and moldy! I love how I can wash the berries in the strainer, pop it into the basket, and then look forward to the BEST blueberries EVER!!!!!" — Anonymous
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
4. A two-slice slim toaster to fit virtually *anywhere* in your tiny kitchen, and to look gosh darn adorable doing it. Bonus — these long slots make it ideal for larger slices of bread, like your beloved sourdoughs.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Psst — if you're looking to save space in your kitchen and don't want to sacrifice on aesthetic, check out Bella's matching line of compact, affordable kitchen appliances!
Promising review:"The narrow width of this toaster helps free up real estate on my small countertop, plus it accommodates two slices of toast, English muffins or bagels as well as a regular width toaster. It comes in a beautiful teal color which I love. And the three toast levels ensure you don't burn food and the quality of the toast is just right — from light to brown. I highly recommend it!" — Joyce Hill
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in five styles).
5. A parent-beloved, Shark Tank -featured FunBites Food Cutter designed for both adults *and* kids to use on everything from fruits to veggies to cheese to sandwiches, helping make mealtimes more fun and hands-on (and encouraging picky eaters to broaden their horizons, one "FunBite" at a time!).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
FunBites is a small business that specializes in kid-safe cutter sets.
Check out a TikTok of the FunBites cutter in action.
Promising review: "I saw this gadget on a Facebook reel and thought I'd give it a try for my toddler. This was one of the best Shark Tank inventions ever. It cuts cleanly through the sandwich, and the little squares pop out perfectly. It's so easy and I love it. It's also easy to clean. I highly recommend for easy lunch prep for your little ones!" — MLB
"FunBites has been a total game-changer for mealtime with my picky eater kids. I got the square cutter and it's perfect for making bite-sized avocado pieces... which my kids now ACTUALLY eat! It's also super easy to use and clean. I've been cutting everything from sandwiches to cheese bites with it. My kids think the little squares are so fun. It's perfect for busy moms! And the other shapes they have are so cute too like hearts and triangles!" — Jessica Disnie
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in five styles).
6. And a set of fun sandwich decrusters that boldly asked, "What if Uncrustables were shaped like adorable dinosaurs and pretty hearts??" With this set of four, you can get a traditional circular or square version, plus those two fun shapes. Parents especially love these for meal prepping, since you can freeze the sandwiches and pull them out later, and because they help win over picky eaters!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This makes our average lunch magical. Highly recommend for mom's of toddlers!!! Easy to clean — the pieces come apart easily and assemble easily." — CCLyons
Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in larger sets with fruit cutters).
7. A handy magnetic silicone stove top shelf so you can win back some extra surface area in your kitchen and use it to store handy things like spices, utensils, and the little goblin that comes out every time you open Seamless to say, "We have food at home!"
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Teo is a small business that specializes in home goods and decor.
Promising review: "Who doesn't love counter space? WOO, a new place for the oil, salt and pepper shakers, and beloved spices to live that doesn't take up coveted counter or cupboard space. Plus, it looks great! I'm very happy with this purchase." — Redbomb
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors).
8. A 3-in-1 critter-shaped magnetized mini bag resealer you can leave on your fridge and pull out whenever you want to quickly reseal bags for optimum freshness, like chips, nuts, jerky, cheese, and bags that had something go wonky with their built-in zipper.
Amazon
It even comes with a built-in cutter to easily re-slice bags open!
Promising review: "This sealing machine completely saved my kitchen! The nuts and dry goods in sealed bags have never been damp again, and they are tightly sealed when pressed. The body is lighter than imagined, and the magnetic design is directly attached to the side of the refrigerator for easy use and retrieval." — Linda Ledford
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
9. A ridiculously handy adjustable bread slicer guide perfect for cutting loaves, bagels, and even pound cakes as uniformly (and safely!!) as possible. This takes the guesswork out of it *and* positions your hands more safely when you're using a knife.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am obsessed with this product. I have never been able to slice my bread with such precision. Easy to use, easy to store, and cleanup is a breeze. Several options for the width of your slices. It's like having a professional bakery slicer in my home. If you have trouble slicing your bread, this is the product for you. Highly recommend." — Patti Page
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
10. A trash and grocery bag dispenser so you can finally bring some order to the Angry Loose Bag Cloud stuffed under your sink, and make it a lot easier to grab a quick bag on the go. This hooks easily to the back of a cabinet door, so it saves space, too!
Promising review:"I absolutely love this dispenser! It's incredibly well-made, durable, and thoughtfully designed. The quality is top-notch, and it blends functionality with style perfectly. It makes storing and dispensing trash bags so easy and organized, and it fits great into my kitchen. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for convenience and quality." — Paul C.
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
11. Oxo's new compact Brew Rapid Brewer, aka the answer to any money-conscious coffee lover's prayers — this version is not only cheaper and more portable than comparable models on the market, but WAY faster making cold brew without compromising on flavor. I'm talking five minutes as opposed to overnight, like other pitchers take — and it doesn't need to be charged or plugged in. 🤯
Amazon
You can use this to brew hot coffee *and* cold brew by adding coffee grounds to the top portion, tamping it down, letting it steep, and pumping into a carafe full of hot or cold water.
Promising review: "Simple to use and cheaper than that other brand. This is about the best tasting coffee I have ever made at home. Easy to clean. Sturdy. Portable." — Alex Bonick
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
12. An elevated packet organizer bin so not only will you have a place to stash your beloved tuna and oatmeal packets (hot buffalo and maple brown sugar ride or DIIIIIEE), but the raised "stair" style of the bin will keep all the contents visible, so you'll know exactly what you're reaching for without having to rifle through.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
YouCopia is a woman-owned small business that specializes in home storage solutions.
Promising review:"This is a sensible little organizer that can hold various items like snacks, mixes, really anything in a small package. I love the tiers that enable me to see everything at a glance rather than having to pick it up and flip through it. Appears to be well made and good quality." —Bearchick
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
13. A microwave cooling caddy that doesn't get hot so you can pop your grub out of the microwave without waiting for it to cool down or grabbing oven mitts. Especially important when several humans need the microwave and you can't be lingering there waiting for your soup bowl to be grab-able.
Amazon
Handy Gourmet is a small business that specializes in home and kitchen products.
Promising review: "Who would have guessed how much easier this product makes getting hot items out of the microwave? This makes the retrieval much safer for me. I have hand problems and gripping this tool makes the removal steadier and safer without getting burns. I recommend!" — Envy's Opinion
Get it from Amazon for $12.95+ (available in three colors).
14. An Octo lemon juicer so the next time you're like, "I'm going to start every morning with a hot lemon water and live my best main character life," you'll have an adorable little sidekick to keep you company.
Amazon
Promising review: "The whimsical design does not at all detract from the usability. It's a brilliant combination of art and function. I use it almost every day and have no complaints. Easy to use and efficient. Easy to clean." — Rosemary Nangle Seyfried
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
15. Ninja's new *portable* Crispi Air Fryer system, perfect for people with high foodie standards and a chaotic schedule. This "all-in-one system" cooks your food in the same container you eat from, so you can pop your meal into the air fryer, cook it, and either pack it for later or eat it right out of the container.
Amazon, www.instagram.com
Check out a TikTok of the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer System in action.
Each air fryer comes with the"PowerPod," two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. The PowerPod has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. The "feet" are heat-safe, so you can prop it on any surface without worrying!
Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. I t was like it just came out of the oven the first time. Nice and crispy outside, but the inside heated just right. I love that the bottom glass can be covered with the lid it comes with. They come with a metal plate you can put in the glass bottom part, and it actually fits into the lid, so it doesn't get lost. The glass makes a difference in the taste, too. It is a great product and well worth it." — Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in three colors).
16. An air fryer egg and mini muffin mold to make your traditional oven fear for its life, now that you *truly* don't need it anymore. With this you can do smaller meal prep batches of egg bakes or do some spontaneous, low-effort cupcakes without so much as hitting a "preheat" button.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I use this to make egg bites in the air fryer. It is easy to use. Easy to remove. It has a cute confetti color. It is a great value for your money. I have already started to save money because my ingredients and the cost of the unit are much cheaper than purchasing premade egg bites." — Sherpa
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in two colors and two sizes).
17. A cleverly designed 3-in-1 gap cleaning brush that anyone with an emotional support water bottle (or 10) needs immediately. This gets all the trapped gunk in your water bottle's lid and other crevices out super fast and effectively, so you can sip your bevvies without a side of "ick."
Promising review: "I have a number of Yeti and other lidded mugs, cups, and glasses I use at the office and clean out in the communal break room sink. I could see a buildup that I just couldn't get to in the lids, and it was grossing me out! This little tool does the trick! It gets in between the rubber ridges in the rings, all around the lip of the cups and lids, and cleans everything from milk residue to lipstick smudges. I have been using it five days a week for several weeks now, and no signs of wear on the tool. Cleans up great, dries well, does the job." — Alfie
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in six colors and multipacks).
18. A chic, super affordable rattan kitchen pantry cabinet for a little extra storage space if yours is too full, or for easier access to things you want to grab faster. The shelves are even customizable to suit your needs, and the whole thing is so seamlessly "decor" looking that you could even stash it in a living space if your kitchen is too small!
Amazon
Promising review:"Nice pantry and effective. It's beautiful and efficient. Love the space for all items." — Ok
Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in three colors).
19. A set of mega absorbent hedgehog hand towels you can hang by the kitchen sink to *instantly* dry your hands instead of wrangling with a towel or cloth. These add a darling, unexpected touch to your space, and are also an adorable way for parents to encourage handwashing!
These are also odor-resistant and washer and dryer-safe.
Promising review:"These ball 'towels' work really well. It takes a little while to adjust to drying your hands on a fluffy ball instead of a flat towel, but once you adjust, they're great. They are cute as well. I was trained as a child that one towel was for hands and another was for dishes, so these balls make it easier." — deborahp46
Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99 (available in five colors).
20. Bluapple's fresh fridge mats to extend the life of your produce so effectively that you'll be like, "Uhhh, is there a witch living in my fridge?" Also these come in a TON of fun colors, so you can jazz your boring fridge space up and get amped to pull your veggies out.
Amazon
Bluapple is a small business that specializes in products that preserve produce freshness.
Promising review: "I waste so much produce because it gets wilted or goes bad before we have a chance to eat it. These fresh mats are a game-changer! I took all the produce out of the plastic bags and laid it all in my produce bin. For me, it lasted more than a week longer than normal. The mats are easy to cut for whatever side you need. For the smaller vegetables like radishes and snap peas I cut a piece of the fresh mat and lined it in the bottom of a container with a lid. Two weeks later, it was still fresh!! You gotta try it!" — Jilly P.
Get a set of four from Amazon for $14.99 (available in seven colors).
21. A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea, the zing! of coffee, and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious (far more AFFORDABLE!!) cocktail in one minutes.
Sayso is a small woman-owned business that specializes in the first-ever cocktail tea bag, perfect for cocktails *and* mocktails.
Promising review: "I was a bit skeptical when I purchased, but these are actually fantastic. The taste is great and the bags make it incredibly easy to mix up what would otherwise be complex cocktails quickly and easily. I've had the spicy marg, espresso martini, and old fashioned versions, and while they aren't exactly the same as the original they are wonderful for making yourself a cocktail at home. Highly recommend." — Meredith
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $14.99 (available in six other cocktail styles and larger packs).
22. A "Slice'n Store" butter dish that will stop you from dirtying a bunch of butter knives and leaving them on the counter. All you do is pop this out of the fridge, slice of a lil' (or large) slab with the built-in blade, and be on your merry, buttery way.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Great addition to my kitchen essentials. Its durability is impressive, and it is straightforward to use. What makes it a keeper is how easy it is to clean. The quality is top-notch, and it's definitely worth the price. It stores butter well and fits perfectly in my fridge. Plus, the color adds a nice touch to my kitchen decor. Overall, it's a fantastic kitchen gadget." — Tiffany Mueller
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
23. A big ol' collapsible wash bin with a *drain plug* installed at the bottom that is like having a sink inside your skin — perfect for anyone who wants to keep dirty dishes separate from the sink bottom, and absolutely beloved by parents who have a bunch of bottles to sanitize at once.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I bought this to wash baby bottles and pump supplies. Good build and does not feel cheap. I like that it is collapsible for storage and it has a drain on the bottom which makes it super convenient to drain after a soak. I can fit a lot in the tub for soaking." — Lacey D.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
24. A little tomato light reviewers love to cozify their kitchen space. Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable?? Whomst can say, but whatever it is, it's adorable.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I was going to buy the $80 one from UO, and decided to look for cheaper alternatives. I'm really happy with this lamp! The little remote with light settings and timer features is a nice addition. If you're thinking about buying this, I'd recommend you do!" — Jules F
Get it from Amazon for $29.60.
25. An absorbent floral dish drying mat so lovely that you'll actually — gasp — look forward to doing the dishes? The "main character in a rom-com" energy of this mat is too strong to resist.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This mat is perfect. It absorbs water from washed dishes well and provides a protective buffer between dishes and our granite countertops. After use, you can hang the mat; it will dry out in minutes. The mat is both decorative and functional. This was a great purchase. There will be no more wet dish towels to contend with. I highly recommend this product." — Cambodian Nurse
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six styles and three sizes).
26. Our Place's new Splendor Blender, a super strong, ridiculously beautiful personal blender perfect for making smoothies and shakes on the go — particularly because it comes with an adorable personal cup and drinking lid set. Also, a moment for this aesthetic, please?? Our Place never misses.
Promising review: "This blender is perfect! It can be left on the counter because it is so pretty and it's super strong. Everyone loves to make their own individual smoothie in the house, it blends big frozen strawberries with no problem, and it's aesthetically lovely! We love it!" — Amazon Shopper 77
Get it from Amazon for $125 (available in four colors).
27. A zippered tortilla warming pouch so when you don't have access or time to use a stove burner, you can stick 'em in the microwave without compromising the flavor or moisture. Bonus — these are also portable, making them a great option for keeping tortillas warm and safe on the way to backyard cookouts or outdoor hangs!
Amazon
This can heat and store as few as one or as many as 12 tortillas at once!
Promising review:"Big and colorful. It kept the tortillas nice and hot for a long period of time. Love it." — Sweetlace
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $18.99 (also available in a single pack).
28. A gorgeous statement checkered cutting board designed with deep grooves for juice, hidden handles on the bottom, and end grain to "heal" cuts from knives. A true overachiever considering it's worth the buy for decor purposes alone!!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I am OBSESSED with this cutting board. It is made so well and looks so expensive. Every time I have guests, I will use it as serving tray or display for charcuterie and I always get compliments on it." — Lorrin Farrell
Get it from Amazon for $39.54.
29. Yellowbird's Small Batch Garlic Shiitake Hot Sauce, the beloved brand's *hottest* sauce yet. Those brave enough to ride the burn will love the combo of umami mushroom and spicy garlic and the fresh, slightly floral top note of habaneros. Bonus — this hot sauce is vegan and gluten-free!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Yellowbirds Foods is a small business that specializes in "curious and flavorful" hot sauces.
Promising review: "The heat sneaks up on you! Super delicious. I like it in place of a spicy mustard. Flavorful, but with a sneaky, slow build heat. The mushroom is really subtle — but the umami flavor is there!" — Molly Leftwich
Get it from Amazon for $14.
30. A sleek, well-ventilated, modern-style bread box with a cutting board lid that reviewers are obsessed with not just because it's beautiful, but because it keeps their bread *carb's kiss* levels of fresh. If you love artisan loaves or make your own bread at home, this is worth the investment and then some!
Promising review:"I absolutely LOVE this bread box. It's not just gorgeous; it's well-made. Our homemade bread stays so fresh inside, it looks lovely on the counter, and the cutting board lid is very handy. This bread box is the best money I've spent on our home this year, and I highly recommend purchasing this for yourself if you bake, or as a gift for friends who love fresh bread." — Sondra G. Milgrim
Get it from Amazon for $59.95 (available in four styles).
31. A delightful aesthetic cord wrapper you can attach to your kitchen gizmos to neatly tuck the cords out of sight when they're not in use. These ones are especially precious because of the subtle scalloped edges (which also help keep the cords in place when they're wrapped)!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I cannot stand cords and any sort of clutter. I have been looking for something like this product for a long time. They are super easy to use, functional, and have a cute design. I am very happy with them and hope they hold up well." — Lulu P.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three colors and multipacks).
32. A "smart" elevated dish rack that has basically optimized every inch of itself — it features adaptable spots for all your dishes, a ridged mat for faster drying, a drain spout, and a drying mat underneath to catch extra moisture and keep your counters clean. This dish rack is better prepared for its job than I have been in my ENTIRE life.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Best dish rack! This truly holds so many dishes at varying sizes. It has a pretty substantial footprint and was sturdier than I expected. I like the thoughtful design elements like the knife holders, wineglass or bottle support points, and the additional extension tray option. Very easy to use and clean when needed, and matches my other Dash items." — Clare
Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in two colors).
33. A bow-shaped cake pan so anytime you bake someone a cake for their birthday you can remind them that they're the *real* gift that keeps on giving. (Also, this is from Paris Hilton's kitchen line, so if you are a lover of all things pink, pretty, and functional, I HIGHLY suggest you peruse the Paris Hilton Amazon storefront.)
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I love this pan, both the design and the sturdiness. The cake came off entirely with ease. I definitely recommend it. And it's such a cute pink to top it off." — Fatou gaye
Get it from Amazon for $24.70.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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It's okay if you're not in a place to hear the apology at the moment, nobody is telling you to shut off your emotions like a robot. Feel your anger. Embrace your disappointment or disgust. But when you're ready, be willing to accept a honest apology and step into the healing process with the energy of forgiveness. However, this is completely dependent on whether or not the apology was in fact genuine. Double down on internal checks and balances. At BuzzFeed, we already have several checks and balances in place. For example, we have Culture Lead Editors, who work as a guiding light for the communities they represent. They encourage, write, and edit a wide range of culturally diverse posts. We have customized tools built into our content management system, or CMS, that flag questionable, insensitive, or confusing language. We have both copy and package editors: teams who work to make sure the titles, pictures, and text within posts fit our standards and values. These are teams that would be helpful (and in our opinion, necessary) at all mass media companies. It is important for us to double down on these checks and balances throughout our entire corporation. For those who work outside of the media, it's important to strengthen or create checks and balances that work to protect historically marginalized communities. Call out microaggressions and racism as they happen. This is a hard one. When you feel like your job may be on the line, or you may face some type of repercussion for speaking up, the stakes are infinitely higher. So proceed with caution, but do your best to call out microaggressions and racism in real time. Oftentimes, we may wait to address an issue, but by then, it's already hindsight, and you may feel pressured to stay silent because your concern no longer feels relevant to those in power. When you see something, say something (if you can. your own safety always comes first). In many cases, the person who committed the act may not even know what they did. Which is why staying silent is even scarier, because it creates an environment for the mistake to happen again and again. Never back down. Malcolm X said it best: "We want freedom by any means necessary. We want justice by any means necessary. We want equality by any means necessary," and if they don't exist yet, I say, create it is easier to get the ball rolling than to maintain the momentum. Many outside factors can serve as roadblocks, challenges, and discouragement when trying to hold yourself and others accountable, especially when dealing with injustices, inequality, or lack of equity. You might feel compelled to throw in the towel, whether it's government policies, company culture, fear of retaliation, or lack of resources. Don't. Keep it moving. As isolating as it might feel at times, you don't have to go at it alone. Our persistence when it came to the Love Island post led to conversations with more Black employees, eventually the company at large, and ultimately our top execs, which led toward seeking solutions. Work on covering Black people in a positive light. It's not solely the job of the Black employees to be the voice of all Black people. We're not monolithic. No identity is truly monolithic. In our situation, it could be possible that a lack of representation and education led to this mistake and the missteps that followed. This is why it's crucial to ensure you're mindful of the attention you give to that underrepresented group. If your Black employees are the only ones writing stories and creating videos centered around Black interests, entertainment, and culture, you have a problem. If the only content you're producing that includes Black people is centered around violence, criminality, and negativity, you have a problem. It's no secret that the media has struggled with the portrayal of Black people in a positive light, intentional or not, and there's no reason you should be part of the it's a poor excuse to blame it on your audience's interests and pop culture trends. If you're a media company, you lead the conversation in most instances, so take the reins and set the tone. If I can learn all the Taylor Swift lore in one day, you can take a few minutes to know the difference between Laurence Fishburne and Samuel L. Jackson. Each one, teach one. Pointing fingers solves little to nothing. We've all made mistakes. I think sometimes we're more willing to jump down each other's throats than to actually speak with one another. Instead speak with those responsible for the mistake. Listen to their reasoning (even if you don't agree with the reasoning at all). Gauge their level of sincerity. Educate them on how to do better. Or, if you're in a position where you feel like you're tired of educating, point them in the right direction. It can be exhausting being the person who always needs to educate others. However, I'm sure there is someone in your community who has accepted the role of educator. Simply point the offender in the right direction. What resources can they use? Who can they talk to? What books should they read? Which podcasts should they listen to? It's just too easy to tear each other down these days. Never think you can do no wrong. You know how the Hannah Montana song starts. "Everybody makes mistakes / Everybody has those days." It's true. Nobody's perfect, and that's not something to be seen as a curse. Oftentimes, it's individuals who believe they're not capable of being anti-Black, sexist, anti-LBGTQ+, etc., who have a harder time pinpointing when and where they screwed up. Today there's so much fear of being labeled a (insert word +ist) that we find ourselves making the situation worse with denial, gaslighting, or projecting our shame onto firmly believe everyone can learn from their mistakes; you just have to be willing to take accountability. The world's not over if you make a mistake, so own up to your crap and be okay sitting in it for a minute until you can work toward a can look like more than just a boilerplate apology or mandatory sensitivity training. Acknowledging wrongdoing and knowing there's an opportunity for improvement is where it's at. Create inclusive and safe spaces. What are you doing to create inclusive and safe spaces? What do they look like, and are they easily accessible to everyone? It shouldn't take a deep investigation to find someone working toward being inclusive to you as an employee. Dare I say the entire company should be working toward making the whole space inclusive — bigoted government policies and threats be have the ERGs at BuzzFeed, which cover groups like women, LGBTQ+, Latine, Parents, Black, AAPI, and more. It's encouraged that everyone participate in the activities and offerings that the ERGs produce because they allow you to either collaborate and bond with people who look like you, or get a chance to connect with people with entirely different experiences than your own. However, inclusive and safe spaces aren't always a diversity initiative. I found safe spaces by connecting with people who might've had a similar work trajectory or lived in a similar area. DMs and email threads are your friends when connecting with the right people to help foster communities. Most companies have remained remote or hybrid since 2020, and I think it's more important than ever to double down on creating spaces to ensure underrepresented groups feel heard and valued, especially in a world that's getting more creative at working to silence them. Work with your allies regularly. Look around you, you are not alone. There are allies willing to speak up. BuzzFeed held a company-wide meeting after our Love Island post went viral for all the wrong reasons, and some of the loudest and most potent voices in the room were people who were not Black. People who were very aware of the plight, and stuck their necks out to protect and defend another community. Work with these allies as much as possible. You may be in an environment at your company where someone else's voice may be the final key to unlock the solution. Seek out these allies. Meet up with or communicate with them outside of work. Build a multicultural coalition that cannot be denied. And last but not least, protect women. I don't think this needs any explanation. Protect women. Period. Our responsibility is to protect people, especially those who have been historically marginalized. The fight against existential discrimination is going to take more than 11 points on a BuzzFeed listicle. Calling out the issue and taking accountability is a move in the right direction and hopefully, this can be something we can call back to when we need to correct the next mistake, address new employee concerns, and ultimately stay true to our values in the workplace. Through these steps and our work we are aiming every day to promote Black joy, to protect Black women, and to help steer a much larger and whiter organization in a direction that's inclusive for us and all others.
Time Business News
3 hours ago
- Time Business News
Surah Ad-Duha & Surah Al-Mulk in English Transliteration: Divine Guidance and Spiritual Strength
The Quran is more than just scripture; it's a complete guide to life, a source of inner peace, and a light that illuminates the path for believers. For non-Arabic speakers, English transliteration bridges the gap, enabling accurate recitation and a deeper spiritual connection. Here, we focus on Surah Ad-Duha in English Transliteration and Surah Mulk in English Transliteration, two chapters with timeless lessons and immense blessings. A'uthu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem وَالضُّحَىٰ Wa ad-duhaa By the morning brightness وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ Wal-layli iza sajaa And [by] the night when it covers with darkness مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ Ma waddaa-ka rabbuka wa ma qala Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He detested [you] وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ Walal-aakhiratu khayrul-laka minal-oola And surely what comes after is better for you than what has gone before وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ Wa la-sawfa yu'teeka rabbuka fatarda And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ Alam yajid-ka yateeman fa aawaa Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge? وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَىٰ Wa wajadaka daallan fahadaa And He found you lost and guided [you Surah Ad-Duha is a chapter of hope. Its opening verses, Wadduha wallaili iza saja , reassure the believer that Allah never abandons His servants. Reading Surah Duha transliteration allows non-Arabic speakers to pronounce the verses correctly, while Surah Duha translation reveals the depth of its message, reminding us that after every darkness, there is light. For the full surah with transliteration and meaning: Surah Ad Duha in English Transliteration The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that Surah Al-Mulk protects from the punishment of the grave. It is a chapter about the dominion of Allah, the reality of life and death, and accountability. A'uthu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ Tabāraka alladhī biyadihi al-mulku wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay'in qadīr Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent. الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ Alladhī khalaqa al-mawta wa-al-ḥayāta liyabluwakum ayyukum aḥsanu ʿamalan wa huwa al-ʿazīzu al-ghafūr He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ Alladhī khalaqa sabʿa samāwātin ṭibāqan mā tarā fī khalqi al-raḥmāni min tafāwut farjiʿi al-baṣara hal tarā min fuṭūr [He] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return your vision: do you see any breaks? ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ Thumma arjiʿi al-baṣara karratayni yanqalib ilayka al-baṣaru khāsi'an wa huwa ḥasīr Then return your vision twice again. Your vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued. وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ Walaqad zayyannā al-samā'a al-dunyā bimaṣābīḥa wajaʿalnāhā rujūman lil-shayāṭīn wa-aʿtadnā lahum ʿadhāba al-saʿīr And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps and have made them [what is thrown] at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze. وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ Wa lilladhīna kafarū birabbihim ʿadhābu jahannama wa-bi'sa al-maṣīr And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ Idhā ulqū fīhā samiʿū lahā shahīqan wa hiya tafūr When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. Reading Surah Mulk transliteration nightly helps preserve correct pronunciation, while Surah Mulk translation inspires awe for Allah's power and reminds us of the purpose of creation. For the full surah with transliteration and meaning: Surah Mulk in English Transliteration For non-Arabic readers, Quran transliteration is essential it enables accurate recitation even without mastering Arabic. When combined with translation, it unlocks both the sound and the meaning, allowing a deeper spiritual connection. If you'd like to understand more about the preservation and interpretation of the Quran, explore this Wikipedia article on Quranic Studies. Surah Ad-Duha offers reassurance in times of difficulty. offers reassurance in times of difficulty. Surah Mulk offers protection and reminds us of life's true purpose. Reciting them with English transliteration and reflecting on their translation brings you closer to Allah's words, guiding your heart, protecting your soul, and strengthening your faith TIME BUSINESS NEWS
