Harriette Cole is a storyteller, a coach, a media powerhouse—and someone who finds peace and purpose right here in Sag Harbor.
Over the years, she’s inspired countless people to find their voice, step into their truth, and embrace their power. From her work at Ebony magazine to founding her own platform, Dreamleapers, Harriette has dedicated her life to helping others rise with intention.
Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Harriette in her happy place in Sag Harbor to talk about creativity, purpose, and the power of words. In our conversation, we touched on topics that are close to her heart—and ours.
Here are 5 questions we asked:
1. How long have you been coming to Sag Harbor, and what keeps drawing you back?
2. Why is literacy awareness such a vital part of your life and work?
3. You’ve worn so many hats—editor, author, coach, speaker. Which role feels most like home to you right now?
4. Was there a book or early moment that sparked your love of storytelling?
5. For anyone feeling creatively or personally stuck, what’s one small step they can take today to move forward?
Watch our full video interview below to hear Harriette’s thoughts in her own words—and experience the wisdom, calm, and clarity she brings to every conversation.
Want more inspiring voices from the East End and beyond?
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If there’s one event I mark on my calendar every summer, it’s Art & Soul: Hamptons. As someone who has attended this incredible celebration in past years, I can tell you, it’s not just an event, it’s an experience. From the inspiring art to the mouthwatering cuisine (yes, I’m still dreaming about those crab cakes made by Chef Ronica Copes, Five Star Crab Cake, hands down the best I’ve ever tasted), Art & Soul captures the essence of what makes the Hamptons community so rich, so cultured, and so vibrant.
This year, Art & Soul returns on July 18-19, 2025, and it promises to be bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever. Hosted in partnership with the Southampton African American Museumand Southampton Arts Center, the weekend is a celebration of BIPOC artists from the Hamptons and beyond—through art, music, food, and storytelling.
🎨 The Artists: Passion. Power. Purpose.
Let’s start with the reason we gather, the art. This year’s featured artists are an incredibly talented group of creatives, each with a unique voice and story to tell:
• Reynoir Lewisbrings his limitless energy to Southampton with his bold, abstract paintings and home décor pieces. Reynoir’s art is as vibrant as his personality; he draws from his Caribbean roots, DJ background, and love of storytelling to create pieces that are alive with movement and color. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the WOOD ART EXHIBITION at the Southampton Arts Center.
• Laura R. Gadson is a master of textiles. Her quilt, fiber, and mixed media work are deeply rooted in history, heritage, and heart. If you’ve ever been touched by the texture of a story told through fabric, you’re going to love meeting Laura and experiencing her work up close.
• Suliman Onque is the definition of multi-talented. From murals to comic books to wearable art, his creativity knows no limits. I love that he’s not afraid to explore every medium and tell stories that speak to identity, justice, and culture.
• Shaunt’e Lewis, who will be featured at the Southampton African American Museum, is an illustrator and fiber artist whose bold and colorful work celebrates powerful women and community resilience. Her story, from hairstylist to nationally recognized artist, is a beautiful reminder of the power of purpose and passion.
• And don’t miss the Shinnecock Artist Exhibition at Ma’s House on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, featuring local Indigenous artists like Jeremy Dennis, Durrell Hunter, and Reebekah Wise. It’s an intimate experience that honors the deep cultural roots of our region.
🍽️ The Culinary Experience: Come Hungry!
Now, let me talk about the food, because y’all, the culinary team at Art & Soul knows how to throw down.
This year’s tastings will be brought to us by:
•Chef Cheryl Grigg of Chara’s Kitchen & Catering (bless her hands with her fried chicken beignets are a spiritual experience),
• Chef Doug Gee, another culinary star who brings soulful, elevated flavor to every dish.
And for the cocktail lovers, New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery will be serving up award-winning spirits passed down through generations. They’re the first Afro-Puerto Rican-American distillery in the country, and their story is as smooth as their rum.
🎶 Music, Vibes & Magic
As always, Art & Soul delivers on vibes. You’ll be serenaded by the incredible Dwayne Kerr, flutist for Erykah Badu’s band, and transported by Yacouba Sissoko and the SIYA African Band, whose traditional kora music bridges generations of African storytelling.
And yes, the red carpet is back! My favorite photographer (and husband) Kurt Leggard will be capturing the magic, so bring your style and let your soul shine.
🖼️ Beyond the Art: Walk, Learn, and Celebrate
The weekend includes a cultural Art Walk with stops at the Southampton African American Museum, Southampton Arts Center, and Hidden Gem, a luxury home boutique founded by sisters Tanya and Temidra Willock. I love that this event also creates space to support Black-owned businesses right here in the Hamptons.
There’s also a private museum tour of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio on the Shinnecock Reservation, one of my favorite hidden treasures in Southampton. The work being done there by Indigenous artist Jeremy Dennis is powerful and deeply rooted in legacy and land.
And for the film buffs, don’t miss the screening of Erased, executive produced by Idris Elba, which highlights the forgotten contributions of soldiers of color during WWII. This is the kind of storytelling that changes minds and hearts.
💃 The Afterglow
From the Art After Dark Soirée to the Caribbean cocktail-fueled afterparty with DJ Infmatick, every moment of Art & Soul feels like a love letter to culture, creativity, and connection.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Art & Soul is one of my favorite events in the Hamptons. It’s a beautiful blend of art, soul food, music, and community. It fills me up and reminds me why I love being a part of this place. If you’re looking for a weekend that inspires, uplifts, and feeds both your soul and your appetite, don’t miss this.
Oprah Winfrey, Erroll McDonald, photo credit BFA/Madeline Thomas
Why Literacy Still Matters – and Why We Should All Care, Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always make headlines, but absolutely should: adult literacy.
Reading and writing might seem like basic skills we all picked up in school, but the truth is, millions of adults in the U.S. still struggle with literacy every day — and that has a ripple effect through families and entire communities.
That’s why I want to bring your attention to the incredible work of Literacy Partners, an organization that’s been changing lives through literacy for over 50 years. They don’t just teach adults how to read and write — they empower parents and caregivers to help the next generation succeed, too. It’s a two-for-one impact that transforms entire families.
I wasn’t at their 2025 Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner at Pier Sixty in NYC, but I followed it closely — and I was incredibly moved by what this night represented. The event raised an amazing $1.18 million to support literacy programs in over 30 states and Puerto Rico, focusing on high-need areas like New York City, Philadelphia, Nevada, and San Diego.
But this was more than a fancy night out. It was a celebration of people who’ve made it their mission to uplift others through education — and a reminder of how much work still needs to be done.
This year, Literacy Partners honored four extraordinary individuals:
Bob Woodward, Sean Manning, photo credit BFA/Madeline Thomas
• Erroll McDonald, a trailblazing book editor who’s helped shape modern literature by championing diverse voices.
• Cynthia McFadden, an award-winning journalist known for her fearless reporting and compassion.
•Neil deGrasse Tyson, the beloved astrophysicist who makes science accessible and exciting for everyone.
Lesley Stahl, Neil deGrasse Tyson, photo credit BFA/Madeline Thomas
• Bob Woodward, one of the most influential investigative journalists of our time.
And to top it off, the one and only Oprah Winfrey was there to help honor their achievements and shine a spotlight on the power of literacy.
So, why am I writing about this?
Because here at Hamptons Mouthpiece, I care about more than what’s trending — I care about what’s transformational. Literacy Partners is doing the kind of grassroots, meaningful work that doesn’t always get the media buzz it deserves. They’re not just changing lives — they’re changing futures, one family at a time.
There are people right here in our community who could benefit from this kind of support. Whether it’s a parent who wants to help their child with homework or a caregiver trying to navigate healthcare instructions, literacy impacts every part of life. And yet, it’s something so many are still struggling with in silence.
Let’s break that silence. Let’s lift up organizations like Literacy Partners. And let’s remember: when one person learns to read, an entire family gets stronger.
Real talk. Real people. Real consequences. Politics is supposed to be about service, not self-preservation. A politician is meant to be a protector and an advocate for the public. They are trusted to speak up, stand firm, and use their position to create meaningful change for their constituents. That is the responsibility. So why does power so often become the goal?
Power Was Meant to Serve People, Not Egos
Most politicians do not enter public life intending to betray public trust. Many step into office wanting to help, to fix broken systems, and to be a voice for their community.
But power has a way of changing priorities.
Over time, the position becomes status. The title becomes identity. The focus quietly shifts from serving the people to protecting the seat.
This is where public service begins to erode.
Follow the Money
If you want to understand political behavior, do not just listen to speeches. Follow the money.
Campaign donations, lobbyists, special interests, and political favors all influence decisions. Too often, choices are shaped by who funds a campaign instead of who lives with the consequences.
When money leads, political accountability weakens. Real people pay the price.
When Power Starts Feeding on Itself
Power does not always stop at influence. Sometimes, power feeds on itself.
Control becomes addictive. Authority turns into entitlement. Transparency fades. Ethical shortcuts begin to feel justified.
This is how fraud, manipulation, and corruption in government take hold. It rarely happens overnight. It happens slowly, quietly, and often behind closed doors.
Public trust erodes in the process.
Would You Do Anything to Stay in Office
This is the question many avoid asking.
Is power so intoxicating that a politician would say anything to keep their position? Would they ignore facts, silence critics, or refuse to step aside even when doing so would clearly serve their constituents better?
Sometimes the most responsible decision is knowing when to walk away. That choice requires humility, courage, and a willingness to put people before power.
Doing the Right Thing Comes at a Cost
Integrity in politics is rarely rewarded in the short term.
Doing the right thing can mean losing donors, losing party support, or losing reelection. But it also builds something far more valuable than influence. It builds trust.
Leadership and integrity are not measured by how long someone holds office. They are measured by how power is used and whether it is surrendered when necessary.
The Public Has a Role to Play
This is not only a political problem. It is a cultural one.
We often reward charisma over character and sound bites over substance. If we want better leaders, we must demand accountability, transparency, and honesty.
Real people deserve real leadership.
Final Thoughts
Power in politics is not inherently harmful. Unchecked power is.
When holding office becomes more important than serving the public, democracy weakens. When power is protected at all costs, trust disappears.
A politician’s role is to serve the people. It is not to rule them.
When the answer stops being the people, it is time to question whether power has become more addictive than doing the right thing.
Real talk. Real people. This is what leadership should look like.
Jacqueline Woodson, Fran Drescher: Photo Credit: BFA/Bre Johnson, PMC/ Sean Zanni
Celebrating Women 2025: Power, Possibility, and the Bold Leaders Shaping Our Future
This year’s Celebrating Women® Breakfast, hosted by The New York Women’s Foundation at the New York Marriott Marquis, was more than a fundraiser, it was a movement. With over 1,000 advocates, partners, and changemakers in the room, the event raised over $1.2 million to power community-led grantmaking and grassroots solutions across New York City and beyond.
The theme, “Together, we create power and possibility,” resonated deeply. It captured the urgency of now and the promise of a future led by those closest to the challenges we seek to overcome.
“People closest to the pain should be closest to the problem,” was a guiding truth echoed throughout the morning.
Leading With Empathy and Impact
Fran Drescher, the iconic actor, advocate, and founder of Cancer Schmancer, took the stage as a voice of courage and clarity. Her words were raw, real, and unforgettable:
“Be bold. Go after what you want. I’m a voice in the wilderness, speaking truth at a seminal crossroad. I call people on their untruths and I don’t need to emulate male energy to lead. I lead with empathy.”
She reminded the audience that “how you live directly affects how you feel,” and left everyone thinking deeply about wellness, the planet, and self-worth:
“Make yourself the center of your universe. You are what you eat. Don’t hurt yourself and don’t hurt the planet.”
Lola C. West, NYWF Board Member and Steering Committee Co-Chair, called Fran “a badass” and the room agreed.
Celebrating Leadership That Creates Change
Honorees included:
• Jacqueline Woodson, author and founder of BALDWIN FOR THE ARTS, uplifted the role of artists and activists:
“We’re trying to make this world safer for gender-expansive people, for women, for everyone who dares to live their truth.”
• ERA Coalition Forward was recognized for building a national, multi-generational movement to enshrine equality in the U.S. Constitution.
• New Yorkers for Equal Rights celebrated the passage of the New York Equal Rights Amendment (Proposal 1), affirming protections for all New Yorkers.
• The Young Women’s Coalition – Long Island Community showed how local leadership drives lasting change.
Jean Shafiroff
• JPMorganChase received the Vision Award for their investment in equity, opportunity, and inclusive economic growth.
• NYWF also spotlighted community partners like The Brooklyn Economic Justice Projectand The Informed Consent Coalition, organizations addressing the root causes of inequality with intersectional, community-based solutions.
Building a New Foundation for the Future
President and CEO Ana L. Oliveira grounded the event with powerful intention:
“The Foundation will continue in the discipline of hope and the commitment of determination. Our acts of generosity and solidarity matter.”
What does it mean to celebrate women in 2025?
It means investing in mental health building a foundation that supports women facing loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
It means amplifying young leaders, lifting up community coalitions, and making sure that leadership works for all of us.
It means recognizing that New York Women’s Foundation is changing the world one act of solidarity, one grant, one bold voice at a time.
Because when women lead with empathy, purpose, and vision, anything is possible
