LAUNCH PARTY SUCCESS

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Nicole Kelly’s launch party for Losing A Friendship, Finding Myself was held at Terra in Birmingham. From the moment she walked through the doors, she was filled with “overwhelming pride and happiness.” Friends, family, former coworkers, and new supporters gathered to celebrate the release of her first book, which dives deep into the emotional terrain of friendship breakups, healing, and self-discovery. The energy in the room? “Love,” Nicole said. “Just love. I felt the support and the power of community.”

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening for Nicole was simply looking around and seeing who showed up. “It meant the world to me,” she said. “From past jobs to current, old friends and new, and of course family - it was incredibly moving.” But she was also candid about the complicated emotions that come with putting yourself out there. “There were a couple people I’m surprised reacted negatively and didn’t come,” she admitted. “But that’s the risk you take when you put yourself out there. I keep reminding myself of what Brene Brown says: the only guarantee you have when you put yourself out there artistically is that you’ll get your a$$ kicked.”

In true Nicole fashion, the event was about more than just the book. All proceeds went to Vista Maria, a nonprofit in Dearborn Heights that supports vulnerable youth and survivors of trauma. Nicole has been connected to the organization for nearly a decade and raised $600 at the event, personally matching it to bring the donation total to $1,200. “I believe generosity creates abundance,” she said. As for what’s next? She’s soaking in the moment, planning future book events, and already thinking ahead to book number two.