Sometimes you pray for something and the conceived failures along the way are the very things that bring you closer to your vision. I have fallen down many times but I am grateful for clarity it has provided. I am grateful for the opportunity and tenacity to dream again.

5 years ago I was facilitating poetry workshops, completing my bachelors degree after many attempts, and interviewing chronically street homeless youth throughout NYC for a federally funded project. My eyes began to open as I was forced to look at my own experience of teen homelessness. Simultaneously through my studies, I was given the language to name my experience and how my individual story connected to others. I felt both the burden and necessity to dismantle internal and external oppression.

During this time my interest in plus size modeling emerged. I was broke af (not in spirit) and ready to pursue the dream! Quickly that dream left me feeling that there was no place in the industry for someone like me. In the morning I would attend fashions events, study poses, and watch myself in the mirror and by night I was back to meet the realities that some people face. In this world people weren’t taking pictures in attempts to be “America’s Next Top Model” or contemplating the latest trends in fashion, people were fighting day to day for their basic necessities.

I quickly started to feel my dream of modeling and singing didn’t fit what I believed in or shift oppressive paradigms structures so I gracefully bowed out. I still wanted to be apart of the industry in some way so I created, directed, and produced a video series that included 7 short projects interviewing people in fashion, community, and music. Although I am very passionate about people and storytelling, the project was short lived. I was hiding behind the stories of others while failing to share my own.

I thought I was done with pursuing the dream of being a Singer and Model all together. I began exploring graduate programs in business, therapy, and youth development. My resume was thick with community engagement so I figured I could be a director of some organization but my heart kept tugging at me every time I got into a grad program. I intuitively knew that it wasn’t for me so I sat between a place of complacency and process. I spent a lot of time processing and exploring other options simply because I didn’t want to listen to my vision. I distracted myself with men and situations that temporarily allowed me to escape what I was not doing in my life which was living my purpose.  Then a couple years ago, I was talking to a colleague of mine and she planted a seed when she said, “Girl, celebrating your beauty in a world that tells you you’re not enough is a revolutionary act in and of itself.” Suddenly my world and vision slowly began to meet. I realize that I could carry the love for my culture, music, modeling, and collectively work towards dismantling oppression all at the same damn time! I no longer had to hide myself from myself.  

Through years of therapy, coaches, good friends, and internal work, I am excited to see my dreams come to life. I've been incredibly with the space, time, and resources to reflect on my journey and heal within. I have grown in wisdom and am trusting the vision God has placed in my heart. My vision is to inspire self love and healing through storytelling in self expression. All of my failures were really opportunities to gain clarity on my path and heal the parts of me that didn’t believe was worthy. I am worthy and ready to soar! Trust your failures because they ultimately become the catalyst for your successes. Dare to dream and be all of who you think yourself to be. #vibrantblackgirl