Tag Archives: culture

CAE to CAF: Transition Complete

In the fall of 2017, Tyrone and I decided we wanted to get married to each other. Somewhere between October and December, I told my parents, pastors, and close friends. In January 2018, I told my family. After that, there was no turning back for me. Because I went from never having a boyfriend toContinue reading “CAE to CAF: Transition Complete”

CAE to CAF 5: Lyrically Yours

If you’ve ever asked how Tyrone and I met, you know this story. Picture it. East Lansing, MI. Fall. 2006. *dream music* I was invited to come to MSU Gospel Choir’s first rehearsal of the school year. Rehearsal starts and some stuff happens then we start the icebreaker. Get with your class and create aContinue reading “CAE to CAF 5: Lyrically Yours”

CAE to CAF 4: Entrepreneurship

This series is called CAE to CAF to highlight my most obvious identity change, my name, but this season of my life has changed many of my identities. Since I was 15, I have seen myself and identified as an educator. 15 years later, however, I now hold two advanced degrees in social science. I’mContinue reading “CAE to CAF 4: Entrepreneurship”

There’s Something Growing There Now

Harper and Bewick Many memories were created on this corner where my childhood church used to stand. I hadn’t come by in a while because the pile of rocks was too hard to look at. Now, there’s stuff growing there. It’s a visible metaphor. Things that were once of utmost importance suddenly don’t exist. TheContinue reading “There’s Something Growing There Now”

No One Gets to Make Me Be Someone I’m Not

I have to resist the urge to stop people midsentence every time I hear them say that something “made” them react a certain way. Example: “You made me mad when you…” “He made me yell at him cuz he yelled at me first.” Ya’ll with me? The reality is this, no one can MAKE youContinue reading “No One Gets to Make Me Be Someone I’m Not”

Hope Is Painful

…But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  That scripture convicts me to think bigger and increase my willingness to believe in what I haven’t seen. But can we just take aContinue reading “Hope Is Painful”

You Can Actually Do It All

Who are you? Why are you? What do you do? Why do you do what you do? Answer those.  What’d you say for “What do you do?” More than likely you answered with your job. Our culture teaches us to place our value and find our identity in our occupation.  Think about it. As aContinue reading “You Can Actually Do It All”

Black Girl Magic

She rocks her hair Short and curly Or long and straight  Really… she can do it all.  With her ample lips  That complement her wide hips She overcomes every obstacle  To create, shape and fill her destiny.  She is aware of her call.  To birth all of humanity To her family she brings sanity She’sContinue reading “Black Girl Magic”

The Dichotomy of Artistry

I started writing because I was going through things that I did not know how to express. Somehow, though, when I put my pen to the paper I was suddenly articulate. Something about writing for an audience made me remember that I wasn’t alone in my suffering. Something about writing for an audience made itContinue reading “The Dichotomy of Artistry”