OMG It's Just Daé

Congrats to The Class of 2022

Recently I was asked by a Woodland Hills School Board Member to give the commencement speech, I accepted, rearranged my work schedule, and then recently the superintendent rescinded the offer. That doesn’t mean that the students aren’t going to get said speech. I even thought things through to the point of sending the speech in…

In the Neighborhood

One day soon my neighborhood won’t look the same and its current residents, local, state, and the federal government will be the only ones left to blame. So rather it’s a good or a bad change everyone will have a hand in accountabilityWe say the town is resilient we’re strong but people don’t want obstacles…

Not my Fence

The curtains still blow in the wind yet nobody lives here. From my side, I stare at the vines hugging my fence for attention as there’s no warmth left in the house next door. I got stuck staring and wondering where the people went, what they were like, and what happened. The trash can is…

Diet Equality and How Equality and Equity Aren’t the Same

As a graduate from a women’s centered university, I walked across the graduation stage uncertain of many things but feminism, intersectionality, and negotiation were not one of those things. I asked for my first raise at my work-study job. It confused everyone involved a little but we made it happen. As one of those, “talks…

Why Waiting Your Turn is Overrated and Representation Matters

Why I Joined the Malcolm Movement In my last year as Mayor of Braddock I outdid myself. I played kickball with the Woodland Hills Students, judged a dessert contest at Braddock Farms, spoke at the Women’s March on the City County Steps, greeted folks again and again at Greater Valley Community Services Vaccine Clinics, ran…

10 Pieces of Advice That I Wish Someone Told Me in My 20s

2022 is here and as time slows down for no one I’m excited and nervous but proud of my accomplishments and have lots to celebrate next month for my birthday. My 20s were pure chaos and my 30s aren’t calm but I’ve grown into myself and I’m content with a tad bit of chaos because…

6 Ted Talks for Self-Motivation

Some days I feel like I can conquer the world and others I can conquer the first two things off my to-do list and that’s only if I want to do said things. It’s okay to say, “I can’t because I don’t want to,” but on those days when you can’t and you kind of…

You’re Qualified for Your Dream Job but You Don’t Know It Yet

Your dream job is probably out there but you just don’t think you’re qualified for it and if our former question mark of a president taught us anything if you apply yourself enough the world is your oyster.

You Can Be Laid Off and Get Unemployment

That’s my worst-case scenario in my head whenever 30 something old me threatens to leap before I look in my career. It’s my worst-case scenario because I’ve been there. Fresh out of college, one year into my first job, after they gave us a raise and gassed us up, they told us they made a…

Rebel Without a Cause

“Talks excessively.” No matter the awesome grades I received on my report card, the comment section was always filled with that remark. I may have loved learning but I spent a decent amount of my time in elementary school outside in the hallway doing my work solo. Adult me is mature enough now to admit…