I Wrote My Way Out

“The problem was our parents told us we could be anything and they never told us we couldn’t be everything at once.” — @ justdae Growing up at one point, I wanted to be a singer, then I discovered that I don’t like singing in front of strangers. Then I wanted to be an actress….

It’s Okay to Repair Your Own Boat

Being selfish vs selfless; you have to draw a line or you will drown trying. For the last two-ish years, I’ve been on a super self-aware journey. Being a writer forces me to embrace that I’m goofy, it’s a personality trait but also it forces me to be real with myself. When I write reality…

The Power of Why: What drives me?

“People don’t buy what you do. People buy why you do it.” — Simon Sinek; Leaders Eat Last I believe that kindness and creativity can change worlds because creativity allows people to be courageous and innovative without the fear of failure. I guide people on self-publishing and writing journeys because as a child I built…

Career Advice from a Millennial

My elbow isn’t broken anymore so I can type better which means my backlog of handwritten blogs is coming at you. I am in no way a career expert but I’ve done the hiring and I’ve been hired so that makes me a little qualified. I gave up on the title of this and didn’t…

I’m a Millennial Mayor

It was our parents that told us that we could be whatever we wanted. I’ve been a secretary (fun), an AmeriCorps member (proud), flight attendant (interesting), IT Business Analyst (weird right), and now I can add millennial mayor to that list. On February 11th, 2019 I was sworn in as Braddock’s youngest mayor. I went…

On: Failure

We speak of failure as if it’s a disease. We need to talk about it though.  Broadcast our failures so we can learn from each other’s mistakes. Instead we prance around only sharing our highlight reels. No bloopers, stirring up envy in our frenemies because we’re afraid to admit we’re flawed and we choose to give ourselves…

28: Bites of Wisdom

      Never apologize for who you are or what you feel especially if you’re okay with it. Don’t break yourself bending over backwards to help everyone. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself because life is short and you’re going to need that laugh. With confidence, anything is possible just be certain you…

Is Courting Still a Thing? 

Crazy thing: Before online dating there was blind dating that took effort and a bit of courtship. Does courting still exist?  There’s no way sliding in someone’s inbox and asking them to meet at your house works. Just because communication got easier doesn’t mean women have.  My first boyfriend asked me out in front of…

Flexin My Complexion

FAQs About My Melanin Yes, I have dark skin. No, I’m not from down south. Yes, I tan but it’s more of a summer glow No, I’ve never been to Africa Yes, I’ve always been this dark No, I don’t want to change it Yes, my peers picked on me for it as kids No,…

& Crown Skin

You sat in the sun too long.  Taunts from my peers haunted the elementary halls What’s self-esteem? Little ‘ol me wouldn’t have known it break little girls down before they can even know it It seemed like I went through an eternity of teasing before I embraced my skin. “This is it, this is me….