Embracing the Intersections: A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention
I’ve shared my origin story many times in many spaces, and now I want to illustrate the profound power of wrestling to embrace my personal intersectionality. My personal and professional journey are a testament to how diverse identities can be transformed into formidable sources of strength and success.
This blog is meant to reflect and share experiences - seminal, transformative, hilarious and formidable - that shape my complex view of the world.
A little bit about me . . .
Growing Up in Detroit
Growing up in Detroit during the 1980s and 1990s, I experienced the relentless nature of poverty, where even basic necessities were luxuries. Yet, my parents instilled in me an unwavering belief in the power of education, making tremendous sacrifices to ensure that my siblings and I had access to quality schooling, even if it meant enduring the social and economic challenges of the time.
This emphasis on education became the catalyst for a dramatic generational transformation, altering the trajectory of my life. Despite statistical odds heavily stacked against me, I defied expectations, amassing an impressive collection of degrees and ascending to a tax bracket worlds away from my modest beginnings. . . but not without helpful mentors, friends and colleagues.
Embracing My Intersections
What truly sets my journey apart is my ability to (appear to) seamlessly integrate my various identities. I proudly describe myself as a "nerd" and a "creative soul," with a deep appreciation for the arts, a love for dancing, and an insatiable curiosity for exploration. I think I got a lot of this from my father - who I will share more about in coming posts.
My story underscores the significance of embracing one’s intersections—where disparate aspects of identity converge to forge a unique perspective. Navigating and thriving within these intersections has been essential to my personal growth, resilience, and reinvention.
My journey is a powerful reminder that how we manage the challenges we encounter in life absolutely define us. Armed with determination, a steadfast commitment to education, and a willingness to explore the full spectrum of our interests and passions, we too can defy the odds and carve out a path that transcends societal expectations.
Parenthood & Marriage
What’s a personal blog without the real tea?! A long-term, traditional marriage with two growing sarcastic kids!! There’s so much!
Although selfishly this blog is meant to process the fullness of my journey to date, my prayer is that it also inspires, uplifts, and tickles its readers. Most of all I want to normalize the parts of life that we all think are better off hidden . . . the powerful parts that can propel us towards our greatest potential.
Original chalk drawing by Gregory Stevenson, my godfather, who succumbed to COVID-19 in 2020.
