I love you like you love music My heart beats your melody Like an crescendo, I rise only to fall My cries to you are like harmony No matter how bad the song might sound Your love for music will always be around You are the drum major to your misery As you lose the rhythm and miss the beat The beat rides with every “treble clef” Monotone is the only thing left Listen to the beat of that heartbreaking melody You are the conductor of destruction of you and me You chose to love music selflessly and not me My heart beats your melody sweet sounds of love that came from you and me Memories are the chorus that reminded me The lyrics of love embraced my body The vibrations of passion make any yield to thee The breath you took came straight from me. I can’t breathe. - Lyrical Lover-

Writing is a powerful tool for personal expression, reflection, and growth. It provides an outlet to communicate thoughts, emotions, and ideas in a way that can be easily processed and understood. Writing is important because it allows individuals to explore their inner selves and gain a deeper understanding of their own perspectives, emotions, and experiences. One of the main reasons why writing is important to individuals is because it provides a means of self-expression. Through writing, individuals can express themselves freely and without judgment. This is especially true for those who may struggle to articulate their thoughts and feelings verbally within society. Writing gives a person the opportunity to express themselves in a way that feels natural and comfortable, and can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and understanding. In addition to self-expression, writing can also be a therapeutic tool. By putting thoughts and feelings down on paper, individuals can process and work through difficult emotions and experiences. Writing about one's challenges and struggles can help to release negative energy and provide a sense of catharsis. Some therapists use writing as a tool for recovery. Furthermore, by reflecting on their experiences and emotions, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and identify areas in which they would like to grow and change. Writing can also be a means of documenting memories and experiences. Whether it's a journal, a memoir, or a letter to a friend, writing allows individuals to capture and preserve the important moments in their lives. This documentation can serve as a valuable source of reflection and introspection in the future, and can also serve as a way to pass down important stories and memories to future generations. Another important aspect of why writing is important to be is because of its ability to connect individuals with others who share similar interests and experiences. Whether it's through sharing personal stories, offering advice and support, or simply expressing one's thoughts and feelings, writing can help individuals build relationships, find common grounds, and form communities with others who share similar experiences. In conclusion, writing is a valuable tool for personal expression, reflection, and growth. By providing a means of self-expression, a therapeutic outlet, documenting memories and experiences, and connecting with others, writing can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences, and promote personal growth and well-being. Personally, writing has helped me through not only my education but in life as well.

My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. I found myself with an inspirational spirit of giving when I chose to run for a political seat in 2020. My city council campaign was a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat and always looking through the optimistic spectrum; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes at a cost to my own well-being. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me every day that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Giving too much of yourself can cost one their life, but living a life of giving is priceless.

My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience, is my drive to further my education. My daughter suffers from a rare genetic disorder called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia that caused her to be hospitalized every four to six months for the first three years of her life. Through all of our trials, remaining God-fearing and open to learning life lessons has brought me to this point in my life. Never accepting defeat and always looking through the optimistic spectrum; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes as a cost to my own well-being. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me every day that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Giving too much of yourself can cost one their life, but living a life of giving is priceless.

My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience, is my drive to further my education. I found myself with an inspirational spirit of giving when I chose to run for a political seat. My city council campaign was a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid, but most importantly, helping the sick and shut-in elderly community. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes at a cost to my own well-being. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me every day that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Standing on the foundation of education; Political, Financial, and Economic literacy is what all communities across the Nation are in desperate need of. Growing up in an area where racism thrives, I had to learn at an early age how to stand up and fight back. Through the years, I have collaborated with the NAACP, The Poor People’s Campaign, Put People First, and many local organizing workshops. I understand that activism without advocacy is ineffective. Currently, progressive community organizing, social activism, and proper plans of action with execution has transitioned me into a public servant. My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience, is my drive to further my education. My daughter suffers from a rare genetic disorder called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia that caused her to be hospitalized every four to six months for the first three years of her life. Through all of our trials, remaining God-fearing and open to learning life lessons has brought me to this point in my life. I found myself with an inspirational spirit of giving when I chose to run for a political seat last year. My city council campaign was a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes at a cost to my own well-being. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me every day that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Giving too much of yourself can cost one their life, but living a life of giving is priceless. Finishing my degree in Criminology at Springhill College seems like the perfect fit for an aspiring professor and politician; to teach students with a passion for societal change, such as myself, to reach one teach one and change the world around us.

Standing on the foundation of education; Political, Financial, and Economic literacy is what all communities across the Nation are in desperate need of. Growing up in an area where racism thrives, I had to learn at an early age how to stand up and fight back. Through the years, I have collaborated with the NAACP, The Poor People’s Campaign, Put People First, and many local organizing workshops. I understand that activism without advocacy is ineffective. Currently, progressive community organizing, social activism, and proper plans of action with execution have transitioned me into a public servant. My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience, is my drive to further my education. My daughter suffers from a rare genetic disorder called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia that caused her to be hospitalized every four to six months for the first three years of her life. Through all of our trials, remaining God-fearing and open to learning life lessons has brought me to this point in my life. I found myself with an inspirational spirit of giving when I chose to run for a political seat last year. My city council campaign was a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat and always looking through the optimistic spectrum; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes at a cost to my own well-being. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me every day that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Giving too much of yourself can cost one their life, but living a life of giving is priceless. Finishing my degree in Criminology at Springhill College seems like the perfect fit for an aspiring professor and politician; to teach students with a passion for societal change, such as myself, to reach one teach one and change the world around us.

Standing on the foundation of education; Political, Financial, and Economic literacy is what all communities across the Nation are in desperate need for. Growing up in an area where racism thrives, I had to learn at an early age how to stand up and fight back. Through the years, I have collaborated with the NAACP, The Poor People’s Campaign, Put People First, and many local organizing workshops. I understand that activism without advocacy is ineffective. Currently, progressive community organizing, social activism, and proper plans of action with execution has transitioned me into a public servant. My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience, is my drive to further my education. My daughter suffers from a rare genetic disorder called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia that caused her to be hospitalized every four to six months for the first three years of her life. Through all of our trials, remaining God fearing and open to learning life lessons has brought me to this point in my life. I found myself with an inspirational spirit of giving when I chose to run for a political seat last year. My city council campaign was a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat and always looking through the optimistic spectrum; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes as a cost to my own well-being. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me everyday that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Giving too much of yourself can cost one their life, but living a life of giving is priceless. Finishing my degree in Criminology at Springhill College seems like the perfect fit for an aspiring professor and politician; to teach students with a passion for societal change, such as myself, to reach one teach one and change the world around us.

Growing up in a small town called Leroy, Alabama in the midst of adversity and racism created a passion to constantly progress and make an impact beyond just myself. My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience, is my drive to further my education. My daughter suffers from a rare genetic disorder called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia that caused her to be hospitalized every 4 to 6 months for the first 3 years of her life. Through all of our trials, remaining God fearing and open to learning life les sons has brought me to this point in my life. Graduating from the University of Mobile in 2017 with an associates degree was a major accomplishment, but is just not enough knowledge to be in the field I have grown to find a passion in. After reading the statistics on Springhill College’s website, it stated that “99.5 percent of the 2019 graduating class attained placement six months after graduation through employment, graduate/ professional school, internship or service.” With my belief that knowledge is power and my known commitment to community service, searching for truth and social justice is something I do on a daily basis. Being in the school of Criminology at Springhill College seems like the perfect fit for an aspiring professor; to teach students with a passion for societal change, such as myself, to reach one teach one and change the world around us. Surviving a global pandemic while running for city council and raising my daughter, gave me time to plan. My political journey has been a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat and always looking through the optimistic spectrum; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes as a cost to my own well-being. Finishing my degree in Criminology- finding placement in the field and maintaining the proper income by possibly working as a professor in a prestigious college while working part time as a criminal analyst; I could then run for a state position. Becoming an expert in the field by attaching those three important letters, PhD., so continuing education imperative. These are just a few goals to name, that are on the top of my list. With focus on one main goal overall, that is to raise my daughter in a pleasant environment while being the best mother I can be.

There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi that resonates with me everyday that says, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Giving too much of yourself can cost one their life, but living a life of giving is priceless. My name is Kalla Etheredge and I am a young woman who wears many hats. Just to name a few: I am a veteran, entrepreneur, community organizer, former political candidate, student, but most importantly, a mother. My daughter named Angel, who has taught me seven years of strength and resilience; is my drive to further my education. Through all of our trials, remaining God fearing and open to learning life lessons has brought me to this point in my life. I was able to give the ultimate gift of life to my daughter so in return, I want to instill knowledge and create a path of selflessness for her. I found myself with an inspirational spirit of giving when I chose to run for a political seat last year. My city council campaign was a true extension of the passion I have for community organizing. In the middle of the pandemic, I focused my campaign on service – organizing food drives, giving out masks and hygiene items, helping people facing financial hardship and eviction to access financial and social aid. People would regularly come to me for assistance with their problems because even if I didn’t know the answer, I always would do my best to utilize every resource and relationship I had in order to find an answer. I will likely be the first to tell you that I don’t know everything, but I can learn anything. Never accepting defeat and always looking through the optimistic spectrum; my resilience has been a true inspiration to others. However, each and every person I give or receive help from is an inspirational lesson in my life. I have an unbridled belief that my community deserves better. There have been times when I was attempting too much. But, because of my energy and determination, I always accomplish the task at hand, even if it sometimes comes as a cost to my own well-being. I lead with passion and then figure the rest out along the way. It can be easy for me to get in over my head at times, but that is why short stories, poems, quotes, etc. keep me motivated to never stop. Reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi's quote, I can truly say that I have found myself many times, lost in the service of others. That may sound like a bad thing, but I would rather loose myself in service of others in this day in time, than loose myself in the turmoil and misfortune that takes place in the world we live in today.