In 1995 I was preparing to graduate from high school and had no clue as to what direction I wanted to take my life. Eventually, I decided to stay with my passion for art and pursue an AS Degree at the then named Faulkner State Community College. After Faulkner, it was time to transfer to a University, but I still fretted over on how to make my passion work for me and work for others. After thinking through my options for a year, at the University of Montevallo, I decided I could use my passion for art to help children! I picked up a minor in Psychology to start down the path of becoming an art therapist. I recalled watching an episode of “In the Heat of the Night” when an art therapist came in to help a child whom, after witnessing a traumatic event, was rendered mute. Through art the child was able to communicate what they saw without the use of words. I have always had a heart to help children even as a child myself. That dream, however, did take a backseat because marriage and my own children deterred it. I did find myself being able to engage with children a different way. I was a teacher for three years until I was given the opportunity to become an art therapist at a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected children. The children ranged from the ages of 5-15 years of age. I was there for another three years before relocating to present home in Georgia. I did return to teach for another 4 years after an 8 year hiatus and discovering my second child had autism. My only goal then was to find ways to equip my child with what he needed in order to thrive. After making sure my son was in good place, I returned to work at Peace Prep Academy. During that time, another dream was birthed in me while driving through the dilapidated and hopeless urban communities for work. I began to think of how could I use my gifting again to help. My new dream was to increase the pride in these neighborhoods by putting up beautiful and encouraging murals-something positive for the residents of the neighborhood to see instead of the degradation around them. Running parallel to that dream was my desire to use my art as a better outlet to young African American girls. I have since “retired” from teaching kids, but now I am aligning myself with others who have similar desires to make beautiful urban neighborhoods and programs that provide a safe and healthy outlet to young black girls. I have recently worked with Gwinnett County Schools who offer a program the black teenage girls in the area are encouraged to participate in. Also, I am presently working with a young lady who provides murals for communities that promote unity and togetherness. I may have taken the long route to get to where I want to be, but I would not change that path for anything. It has prepared me to be what I need to be in order to be affective promoter of change!

I would not change the path laid before me for anything! Although I finished college with my bachelors degree, continuing my education took a back seat to life, loving, and learning. While in college I meet an amazing guy in the summer of 2000. By 2003 we were married and having our first child two years later. Two more kids and work flooded my life and all I could do was hang on for dear life! During that time I have learned so much about myself and how change is not always a bad thing. I had plans to better myself by continuing my education, but then enters an amazing guy I would have been a fool to pass up! Together we have carved out a life that is riddled with ups and downs and season of feasting and seasons of famished. Along the way we had an amazing daughter and two out of this world boys on the Austin’s spectrum. For a while life was extremely difficult but by the grace of God we are still here with a life long plan to live as long as we can and love as long as we can! Life will be a challenge for our boys and my husband and I want to make sure they are financially stable if anything were to happen to us. For 10 years I was a teacher and have recently “ retired” to go back to school to get my masters for better and higher paying opportunities. My husband now bares the brunt of our financial load while I do jobs on the side to help, but my dream is come along side of him of be just as financially solid! The one thing I can control to help my kids will be to secure money for them to handle life’s curves. Plus the last thing I want is for my daughter to struggle caring for her brothers when we no longer can. Life will hard enough for her. Your support would go a long way to help me become the provider I want and need to be in life.

What generosity means to me is giving, not out of excess but in need. Growing up, my mother struggled as a single mother to provide for the four us. Sadly no help was to be had because everyone around us was struggling. Later on when I work as waitress throughout high school and college and wanted to do missions work in Uganda, I learned people are really stingy and not very giving. As waitress I would serve and giant table of 15 with maybe a $2 tip left behind. Keep in mind I am a attentive and timely server who was aware that her income was based upon my service and the generosity of others. Then, when I was approached to be a part of a team of 8 college students to go to Africa to missions work, I jumped at the opportunity to serve in a different capacity. However, when I returned to my home town to raise support the end result less than encouraging. I raised a whopping $300 out of $3000! In the black community no one would give for one reason or another and at that moment I decided two things: 1. I would always be a giver 2. I would marry a generous giver No progress is ever made without sacrifice and bold and courageous steps cannot be taken without someone investing something!