I grew up in Los Angeles, California. I’ve had my time on both sides of the tracks. I’ve had some highest of highs and lowest of lows. One thing for sure, and two things for certain. Once I complete school with my degree, no one can ever take my education from me. This particular segment of my life is a culmination of all my youthful mistakes coming to a close. From here on out dedication, determination, talent, skill and the sheer desire to win is being manifested in my present and in my future. I have a very bright future ahead of me, I do believe. My parents separated when I was seven. I lost my virginity to assault. I was a homeless runaway teen. I was a single mother. I survived the human trafficking crisis in the early and mid 2000’s. I was diagnosed with Bipolar in 2009. I have been to prison. I am a Black Woman. I am a Survivor. I’ve been healing. I found joy. God saved me. He redeemed me. I learned to love myself. And others. I am at peace. I have also entertained the idea of being a Psychiatrist or Psychologist, for the long term. My medium term goal is get a MSW, because when I was at a hard time in my life, there were a couple of Black female social workers that stood in the gap for me. They listened to me talk, scream, yell and cry. I told stories and they hardly batted an eye. They had Masters degrees, and they were like wizards with spells I needed to learn. I loved them, admired them and looked up to them. Those ladies literally helped change my life. They had what I wanted, if I could do for a few people, what those clinicians did for me. I could help some people change their lives indefinitely. Another short term goal is to be a Life Coach. The classes are about a year long, and $1-5k for certification with the International Coaching Federation. Once I get certified I’d like to start my very own YouTube channel. Where I can reach a wide range of my people and share a word with them. Over the holidays, I got a $400 scholarship to Peer Support Specialist Employment Training Program from the Louisiana Department of Health while on break from school. It’s a paraprofessional certificate that qualifies me to work peer-to-peer with others with mental health diagnosis, drug addiction or co-occurring disorder. I also want to create safe living spaces for survivors of abuse, women with children, women’s reintegration into society and people who need treatment for various disorders, as well as teenage girls at risk. Maximum results do not happen over night, for the healer or seeker. I am both, patient and provider. I’m determined to provide safe spaces for people to be, without fear, intimidation or threats to their safety. Im here to help change the world. And leave my own unique stamp that only I can create. My experience so far has shown me that it takes a minimum of tenacity, courage, planning and a spirit of never being defeated; to get up every time I fall down, and overcome adversity, to even begin to dream about being impacted enough, to have goals for the future. That's how real and deep my experiences have been to shape me from hopeless to hopeful, and now helpful. I'm going a step further in my healing to turn around and pay it forward, and do for others what I could not once do for myself.

I have been diagnosed Bipolar, with psychotic features and anxiety since I was twenty-four years old. I had always suspected something was wrong with me, even as an adolescent. I never quite fit in, and never really received exceptional treatment from anyone. I was always a little bit on the shy, quiet and meek side, and a bit of a loner. I never thought that I would actually get diagnosed and receive therapy though. I’ll never forget when I was told I’d have to take medication everyday for the rest of my life. I was hurt, scared, confused. What I didn’t know, was that it was the beginning of embarking on an incredible life’s journey. I had been given a purpose. I honestly love treatment, therapy and recovery. I am a whole person today. I was given the opportunity to pull myself together at my darkest hours. That, and my belief in God. I know myself, love myself, trust myself to the maximum. I’m outgoing, bubbly and talkative. One of my managers wrote that I’m a joy to work with in my work evaluation once. I just love talking to average, ordinary, everyday people about situations they’re going through, and then, try and brainstorm solutions. I’m a problem solver that way. That’s where my passion lies, innovating ideas to improve lives. I recently completed a two week, eighty hour training to be a Peer Support Specialist. I earned a certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health to work with my peers, diagnosed with mental illnesses. It’s just the first step in a long list of goals I have for the future. That’s what I love to do, it’s my passion, being there for people when they need someone. I also want to buy in on several properties for group homes, rehabs, half way house facilities nationally. I want my community to to have adequate resources available should they be needed. I cope by journaling. I love to write, I always have, and I’m good with words too. Linguistic and performative self expression is how I best express myself. Through my personal writings and the way I show up in the world every day. My style of dress, my hair, nails, even my shoes are an expression of what’s inside of me. I love pastels, whites, and browns, neutrals. Some call them peasant clothes, others call them wedding garments. It depends on how I feel that day how I refer to them. But my love for clothes, especially clothes that flow with the wind is unparalleled. They’re cool in the summer and oh so feminine and relaxed fit. I would love to have my own fashion line, like what Donna Karen did with DKNY in the 1990’s and what it did for women’s work wear. I can see myself moving to Italy and opening a fashion house at some point in my life. Just to have done something my heart loves so deeply. Also I love talking to my mental health team. Getting guidance and having a sounding board is priceless. I can never thank them enough for always validating me. I desire to take a little piece of the best in all of them, and apply it to myself, and become a very gifted and well rounded clinician, just as they all are. Talking with my counselors and learning about the next new cutting edge clinical therapies, and new mental health techniques being applied is also therapeutic. I’m learning for my own wellness, with the whole hearted intention on paying it forward when I’m finished with school.