I know that the biggest obstacle was the story I told myself about who I am. I am so much more than my trauma: I am a thousand other stories that are more than that experience. 

I recover out loud, and I try to be an outlet for others who may be silently suffering. I want people to know they don’t have to be silent and don’t have to suffer alone.

Trust the process. It takes time for things to unfold and reach their full potential or for goals to be achieved. In our fast-paced world it is easy to lose that patience. 

I have lived two very different lives as a child and as an adult. As a child I experienced sacrifice, and now I am fortunate enough to help others.

Don’t compare your life to others as you don’t see the whole road they have traveled. Comparison is the thief of joy. Always live joyfully! 

There’s something truly special about seeing a long-held dream or goal come to life. 

“Everyone has pressure, and life’s not fair.” It sounds odd, but understanding this made life easier for me. It helped me navigate challenges with grace, realizing I’m not special and deserve no more than my neighbor. Gratitude has become the best fuel for my professional and personal acceleration. 

I like who I am right now. In fact, I love her. However, I understand that growth is a forever pursuit, so I hope I have evolved even more into who I was created to be. 

Losing my parents is probably the biggest obstacle in my life so far, but with each loss, I felt compelled to keep pushing forward so that the sacrifices they made were not for nothing. 

The dishes can wait... enjoy your kids while they’re little. 

I believe that the Lord called me to be a leader and has allowed me to be a light to those around me.

I believe the biggest obstacle in my life has been the fight of knowing my value and worth. Believing in myself and my capabilities and loving every version of myself. It is an ongoing battle but one I will conquer some day! 

“Rest, but never give up.”

I think I am exceptional...ly weird. Which is something that we should all embrace about ourselves. Weird is all we get. 

I am proud when a plan comes together and the task is delivered flawlessly. I am proud when my son does all the things for himself to be the man he wants to be in this world. I am proud when my friends and family reach their goals. I am proud to be a Black woman of the X generation who takes on challenges, wins and brings others with her.

My commitment to my family during my teens and 20s and 30s. Also, my unshakable commitment to growth in every area of life. I believe that the day we are born is amazing, but what really counts is the “dash” between the date that we are born and the date that we leave this world. I believen wholeheartedly that I have and will continue to make that “dash” count.

I am proud of my personal and professional journey. Like most people, mine has not been the easiest but it has definitely been worth it. I have been in Oklahoma since 2010, and I consider OKC to be my home now. There is a lot of sacrifice that comes with leaving your country and starting over somewhere new. For me personally, there has been so much gain and growth in that process and I am forever grateful for what this country and Oklahoma City has given me.

My husband and I have gone though some really big health problems. They have forced us to make decisions that we never thought we’d have to make, and we have had to figure out what that means for our lives. It makes you realize what your priorities are and how to adjust expectations for what your life looks like.

I think I am most proud of being a mother! I know it’s cliché, but I don’t think I’ve done anything better in my entire 38 years of life! My oldest daughter was born with cerebral palsy among many other needs and I was her primary caretaker for most of her life while also working. I also have two more sons and then adopted my youngest daughter after fostering her for two years. Advocating and caring for my children has truly been my greatest accomplishment!

First, being a mother to my daughter. It is such a blessing to watch her walk into who God created her to be and showing the love of Jesus to others in her special way. Second, working at Branch15 and having the privilege to empower a woman to find her voice and equip her with truth to walk in freedom and redemption.