My Story
I love experiencing life through the artistry of storytelling and leadership. I'm originally from Fayetteville, NC. I have been writing and developing my stories in Seattle, WA for over 19 years. I am the Executive Director for the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas.
I am purposeful in sharing stories about my imperfections in hopes that I can change the world one story at a time. I'm passionate about sharing my truth as it relates to family, religion, depression, being Black in America to name a few of my storylines. I hope my story will act as a bridge in bringing communities closer together. I have had the privilege to perform throughout the United States and in Rwanda. Dare to Claim the Sky is my third solo performance, and I have a book of the same name, in addition, I have three poetry plus storytelling albums Humanity, The Consciousness of Love, and SHOOK.
I founded The Mahogany Project, a theatre arts collaborative that focuses on allowing Black artists an opportunity to share their voice. I have a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership degree from Seattle University and I am a proud graduate of the Historical Black College and University, Delaware State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Television Production and a Masters of Business Administration degrees.
What influenced me to be a storyteller
I was once a little girl that sat on carpeted floor surrounded by my cousins and all of the adults in my family. I don’t remember saying anything but I do remember laughing. To this day I can still see my grandmother, Ms. Helen, laughing so hard that she had to grab a tissue out of her pocket, to catch the joyful tears coming from her eyes.
You wouldn’t know this, but hours before that moment that I cherish to this day, I would silently protest going to my family’s house, in the country of North Carolina. Because going there meant I couldn’t hangout with my friends, or just sit on the floor playing my Atari 6400 in front of the floor model TV. Going down there meant I was doing what my Mother and Father wanted me to do.
Back then I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but now as an adult, I wish I could go back and be the kid on the floor again. I wish my nephews and nieces knew the teenage pain of being made to go to the family’s house. To have to sit on the floor, like I did as a kid, without an iPhone or an iPad to keep them otherwise engaged. I wish they could be in the house when it was overflowing with family, and the only space for them was to sit on the floor in their name brand clothes.
As our family has grown, and as our elders have passed away, I wish I could remember all of their stories. I would force my family to hear about the past, as we move too quickly into the future. Don’t get me wrong, my family still has gatherings, on occasions, and I’ve been living 3,000 miles away for a long time now.
I finally learned what I wanted to be when I grew up. A STORYTELLER…
I love telling stories about my life, the lessons I’ve learned, and the things I’ve observed with a hope that I will reach at least one person that can relate to my experiences.
This little girl from North Carolina who used to sit on the floor and listen, now shares her stories through poetry, short stories, film, theatre and any other genre. Because she is grown up and no longer sits on the floor. Instead she steps boldly into the light to share stories from her heart.
