My parents' dedication to my success has torn me down and built me back up.

I never imagined that the humble kidney bean would have such a meaningful influence on my life. Beans have been a part of my journey since I was a little girl, unsure of how life would unfold, and they taught me how to find joy in something that some people find stressful.

It’s funny because when my siblings were born I wanted nothing more than to be a mother figure, and to have that responsibility. I felt like it was an honor to have that role, but the deeper I got into it, the quicker I realized the role was definitely not for the weak.

The way society is constructed can silence women of color. Being one of two Black women in the class was intimidating, but speaking our truth is even more important.

What started off as a distraction from the pain I experienced, became a passion for me: giving as much of myself as possible, and empathizing with others who may look different than me.

As kids, we often dream of what we wish to become when we grow up…As I grew older, my ideas changed. I wanted to become a dancer; a graphic designer; a nurse, even. But I never thought I would end up where I am today.

Code-switch. Verb. It is to have the ability to alternate between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation. This is a skill that is essential to the success of anyone. But there was once a time where I didn’t even know what this ability was, let alone how to do it.

Despite my dark skin and kinky black curls, I didn’t learn I was Black until I was 15 years old and living in my third country, with my seventh family.

I will be honest about police brutality happening in the communities that I serve. I think that becoming a part of the system will allow me to make changes from within it.

This experience has shaped me into a strong, motivated woman, and I hope to make a difference so that more women in Africa don’t go through the same torture I did.