I am a mental health therapist, writer, speaker, creative, and wild one.

I have always been a multi-passionate person. As a child, I had two career interests: one was to become a doctor. I watched a lot of medical dramas. One of my favorites was “Strong Medicine,” about a women-led medical practice that provides free medical care to the community. My classic answer to anyone who asked about my dream of becoming a doctor was, “I want to help people.”

I also aspired to become a writer; I have always adored written and verbal expression. During recess in elementary school, I read books at the fence while the other children played kickball. I also wrote poems and read them to crowds of mostly older adults. Through writing, I learned that words were my “friends.”

When I was confronted with vulnerable experiences, I wrote.

When I had insights about a specific topic, I wrote.

I also observed the art of oration through distant and familiar community leaders. In particular, I enjoyed hearing my uncle share stories about his participation in the Civil Rights movement.

Throughout my journey, I still desired to become a doctor and establish a free clinic for women. However, I learned during my first semester of college that biology just wasn’t my “jam” and quickly left the Pre-Med major.

I realized that I didn’t need to become a doctor to “help people.”

In 2009, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Afro-American Studies and worked for multiple nonprofit causes such as childcare centers, a home-visiting program for pregnant and parenting teenagers, and youth mentoring programs. As I worked in these settings, I explored ways in which I could further help people. Eventually, I became acquainted with a social worker who told me that I needed to get a Master’s of Social Work degree.

In 2014, I launched into the Master’s of Social Work program. In 2017, I graduated and officially became a therapist.

As a licensed therapist (LICSW), I believe that every person has the right to heal, grow, and know that they have an identity.

Identity is a gift.

Often when we experience loss or a traumatic experience, our identity becomes muddled. Shame, guilt, and even unworthiness crawl into our identity, causing us to question who we truly are.

But my purpose is to remind creatives and leaders that their identities were formed in love, beauty, and wonder.

And I remind creatives and leaders that they were designed to dream and create mighty works.