For some of us, it feels like living as a black woman means living in a parallel universe. There is our world, often full of unique challenges and struggles, then there’s other world above us where everyone else lives, separated by a gossamer layer that nonetheless feels like reinforced steel.

For too long, we’ve been onlookers into this thin divide, but feeling invisible and overlooked. But often when we are seen, it’s through the distorted lens of stereotypes, bias, and ignorance.

My mission is to break down the walls of these two worlds allowing for the world to see the beauty, intellect and fierce femininity of black women, who have for far too long, been robbed of the opportunity to express ourselves in all our fullness.

Like most black women, I grew up believing that my world was meant to be small. There was a specific set of goals, expectations and responsibilities I was supposed to follow. Perhaps it was my unquenchable curiosity, tinged with a dash of rebellion, that made me want to outgrow the confines of the box society stuffed me.

My journey has not been a straight line, and I assure you, I did not wake up like this. I’m not the picture-perfect guru that seems to have all the answers who presents a flawless persona to the world. Such pretense is impossible for us mere mortals. 

I remember being about sixteen years old when I made my first huge mistake. I won’t get into what it was—that’s not important—the feelings were. The deep despair, and feelings of hopelessness. Then I thought: there must be some reason for why we go through these trials and heartbreaks. Something that is meant to be learned, integrated, and synthesized into what later becomes the wiser self. It became a puzzle with the pieces falling together over time, with the full picture making sense when I stepped away and saw the scene in the fullness of perspective.

Each mistake was a puzzle piece that fit into another, and into another. While I looked at myself, I also observed others. I realized that I was not the only one asking the question, “Is this all there is??”