I didn’t realize that I thought my race and gender might limited what I’d be able to do in this world until I was in high school. A simple thing like choosing a sport had me stumped. Then, a black male classmate told me that as a figure skater I’d make a good female ice hockey player. I was called the N word by some opponents but I thrived.  The same was true when my father instructed me to use Title IX to secure a try out for the men’s baseball team. I earned my spot. 

When I got to college, I deflated when two professors told me my aspiration of being a writer was unrealistic based on the scarce number of successful black authors. They urged me to pursue something safer like law school. Thankfully, I was at my college at time when pioneers like Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni and Spike Lee came to speak and plays like For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange were performed.  I saw myself and a path to the future.

So far, I’ve authored four books and had articles published, even though none have made as successful as those above. I also write every day at my job. Although I’m anonymous to the public, my work is seen and heard by millions. More importantly, my day job has allowed me to shine a light on other women and people of color so future generations know they have the choice to believe their dreams can come true no matter what obstacles they face 

One of my favorite Nikki Giovanni poems is titled Choices. May she rest in peace.

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