My parents fully embraced me as their African American daughter. My mom took the time to learn how to do braids and cornrows, always making sure I looked my best. I loved it—especially the colorful beads she’d add to match my outfits. The soft clicking sound they made as I walked was one of my […]

Five years ago, I was sleeping in my car with $200 to my name and a dream that everyone said was crazy. I wanted to open a restaurant, but banks laughed when I walked in without collateral, credit, or any realistic business plan. That’s when I found these discarded concrete drainage pipes behind a construction […]

Dear stranger next to us at the rodeo, When my son came up to you and grabbed your arm, you didn’t know he used to be terrified of people. When he talked to you about the bulls, you didn’t know he was diagnosed with a language disorder. When he jumped in your lap and laughed […]