Behind the Cover
On Pushing Forward and the author who wrote it (aka Me 🤸🏾♀️)
In the midst of artist bios, applications, new clients, moving back home, interviews, and pursing new opportunities I have had to answer "tell me about yourself" a million times over and in so many different ways.
Everybody don't need to know everything- and most people don't want to. Most just want to know if you can meet their need. If you can resolve the problem they have and in a way that doesn't derail their plans or make them too uncomfortable. And most of the time I can.
See I'm a multifaceted individual. A she/her/hers/they/them femme Black Woman sister, daughter, auntie, cousin, God mother. I am a young queer Queen in her early 30s, single, who rarely mingles, with 3 degrees from Howard University and the University of Miami in Poli Sci, Law, Community and Social Change. I've been a teacher, organizer, legal advocate, author, babysitter, bowling attendant, fast food cashier, grocery store clerk, and Instacart hottie. I love to dance, read, write, skip, laugh, watch movies, and yap yap yap with my bestieeeees. I'm always down to eat or help or nap- not necessarily in the order. I'm the eldest daughter and middle child, the first grand baby on my mama's side, the traveler on my daddy's, and the reparent to my inner child. I do tarot readings, coach creatives, and hold writing workshops for fulfillment. Next month I'll begin finally studying for the bar after semi-recovering from the many mental health struggles (cue high functioning depression, anxiety, CPTSD, & compounded grief to name a few) that I was dancing with after graduation in 2021. I would love to be your RVBae, cruising around the nation (and maybe other countries) w Pooh (my pooch) and my plant and painting babies holding space for healing, growth, and discovery. Until then, this dog/plant/book mami will be living with her mommy and trying to figure out just what she's going to do with her life after 32.
In the meantime and between time, Pushing Forward: Poetry for the Resilient, my 3rd book baby and 2nd poetry collection, is incubating. Written in the early days of the pandemic, my book baby girl wants to be born this year as a Libra. She is rooted in her desire for balance, harmony, justice, and fairness. She's charming with a deep sense of appreciation for beauty. She deals in romance some, but more in social situations that make you feel something. She will be "doula'd" into this world by a Black Author Muva and a Black Editor Auntie with a mission to provide a source of respite in the midst of collapse. To shed a light behind the eyes of those searching for insight. To hold space for those who are still here only by grace.
Pushing Forward is more than a collection of poetry. It's a portrait. A portal. A preview. A prequel. And a panoramic view of my life, my struggles, and my will to keep going. I know it can be a resource for reflection, healing, and empowerment for whoever crosses its pages because it is a poetic painting of me. A look at all the different colors and shapes that I moved through during those early pandemic days. A peak into my mind at a time when we all were questioning everything.
I grew up Baptist Christian, and there were many things we just didn't talk about in a way that helped me be my most authentic self. Pushing Forward touches on my relationship with the church, my body, relationships, sexuality, mental health, and so much more. A true poetic portrait of B. A look behind thoughts and actions and experiences of the early pandemic days that I could only express on paper. It's not perfect because neither am I. I talk about a range of topics that might make you uncomfortable but hopefully make you reflect.
Ask yourself the hard questions.
Reach out to your people.
Check on your strong friends.
Change some ways.
Pushing Forward is more than a confessional in the form of poetry. It's a resource to anyone who still struggles to name their needs.
For 3 years I held her close because she was too honest. She was like a poetic dairy and I was afraid for people to see so deeply inside of me. Afraid to reveal truths I had just begun to admit to me.
But I ain't afraid no more. I embrace every piece and part that makes me me and am proud to share me widely. To show people that humans like me exist and aren't going anywhere- no matter what cross you force us to bear.
Join the Unlearn 2 Relearn community and make a pledge to support us in bringing #PushingForward to life. Through Kickstarter we are crowdfunding to secure editing, formatting, and initial printing and distribution in audio and ebook format. We Know it takes a village and we'd love you to join ours even if it's through sharing our stories with your friends!
#TogetherWeCanDoAnything so feel free to ask me about me, my book, my journey, or what I'm watching on TV or dancing to in the streets 🤸🏾♀️ Welcome to the Un2Re community 🫂
