2013-2015
Art was something I never saw myself doing. In high school I was very shy, to myself, and went through school unnoticed, besides being apart of my school's broadcasting team. I took my first art class when I was sophomore in high school, taking black and white film photography and I fell in love with it. My teacher during the time believed I had a natural talent for it + felt I should definitely continue as I go throughout life. Art is potentially what saved me from my own personal grievances. It allowed me to escape and express without having to speak and explain myself. As I went through the years of high school, my junior year I discovered another talent that I was able to do and do well. Drawing was another I didn't expect to do. When I was younger, my sister would draw things for me during grade school because I was so bad. She was creative artistically and musically. I believe she got that from my mother, who was an art student at college in Savannah, Georgia. However, my weakness became one of my strengths. I truly believe God waits for the right place and time for things to unfold. Luckily, God allowed things to unfold in a way to where I've become more positive and confidence in my expression through art and life.
2016-2017
During my senior year, I was taking independent art study classes, art classes that allow you to create art that you were comfortable with and like to make. It was important because it made me think about my future with art, whether I wanted to continue it or try something new. As senior year came to a close, I decided to apply and attend art school at Herron School of Art + Design at IUPUI in Indianapolis, Inidiana. My experience at first was very exciting and interesting, but as things continued school became more stressful. I started to realize that art wasn't fun anymore. It became more structured rather than expressive and I felt like I was missing something major in my life that I knew I needed. I was missing my culture, my history, and my full identity. I decided to take a different avenue as far as schooling, so I applied to different HBCU's to explore a new experience in figuring out my true self. Although Herron provides great opportunities for aspiring artists around the community, it wasn't right for me. So, I travelled 9 hours southeast to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend a small HBCU, Johnson C. Smith University and I must say, I love it!
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
600 miles, 9 hours, blasting music and a lot of luggage and I needed up here at Johnson C. Smith University. Johnson C. Smith has changed my life in the best way. It's allowed me to make connections with others in ways I never expected to. To describe it, JCSU is very family-orientated and its something I've never experienced in schooling. I can't wait for what these next couple of years have in store for me. I believe and know great things are coming up in the future for myself and others around me. As I reside here in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, I will be studying communication arts and visual arts while minoring in african-american studies.
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
15 hours from the state of Indiana, I traveled south in the hopes of a new experience at a new school. Although JCSU had great things to offer, it just wasn't enough for me to be go where I wanted to go in life. So I packed up again and transferred to a new school in the heart of Houston, Texas. At this school, I'll be studying radio, television, and film and concentrating on film and visual art. This decision to make another change came from the fact that I needed to think about me and what I wanted from life. I believe a school like this can help me become an even better person than I am. I'm definitely excited for this whole new journey.
2018
2018 allowed me to realize who I am and what I allow in my life. The closest people including friends and family can be the most supportive or the most toxic in your life. I opened my eyes and was able to see the trueness of the people around me. I came into the new year struggling with my personal life and I left 2018 struggling with the same issues. However, this new year I won't let people take away my joy, my happiness, or my positivity. It's safe to say that the cycle of letting negative energy in is finally broken. I can live and know that I'm free from the demons that have latched onto me. I vow to continue to chase after my dreams despite the obstacles that get in my way. 2019 will be the year of peace, love, and positivity and that's a promise I'm willing to keep.