Career in the City

I got a taste of my dream job in the city, and I didn’t have to relocate to New York City (like I thought I would) for it to happen. I always imagined and considered relocation, should a great career opportunity arise, but I think the Lord wants me to stay put…for now, anyways. I believe there are different things He wants to do in my life where I’m at, before He launches me out elsewhere, and if that’s what He wants, I’m willing to be obedient. The dream job fit great with my English degree and to my surprise, I was sought after for the opportunity. I had the chance to sit down with a kind and friendly professional, who took a liking to my writing, while offering constructive criticism, and feedback I’ll never forget. I’m keeping a lot of the details to myself, but what I will share about the meeting is that everything I saw from the setting, to the friendly and diverse professionals, to the office view, felt like a flashback of what I’d seen in New York City during a past visit. I felt like I was right where I belonged, and it was incredible. Before I took this meeting, I thought about all the different times I’ve been rejected, had my writing ideas turned down, and heard things from different people like, “English majors don’t get jobs…” and I thought, “Shame on them…” Did I mention that prior to this meeting; handfuls of different opportunities have consistently been coming my way? This is only the beginning…

Dear Young Black Professionals

As you embark on your career, I want you to know some things and stay woke about what you’ll be up against. Please understand that no matter what, you have value, and you matter. Always remember that. As progressive as this world and different workplaces may seem, every workplace has a culture. You’ll be in different places where a lot of people who don’t look like you will be in the room. But know that you belong in those rooms too. Spend some time observing and studying those spaces and learn as much as you can. There will be people you work with who will make presumptions about your competence, education, and ability to fulfill your job duties. There will be more who will think less of you because of the color of your skin and try to disqualify you the moment you make an error, mistake, or ask questions about things you may not understand. This will all feel uncomfortable and you may get insecure, feel like you’re all by yourself, and think you don’t belong there, but ride it out...

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

The Day I Became A Homeowner

One Sunday evening as I was lying in bed, my phone rang. I saw my realtor’s number across the screen, then I sat up and immediately answered. “Guess what?” she said. “What?” I replied while smiling. “They accepted your offer.” I tried to stay calm, but it was hard to contain my excitement. A long-time goal that I’d been working on and praying about was finally coming true. I was officially becoming a homeowner! This was a goal I started working on last year but when the pandemic hit, I was nervous about moving forward. So I put things on pause… until some of my confidants asked me why I wasn’t moving forward anymore. I came up with a handful of excuses: the pandemic, the timing, and more praying and fasting (which was honestly me procrastinating from a place of fear – God had already given me His approval). I even started having dreams that I was already in a new home. The more I stalled, the more I felt something on the inside of me saying, it’s time. And as I proceeded, I ...

Making Waves