Journey to Jamaica

Greetings,

I am a lifelong learner, leader, educator, artist, and advocate for social justice who has an innate ability to frame ideas as well as communicate effectively in a comprehensive, creative, and concise manner. I possess a passion to connect with others globally as means to create a platform to further the scholarship and praxis which involves utilizing narratives as key components for improving communities of color, the policies, and institutions that affect their lives.

Having survived breast cancer, abusive relationships, and re-evaluation of people, places, and things, I decided to pursue my dream of moving to Jamaica to contribute to uplift others via my education, experiences, and passions.

My fondest memories of this beautiful land of wood and water are filled with sunshine, food, love, and laughter. My affection for Jamaica started when my family would send me there to spend summer vacations with my extended family. At first I was resistant and did not want to go but that soon changed as Whitehouse, a small fisherman’s village in Montego Bay provided adventure and kinship's that are still present in my life today. I knew then, as a teenager, that I would someday return and create symbiotic relationships with a people that established an authentic sense of community within my heart.

On July 9, 2014 embarked on a journey to Jamaica with my 23 year old daughter to start our life in a little mountainous area called Lethe.. There have been so many ups and downs on this journey. It has been filled with tears of joy and sorrow but through positive affirmations, active faith, I am maintaining a momentum that sometimes I have to search for as a result of spontaneous emotional eruptions.

A part of our mission is to establish the LIBRARY OF HOPE, a resource center for educators and students. We started a Gofundme initiative along with world-wide requests for educational school supplies to supplement my personal savings that are getting exhausted as a result of this journey.

My Passions: folk arts, storytelling, percussion instruments, Kemetic yoga, reading, painting pictures, digital storytelling, urban theater, social justice, human rights issue.

My Challenges: Moving through my journey with the least amount of regrets. To move strategically as I debunk the ongoing challenges that impact and produce a digital divide as well as a lack of edifying academic and cultural enrichment initiatives.

My Futuristic Vision: To be in a position to share my experiences, education, passions, and aspirations in ways that people of color are empowered to pursue their dreams via the arts and technology initiatives.

My Areas of Expertise: Academic Coach, Cultural Life Coach, Action Research, Digital Storytelling, Curriculum Development, Computer Skills, Teacher Professional Development Workshops, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy.

My Language:
English