Without having the love and guidance that a girl needs from her father, I grew up confused and unsure of where I wanted and needed to go in my life. I wanted to know more about the world, history and culture, but reading books wasn't enough to really understand how we came to be and how history, culture and migration continue to make us who we are today.
As a way to express myself, I began my dance training in high school at the age of 14. Dance became an outlet where I could be free to say what was on my mind without speaking. West African dance spoke to my soul. It gave me the breath of fresh air that I needed to express myself through movement. I wanted to continue my training so I could tell my story and express history and culture through music and dance. I developed a passion for the art of dance and quickly built the tough skin that I needed to endure the physical, mental and emotional strength for this path.
Becoming a teen mother at the age of 16 didn't stop my progress as a student or dancer. The odds were against me and even with a lack of family support, I had the drive to complete all my academic goals, as well as my dance training. In 1998, I graduated with a 3.00 GPA and held my daughter in my arms as I crossed the stage to receive my high school diploma. I knew from there that nothing could stop me.
After I had been working as a medical assistant for 10 years. I realized that I felt a void in my life as I wasn't doing the things I love to do. I wanted to dance and explore the world. I knew that I had to get out of my normal day-to-day, stressful and negative work environment.
In 2012, I enrolled in junior college (Laney College) and began to pursue my passion as a trained dancer!
