achy heart, deep breath, continue ...

it was a small part of a sentence during our conversation

it landed squarely on my heart and saddened me in a millisecond, my face got red, my eyes started to water, there was no way I was going to be able to stop the extreme sadness that came over me in that instance

i had to shut my video off, take a moment to compose myself and then turn it back on to continue

>> i'm sharing my 'publisher' lessons learned to a fellow accidental publisher, someone on a mission with a purpose, the kind of purpose that requires you to show up even when you can't see the entire path clearly, even when it's foreign territory and you're required to ask a lot of questions because what you're doing is SO important

- it's the kind of purpose that makes you go to bed on time so you be your best self the next day

Our Genetic Legacy creates projects that expose and publish lost family legacies of BIPOC Americans in order to diversify, correct and expand the current history of America to include all Americans

Shellie Baxter, the founder and my new friend, said 'we have to research our lineage differently because we weren't thought of as humans but as farm inventory'

< .... >

I don't ever want to hear something like that and not feel the sadness, not feel the ache in my heart, not feel the horror and shock of that statement.

I'm thankful for the ability to take a deep breath and be 100% present with her to continue the conversation.

We talked for another hour and I know I can help with this important, purpose-filled project -- doing what i can with what i have, where i am

Grateful.