What wins, losses, or journeys are most important to You & Your Tribe?

So, I took this still down from my LinkedIn page for a few of reasons:

1) It shows me with a wine glass in hand (it's a prop and NOT REAL:)

2) I am not casket sharp, in my opinion, holding onto a few pounds due to stress, depression/anxiety, and much more.

3) I am applying for job opportunities and a new continuing educational program and I don't want Recruiters thinking I'm a lush, getting sloshed on LinkedIn, instead of the appropriate place i.e. the 'gram' aka Instagram!

Then I said, to myself, "f'it, let's go and share who I really am in business and on this platform because, there are probably others like me who may need to hear this message and a bit of my story."

So here goes, I was thrust into the performing arts at the ripe age of 6, then eventually settled into an accelerated Pre-Med program in my teens. Why? Well, because I thought that's what my parents wanted and as a traditionally raised, eldest female child, I wanted DESPERATELY, to make them and everyone else in my family, friend circle and "village" happy.

However, I wasn't happy at all, so after many auditions, five years worth actually, I was accepted into the No.1 school for performing arts in my state at the time, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, 200-350 applied and I was one of the 10 accepted. Yass!!!

It wasn't easy at all as I was playing catch up for the first year, waking up at 4am, being bused into class and rehearsals, and going home in tears due to the stress, sadness, and fatigue. Then clocking into my after school telephone sales job from 6pm-12am every M-F, then 9am-5:45pm on Saturdays.

We now fast forward to this picture where I am portraying the real life character, Nailah Franklin, a bright, successful, career minded woman murdered at the young age of 28. This story had elements of abuse and domestic violence, I know heavy topics right? I overly compensated on set so I wouldn't cry or show how triggering this experience was for me personally. While working with others on accent reduction, articulation etc., recently, I heard my accent work, or lack thereof, which soooo revealed how out of it, I was at the time. Nevertheless, in the hot Knoxville, Tennessee sun and air conditioning we got the job done--pushing through! "The show must go on", as we say in show business.

No one knew my personal connection to the topic as more than one loved one close to me had experienced with this type of abuse, some were even fatally wounded.?

My grandmother ??? in particular comes to mind as she was a survivor of domestic violence and this just happened to be filmed while my family was trying to reach me regarding the her passing. Oh no, I was losing my bestie and had no control over anything.

I needed her to know, ????(it's okay) Belle I didn't have to marry a star to become a mini or a MEGA-bling bling in training myself. Still respecting my traditional family upbringing yet, being my own everything has been my path and that's okay, as it's been a wild, exciting, scary and full ride which continues to shock, surprise and push me to grow.

Whoever, if reading this, I need you to know that ANYTHING you have wanted to try, have failed or succeeded at doesn't define you nor does the obstacles you have endured or faced. Please NEVER feel ashamed of the road you have traveled as it's the journey NOT the destination that can bring so many beautiful parts of your soul to the surface. Your next best, is yet to come and no one can stop you but, YOU!

TV One and Jupiter Entertainment thank you for this opportunity! The past few years, have been very triggering for me and recently I have been missing Elders like my ????because they haven't been physically here to see all the yummy things I get to create with people and businesses like yours and then share on platforms like LinkedIn!

Now that I think of it, Belle and the rest of the Elders have the best seats in the house, looking down from above, giving me the "atta girl" or "keep going" that I need to press on. So here's my call to action for all of you, do not hide your authentic self or experiences as your Tribe needs to share in the process and victory as when one of us is hurt we all hurt likewise when one of us wins, we are all winning!?