Life Impacting

So much to say about my first Black Writers Retreat! From San Francisco, to Dallas, TX, to Charlotte, NC, to Charleston, SC, to Hilton Head, SC, to the Sonesta Resort, to meeting the incomparable Emory Campbell, and learning more than I could have ever imagined about the Gullah Geechee Culture in only a two-hour tour, to be able to finally fellowship in person with these incredible people I can only describe as through the feeling you get when you know you are in the presence of greatness: all the embodiment of living Black History! Tina, Tamra, Zakiyah, Matthew, Adrienne, Dragon…phenomenal doesn’t seem to capture the way I would describe each and every one of you! I am trying to fight the imposter syndrome as I type what it was like to spend these few days in your presence. Life-changing is the typical response. Life-impacting is what I choose instead! For change may be temporary, but impact lasts a lifetime! I will be purposeful in my vow to fully chronicle this journey. The grief, mourning, the healing, the self-discovery, the inspiration, the Selah moments…

I know my work bestie of seventeen-years Gena Stewart was smiling down as she experienced this journey right along with me. She was so excited for me to go and come back to tell her all about it when I told her that I planned this trip months ago. God knew I would need this journey as I continue to learn how to navigate this life without my bestie who I lost suddenly just a few weeks ago. I will miss reflecting with my girl with these and other pivotal moments in my life. But I know as an adamant advocate and teacher of all things Black History, she would want me to share all that I learned with our students and whoever else has a desire to learn. I honor Gena today, my fellow writers on this retreat, “Uncle” Emory (as my sis Tina rightfully named him), and the past, present, and future members and preservers of this beautiful Gullah Geechee Culture. More to come.