Born November 23th

Almost died from Meningitis. An infant

Met my amazing father for the first time. 1

Molested. 4

Felt God. 6

The first time I remember visiting my mom in prison. 7

Became a big sister (twice in one year). 8

My entrepreneurial spirit was birthed. My sister and I asked my mom if we could go door to door to clean people’s houses for money. 9

Relocated from San Diego to Philadelphia. 11

Silently suffered from depression, anxiety, and low self esteem .12-16

Lost one of the most prominent male figures in my life, (one month before I went away to college) I called him daddy. 17

Traveled internationally for the first time and had a life-changing experience in Trinidad and Tobago. 17

Almost committed suicide because I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. My siblings saved me. 18

Promised myself that I would never give up no matter how hard life got. 18

Had my first real relationship. 19

Gave my first big speech in front of thousands at my Commencement ceremony at Kutztown University. 21

Met my soulmate 21

Created the Mocha Girls Pit Stop blog because I had dreams of being an author but I was too scared to write a book. 22

Earned my Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution from Salisbury University. 23

Relocated to NYC. The first time I chose me and didn’t let anyone else’s feelings influence my decisions. 23

Got my first tattoo. Resilience in Arabic. 24

Married one of the greatest men I know. 25

Worked for Facebook and two other Bay Area startups. 26

Just getting started. 27

Life is unpredictable. Life isn’t fair. According to statistics I should have been a teen mom, a drug addict, a high school drop out, state property, an alcoholic, and the list goes on.

No matter where you come from, what you come from, or what happened to you, you are the architect of your life. You may be lonely and hopeless with a tear-soaked pillow tonight, but as my childhood pastor says, “Somewhere in your future, you look much better than you look right now.”

Don’t give up, don’t give in. You are here for a reason and you have something valuable to offer the world. The obstacles you’re facing right now, will make for a compelling book one day.

Go forth my friend ❤️