There is nothing easy about finding your voice while living as a person of color in the USA. Not to mention if you add on a history of abuse or trauma it is even more difficult! Our voices are a pulse that communicates where we are, where we have been and where we hope or plan to go. Our voices carry much weight, even when people chose not to listen. Which is why I want to encourage you to use your voice to speak to issues that affect you personally, professionally, spiritual

I'm the friend that experienced molestation before age 6. I'm the friend that experienced inappropriate sexual relationships before age 18. I'm the friend that was sexually assaulted one evening with a dude I was dating before age 22. I'm the friend that did not report sexual violence to the police or any other law enforcement for that matter. As a matter of fact I am the friend that did not disclose the molestation to her parents until she was in her 20's. I'm the friend |TH

We are tired of Blackness being considered a weapon of mass destruction. Our bodies are valuable. Our minds valuable. Our ideas and genius, valuable! We just want to hold space for all of us/you who are also tired. We are weary and burdened. You may be experiencing headaches, digestive issues, rage, confusion, wanting to justify Terence Crutcher's murder because you just can't seem to believe that this could happen again! Many of us are coping with emotional eating, increas

Copyright 2016 Leah Burgess "B.Leah" i have anger. i have fear. i have rage. i have bewilderment. i have pent up frustration. i have gas. i have belly issues. i have a desire to eat emotionally. i have a husband that loves the life into me. i have children that plan to see me at the end of this day. i have parents that taught me. i have a sister planning a wedding. i have a brother planning a baller career. i have a church family that looks for me. i have sister-friends that

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Violence, Survivor Story The intersections of race, education, gender, and faith are not always pretty, pink, or glamorous. Sometimes race & gender are a delicate sprint. There is some cheering but mostly staring, taunts, violence, and sometimes death! I remember 3rd grade and a boy - we'll call him "Day-Day" used to pick on me, pick at me, and then one day he went too far and I whacked him over the head with my tin lunch box. I used violence to call h