beautiful scars

scars are proof that we have lived through some type of cut. suffering trauma of the mind, body, heart, or spirit creates women who have found strength in their subsiding pain. these are the narratives of a Sista who learned to see the beauty in her scars.

[proverbsthepoet]

hands down, my favorite moment of 2017 was marrying the Love of My Life, @pxcou. and, to add even more delicious cream cheese frosting to our already TANTALIZING red velvet wedding cake, @apracticalwedding named our wedding one of their favorites of 2017! thanks, APW! our wedding was, INDEED, amazing AF. #TeamPicou #GoPicou #2017Weddings #APracticalWedding #OaklandWedding #rp ・・・ First looks get us every time! If you haven't seen this intimate weekday Oakland wedding up #onAPW you're missing out.⠀ ⠀ Plus this custom dress from Nigerian designer @maryamgarbaintl is EVERYTHING.⠀ ⠀ Click the link in comments to see more. ⠀ ⠀ #apwwedding #realwedding #oaklandwedding #blackgirlmagic ⠀ ⠀ 📸: @andria_lo | 📍: @cerruticellars | 👗: @maryamgarbaintl | 👔 @zara | 🌸 & 🍴: Girlfriend Friday's Catering & Events | 🍰: @hummingbirdbakerydessertbar | 👛: @katespadeny ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #wedding #weddings #weddinginspo #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddingstyle #weddingplanning #weddingplanningtips #loveislove #brideandgroom #bride #groom #groomandgroom #brideandbride #brides #grooms #weddingdetails #weddingdecor #weddingdesign #weddingreception #weddingceremony #blackbride (at Cerruti Cellars)

[proverbsthepoet]

what an honor to be profiled by @lizsalexander, @phdbound, and The Millennial Womanism Project! here’s to doing the (and making it) work! 🙏🏿✊🏿👑 full profile @btpbase link in bio. #MillennialWomanism #beautifulscars #DOGOODX #ifnotforthewomen #ifnotforwomanism

[proverbsthepoet]

SUPER jazzed to share that I'm a part of the inaugural cohort of @dogoodx's Startup Accelerator for Christian social entrepreneurs! Big t'ings a gwan rude gyal! ✌🏿✊🏿❤️☀️ ・・・ #ChangeMakerSpotlight: @LyvonneP is fiercely committed to addressing the taboo and stigma attached to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in the Black community. We are thrilled to welcome Lyvonne to our #dogoodx family! ❤️

[proverbsthepoet]

meet Betty. Betty just turned 65. as I was walking toward her, I thought she was a piece of artwork...and then she MOVED! 😂 Betty said she wanted to give up drinking and smoking for her birthday, even with a cigarette in hand. 🚬 when I asked to take her photo, she played bashful and covered her face. and swiftly sat up straight, gave me a 3/4 profile, and VOGUED, honey! 💁🏿 then, she demanded to see it! 🤣 while I was turning to walk away, she exclaimed, "Love you, Sis!" ❤️ Betty is funny and full of joy. I am glad to know her! oh...and she's homeless. #humanizehomelessness #LoveYourNeighbor #LYN #HumansofOakland #Oakland #KONO #homeless #homelessness (at Koreatown Northgate CBD)

[proverbsthepoet]

my absolute FAVORITE picture of us from our wedding day. may all of our days be filled with such anticipation, surprise, and joy! 😍💞✨ 📸: @andria_lo 👗: @maryamgarbaintl #mcm #mce #hubby #blacklove #blackbride #munaluchibride #blkbridalbliss #blackbride1998 #africanbridal #weddingsonpoint #cerruticellars #rosadosbox #MaryamGarba #firstlook #naturalbride #bridallocs p.s. if you're considering it, I HIGHLY suggest a first look! 👀😩😭 (at Cerruti Cellars)

[proverbsthepoet]

#aboutlastnight I crossed the Sands into Delta Sigma Theta Land! to my Sorors around the way (and the world!), let's WERK! 🙌🏿💃🏿🔺🐘⚓️ ΔΣΘ #DeltaSigmaTheta #DSTFarwest The Vallejo Alumnae Chapter, Spring 2017 DSTENed for DSTINCT10N #10 #SuperNatural #tail #anchor #SP17 #DST #DevastatingDivas (at Vallejo, California)

[proverbsthepoet]

🙏🏿✊🏿🌚🔮✨ #BlackHistoryMonth #nobannowall #bodegastrike #faithandjustice #JesuswasBlack #Jesuswasarefugee #weareallimmigrants (at Earth)

[proverbsthepoet]

our Love is revolutionary. Black. resilient. beautiful. the revolution won't be televised. but it WILL be real. and joyful! 💍👰🏿👫✊🏿☮️❤ 📸: @andria_lo #choosejoy #engagementshoot #shotbyandria #51117 #blacklove #frosandbeaus #blackcouplemagic (at Oakland Museum of California)

[proverbsthepoet]

👏🏿☀️❤️ #truth #wisdom #love #light #pain #growth #nurturing #transformation #healing #wholeness #wellness #restoration #inspiration #IjeomaUmbinyuo

[proverbsthepoet]

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Just 18 months ago, I couldn't walk. While healing from my #meniscus tear, I had moments of hopelessness. BUT, through #God and #Community (and physical therapy!), I was strengthened for the journey. First set of box jumps, one time for your mind! Whatever your vision, dreams, and goals...DON'T GIVE UP!!! 🙌🏿✌🏿️❤️ Btdubs, shout out to my trainer, Ty! 😅💪🏿@wearethefitbox #wearethefitbox #motivationmonday #healthypreachermovement #fitness #blackwomenworkout #blackwomensquat #blackwomencrossfit #fitblackwomen #boxjumps #crossfit #locs #bayarea #fairfield #vallejo #health #wellness #selfcare #meniscustear #physicaltherapy

[proverbsthepoet]

celebrating my 5 year #locaversary doing one of my favorite things...shopping for #workout clothes! LOL! I've learned a lot about #patience and (self) #love...may this year with my 106 #companions be divinely peaceful, loving, and FUN! ✌🏿️❤️💪🏿💃🏿🎉🙌🏿💁🏿 #locs #iamlocd #natural #hair #beauty #naturalhair #naturalbeauty #blackgirlmagic (at Dick's Sporting Goods)

[proverbsthepoet]

a preacher's view. ⛪️ 🙏🏿🙌🏿📝 stole: bday 🎁 from @yanimeanspeace #firstSunday #communion #preacherwoman #iPreach #shepreaches #teamshepreaches #James2 #ipadair #MichaelKors #ladypreacher #preaching #clergy #FMBCistheplacetobe #BeFMBC #latergram (at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church)

[proverbsthepoet]

I solicit your presence and prayers as I prepare to preach our Golden Anniversary Youth Sunday: "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: The Gospel According to Dub Nation" (Acts 13:4-12)! join us tomorrow (8 and 11am) as we celebrate humble beginnings, an honorable present, and extraordinary futures! here's to another fabulous 50! 🙌🏿🏃🏿💃🏿🎶👏🏿👑✌🏿️❤️☀️💒 #BeFMBC #FMBCistheplacetobe #GenesisYM #FMBCCAYA #50AndFabulous #dubnation #youthministry #youngadultministry #YYAM #vallejo #norcal #bayarea #faith #spirituality #blessings (at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church)

[proverbsthepoet]

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pretty much sums it up. #rahabsbattlecry #foodforthought #whatisthefourthofJulytomypeople #1776 #2015 #spokenword #poetry #proverbsthepoet

[proverbsthepoet]

here's to the sweet spot. #purpose #life #destiny #calling #fulfillment #inspiration #genesis

[proverbsthepoet]

@fmbcvallejo has called me to be their (first female) youth and young adult pastor! SO looking forward to getting to know and journeying with my kids. and just because it will (usually) be sans heels, doesn't mean it will be totally comfortable; but, it WILL be totally worthwhile...FMBC is the place to be! 😉🙏🙌💃😎 #youth #youngadult #pastor #preacher #poet #educator #minister #ministry #fmbcvallejo #calikid #norcal #northbay photos: @yanithegriot (at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church)

[proverbsthepoet]

"people who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned." ~excerpt from "no name in the street," by elder ancestor James Baldwin. #JamesBaldwin #Black #power #literature #art #writer #culture #injustice #oppression #truth