Remembering. June 17, 2021 I graduated from UCLA with an MFA in Dance. My grandmother, fiancé, biological and chosen family witnessed me walk across that stage. I was chosen to be one of the speakers for the graduation! I remember being swept up in emotions. It seemed less about me. My nieces and nephew were there. Those young minds and eyes taking it all in. My sisters beaming with pride. My grandmother bearing witness to much of her hard work and sacrifice blooming into a future bouquet. My short speech gave me a platform to name her, Doris Wright, (my primary caregiver and guardian) and how her educational journey that was stunted. I also spoke of my friend, Dr. Shamell Bell, and her influence on my experience. Before the ceremony, I spent a number of hours reflecting while roaming the campus grounds. I remembered how I felt like I was an imposter, how I did not know as much as everyone else. I remembered asking for help…a lot. Thankfully, folks like Shamell, helped me out…brought me into a community. Now, for me, education is very much a communal enterprise. With this understanding, my charge is to share the knowledge, making what I’ve learned accessible to my community. #bbmoves #uclagrad #blackbruin#BlackQueer #FirstGen #ProfessorBrown #Pride (at UCLA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQI6xyLayd/?utm_medium=tumblr
