Summer is upon us which means outside is calling!

We’ve navigated the spring gauntlet of proms and graduations. And now it’s all rest and relaxation. Right? (Right??) For me, the summer vibe is balancing rest, relaxation, and research, which excites me because I am reminded of where I was around this time seven years ago.

In 2017, I (respectfully) crashed Oprah’s Commencement Speech at Agnes Scott College. I can’t begin to explain Oprah’s influence on my life–just know it was a enough for me to seize this moment. That day, I clapped for every graduate that crossed the stage. I didn’t know anyone but somehow, I got it in my head that I wanted to walk across that stage myself.

Well…

I have ONE more semester to go, and I’ll be able to turn this idea into a reality by attaining my master’s in strategic communication from Agnes Scott College! It’s certainly been a journey, one in which I’ve had to fail forward, so that I can grow personally and professionally. There were multiple semesters I wanted to quit. Including the most recent spring semester. It was the hardest of them all because I experienced a medical scare.

These hurdles have deepened my work in developing equitable third spaces and reframed how I connect with you and the community at large. More notably, as I continue my research over the summer, I will share content from my coursework, and you’ll also see updates to my website. I promise future posts won’t solely be about school. It IS summer after all.

Basically, you guys are gaining a front row seat to me figuring it all out–life that is. Until then, someone PLEASE get me Oprah’s phone number so that I can invite her to my graduation!

This is my offering.

❤️✌🏾🌱-SJ-

Do you enjoy reading stories like this? I am currently developing Agency, a community archive based in Atlanta that aims to digitally house the stories of people affected by homelessness. I would like to invite you to share this post with your social communities and subscribe below to receive updates. Also, I welcome contributions to my Buy Me A Coffee Campaign. Thank you for the support!