A slice of humble pie

First I'd like to give honor to the head of the house

She shoots, and she scores. (Corny, I know.). And not only did she score, but it's a 3 point shot in the last seconds of the game. God is so good. She continues to bless me and I will bless others in her honor. Thank you.

What I think you came here to find

A couple of days ago I was a curatorial fellowship with VAE Raleigh. My first fellowship and it is paid and meaningful and aligned to my values. It's perfect.

Once I got the email, I went back through my application multiple times. The application, the playlist, the Pinterest board, the drafts of the application. I did a lot. And now that I've been chosen, I'm nervous about if I can execute. I'm feeling confident about curating, not so much the other parts. BUT, this is a growth year. If I'm not challenged, I'll stay the same.

I hope to honor my ancestors with the project. Their stories are valid. Their stories are magical and insightful and theres work I'd like to do to uncover my own family stories.

What is up with that story of my uncle that got kidnapped by a "gypsy"? (I recognize that this is not the politically correct term but it is how it was described to me.) In what way am I related to Jimi Hendrix through marriage? What inspired the trek to New York from Trinidad?

Upon hearing I received the fellowship, I immediately purchased Daughters of the Dust and The People Could Fly. I'd like to bury myself in culture and history- familial and otherwise. I'd like to order Henry Louis Gates' book soon as well.

Brainstorm

Maybe I could share my family tree as art. I'm imagining opening night and being able to say I learned about myself and my family through this. Maybe my great grandmother could visit? She doesn't fly.

This post is a close adaptation from my journal written in a stream of consciousness style.