I published my first book at 13 years old "Dassandra's story" a book about a bold black girl, with a big name that could sew but was bullied because she was raised by her grandmother & didn't have much. 🥹 I use to tell my truths through stories, art, photography, poetry & writing. "Dassandras' story" walked so "Out The Mud In Heels" could RUN 🥹 My grandmother, who was a writer and poet herself, planted that seed in me. But before she passed, there was one blessing she didn’t give me. I told her I planned to write about my truth… about my childhood. And she looked at me and said: “Some things are better left unsaid because your truth is also someone else’s truth, and they might not be ready to go down that same journey.” That hit deep. But the deeper truth? Her generation of women were taught to carry the weight of silence. To keep secrets to "save face." But that same silence, those secrets....they pass down as sickness. As depression. As disconnection. That is why I chose to spe...