However, in my younger years, I didn’t have a voice, I didn’t have confidence, and I never raised my hand. I always knew that I was meant to be someone important. I just didn’t know how I was going to become successful or when it was going to be my turn. I grew up in a family of thought leaders, pastors, and public speakers, so I had a deep knowing that my time was coming. However, I could not have predicted what would come after experiencing a life-threatening incident during my teenage years.

In high school, I was bullied and tortured by my classmates, which caused me to retreat and spend a lot of time by myself. During these quiet moments, I sketched and journaled what my future could look like using my imagination. This was the path that ignited my passion for writing. I enjoyed the feeling of solitude which created grace for imperfections.

Throughout my formative years, and well into adolescence, I struggled with my reading and comprehension skills. Given the spaces I occupy today, most people would be surprised to see my grade 9 through 12 transcripts filled with 50s across the board. On my best day, I was an average C/D student, and to be honest, I barely graduated on time. From elementary school onward, I felt tortured by my education because I had an undiagnosed learning difference.

I was later diagnosed with a processing deficiency which means my brain has a difficult time immediately interpreting the information gathered by my senses, which forces me to slow down and process what’s being presented. I’m a visual learner; one of seven different learning styles that students across the globe continue to face today. The education system has evolved slightly over the past few years, but at the time, it was evident that my intellectual disability had been overlooked.

It was scary to feel so unsupported, and for a long time, I dismissed traditional education for that very reason. I was frequently bullied by classmates and at times, even had some teachers participate in making my life a living hell. Instead of providing a helping hand, they’d humiliate me, or turn a blind eye to the help I desperately needed and desired.

Academic pressures were only the start. My past is also littered with childhood traumas that were only the beginning of an uphill battle. I was date raped in grade nine, at just 14 years old. An incident that punctured my confidence and self-esteem and spun me on a merry-go-round of lovers and abusive relationships. Before I had the opportunity to experience love in its purest form, I had already affiliated it with war.

When I was 17, I found out I was pregnant and only a few short weeks later, heaven welcomed an angel. In an effort to hide my embarrassment and avoid bringing shame to my family, I endured my abortion alone. I found healing by journaling about my experience and later fulfilled a dream (2014) of publishing my debut novel, Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother based on true live events.

After battling depression and attempts at self-harm in college, I finally decided to drop out of college. It felt like the only way to preserve my mental health and regain my self-esteem. At the time, I accepted that traditional ways of learning just weren’t for me, and so, from then on, I was committed to figuring shit out on my own. The first and most important thing I did to overcome those challenges was to raise my hand and ask for help. I sought therapy to support my mental wellness and found mentors who saw my potential and invested in my growth. And while I never went back to school, I turned fully towards the world and stepped into my new classroom.

But oddly enough, as luck would have it, my career trajectory would land me right back where I started. Most people know me as the CEO and founder of a celebrity ghostwriting agency, but I’ve dedicated over half my life to mentoring young people. On the side of an already hectic schedule, aiding some of the world’s most influential business leaders, I spend time remotely with my students at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. I am a Professor in the Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies division and my course is called Business Communications.

I teach for very specific reasons. Traditional textbooks simply aren’t able to keep up with ever-changing industries. By the time young adults graduate, the curriculum is already outdated. Education is a powerful tool, but starting points will always differ for each student. So, instead of complaining or dwelling on the way I often felt about a system that failed me, I decided to do something about it.
Many people feel misunderstood, feel othered, and I think that prevents them from reaching higher, and further, from asking questions, seeking help and seeking resources. Mental illness is not like a broken leg, it’s not something you can see. From thousands of conversations I’ve had with (young) adults, I know one thing for sure. Many of them are on autopilot, doing only what they need to do to get by and put food on the table. There’s a belief that professional achievement and personal fulfillment cannot co-exist.

I’m here to tell you they are not mutually exclusive.

As a former corporate executive assistant of ten years, a confidante to presidents and CEOs—there were times my superiors thought that I should have stood tucked away in a corner, refraining from speaking up. Although I struggled with these skills for years, reading and writing as a child helped me find my voice and as a result, I developed a vision that only I could see.

As a result of mentorship, Mediaplanet was my first freelance writing job out of college. It seemed like overnight I went from writing a personal blog that received a handful of views per month to penning articles for every major newspaper in the country for hundreds of thousands of readers. As far as my early 20s, I developed a skillset that caught the attention of onlookers and my name was mentioned in rooms I had yet to enter. I didn’t apply for a role at this organization, I was hand-selected and invited to join their team– an accomplishment I am proud of.

The learning curve was steep but the complexities of the industry fascinated me. I quickly tightened up my business acumen to keep up with the fast-paced environment and build a sustainable career. In this role, I strengthened my fact checking and research skills, learned how to translate technical information into easy-to-understand narratives, and contributed to focused reports on specific business or consumer topics.

The start of my career was so special that I still have a copy of every printed issue I’ve contributed to. I also laminated the first check I earned and posted it on my bedroom wall; it reminds me there’s more where that came from.

Wearing My Heart On My Sleeve

Today, I draw from my unique life experiences to powerfully encourage others to face and conquer their challenges. I always admired the confidence of women who could walk into a room and demand attention. I was in awe of women who refused to be quiet and demure, but spoke boldly and powerfully, without apologizing for having a voice. But for years, I hesitated to step into my power.

Once I unlocked this mindset, in 2015, I founded New Girl on the Block, a mentorship program for millennial women in transition. The heart of the organization helps tackle Gen Y’s biggest obstacles and equips every student with innovative solutions to get them ahead in life. From recent graduates to new business owners, and career changes to quarter-life crises, for the last 15 years, I have successfully mentored more than 200 women in 11 countries.

2017 with the guidance from a mentor, another dream came true. I started a freelance contributor role at forbes.com. Just 6 months after joining the platform team, I was promoted to the new title of Senior Contributor which means my writing skills rank in the 1% percent of the global network of more than 2,000 writers. I’ve proudly held this title for the past 7 years. Writing for such a prestigious business publication not only creates a possibility model for Black and brown writers to follow, but it highlights my commitment to amplifying unsung heroes, anonymous extraordinaries, and voices of color in the mainstream media space.

2023 I’ve been a full-time entrepreneur for 5 years and I’m just getting started. You don’t become a ghostwriter to be famous for recognition. Nobody even knows I exist on high-profile projects or teams. I’ve had the privilege to work with star athletes, executives, founders, and celebrities, and it’s been the greatest gift of my life to earn their trust and be in a position where people of influence trust me with their legacies.

But above all else, I am not attached to my titles because I know who I am beyond them. I’m a woman who has fought for her dreams and won.

When I’m not expanding my career, I’m honestly…catching up on sleep; if not in my bed, most definitely on a plane. Can you blame me? I’ve lived nine lives. All jokes aside, I love to travel and I’m always on the hunt for my next adventure. In my free time, I love training and participating in endurance sports, listening to live music, visiting museums, riding horses, challenging myself to complete obstacle courses like treetop trekking and escape rooms, and yes, nothing brings me more joy than getting lost in a library in a random city where I can lose myself in a book.

God has taught me that second chances exist and He has greater plans for our lives that don’t include crying at night or believing that we are broken. I’ve realized that everyone is fighting their own private battles behind closed doors. And on the life-long path to reflection, growth and self-love, the only way I know how to climb out of any hole I’ve fallen into is gradually. By turning my losses into lessons and the way I simply shine my light, I want people to know that there is life after disappointment, and through my actions, I want to show others how to see beyond the limits of their circumstances.