Dominion is the first of many stories.

I was raised by a strong-willed mother and it took well into my 20s before I could really be my own woman. While I have made life choices that are not necessarily the norm in our society and I believe I am better for that, it came at a cost. I also believe that as citizens of this country, we are called on to make choices and often sacrifices that cause us to put duty and honor ahead of personal gain.

It wasn't until I was in college that I began to peel off the layers of "inadequacy" I wore for so long. I began tutoring high schoolers which led to mentoring disadvantaged women in marginalized communities. I tutored for the Boys & Girls Club of America, served as the career counselor, volunteered at my church, Soul City and became a foster care provider. I am a mentor in the Generation Hope organization which supports teen parents. 

Once I began building my career, my "passion writing" ended. I redirected my creative self-expression in my work which often took the form of business writing and then I eventually started my own skin tech company. I thrived in creative environments but I still yearned for a form of creative self-expression that corporate America or even entrepreneurship could not provide. After twenty years of trying to convince myself that I was fulfilled, I started taking writing classes and seeking my "authentic" voice.

Dominion is the first of many stories I plan to write that uplifts adversity as a "teacher" and success as a "moving target" that each of us must define and choose for ourselves.