08/04/2025
This review from Shaunta made my day:
While doing a site visit yesterday at Bliss Wellness, something wonderful happened. One of my high school teachers walked in—a man who gave me an opportunity I didn’t even understand at the time. As soon as he stepped into the room, memories came flooding back.
He was the first person to give me a public speaking job. Back then, I didn’t feel seen. I was trying to find my place, and most days I felt invisible. I struggled when I moved to Mississippi but I had real leaders in my high school. My teacher saw something in me—maybe because at one point in his own high school journey, he had felt the same way.
What makes this even more meaningful is knowing that he was the first Black student to graduate from his high school. Imagine the weight of that. Imagine what it took to break through, to persevere, to keep showing up. And even with all of that, he chose to turn around and lift someone else—me. He also spoke about our principal. We had a principal who understood people no matter who you were or where you came from. Being under that type of leadership changes you and sets you a part without you even knowing.
After he left, my intern and I stood there talking, and the excitement in her voice was priceless. She looked at me and said, Even my family can see a difference in me, I love it here.And then, without skipping a beat, she said, “I’m thankful for you and Alexis.”
That moment stuck with me.
I’m so thankful for Alexis, who’s not just supervising this internship but mentoring and pouring into her. I see growth. I see confidence . And I’m so excited about it.
This is what it’s all about—making sure every student we touch knows they are seen and heard. And sometimes, when the past walks in unexpectedly, it reminds you why you do what you do.
Full circle. Full heart.