Being on stage as a keynote speaker at San José State University’s Crowned in Confidence event felt like one of those moments where everything quietly comes full circle. I went to college thinking my degree was the only path forward, and somehow I ended up here — using all those “random” transferrable skills to build a career in the creator space, rooted in purpose, storytelling, and helping Black women see the beauty in our hair and our whole selves. To be invited to speak about the intricacies of the creator industry, what it means to move through it as a Black woman, and how something as “small” as hair can carry culture, identity, and resilience… it honestly means more than I can put into words. Especially knowing that this invitation didn’t just come from a perfect highlight reel, but from a really hard moment — my heat damage fiasco. What felt like a personal heartbreak became a bridge. my comments turned into community, my grief into dialogue, and my healing into a roadmap. Sharing that story with a room full of students — many of them trying to figure out their own pivot, their own path, their own definition of success was EVERYTHINGGG!! It reminded me that purpose-driven work will always make room for you, even when the path looks nothing like what you planned. A whole keynote speaker… from crying over my curls to lecturing about this industry and our crowns. Ahhh! Crazy! Thank you Aliya @prettygirllaliya for creating & spearheading such an amazing event and thank you @myshaundriss for thinking of me! I’m so, so grateful. 🤎✨ Photo & Video Credits: — 📸: @kevincerritos.media 📸: @austin.in.focus