Join us as Leah and I tackle the “Courageous Conversation” topic of HEALING! There are so many things that damage eyes which require work to heal. One of those areas in my life was low/no self-esteem and jealousy. So many traumatic experiences culminated in my youth with the intent to destroy me but God! Although I was able to live through it there was damage done. By the time I reached high school was already in pieces. I had already been molested/raped, impregnated and experienced abortion, attempted suicide, and so much in between. I had no idea who I was or who I was supposed to be. Expelled from the math science and apply technology program I had placed into from middle school, I entered a “new world” at a parochial school. Full of rage, anger, sadness, loneliness and a monsoon of other emotions, I put on my mask and tried to fit it. I wanted to BE normal but I wasn’t. By the time I intersected with Leah, in MY MIND she was everything I wanted to be but wasn’t. I wasn’t healthy enough to admire her so I hated her because I was jealous. My own journey through mental illness/wellness and healing led me to understand that when I did not know who I was I was not able to TRULY connect with anyone. Mini years have passed since that time until now and miraculously Leah and I connected after many years and developed a genuine and beautiful friendship but this is our very first conversation about why we did not get along in high school. Leah never knew that I was jealous of her she just knew we did not connect. NOW, Leah IS my sister and friend. “Leah is a Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMSW) and a two-time graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. During her time studying, she gained a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and then later earned her master’s degree in social work with a more in-depth focus on mental health and interpersonal practice. She is also a licensed coach for trauma. More popularly known as "The Mental Reconstructionist," Leah is one of the best at rebuilding people's lives by restoring people's mental wellbeing. "A fish rots from the head"—the proverb resonates with the mental health advocate as she believes that everyone needs to have a healthy mindset. Aside from being a sought-after consultant, trainer, and speaker, Leah is also an active advocate of mental health awareness, climate change, and racial equality. She actively uses her voice to speak against racial discrimination against people of color. She created a subsidiary under her parent company called "BLAQ Playground," a program that helps facilitate healthy and safe spaces for the African American population in the nation for self-discovery. Through the program, Leah has created causes like "Black rainbow" and "Black heart" that stand as symbols of love, support, acceptance, and safety of Black people.” From Fox34.com) Leah created a safe space for me to share my experience of healing in retrospect so today we flashback so that we can fast forward!!
