As a Black woman with a rare physical disability, I grew up not knowing where—or how—I fit in.
Throughout my childhood, I underwent numerous medical procedures that not only disrupted my life but slowly instilled in me a deep disdain for who I was. I questioned my parents for keeping me. I questioned my family for loving me. I questioned God for making me. It goes without saying that I was no stranger to self-deprecation. It wasn’t until after graduating college in 2018 that I began to understand who I am—and how much value I truly bring to the world.
College was an especially complicated time. Some memories are still difficult to revisit. Among them was my deep desire to find love. All around me, people seemed to be meeting their soulmates, while I was left wondering if I would ever be worthy of that kind of connection.
When I finally began to see myself as attractive, others did too—but often only in a lustful way. I recognized it, but I wanted to fit in so badly that I allowed people to treat me however they pleased. This pattern followed me through college and into my late twenties, as I continued battling both myself and society’s expectations.
In 2024, after another disappointing experience with men who only wanted me when I was physically in their presence, I reached my breaking point. I no longer wanted to dim my light to make others comfortable. I no longer wanted to shape-shift to be accepted. I no longer wanted to pour deeply into someone who could not meet me there.
That breaking point led me back to what had always felt safe—what had always felt like home: music.
From that realization, my first single, “When You See Me,” was born. Inspired by the sonic softness and sensuality of one of my favorite artists, Aaliyah, the record is a promise to myself: I will never settle for less again.
In 2025, I released the song. Within a year, it reached listeners in 50 countries and connected with over 2,500 unique listeners.
At one point, I believed I was too late to begin my music journey. But after seeing the reach of this record—and meeting the souls it’s connected me to—I know now that I am not behind.
I am right on time.