Whenever I am asked about my time in Charlotte, I do not shy away from telling people about my experience. Charlotte was the place I grew professionally and got my finances under control. It’s the place I made my dream of becoming an Assistant Principal a reality and where I bought my first home. But even with all the city had to offer, I never found myself tied to a community. I never found my tribe.
In my opinion, being an educator is one of the hardest jobs to have. So lacking a tribe to support you, be there for you on your off days, and cheer you on when your black girl magic is shining makes your days even tougher. As I reflect on the experience, I have come to realize that my lack of a community messed with my psyche and had me in a bad mental space. So much so that I hurt someone I love dearly and tried to find emotional connection in all the wrong ways and with the wrong people.
When I moved to Cali, I knew I had to change. Thus, my first order of business was finding my tribe. I am happy to say that I found multiple communities, so my tribe is full. I found a community of other black women Assistant Principals who made the hard times funny. I found community amongst other young black professionals, my goals group, who pushed me and held me accountable for meeting quarterly goals I set for myself (hence Black Teachers Travel). I also found a community of other black women who are hilarious, open and accepting of who I am. Lastly, I found sisterhood among old friends who continue to be very supportive and give sound advice.
I say all of this to say, find your tribe and love them hard. Without a community, you can find yourself in a funk and become someone you do not recognize. Take it from me! Having a tribe is key to self-care, self-love, and personal growth.
I hope that Black Teachers Travel can help educators across the nation to connect and serve as your traveling tribe. If you find yourself in the Big Easy in December, be sure to connect with us. If not, that is okay! Stay tuned for our 2020 trips and a couple of popups in a city near you! There are big things in store for us this upcoming year.
