For much of my life, my spirit was taught a twisted form of strength. It was the kind that required a forced grin while swallowing the bitter poison of ‘sticks and stones may break my bones’—a venom that burned, but which I was told couldn’t hurt me. As a person of color, this mask of stoicism was a heavy heirloom, passed down through generations to hide every raw and aching wound. I learned to carry this silent burden until my own bones ached beneath its weight. Seeking help wasn’t merely discouraged; it was a forbidden act, a betrayal of the very endurance I was meant to embody. But after years of living that lie, a quiet rebellion began within me. The bravest act, I discovered, was not bearing the weight alone, but putting it down.

My true journey began not with a fight, but with a whispered plea—a courageous step toward finding help, changing what I could, and healing for the person I was always meant to be. From this genesis, True Roots: Growth For Wellness was born, to serve as a vehicle to provide a safe space for introspection, forgiveness, growth, healing, and shedding of unwanted baggage without judgment.