She was my mother.

But she was so much more. To me. To everyone she touched in her short life. She was wise in ways way before her time. She anticipated and responded with love . Always with love. She nurtured. She nudged. She saw what I could not see - but found a way for me to believe anyway. I know of no one stronger, more bright or bold. While on this earth, she prayed for me. And now, from heaven, I know she watches over me.

She is, simply said, my hero.

-Roqua Montez

It was the women from my maternal heritage, my grandmother, my mother, and my aunts who have all exscinded their presence here on earth yet left such memorable essence within my soul. The gifts of social intelligence and wisdom extended to me from these women is undoubtedly countless and priceless. Two of the sisters and my grandmother traveled from the southern United States to the north leaving behind their humble environment to seek more opportunities for themselves and their children. The visible sacrifices made were evident through their love and devotion ensuring we all stretched our imagination to capture our dreams. Their grooming our minds and hearts provided the inspiration we needed to go far beyond what our thoughts imagined. Each of these women fought to instill the importance for my siblings and cousins to embrace societal fights with wit, grace, confidence and at times laughter. The unconditional love was given with truth, stern looks and warm hugs. I am forever grateful and thankful for the gifts they bestowed to me. I am the Queen I am because they are the Queens they are. I reign in the shadow of their greatness!

-Karla V.

The person who inspires me is Terisa Griffin. Terisa is a woman who personifies the saying “pull yourself by the bootstraps.” A world renowned vocalist, Terisa has established her own Non Profit Organization which she aptly named Better Love Yourself. BLY assists high school Seniors in going to college with a lecture series on college life, a trunk with the necessary start off dorm items, and scholarship daughters.

During the pandemic Ms. Griffin reinvented her performances to include socially distant concerts via Zoom to provide assistance to her musicians and backup singers, parking lot concerts etc. Her her heart is wider than her smiler. She senses when people feel alone or are hurting. It isn’t unusual to receive a call from Terisa “I just want you to know I love you.” So it gives me pleasure to present my friend, an angel and my Sorority Sister Terisa Griffin.

-Dee C.