Be Yourself

Create our own life’s meaning.

While protecting the freedom of others to do the same.

“Why is it always us that have to save our community?” — Me

I canvassed for HipHopForChange and helped them get funding.

Quit for mental health reasons, and was unemployed for a month.

$15 per hour (Paychecks- hundreds of dollars)

I would finish washing dishes at Whole Foods, and think to myself, is this my life?…

I turned down phone banking for Fils4Justice to continue washing dishes.

$15.50 per hour ($800 in two weeks, on accommodated schedule)

I also picked up a second job, as a census enumerator, that got pushed back to fall 2020, due to covid.

The person who hired me told me to not quit my job because the census position was temporary.

In March 2020, the covid-19 pandemic starts, and I quit to #StayHome.

In summer 2020, I get a call that the census position is becoming remote, but it didn’t.

It felt like a ghost-town showing up to Office Depot, quite empty; this is the first time I went out in months, to take my ID picture for a new job.

Covid still going on.

I completed one census survey, and that was enough for me.

$25 per hour ($800 in one week)

I worked in a Nordstrom warehouse, sorting materials out.

Work accommodations weren’t sustainable for the company though.

“Would eliminate essential job functions.”

From making $17.55 to $18.75 per hour in 2 weeks.

(Part-time, 24 hours a week)

If employee relations advisors wrote my story I would be a cashier.

$17.80 (Full time, 40 hours a week)

Employers complement my communication and professionalism (2021).

Employers say my active listening skills are outstanding (2023).

I desire freedom; on my terms, my time, and my place.

Expectations for myself: Good things from me.