Central Texas African American Family Support Conference

On Friday, I attended the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference. It was the first time I had attended. I went because I wanted to hear Terrie Williams speak. She was the keynote speaker. She wrote the book "Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting." She was such a dynamic speaker. I read her book from cover to cover about a year ago and found it comforting. I told her this when I had her sign my book. But in listening to her speak she reconfirm my feeling that what I'm doing is important. She is a Social Worker by trade as I am. But she knew something else was out there for her besides just what she was doing. I felt the same way. I wanted to use my writing skills to explore other areas and it lead to Ujima Magazine which I publish each month. I also felt having some down days is ok, because with Gods help and guidance I will be ok. So, she she gave me a second push to do what I love and make it the best magazine I can make it. I'm so glad I went. 

Another aspect of her speech that touched me was her discussion about being shy. I have been shy all my life. Over the past five years, I have come out of my shell just a little bit. Having my own business is causing me to come out a bit more. I try hard to stay in the background and do my thing, but I'm finding that having a public product may not allow me to do it as much as I like. But hearing her talk about being shy but finding she is more outgoing when she is working, I found I may be able to come out for my magazine. But I know I can if I have too but hopefully not too soon. Doing something new and exciting I find I seek out other people who I can learn from and take what I hear and put a twist on it for my success.

So anyone who wants to learn about living with depression or "down days" as I call it read Terrie's book. It speaks to Black people in a way no other book I have read does. I hope you learn some things from it as I have and repair your own spirit. I am working on my spirit everyday and with the help of God, I will not fail.

New Experiences

This weekend I had a new experience. Ujima Magazine participated in it's first expo. The Austin Black Expo. It was a great event. I had never done anything like this before. Promoting my magazine was exciting and I got to meet a lot of new people. Many people showed interest in the magazine and they liked the concept. Having your own business is hard work, but when I was speaking to people, I realized this is what makes it worth every moment of feeling tired and many late days. Having people appreciate your effort to give back to the community and bring our people into the light.

The whole Ujima team turned out for the event and we supported each other throughout the day. It helps that we work well together and we all believe in the mission of the magazine. I look forward to reaching out to the community more often. The more Ujima gets out there, the more readers we can possibly receive. Today I sit trying to focus on what I need to do next and I'm finding it hard to do. I want to sit back and bask in the success of this weekend but there is not any time. My March deadline is fast approaching and I got to get to work. But if only for a short moment, my new experience made me feel good about what I'm doing and made me believe more in myself. 

I really enjoyed this new experience... Living for many more.