There has always been an unsettledness within me, being African American in America. I would watch /participate/be victimized by a set of laws that were not meant to protect me...that didn't quite see me. The first time I went to Africa, I was met with a sea of people who looked like me. I saw billboards, advertisements on the TV, and everyone was heavily melanated. I remember getting off the plane in Lagos...walking outside the airport...and taking a deep breath and realizing...I am breathing African air. I am home. It was then that I decided that I would step foot on every country in Africa...if I didn't move there first.

Since the first time, I stepped on the continent...I have heard the soft whisper...come back. This whisper became louder with Travon, Mike Garner, Pilando...with every loss of life..the whisper became louder. The dialogue of 'what do we do' that I had to start having with my young male children kept and keep in a constant state of fear. George Floyd, a grown man, called out for his mother and the whisper I had heard became a panicked/frantic scream. That moment I decided beyond all doubt that I needed to get my family out and back to the place that is truly home.

I began researching. I started with the countries I had already been Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia...but there was something about Ghana that vibrated within my spirit. So I researched and am still researching and came across a young man on YouTube who was promoting sustainable living and agricultural sovereignty. I instantly 'fell in love'. As Ahmahtsiyah of the Bamboo Roots Collective talked about the land and showed us around Ghana I knew this was the path I had to follow. I reached out to his organization and was accepted with grace, love, and no judgments. Since working with BRC, I have been able to acquire my foundational paperwork for Repatriation as well as learn the basics for sustainable living and plan to do just that when the borders open.

Thank you so much BRC for helping me return home!!