Spelman Still Calls My Name: A Dream Deferred Is Not a Dream Denied

There’s a certain magic in knowing what you want. It’s a whisper that grows louder with each step you take toward it, a vision that shapes your decisions, fuels your ambition, and becomes woven into the very fabric of your being. For me, that magic was Spelman College.

I remember it like it was yesterday standing at the podium as the Salutatorian of my high school class, delivering a speech filled with hope, promise, and dreams of what was to come. I was accepted into every school I applied to, turning down full-ride scholarships because I had my eyes set on the pinnacle of Black excellence: Spelman College, the illustrious institution nestled in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. For me, there was no greater dream than walking those hallowed halls, surrounded by brilliant, trailblazing women.

And I did. For a time, I walked that dream. I experienced the sisterhood, the culture, and the undeniable magic of Spelman. But life has a way of interrupting even our most precious dreams. Circumstances led me away from those ivy-covered walls before I could walk across that stage. And while it was a detour I never imagined, I have always held firm to this truth: a dream deferred is not a dream denied.

My daughter, my beautiful reflection, now speaks of Spelman with that same glimmer in her eye that I once had. She tells me, "Mommy, we can go together." And you know what? I believe her. My dream is still being written. Its ink may have paused, but its story isn’t over.

For a long time, I battled with the whispers of doubt from those around me. I realize now that they weren’t supposed to understand my dream. It wasn’t their vision; it was mine. As the saying goes, "It wasn’t a conference call." Some dreams are designed solely for the dreamer. I’ve always wanted more—not just for myself, but for my family, for the girls and women I serve through Inspiring and Empowering Ladies. And now, I’m learning to embrace that desire unapologetically.

Through my business, I equip girls and women with the mindset, confidence, and clarity to shatter limiting beliefs and embrace their self-worth. I know what it means to yearn for something so deeply that even time and circumstance can’t shake its hold. I know what it means to step out on faith, even when the ground feels unsteady. My journey as the CEO and Founder of Inspiring and Empowering Ladies is the manifestation of that faith—a testament to the belief that even if the path changes, the purpose remains.

I think of Forever, particularly that last episode, Episode 8. Eight has always been my favorite number, symbolic of new beginnings and infinite possibilities. Watching Justin Edwards navigate uncertainty, wanting to make the "right" decisions while feeling the pull of other people's expectations, was like watching fragments of my own journey play out on screen. I’ve known that feeling. The weight of wanting to please others, the fear of making the wrong choice, the doubt that creeps in when life takes unexpected turns.

But just like Justin, I’m learning that we are always one decision away from a totally different life. I chose nursing out of a desire to help others, but my heart has always belonged to entrepreneurship. My purpose is in my legacy—in building a path that the girls and women I serve can walk boldly and unapologetically. And while I didn’t walk across the Spelman stage, my legacy still calls that dream’s name.

My faith reminds me that detours don’t erase destiny. I may not have graduated from Spelman (yet), but my daughter will. And the best part? My daughter and I will walk those halls together, two generations, one legacy. When she sees me push through, thrive, and finally don that Spelman blue, she’ll know that she too is undeniably worthy of every dream she dares to chase.

Because when you know where you’re going, the journey may bend, but the destination remains the same. Spelman still calls my name, and this time, I’m answering, walking in with my head held high, unapologetically ready to finish what I started.