During our last shoot, my photographer and I went back to my old neighborhood in Old Fourth Ward here in Atlanta. If you're not from Atlanta, or not familiar with that area at all, I'm sure you're familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King. Well, his childhood home is located in Old Fourth Ward which so happened to be down the street from my house as a kid. It's funny how when things are the norm to you, it's taken for granted. Now when I go by, I'm always in disbelief that the house that my kids think is awesome (because Dr. King once lived there), me and my sister would skip by headed to the library without giving it a second thought.
I wanted to go there and shoot because I wanted to capture how a once poor young girl managed to grow up and beat the hand of cards she was dealt. I won't go into details with my life's story just yet, but I'll tell you this, where I came from can not compare to where I am today. And honestly, it's all because deep down, I knew I was destined for better. Though I'll never take credit for how my life turned out. I know for a fact that God carried me and continues to carry me.
Going back to that neighborhood lit a fire inside of me. Lately I've been nervous to move forward with plans I've set because I go back and forth on if it's the right move, or if I'm the one that could pull something like this off. Last night, I sent out a text message to a group of people just to get their feedback. I was pleasantly surprised to read what they had to say! They all got it without me elaborating further! That was a sign. A sign that confirmed that maybe, just maybe, I'm on to something. So as I look at these images of the now business woman sitting directly across the street from her childhood home... A home that she shared with upwards of 8 people who was barely making it on a welfare check and food stamps, I can say that it is indeed time to move forward in my plans. I was put here for a purpose. I will spend the rest of my life "Purposefully Being".
Jeans//Hat- Gap clearance//Top//shoes- clearance//Jewelry//
All images by the fabulous Kaye McCoy!
