06/23/2026
Today, as I celebrate my 62nd birthday and my retirement, I reflect on a life that has been defined not by my struggles, but by my resilience.
My journey has never been easy. One of the greatest challenges of my life was raising my son, who was born with severe disabilities. He spent the first four years of his life in the hospital before I was finally able to bring him home. For the next 28 years, I devoted myself to his care, advocating for him, loving him, and standing by his side until his passing at the age of 32. That experience taught me unconditional love, patience, strength, and the true meaning of sacrifice.
In 2005, my life took another difficult turn when I was sentenced to prison for drug distribution and trafficking. I spent five years incarcerated and was released in 2010. Many people would have allowed that chapter to define them, but I made a decision that my past would not determine my future. I turned to God, embraced faith, and committed myself to becoming the woman I was meant to be.
After my release, I rebuilt my life from the ground up. Drawing on years of business management experience and leadership skills, I pursued entrepreneurship with determination and vision. I started an online business through eBay and went on to open the first Black-owned beauty supply store in Marion, Illinois, serving Williamson County and the surrounding communities. What began as a dream became a thriving business that successfully operated for 15 years.
My story is one of redemption, perseverance, and transformation. I am proud to say that I did not allow adversity to break me. Instead, I used every challenge as a stepping stone toward growth and success. Through faith, hard work, and unwavering determination, I transformed my life and created opportunities not only for myself but for my community.
Today, I retire as a successful businesswoman, a devoted mother, and a woman of faith. My legacy is not the mistakes I made, but the lives I touched, the obstacles I overcame, and the example I set for others who believe their circumstances can never change. I am living proof that with faith in God, perseverance, and a willingness to begin again, it is possible to rise above any hardship and build a life of purpose, dignity, and success.
At 62, I am not celebrating the end of my journey—I am celebrating the victory of it.
Happy Birthday, Retirement and Congratulations to me 🎂🎊👏🏾💃🏿🎈🍾🥂🙌🏾
