Finding Me

From the very beginning, life was a complex tapestry woven with threads of love, hardship, and survival. Imagine a young girl born into the heart of the South Carolina backwoods, in a house on a plantation where the echoes of history lingered in every creak of the floorboards. The plantation was not just a place but a symbol of a legacy both beautiful and painful, where family roots ran deep amidst the shadows of poverty and struggle. Her mother, a woman molded by early responsibilities and harsh school beatings, carried the weight of a large family with fierce loyalty despite her scars. The father, an illiterate man who learned to read from billboards, bore his own demons of rage and addiction, yet showed moments of tenderness that affirmed his love for his children.

Within this environment, culture was a vital lifeline. The Gullah traditions, with their tales of haints—spirits that haunted and protected—shaped the family’s worldview. Rituals with salt and pepper, crossing oneself at graves, and warding off witches were not mere superstition but practical tools to navigate a harsh reality. These beliefs bridged the seen and unseen, teaching accountability and resilience in a world that often seemed unforgiving.

The poverty was palpable. The family lived without indoor plumbing or heat, in a house where rats ate the faces off dolls and fires were frequent visitors. Food was scarce, clothes were hand-me-downs, and the shame of hunger and uncleanliness was a constant companion. Yet, within these hardships, moments of joy flickered—birth stories filled with dancing relatives, new baby sisters who brought light, and the laughter shared among sisters who became a platoon in a battle for survival.

What stands out is how this foundation, though cracked and battered, formed the bedrock of resilience. The love and toughness of the parents, the cultural rituals, and the sisterhood all combined to create a mosaic of strength that would carry the young girl forward. Even in the darkest moments, there was a hand reaching out, a spark of hope that whispered: you can survive, you can be more.

As we move forward, we will see how this early life of struggle and love planted the seeds for a calling that would change everything. The journey from these roots to the stage and screen is a testament to the power of family and faith. Let us now step into the next chapter, where childhood challenges sharpen the spirit and the fight to be seen begins.