Dedications:
Nothing would be possible without my blessings from God! He has and continues to bless me with so many things
and people in my Life! The Lord is my light and my salvation..Whom shall I fear?
"My eyes raised to the east as the waters pour from
the heavens/it seems my ancestors are laughing, singing, living through a soft afternoon rain." From Calling to my Ancestors/An
Awakening for my People... orginal poem.
I would also like to thank three of the most important women in
my life: My Mother, Myrtis Brown: a strong spiritual African-American woman and educator. Mother, I love you! To my
Grandmother, Hazel Ellick Brown, whose love and endless wisdom I could not live with out! To my other spiritual rock, my Aunt
Debra, who was always in my corner and understood me when others could not.
To the entire Brown clan, my adoring family I love you all! I am
blessed with a bunch of wonderful, hilarious elders and insane cousins: Karnitra, Michael, Shamun (I think I spelled
your name wrong), Mike, Tony and Kevin!
To my two adorable sisters, ya'll crazy. I'm just kidding..Jen and
J, I love you both and will always be in your corner (unless you do something stupid and then I'm going to rag you for the
rest of your life!)
To my hubby Robert, just as our wedding rings circle without no end, so does
my love for you..and yes that was corny, so I hope when your first play is produced and your first film, you'll thank me sweetly(and
then hand over the check!)
To my adorable Battle Bots children, Israel and Arif..I'm Mommy
24/7, I am always here for you!
To my church family, St. Stephen's Lutheran church:(especially the
entire Watson clan, Sharon Stevens, Carmen Clark and the entire Women's Ministry) I love you all! Through times
when I had my doubts or when I was down you all uplifted me.
To my extended family: Shafi my sister in Christ and my best friend
who never gets tired of the endless corny emails or icicle dancing..Angela A, who held my hand when I screamed like an idiot
on the plane on the way to Shafi's wedding and has lovingly adopted Rob as her brother(to keep him in line...lol), Tracy and
Dre(FINALLY!), Leo and Sherri, Jason and Barbara, Ms. Delicate Flower herself, Danielle...What can I say? I have a bunch of
crazy friends.
To Dr. Dwight McBride and Penny Warren of Northwestern University,
two very positive people who have always encouraged me with their wisdom and knowledge to strive towards my goals. To Maryiln
who has been my "big sister" support, thank you, thank you!
To my other mentor of the French and Italian Department at NU: Mireille
Rosello, to my former-but-always-will-be-in-my-heart FIT grad students: Fran, Bradley, Hakim, Bishupal, Stephanie, Natalie,
Nathalie, Alan, Chris and whoever else I left out!
To C.J. and Chicago Poetry.com for their continued support and welcoming me
into their family, and encouragement...Thank you! Thank you!
