There’s a moment in life when you stop running—from expectations, from perfectionism, and from the quiet voice inside that’s been calling you home all along. Be Her captures this breakthrough, the moment of choosing yourself after years of silence and self-denial. It’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the freedom to live out loud.
This part of my journey is deeply personal but universal in its message: the power of embracing your authentic self and honoring the gifts that make you who you are.
A Creative Spark Dimmed by Expectations
Growing up, I was always creative. Hip-hop was just beginning to take off, and I thrived in its energy and expression. My stage name was “Allante,” inspired by the sleek, red Cadillac sports car. I wrote raps, performed on stage, and felt most alive in the bright, bold colors of that era. For a young girl navigating the world, these moments of expression were my sanctuary.
But life, as it often does, had other plans. My mother, a member of the Baby Boomer generation, was raised by parents from the Silent Generation. Growing up as one of nine siblings, she experienced the practical mindset instilled by her parents, who valued stability and security. Reflecting this perspective, she would often say, “No little girl, you need to go to medical school so you can eat and take care of yourself.” At that time, pursuing a creative career wasn’t considered viable. Heeding her advice, I set aside my artistic aspirations to focus on academics.
Despite my creative nature, I channeled my talents into science. Inspired by my chemist uncle, I pursued a degree in chemistry from Texas Southern University. My love for science grew, leading me to medical school, where surgery became my calling. I loved the precision, the craft, the colors of anatomy, and the stories each patient brought. Yet, as fulfilling as medicine was, it never silenced the voice of my artistic soul.
The Call to Return
When my daughters grew up, graduated college, and left home, that quiet voice grew louder. It was terrifying to leave the certainty of medicine for the unknown of art, but something about this path felt right. My friends and colleagues thought I was crazy, but my family understood. Creativity was in our DNA, after all. Honoring this call meant stepping into a fearsome yet freeing unknown, choosing to be her—the version of myself I had always longed to embrace.
The Symbolism of Be Her
In Be Her, I depict this transformation with vibrant colors and bold symbolism. The patina crown on her head nods to Lady Liberty, a representation of resilience, independence, and freedom. This Afro-futuristic figure is unapologetically alive, vibrant, and whole. The pearls she wears are symbols of resilience born under pressure, much like the journey that led me here. Every brushstroke and hue reflects a breakthrough—the decision to choose myself, shed the layers of expectation, and finally live out loud.
Afro-Futurism and Bold Colors:
- The futuristic palette blends rich, warm tones with bold metallics, symbolizing a fusion of past and future, tradition and innovation.
- This piece is not just a celebration of creativity but a declaration of freedom—freedom to honor the parts of myself I had hidden away.
The Courage to Embrace Yourself
Choosing to be her isn’t easy. It requires confronting the fears of disappointing others, stepping out of comfort zones, and reclaiming parts of yourself that you’ve suppressed. Therapy, introspection, and love helped me break free from the need to please and perfect. These tools allowed me to shed the expectations placed on me and the ones I placed on myself.
The result? A life where my creative and professional selves coexist. A life where I honor the complexity of being both a scientist and an artist, a mother and a dreamer, a woman of resilience and grace.
What Does It Mean to Be Fully Yourself?
This piece asks you to reflect:
- What gifts or passions have you suppressed to meet others’ expectations?
- How would your life change if you gave yourself permission to embrace your authentic self?
- What legacy do you want to leave for those who look to you for inspiration?
Be Her is a rallying cry for self-acceptance, a reminder that it’s never too late to return to the parts of yourself you’ve left behind.
Call to Action
Explore the Her Series in the virtual exhibition and see how art can inspire you to embrace your full, authentic self.
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