The Brand

The Brand

When I sat down and thought about what it is that I am setting out to do, I knew that I had to establish a brand, a personal brand.  In today’s world, it is simply a requirement.

“Personal Brand” is defined as “how you promote yourself. It is the unique combination of skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see you. It is the telling of your story, and how it reflects your conduct, behavior, spoken and unspoken words, and attitudes. … [it is used] to differentiate yourself from other people” (https://influencermarketinghub.com/what-is-personal-branding/).  

I spent most of yesterday doing just that…establishing my personal brand. There is an old saying about it not being what you know but who you know.  In a teacher’s case, it is not what or who you know, but who you taught. 

The artwork that I have chosen for my logo comes from a talented artist that I happen to have been blessed to teach.  I didn’t commission it from her, but I do have her permission to use it.  The story lies in how I acquired it.   During that spring semester of 2021 when the entire world went on lockdown, so did any of the possessions and projects that those of us in schools had. Returning to school in the fall of 2021, I received an email from one of our equally talented art teachers that a former student of mine, that graduated, had not picked up her projects and what did I want to have done with them.  Being the responsible person that I am, I picked them up. I chose to display that one on the dry-erase board behind my desk. My thoughts were, and still are, that we were all drowning and were flying with our asses up in the air and feet trying to paddle air.  One day, Lexi (the artist) and I were on a FaceTime call.  She excitedly acknowledged the drawing behind me but then notified me that I had it upside down. The feet of the duck and its ass were to be in the water.  I told her that was exactly how I felt, completely upside down and ass out.  She laughed.   With retirement, I have acquired a large collection of artifacts from my students.  This is one of them and with her permission, is now the background for this inspired journey.

A few years ago, I was asked by another former student for assistance with a situation at the college he was attending.   While the outcome at the time was not what we wanted, it did set him on his current path which has allowed me to be so honored to witness the growth and gift that this young man has become.  Davion is a self-taught photographer.  He was raised in Saint Louis by a single mother and was the only male.  He believes his life is meant to work with women to help them believe that they are beautiful inside and out.  Through Davion, I have met two of the most beautiful, funny, giving, and loving sisters.  Spending yesterday with Davion and his camera felt at times he was looking straight into my soul.  Do you know how difficult that is for someone that has lived most of their life with a steel wall of protection around them?  At first, I was nervous but then started to vibe with the music, and with Aliyah and Kenndi encouraging me, I fell right in.   I was also able to meet and connect with an amazing young lady that helped to create the look I wanted for my photos.  Brooke, an artist whose medium is makeup and hair, did what Lexi had done with the duck that I flipped upside down.  She used natural, nude tones to bring my face back to the days of my youth. She didn’t cover up anything that was there but focused on my eyes, the windows to my soul.

I have managed to surround myself with heart and soul, youth and energy, spirited and gifted individuals that as I move forward with this inspired journey, I know I am in this with the individuals that God has placed to get me to where I should be.

My hope for this is that someone out there will smile, feel included, feel a spark that motivates positive change, that something being felt or experienced is validated, and that there is some insight into their personal journey.  Until next time, what inspires you?