I’ve always loved to talk. My teachers consistently had to send home notes that said, “Andrea talks too much.”
I remember as a little girl recording my “talk shows” with the Sony Walkman my mom bought. Just the mere fact that she invested in it for me, allowed me to realize how much she believed in me, teaching me to believe in myself.
My dream to have a talk show, never died, instead it intensified as I watched the Oprah Winfrey Show. The photo below, is of me when I was 16 years old.
While my friends sported their own hairstyles, I was inspired to look and dress like, Oprah Winfrey, the woman who made me believe that one day I could have my own platform to speak, tell stories, and impact lives.
However, Oprah was far away. And for a while it felt like my dreams were too. That was until I started watching The Sherri Show.
Seeing Sherri, a close friend of my #bestie and someone I’ve talked on the phone with, win the 55th NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host, made something crystal clear to me.
If we operate in our expectations, not our experiences, our dreams can and will come true! Additionally, something she said in an interview with The Wrap really touched me and helped me to realize my dreams even more:
“Doing a talk show, people have to know that they want to hang out with you, but they also want to feel like you want to hang out with them…” – Sherri Shepherd
As I continue to Shine, and my #ShineCrew continues to embrace me, Sherri Shepherd‘s sentiments resonate deeply with me. With her example, and the specific women God has placed in my life, I am able to live out the dreams I’ve had since I was a little girl.
Some of these specific women include my friend TeeJ Mercer, who saw something more in me than just me being a “Paralegal,” encouraged me to walk in my creative genius and become a S.A.P., (someone’s answered prayer). She was someone who showed me what it looked like to live my LIFE of FAITH OUT LOUD and UNAPOLOGETICALLY walk confidently in my God-given purpose.
My #BrandingMomma, Cheryl A. Pullins, taught me the importance of #branding myself. She confirmed for me my ability to connect with people.
Roshanda Pratt, the First Lady of #Visibility, SHOWED me what it looks like to #SHOWUP and #SERVE! She taught me that #VisibilityIsPower! Not only did her book, CEO of Live Video change my #LIVES, it empowered me to follow my dreams.
All of these women inspire me to #BelieveBigger, #DreamBigger, and live expecting more!