On Friday, Dec. 11th my daughter Arianna officially became a Black Girl PhD.
She received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University, home to the Sonic Boom!
Due to COVID-19, she couldn't have the traditional graduation and celebration, but we made the best of it.
Jackson State held the graduation online, so we decided to watch until they called her name and then go take pictures to commemorate the day.
People are always shocked when I tell them she's 27 years old, which means she didn't take any breaks on her journey to her Doctorate. Even though I wanted her to slow down sometimes and enjoy life, that was not a part of her plans...lol.
Growing up family and friends would complain about the fact that her father and I allowed her room to express herself. Folks would say things like her mouth is too smart, she think she knows everything, etc.... but guess what? Those same people are congratulating her now. You see that freedom to express herself paid off when it was time for her to defend her dissertation.
Photo Credit: KoolWill
When she was little I use to dance with her to Martina McBride's "In My Daughter's Eyes," those lyrics couldn't be more true today as I now call her Dr. Stokes.
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes
To say I'm proud of her is an understatement. I'm truly thankful that God chose me to be her mother. Not only is she my daughter, but she's my best-friend and brunch buddy... and I couldn't be more grateful!
