Hello World, I’m Tee and I’m a Conscious Creative

REVISED I -4/10/2020, II 9/23/2020

Greetings Everyone,

My name is Tee and I’m a new(ish) writer on Medium and an editor for Conscious Creatives. I am also blessed and fortunate to write for other publications, like Spiritual Tree, A Few Words and Illumination. I use the word “newish” because I’ve been writing over the last year with The Startup, P.S. I Love You, An Injustice and a few other publications before I felt confident to publish under my own name.

I’m happy to be part of all publications, but I’m particularly excited about Illumination’s writing community started by Dr Mehmet Yildiz. I like Illumination because it keeps all the authors engaged and informed. I feel like I’m a part of a community that’s using data-driven strategies to ensure my success and growth as a writer. Secondly, I’m a little sappy and loved the fact that he personally invited writers to join his publication.

Earlier this year, I established a consultancy and held my first networking event and it was a glowing success. However, the pandemic put a halt to a lot of my plans which involved more in-person networking events — so I’m forced to re-evaluate, pivot and regroup.

In the meantime, writing was always part of the plan. I started Conscious Creatives as a part of my company to discuss things that are near and dear to my heart:

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Personal and Professional Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurship Resource Sharing Life In Your 40’s & 50’s -Aging With Grace & Quality of Life Issues Empty Nesting — Parenting a new adult Self Improvement Cooking and Food Health and Wellness Restorative Justice, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Reform Writing and all the things in between.

Now, in these uncertain times, I write to stay sane, heard and connected. However, I also have some formal goals.

Medium Goals: 1. I’d like to improve my skills as a writer, get constructive feedback (specifically on how to better engage my readers) and grow my audience.

2. I would like to transition into editing and eventually branch out to other publications like Zora and Heated

3. Start my own or partner with someone to create a publication focusing on life in your ’40s and 50's

Goals Outside of Medium:

1. I’d like to start a podcast

2. Learn more about comedic and screen playwriting

3. Publish… all the projects I’ve been too scared or lazy to publish or finish

On a personal note…

I’m single, petless and in professional limbo

I grew up in the ’80s, I’m an MTV kid so I love everything from Jimi Hendrix and Pat Benetar to Tears for Fears I also grew with hip hop and Go-Go music so I equally love EU, Salt & Pepa, Mary J. Blige, Heavy D, De La Soul, and Snoop Now I still listen to everything from Miles Davis to Jill Scott, Esperanza Spaulding to Bad Bunny

I love the Spanish language and could speak it in college — now not so much, but it’s my long term goal to become fluent and travel/spend time in Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, and Cuba to learn about the various cultures, food, dance, etc.

I’m an omnivore, as long as it’s not slimy (with the exception of okra)

I’m a food nerd and LOVE all things food-related from the history, to the evolution of various foods, dishes, and recipes. I love discovering new techniques and cooking methods and how cultures have influenced other countries (like China & Italy’s noodle/pasta connection or Lebanon’s influence on Mexico’s al pastor). I believe most cultures have special bread, rice, and meatball dishes. For example — Crispy Rice Puerto Rico — Pegao Dominican Republic — ConCon Iran/Persia — Tahdig Japan — Okoge Caribbean Countries — Bunbun

I like the challenge of making vegetarian, low glycemic and gluten-free desserts that taste like the traditional versions

I’m a chocolate hippie who loves everything about organic gardening, compost and green living. I’m learning about the EcoVillage community and my ultimate dream is to build or be a part of a beautiful, eco-friendly, zero waste housing community where I can retire.

I consider myself a centrist — I try not to be judgemental — but bias and discrimination is a reality and in this political climate it’s inescapable…

The reason why I write has always been the same — to be heard in a world where I feel or felt like my voice was muffled, dismissed or simply silenced. As an African American girl growing up in a rural, Christian community and spending my adult life in inner cities and now the quiet suburban life — I’ve used writing as my way to chronicle the triumphs and challenges of my life and advocate for myself and others that I feel are marginalized, kindred spirits that face the same injustices.

I don’t want to make this about race, gender, or identity politics — but it’s something I simply can’t escape no matter how many times someone has told me they’re color blind… Every experience I’ve had, good or bad is connected to some intersection of my self or perceived identity. Yet, I try every day to just be human and approach every situation with fresh eyes…

Needless to say, this introduction is more of a stream of consciousness than a formal bio and I’d like the opportunity to revise it as needed and as I evolve…

Thank you for reading — please check out some of my other articles: