BY ERICA SHOULDERS-ROYSTER I AM FROM POEM BY ERICA SHOULDERS-ROYSTER

I AM FROM THE WINDY CITY OF CHICAGO BY WAY OF THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF BELIZE AND COUNTRY FIELDS OF ALABAMA

I AM FROM A LOVING HOME RAISED GOING TO CHURCH FROM 9:30 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL TIL SOMETIMES 9:30PM AT NIGHT FOR EVENING SERVICE

I AM FROM PARENTS THAT ENVISIONED ME GOING TO COLLEGE ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT I AM FROM A FATHER THAT BELIEVED IN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY FOR HIS FELLOW MAN REPRESENTING MOST CO-WORKERS DURING HIS ROLE WITH THE UNION I AM FROM A MOTHER THAT HAS SERVED AS A NANNY FOR OVER 30 YEARS TAKING CARE “OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN” AS HER OWN

I AM FROM RICH FOOD PLAINTAINS, RICE & BEANS, COLLARD GREENS, CURRY CHICKEN, DUKUNU, CANDIED YAMS AND CORN BREAD

I AM FROM STRONG TRADITIONS BIRTHDAY PARTIES, BABY CHRISTENINGS, FAMILY BARBECUE’S & GRANDMA’S HOUSE

I AM FROM MY LAST LIVING. GRANDPARENT WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN I AM FROM MY LAST LIVING GRANDPARENT WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE AND THE FRUITS OF HER LABOR RAISING SIX BEAUTIFUL GIRLS AND ONE BOY PRODUCING 19 GRANDCHILDREN, 20 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND 1 GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILD

SHE IS COURAGEOUS SHE IS STRONG SHE IS LOVING

A QUILT MAKER

A BELIEVER IN HER FAITH

MY SWEET POTATOE PIE