Integrity.

So, a few months back I had an idea. After my week long qualifying exams my colleague and I went to see "the Help". This movie intends to capture the experiences of Black domestic workers during the Civil Rights Era. As the credits rolled on the movie, there was an interesting mix of silence and soft whispers in the theater; people either couldn't pry themselves out of their seats after witnessing the intense subject matter of the film, or they exploded with conversation with their movie partners. There had been a lot chatter, a slew of opinions darting all over the internet capturing people's feelings about their experience of the film and/or the book. After the movie, I was inspired to host a community discussion; I figured we could do a bit better than just throwing out our thoughts, we could actually engage in discussion with one another.

With the support and encouragement of my classmate, I set in motion to organize this event in my living community. After weeks of speaking with the movie theater manager and several community officials about partnering to put on this discussion, things finally came together. I invited the community at large via advertisements in local stores; I sent e-blasts to my building; my cohort member shared information with her networks, and finally, this past Sunday we gathered at Cake Love in Downtown, Silver Spring for the first of the Let's Talk About it Series. About 10 guests joined us for a very powerful, inter-generational, cross-cultural discussion.

There's a slogan on the movie poster for the film that suggests that "Change Begins With a Whisper". As we were planning and putting together an agenda, I realized that that slogan captured the essence of what was transpiring. This all began with a thought that I uttered to my friend, and that I felt compelled to put into action. Change begins with a whisper. Last month, as part of my birthday celebration, I shared with you all that I intended to organize this discussion group as part of my way of giving back. I knew that once I put it out there that I would be held accountable by a larger audience. After the event, I can truly say that this experience helped me process the power of integrity. Doing what I said I would do helped create an opportunity for people to come together for a powerful conversation.

Over the weekend, there were five other women who also kept their word. One of the things that I asked for for my 30th birthday was to have my college sisters to come stay with me for the weekend. This past weekend, the crew came through in full effect. I haven't laughed sooooo hard and eaten sooooo much food in a really long time! God really puts people in your life for a reason; nearly 13 years after we met, we remain valuable and vital parts of each others lives. Over our luncheons and dessert potlucks, we got updated on each other's lives and had classic girl-talk and constant laughs. To top off our weekend we took a midnight trip to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and shared in a beautiful experience, together.

Driving up to the memorial site, a huge statue emerges, unexpectedly, and immediately takes your breath away. I definitely didn't anticipate being soooo moved by this memorial, but the drama of the night lighting hitting the stone and marble fixtures transported me to a place of awe and gratitude. As we walked around, we engaged in conversation with other visitors and talked with each other about how the quotes on the walls spoke to different aspects of our lives. It was truly an amazing sisterly experience.

Yesterday, when they were all packed up in the car and ready to return home, I definitely had a little tantrum in my head. I didn't want them to go! But, the reality of my school journey awaited me in my girls' weekend impacted apartment.

This weekend created many wonderful memories. I will not forget how being my word, and using my words to ask for what I want and need, can invite so much power, love, and happiness in to the lives of many.

If change begins with a whisper, I will continue to create transformation with words, and then put action behind being and doing what it is that I say.