The Calling...

Cycles what you call it. Numb what it makes you. Continously cycled. I want more. We need more. We deserve more. Moochie and Eli at Marvin funeral. Less than a month later Marvin’s younger brother Tabari would be murdered. Seeing someone in a casket when at his brothers funeral he just touched my arm and took photos from me saying yes I know you. The Flower House Lady. Makes me sick to my stomach. Even more so he was killed the day my children graduated from Kindergarten and 8th grade. I knew them before I had children, they felt like my own. Lil Ba, Bird and EB. Ed Brown the oldest brother was murdered winter 2016 and died on Moochie birthday. I miss them. Burying someone you watch grow up is one of the hardest things. I want more for us. We need more. We deserve more.
CHICAGO.

Bird.

The last time I spoke with Marvin he said Sakin you gotta meet my children! I said I know Bird I can’t wait to meet them. I bet they look just like you! I miss you. I love you. I’ll see you soon. Wild the first time I would see his sons was at his funeral. Bird, (Marvin) was one of the first kids I met while working at the Garfield Park Conservatory. I actually met Ed his oldest brother first. I used to ride the Green line to work everyday and I remember once a woman talking to me that I sat next to. She asked me a question about work and I said there are these children that come to see me everyday at my job. They are the most amazing beings I've ever met!. She said she would love to know that story one day. Something that stuck with me. And while writing this I never thought we would't be telling it together. The FlowerHouse Kids is a story that MUST BE TOLD... Silent Resilience. Chicago.

Celebrate yourself! Remembering who you are.

Honoring single mothers and telling their stories… I remember all hope being lost and my camera equipment being stolen from my car before I could even complete shooting for this project. Being a single mom myself I really had to embody the strength to carry this through. The women who were a part of this exhibition exuded a subtle brilliant power. This is a project I would love to begin again…Something about the fortitude, love and nurturing of a mother. It is unmatched.

Morning Star Exhibition

Haley Hanmen Gallery, Dallas, Tx