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When I was 13, I moved to a small town in the Midwest from San Jose, Ca (I was born in Chicago for clarity) and endured isolation because of racism and thankfully turned to art and literature as a means of therapy and salvaging and encouraging my own spiritual growth. Black women were writing the books that I really needed in my life at that time and I truly believe their words aided in building up the confidence I exhibit today. My 10 year old kiddo is also an artist and recently showed me how to create digital drawings on Sketch Book. With Octavia Butler’s birthday coming up and her role in my continued reaching for the stars, I decided to draw her in this new digital medium and that’s what I am submitting to you today. 

Written on June 19, 2020

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