https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📝" title="Memo" aria-label="Emoji: Memo">: THREAD

Around this time last year, I worked for an AMAZING non-profit in Charlotte, NC. It provided inner city kids a safe space after school to be their authentic selves.

Each day we provided a hot meal, HW time, life skills and an opportunity to play basketball.

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I was the first coach to start the girls after school program for this particular non-profit program.

We were able to experience several milestones!

1. I took them on a campus visit to the @UofSC and to see a @GamecockWBB game.

S/o to @innersoleorg for a great time!

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2. We went undefeated in our YMCA 14U season and won our FIRST EVER CHAMPIONSHIP.

This was the first time my girls ever played in an organized basketball league and for any type of championship. This was such a rewarding moment for them!

My heart was full... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😩" title="Mattes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Mattes Gesicht">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">

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3. I managed to recruit more girls to join the program and started the new season with 20+ new girls! WOW! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">

I was beyond excited for this new season—because we had so much momentum coming off of a great academic term and winning a championship! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙌🏾" title="Erhobene Hände (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Erhobene Hände (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

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And then BOOMhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💥" title="Symbol für eine Kollision" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für eine Kollision"> https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤯" title="Explodierender Kopf" aria-label="Emoji: Explodierender Kopf"> — COVID hit! We had to shut down our program immediately and decided to go virtual.

I made sure my girls had everything they needed and then I went to Florida to be with my family.

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Fast forward 2 months,

On May 7, 2020 at 9:00 AM... my life, their life... changed forever.

The decision was made to shut down the non-profit indefinitely!

We were devastated!

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This was the first time in my life I felt like I found a profession where my passion aligned with my purpose.

Life skills and basketball in one place? That was heaven for me. That fueled me beyond words.

It was gone just like that!

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Of course, my heart was broken https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💔" title="Gebrochenes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Gebrochenes Herz"> and I cried—but because my life has been built on resiliency—my adrenaline to plan for “what’s next” kicked in. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😅" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund und Angstschweiß" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund und Angstschweiß">

I consulted with the people closes to me and made sure legally and financially I was set.

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“5” days later on May 12, 2020, I started Savvy Skills LLC! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙌🏾" title="Erhobene Hände (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Erhobene Hände (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">

WOW—what a journey to becoming! I’m forever grateful for my experiences with that non-profit. I’ll always hold it near and dear to my heart. It gave me so much fulfillment and so much to look forward to! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💛" title="Gelbes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Gelbes Herz">

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Last but not least, follow the path less traveled.

Allow the things you are most passionate about and drawn to, fuel you—that’s where you’ll find your purpose.

Never give up. KEEP GOING and “KEEP SHOWING UP.”- ( @jennylynnfisch) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤍" title="Weißes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Weißes Herz">

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