Dear Village,

Welcome to Volume 1 of my new publication! If you’re reading this, as my greeting implies, I’ve come to see you as a beloved member of my village. For this new year, I’ve decided to try something different, something out of my comfort zone. My plan is to share some of my many reflections (and stories)–on life, education, Black liberation, democracy, Charleston, and Rome (me not the city!)–with you all. More specifically, my goal is to provide y’all with a general update (an ”Overture”) on my life that covers both personal & professional highlights from the past few months. I’d love to make this exchange as mutual as possible. I want to hear all of your insights, questions, affirmations, concerns, or even cries of outrage to what I’m thinking. I learn most when I’m in conversation, when I’m in community. So without further ado, I introduce you to “Volume 1” of Reflections with Rome. Cheers to a new journey! I hope the rumblings in my mind shake something within you too.

By the end of 2022 I felt like I had lived three lives. I finished up my grad program at Georgetown in educational transformation by the grace of God. As I grieved the loss of my childhood friend, fought every semester for my way of learning to be validated, and balanced a double life as a full-time student and full-time employee at the university, I knew I needed rest.

In September, I stepped down from my position as the Senior Program Designer for The Pivotal Network when I was offered a job at a marketing firm back home. My plan was to get the rest I deserved by taking 6-weeks to myself in between jobs. Unfortunately, the marketing position fizzled and I was left without employment and more time on my hands than I knew what to do with.

I felt fear and depression creep into my spirit. So in that moment, I did what I know best when I feel these feelings of doubt consuming me; I reflected. In doing so, I saw this season of (f)unemployment (my positive spin on what could’ve been a soul crushing period) as an opportunity for growth and stepping into my purpose. So on October 27th, I decided that I would move forward, toward my truth. Toward liberation. Even if that meant taking baby steps.

Through my mediation, I learned more about myself. I acknowledge that the pillars of love, community, Blackness, education, and mutual aid needed to be central in whatever I did next. I refused to let fear drive me into a job or career path that didn’t align with my sense of identity. From these revelations, a new goal for my (f)unemployment began to emerge: I wanted to identify three vocations where my skills and interests met a need for the world (thanks Nick for that definition). But there’s only so much reflection one can do. I needed a change of scene. I needed exposure to different vocations, ones I may not have considered. From there the Notice & Reflect Tour was born.

I traveled to Los Angeles, Charleston, and Fort Lauderdale (the Chi is still on my list – looking at you, JP!) to connect with friends (old and new) doing community work and carving new, transformative, paths within education. I wanted to notice new ideas, models, and occupations, while reflecting on my strengths & knowledge and ways to apply them. Those five weeks of travel were life changing, especially my time in Broward with the big homie, Blaine. During the tour, I did what I set out to do. I landed on three vocations that have electrified me with newfound optimism for the future.

Here’s what I wanna be when I grow up:

I am grateful to have these vocations in mind as I embark on this next chapter of my career. Though these were certainly breakthroughs for me, they were ones I expected to have. What I didn’t expect were the commitments I decided to make during my time noticing & reflecting. I am claiming my identity as a designer and I am committed to bringing that identity back home to Charleston.

It was not an easy decision to make, but I decided to leave DC and move back to the Lowcountry last month. I officially became a SC resident again on Monday, March 6th, 2023. I’m still without a job, so this is truly a leap of faith, but it feels like what I’m being called to do. If you don’t read any of my other reflections, I encourage you to read my letter to DC. I wrote about this ‘calling’ in depth and why now feels like the right time to pick up the phone.

Either way, this transition is bittersweet… As I say “see you later” to DC, I’m also saying “hello” to a new Charleston, and to a new version of SmallTalk. I’ve refiled my company in South Carolina and I’ve renamed it from SmallTalk LLC to SmallTalk Group LLC. The idea is that “Group” symbolizes the community I aim to gather and rally, while also representing the expansion of our mission and offerings. The vision is to bring design thinking to decision makers and educators throughout Lowcountry school districts and the Carolinas broadly.

If you made it this far, thank you. Truly. I’ve tried many different formats for this “newsletter,” but ultimately I had to go with what I know best: storytelling. I appreciate you taking the time to read mine. You can explore all of my deeper reflections using the links in this post, but you can also check out my entire gallery of reflections thus far here. I’m not sure what the frequency of these larger “Volumes” will look like, but until the next one, I’d love to hear from you too! Please share your impressions, perspectives, questions, and/or push back with me. All of the above is welcomed!

I was once told a closed mouth doesn’t get fed. So lastly, as I search for professional opportunities back home and elsewhere to begin bringing my desired vocations to life, I’m open to any resources, connections, ideas, or support to help get me there. Justus has taught me that, as Black folks, our visions and imaginations are simply our ancestors’ wildest dreams, inherited. But bringing that inheritance to life requires the loving collective effort of all of us, the village.

With peace and love…

Your Friend,

Rome