TAYAH
Roxbury, MA
Mother, daughter, hairstylist, writer and aspiring spoken word artist. I value integrity, honesty and family. My voice - my ability to move people with just my words is my greatest strength. I was raised by a single Mom. Times weren't perfect but she made it work. My father was incarcerated when I was 3. Every visit was the same, the most difficult to get through. I felt like a prisoner in my own body but I was daddy's girl; his one and only. Until, he exposed to me that I actually had a brother who existed all along. This tore my family apart. I was torn between being Daddy's girl or Mommy's best-friend. With that on the line I attempted suicide which, thank god, was not successful. At 16 I was sexually assaulted by a man a little older than I was who I believed I could trust. I traveled home afterward by public transportation and realized I was bleeding extremely bad. I felt used, mistreated and worthless. That night I remember I just laid there completely weak waiting for my body to regain its strength. I didn't tell anyone. For years I ignored it. It was nearly 15 years before I finally lifted this weight off my shoulders and told my Mother. For a long time following that incident I felt like I wasn't good enough. I felt closed off, abandoned and alone. I so wish there was less violence and definitely more justice the world. I'd tell a 12 year old me to be fearless and to never give up on life because its the greatest gift, to cherish it with care. I'd tell her to be unapologetic about who she is and where she stands. I never had a father so the fact that my children have a great active Dad in their life is a wonderful feeling. I wanted to create a wholesome family for my children. My daughter Kylah Rae inspires me to be greater. I want to be her walking inspiration, a real life role model. I'm Tayah; I'm genuine, kind-hearted and supportive. I'm proud of my ability to overcome great obstacles and the fact that I never crumble. My experiences are not excuses but stepping stones for me to keep climbing this mountain called life. In 10 years I hope to have a home I can call my own, and a peace of mind that is long overdue.
