"I’m a Compton girl with a South Central heart, 100%, because it’s all I’ve known.
I was born and raised in a single-parent household apartment in South Central being the second youngest of five. My sisters, brother, and I all have about a five year age gap between us so we aren’t the closest, but we definitely have a good relationship- Though I’d say that I’m closest to my older sister, Maria. She has definitely been here for me through a lot. Growing up, we weren’t very wealthy so a lot of the memories I have growing up in the apartments are things I would be doing with other kids in the parking lot.
I honestly loved growing up in the apartments because all of my friends were there whether they were right down the hall, in apartment one or two, or downstairs. We used to do all types of crazy things and come up with different ideas for fun together because we were all stuck in a small space with nothing to do. I remember we used to get old mattresses that people would throw out and jump from the carport in the parking lot onto them! We worked with what we had and made the most of it. It definitely made me a little tougher [influencing who and how I am, now] and helped me face a lot of my fears having to follow through with these dangerous activities so I wouldn’t be left out of the fun.
My mom and I used to fight all the time over the dumbest things now that I think about it. We have such similar personalities that it always kinda felt like I was fighting with myself..
I moved out of my apartment at the age of 19 with my boyfriend, who is now my husband, and I think that’s definitely when I started to appreciate my mom a little more. I started to value what she did for me growing up because it really was hard. She is extremely hardworking, and now that I’m older, I realize how amazing she is. She is a hustler. She woke up early for work, came home at 5 pm, and would still manage to clean the apartment and cook for us! We are definitely a lot closer now that I’ve matured, and a lot of the things I do in my business is inspired by her.
I am the owner of Compton Succulent’s Design where I grow and sell succulents in hand-painted pots. I initially wanted to live in LA but moved to Compton in 2017 with my husband because of expenses, we’ve been here for about four years now. Something a lot of people don’t know about me is that while I run my business part-time, I am also a social worker for high school students. I have a B.A. and Master’s in social work, and my job is to work with students who are on the verge of dropping out. As a social worker, I emphasize the importance of mental health. In doing this, I started my own small business.
When the pandemic first hit, millions were suffering with anxiety and depression. For as long as I can remember, I’ve suffered from anxiety but never knew. I would push away the nerves and constant worries I would get, and normalize them. My anxiety went unprotected and untreated for so long that it began to affect me mentally, physically, and emotionally. So bad to the point where, at a time when I was still in college, I had bell’s palsy for two weeks, where half of your face numbs because of weakened muscles. This anxiety was affecting my life in the most negative way possible, I was so unhappy. I overcame it, though, by recognizing my fault and getting help. I got therapy for a year and it was truthfully the best decision I could have ever made. I’m not completely ‘healed’ from my anxiety, but I’ve learned ways to cope and deal with it. Taking care of succulents is something I use to manage my mental health; It’s relaxing, comforting, and makes me happy. I’m an advocate for all things mental health and getting the help you need in order to live your life, and that’s what I do as a social worker.
I actually originally wanted to be a teacher because I saw education as a way out of poverty; I always thought that by getting a degree you could move up the food chain. I grew up poor, my mom struggled financially- We were running on food stamps and the monthly gallons of milk, eggs, and tortillas. And I realize, now, that.. we weren’t living, we were [barely] surviving. And seeing this pattern not only in my family but in the families in my community, I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I took a few classes and tried different programs but it just wasn’t for me. I wanted to directly address the basic needs that need to be met for children to be successful. I learned that I can make a difference, and my drive came from my experiences and witnessing the struggles in my community and identifying what needs to be met.
I love my job. I love seeing students walk down the aisle and receive their diploma because that’s how I know I am an asset- I know I did a great job and made an impact in someone’s life when I see that. Being a social worker is life changing, we are life changing. If I had to do everything I’ve gone through in order to get here all over again, I would. 100%. Getting involved with my own mental health has allowed me to expose students to resources and information they most likely aren’t in their community.
If there’s anything that represents me it would be a succulent; They are beautiful and tough.
In the garden, they are the toughest plant; They don’t require much maintenance, and they're the easiest to care for but the toughest to weed out. Succulents represent the drive to be resilient and thrive. And like a succulent, I desire to thrive, grow, and be someone who is adaptable.
Everything I’ve done, gone through, experienced, and endured circles back to who I am and what I do and experience today. And I wouldn’t have it any other way."
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