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VOICES OF ROOTED IN STRENGTH

From the field to the front office, Eagles players, alumni, employees, and cheerleaders reflect on what Black History Month means to them.

By Philadelphia Eagles

February 1^st, 2026

Jalen Hurts

Quarterback

Who are you becoming because of the challenges you’ve faced?

"With highs and lows, you’re always becoming a better version of yourself. It’s all in how you respond to whatever you’re faced against. How do you respond to success? How do you respond to failure? Are you self-motivated? Are you process-driven or outcome-driven? What do you make it about? For me, it’s always been about an internal drive to improve, regardless of the circumstance, because that’s what I have a passion for."

Describe a time where you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"The strength you have internally is always evolving because you're always evolving. None of it is ever going to be the same because you're going to always be faced with different things that stretch you, demand more of you, physically, mentally, emotionally, and it's about how you respond to it.

"It's about passion, history, knowing yourself, knowing your why, knowing what drives you. That's one thing that I firmly believe in. It's all a matter of passion, and everybody has different passions. Whatever you're passionate about, it doesn't matter what's in front of you, you're going to do whatever needs to be done to get it. And there's a sense of inevitability when you have a real passion about something, not a matter of if, but when."

Jalyx Hunt

Outside Linebacker

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"I would say the fact that my family's background comes from the Deep South, the deep backwoods of Mississippi. All the history that's connected to that and just the tenacity it took to come up through something like that and move around like my parents and give them the mentality to want to move away from that and change things and break generational curses like they did."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"That it's very OK to have a problem with historical things. I know at this point in time, there's a lot less education on Black history and the struggles that were very real. American history is Black history and that was so intertwined into the development of the foundation of this country. Don't ever let anybody take that away and if somebody is trying to, it's very OK to say I have a problem with that and to stand up for yourself and for what you've come from and for who you want to be."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"Being vulnerable. Growing up, whenever I thought strength, I thought hard. Like, I want to be able to move a boulder. But while that is strength, strength also comes in being able to do things you don't want to do. But if you want the outcome that you want to have, you've got to do it. I learned that from my mom, Jaaqua. My mom is a very educated woman. We moved around so much, so that my sister and I could have better opportunities. And with that, we normally moved with my dad's (James) job. So, my mom, who has multiple high-level degrees, had to take jobs that she was overqualified for simply to provide. I think I learned that from her."

Brandon Graham

Defensive End

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"Leaning on God and on my family, my wife (Carlyne)."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"I hope that they realize how much power we have together than opposite of each other and it don't matter how many different connections that you have, but it's like art, a lot of it is rooted in the Black community."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"Strength is turning the other way when your flesh is telling you to do something different. Growing up, I felt like I had to fight all the time and so that's why football has been good, but I've learned lessons in football like having that control and so it's OK to walk away. I feel like that's what helped me a lot, just walking away because you're not here to please everybody and everybody ain't gonna like what you got to say or who you are because of what they going through in life. I always thought I had to prove myself and fight back and most of the time you don't."

Nakobe Dean

Linebacker

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"Everything is rooted in my faith. Growing up in Mississippi, growing up Down South, it kind of leads to my mother and grandma and everybody always keeping us in church. When things are not going my way, I lean on God. I give all of the gratitude to him, too."

What is a moment where your growth mattered more than the outcome?

"When I was in college, doing the engineering thing mixed with being able to play. I feel like all of that, in hindsight, of course, 20/20, it mattered. Am I going to finish or not? Is this the best thing for me? I feel like even though I haven't graduated yet, I feel like in hindsight, going through those things made college way harder. It had to be me pledging, being an athlete, and then doing mechanical engineering. Yeah, it made it a lot harder, but in hindsight, I've grown a lot from it. I learned a lot from it. It has helped me. I'm 25 in the NFL. It's helped me a lot from time management, confidence that I can get it done, just being able to focus on a task at hand."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"When I was consoling a male friend, growing up as a Black man in America, you build a callus and that's kind of how I was raised, too. You can't be soft and everything like that. I had to redefine what strength meant to me when I had to take a step back and not hold that callus against him, like you gotta be strong. It was a situation that I wouldn't know how to act myself, so being able to console him the right type of way and from his situation, it made me kind of define what strength meant because even though he was strong in that situation, the way we grew up, the way we was taught, it wouldn't have been carried on as strong."

Harold Carmichael

Pro Football Hall of Fame Wide Reciever

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"A lot of times your strength comes from God. A lot of people don't put God first in what they do. For me, I grew up in that frame of mind. You just got to treat everybody the same. It's tough to do, but it's just stuff that you have to train yourself and get yourself ready to make it happen."

How did your faith shape your career?

"I didn't know what I could do. In my high school career, I only scored one touchdown and I threw one touchdown pass. I was a quarterback in high school. I went to Southern University. I make a joke about it, but I bullied my way on there because nobody knew who I was. I was a walk-on. From that I learned that if I just kept doing the things that were positive and worked hard, all things are possible. My belief in Christianity, my Christian life, helped me through that. I look back and say, 'What would have happened if I wasn't persistent in what I did?' God gave me the strength to be better than the guy next to me, that's behind me, up in front of me."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"You still look at a lot of things that Dr. (Martin Luther) King spoke about, just being strong in what you do. One of the phrases that we used to use is, 'I am somebody.' That always stuck with me because a lot of people don't have faith in themselves and the faith in Jesus Christ. They just don't really look at it that way. They just think it's all about, 'Oh, I can do this.' You got to have that wisdom to get through stuff, the wisdom to really say, 'I can do this.'

"It took me about a week before I really felt like I could play in the NFL. I always thought everybody was just so superior that I couldn't compete. And I found myself one day after practice, I said, 'I can do this. I can play in the NFL.' Just given that confidence and being strong in what I believe in, it really carried me through. It carried me to where I am today."

Avane Ervin

Community Relations Coordinator

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"I didn’t grow up with much, or even fully understand what stability looked like at the time. What I did grow up with was faith, love, and the quiet resilience of people who made a way out of very little. My upbringing taught me early that strength isn’t always loud or visible – it’s found in persistence, prayer, and showing up even when the odds feel stacked against you. There were moments when things didn’t go my way, when doors felt closed or I found myself underestimated in spaces where I already stood out. In those moments, I lean on the foundation I was raised with. My faith reminds me that my worth isn’t determined by rejection or recognition, and my upbringing reminds me that I come from people who survived without guarantees and still chose hope."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"One of my favorite quotes by Ms. Shirley Chisholm is, 'If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,' and it’s been symbolic of my life because I come from a lineage of men and women who didn’t wait to be invited – they showed up anyway and changed the room. Throughout my life, I've had to navigate unfamiliar and unwelcoming spaces, which ultimately taught me how to advocate for myself and others with confidence and intention."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"Black strength isn’t one-dimensional. You don’t always have to be going through the toughest of struggles to be strong; surviving is not the only measure of our power. Sometimes strength looks like rest, laughter, and a softness that you're allowed to possess."

Brandy Pickett

Premium Sales Account Executive

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"The part of my identity that gives me strength when things aren’t going my way is rooted in my upbringing and the values my parents instilled in me. Growing up, I watched my mother, La’Vette, and my father, Randy, navigate challenges with grace, perseverance, and integrity. From them, I learned that setbacks are not failures, they are opportunities to reflect, adapt, and rise stronger. Their example showed me that true strength is multidimensional, resilience, determination, and staying grounded in your values, while also lifting others through support, mentorship, and encouragement. Strength is not only measured by what you endure, but by how you show up for others while navigating your own challenges."

Please share a moment where your growth mattered more than the outcome.

"A moment where my growth mattered more than the outcome was during my time as a 9-1-1 Police Radio Dispatcher for the Memphis Police Department. Early in my tenure, I received a high-pressure call involving a family in crisis. Everything in me wanted to fix the situation and ensure a 'successful' resolution, but I quickly realized that I couldn’t control every variable. The safety of the individuals involved and the actions of officers in the field were ultimately outside my control. What mattered most in that moment was not the outcome, but how I showed up. I focused on staying calm, offering reassurance, and coordinating the response to the best of my ability. I learned to trust my training, manage my emotions in real time, and provide grounding for someone experiencing chaos. While I could not guarantee a perfect resolution, I gained confidence in my ability to act with composure, make critical decisions under pressure, and extend empathy during someone else’s darkest hour. That experience reshaped how I understood success and growth. As a Black woman working in sports, those lessons are even more meaningful. The pressures I face now are different, but the expectations to perform, to stay composed, and to carry both responsibility and representation are still real."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"Early in my career in the sport industry, I often found myself as the only Black woman in the room, with few mentors or role models who could relate to my experiences. At first, I believed strength meant handling every challenge on my own, proving I belonged, and never showing doubt or vulnerability.

"I quickly realized that true strength is not about doing it alone, it is about presence, authenticity, and resilience. Strength means trusting your perspective, seeking guidance, and finding allies who can offer support and insight. By leaning into my voice, advocating for myself, and building connections, I learned to navigate spaces not always designed for me while maintaining my integrity and confidence.

"That experience reshaped my understanding of strength. Being strong as a Black woman is not about invulnerability; it is about courage, perseverance, and compassion. True strength is rising to challenges, staying grounded in your values, and using your voice, platform, and community to create opportunities for yourself and those who follow."

Donavan Edwards

Special Projects Producer and Editor

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"As a filmmaker, success is often tied to the outcomes you’re able to produce. How many likes or comments you get. What’s the total number of views or dollars at the box office. But as I continue to progress in my career, I value personal growth over anything. I want to learn new things, enjoy the process and continue pushing myself."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"Serve others. Growing up I’ve seen family members taking care of their elders. I constantly heard stories and observed people volunteering and giving back. After-school programs, coaching, back to school drives, you name it. All of it was an important lesson for me. There’s value in being able to serve others."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"Strength is more than physical. A lot of the things we go through daily require mental endurance. It’s takes a lot of strength to show up everyday when things aren’t going your way. Whether that’s school, work, sports, or in relationships."

Jamal Cooley

Senior Digital Designer, Graphics

Please share a moment where your growth mattered more than the outcome.

"In 2020, I had to go through another knee surgery and chose to look at it as 'Why not me?' instead of 'Why me?' That mindset shift mattered more than the outcome because it forced real growth. I learned how to lead and how to serve others when I couldn’t contribute the same way on the track. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I focused on being a blessing, motivating teammates not to be victims of their own struggles or adversites. In that season, growth wasn’t about how fast I came back, but about becoming a better leader, teammate, and person through it all."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"Change can come if you don’t give up. So many people before us fought through far worse circumstances for many years. When adversity hits, quitting can’t be the answer, things will work out if you don’t faint or fold."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"That Black strength isn’t just about surviving hard times. It’s about empowering the people around you and giving back to your community, even while you’re still navigating your own challenges. A lot of real strength shows up in how we lead, support one another, and help others keep going."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"Without having a ceremony to honor the work we put in, graduating college during the COVID year forced me to redefine what strength looked like to me. I learned that strength wasn’t about recognition, but about continuing to move forward even when the moment felt incomplete. It meant reflecting briefly, then trusting that the best was still ahead because time doesn’t wait on anyone."

Miyah Edwards

Social Media Coordinator

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"I think it all comes down to my upbringing and how my parents and supporting family members raised us. No matter what we did (school, athletics, etc.) we weren't given the option to quit. When things weren't going our way we were taught to be resilient and find a solution to make it through the 'hard.'"

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"A lesson I've learned from Black history is you have to be willing to put the work in in order for change to come. If it weren't for so many pioneers before us who saw the demand for change and acted on it, we wouldn’t be where we are today."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"In this season of my life, becoming a mother has truly made me redefine what strength looks like. Going into it I knew how physically demanding and strong I would need to be, but was unaware of how equally important to be mentally/emotionally strong. It has truly been the most rewarding and humbling experiences of my life."

Taylor Wilson

Community Relations Senior Coordinator

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"Music! Music by Black artists made years, even decades ago, makes me feel like experiences or difficulties are shared and not unique to just me."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"Knowing that I am living a lot of answered prayers guides how I move!"

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"Black strength is quiet and sometimes confused by people who don't know what they're looking at. There's no right or wrong way to be, just be."

Kobie Tuckson

Event Staff Operations Coordinator

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"I learned a lot from Muhammad Ali and how important it was to him to be of service to others. My fascination with Ali started with my dad. I remember he had a poster of Ali in his apartment and, growing older, I was able to learn more about him. I believe Ali stuck with me because I also enjoy and feel it is important to be in service to others. In high school, I learned different ways I can be helpful in my community, whether it was volunteering at soup kitchens or nursing homes, helping out my old daycare provider, or going back to help coach my old youth programs. Even in my everyday life, I think about how my actions will affect others before thinking about myself, which is not always good, but that is just how I think."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"I hope the next generation understands the importance of stepping out of a box they may be in. It takes a different kind of strength to be different from what you are around or used to. I used to think like this when I was younger, and I credit my mother for snapping me out of that because I would have missed out on some very cool opportunities and experiences. I am an example of this. At 8 years old, I started playing an unheard of sport in my community. I started playing rugby, where the shorts do not come close to your knee, and very few who look like me are on the field.

"Fortunately for me, I started in Washington, D.C., where most of my team was Black, and we would travel to the outskirts of the city to play teams that were the complete opposite of us. This opportunity that I was able to say yes to allowed me to find the perfect college for me in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, allowed me to meet people from all around the world, travel, and win the D1 Collegiate National Championship in rugby. I think it is important for the next generation to understand that you never know what an opportunity can lead you to and that strength is being able to say yes to potentially valuable opportunities."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"In high school, I had to redefine what strength meant to me. There were things in my community – old friends and even new acquaintances – that I had to distance myself from. There were bad influences, cycles, and ultimately things that I had to say no to. I give all of the credit to my mother for making me understand that it is not OK to be a follower and trying her hardest to steer me in the right direction. It took a lot of strength to not be a victim of my environment, especially in high school, when my future would have been shaped by my decisions. Looking back, that strength of not being a follower was very valuable to me. I am not perfect, but I am better than what I could have turned out to be."

Lamar Bustion

Marketing Communications Coordinator

Please share a moment where your growth mattered more than the outcome.

"One of the most formative experiences in my life was my decision to travel and live abroad. Before that, I had rarely stepped outside my bubble of Philadelphia, let alone the US. Choosing to leave what was familiar forced me into new environments, perspectives, and ways of living that I had never encountered before. Immersing myself in different cultures taught me that there is an entire world beyond what I had always known, and that growth often begins with discomfort.

"I developed a deeper sense of independence, learned how to share my own culture while respectfully learning from others, and gained a clearer understanding of the intersectionality of my identity. Living abroad helped me see how being Black and being American are distinct experiences that can coexist in powerful ways. On the surface, the outcome was simply that I went to London. But beneath that, the personal growth I experienced reshaped how I see myself and the world. That transformation mattered far more than the destination, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"James Baldwin has one of my favorite quotes: 'Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.' Being faced with adversity and change can often feel intimidating. Especially when journeying into something unknown or unfamiliar, but I believe in fully embracing the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities that might lie ahead because what’s waiting for you behind uncertainty’s door might unexpectedly change your life in ways you could never imagine."

Who are you becoming because of the challenges you've faced?

"I am becoming someone resilient. I’m still getting to know this version of myself, but it’s someone I’m proud of, and someone I hope the people in my life are proud of as well. I keep a photo of a lantern I created at a festival, with the words, 'Becoming more of who I am meant to be,' written on it. I return to that image whenever I need a reminder during difficult moments. It grounds me and reinforces that every challenge is shaping me into exactly who I’m becoming."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"I hope the next generation understands that Black strength is rooted in knowledge, history, and representation. I want them to see the power in learning where they come from and valuing Black history beyond what is often taught or acknowledged. Growing up, my parents intentionally made space for Black history and culture in my life through food, music, literature, and teaching me about pioneers. As I get older, I recognize knowing those lessons as empowerment. Knowing our roots and history is crucial not only for personal growth but also for making meaningful progress."

Chris McPherson

Senior Manager, Digital Media

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"When things aren't going my way, I draw strength from a strong support system that allowed me to dream big and pursue my goals, while setting a high standard of success. I realized much later in life how fortunate I have been to have the opportunities afforded to me."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"People would refuse to be treated by my father, who was a Black doctor, because of his skin color. This isn't ancient history. This is in my lifetime."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"I tell my children that I hope that they're better than me, that they raise the bar and set higher standards, higher goals, and capitalize on the wins that the people before them earned."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"There is no such thing as self-made. Anything worthwhile is accomplished with others, so it's in asking for help and recognizing that while you have various strengths, they can be complemented and emphasized through the collaboration with others."

Deja Rowley

Eagles Cheerleader

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"When things aren’t going my way, I draw strength from the people who came before me and remind myself that I’m not only doing this for myself, but I’m doing it for them. I was raised by intelligent, driven, and remarkable people, especially the women who were the matriarchs of my family. I strive every day to be even half as impactful as they were. They worked tirelessly within a broken system designed to give people like me fewer opportunities.

"From them, I learned early that I often had to be twice as good to receive half the recognition, and that truth continues to push me forward. I watched them persevere, and I carry that with me as motivation, while also doing what I can to help end that cycle and bridge that gap. Most importantly, I’ve learned to be aware of how I’m seen in the world and how my experiences are shaped by who I am, and to move through life with both intention and resilience."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"One lesson from Black history that really guides me is remembering that everything I’m able to do today exists because someone before me kept going, even when it was hard. They weren’t just surviving for themselves, they were creating space for the next generation.

"That reminds me to move with purpose, to stay connected to where I come from, and to use my voice and my presence in a way that opens doors for others too. It’s a reminder that just being here, showing up as myself, is powerful. I use this mindset especially in my role as an Eagles Cheerleader. While teams are becoming more diverse, Black cheerleaders are still often in the minority, sometimes just a handful or fewer on a team. Every day I step onto that field, I know I’m representing every girl and boy who looks like me and dreams of doing what I do.

"When you don’t see yourself represented in a space, it’s hard to imagine yourself there and that alone can hold people back from pursuing their dreams. I hope that every time someone sees me in my uniform, with my braids (or whatever hairstyle I’m feeling that week), they feel empowered to chase their own goals. Knowing that my presence can inspire others gives me a greater sense of purpose in everything I do."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"I hope the next generation understands that Black strength is not defined by constant endurance. Despite the narratives often placed on the Black experience, especially the Black woman’s experience, they do not have to be the strongest person in every room simply because that is how they are portrayed. They do not have to accept mistreatment in silence with a smile because ‘that’s what strong people do.’

"Yes, our experience in this world will always be shaped by our skin, and there will be moments that require resilience. But they should not feel responsible for carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders at all times. Black strength shows up in many forms — in our values, our morals, our education, our families, our passions, and our careers. Not only in how we survive hardship, but in how we choose to live fully and authentically."

James LeGette

Eagles Cheerleader

Please share a moment where your growth mattered more than the outcome.

"There are many moments where I didn’t get the recognition or result I hoped for. When auditioning for the the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, I didn’t make it my first year even after making it to the final round. I didn’t look at it as a setback, but an opportunity to become stronger and to grow more as a person and a performer. I was able to become more confident and self aware in the process. Choosing growth over validation taught me that progress isn’t always visible, but it’s always valuable."

Who are you becoming because of the challenges you've faced?

"I am becoming a more passionate person who leads with empathy and purpose. The challenges I have faced taught me to stand firm in who I am and speak up for myself and others."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"I had to redefine strength when I realized that constantly being 'strong' was actually costing me my well-being. True strength became allowing myself to feel, to slow down, and to prioritize my mental and emotional health. Choosing myself didn’t make me weaker, it made me more whole."

Mieka Cobbs

Eagles Cheerleader

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"My creativity that I have cultivated through Black culture allows me to express myself in versatile ways."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"A lesson I learned from Black history is to be true to myself. So many trailblazers in Black history are icons and trendsetters because they were true to themselves."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"Black strength is not just rooted in resilience. It is in our softness, our creativity, our talent, and our community. Everything about being Black is a strength."

Mya Simms

Eagles Cheerleader

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"I’m grounded by the way I was raised to be adaptable – to read the room, adjust, and keep moving without losing myself. That ability to navigate different spaces while staying clear on who I am has carried me through moments that didn’t go as planned."

Please share a moment where your growth mattered more than the outcome.

"There have been times where speaking up or setting a boundary didn’t lead to an immediate win, but it clarified my self-respect. Choosing growth meant accepting a short-term discomfort in exchange for long-term alignment, and that mattered more than any single result."

Who are you becoming because of the challenges you've faced?

"I'm becoming someone who trusts herself more. Challenges have forced me to rely on my own judgment, to be decisive, and to stop waiting for external validation before moving forward."

What do you hope the next generation understands about Black strength that people often overlook?

"I hope they understand that Black strength isn’t just about endurance. It’s also about rest, discernment, and the freedom to choose joy, softness, or ambition on your own terms – without needing to justify it."

Taylor Sparks

Eagles Cheerleader

What part of your identity or upbringing gives you strength when things aren't going your way?

"Spirituality and Faith have historically been a pillar of strength in the Black community. I think back to the strife my ancestors endured when they were taken and brought to this country against their will. They turned to God and sang negro spirituals, like 'Wade in the Water,' to evoke a sense of hope and encourage resilience. Our faith has allowed us to navigate adversity and give us the strength to keep moving onward. This was instilled in me from a young age and is a cornerstone in my life which gives me the strength to keep moving onward, even when things aren't going my way."

What's a lesson from Black history or Black culture that still guides how you move today?

"What stands out to me in Black culture and history is Authenticity. I think of Alvin Ailey, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker, Diana Ross, Misty Copeland, Dave Chapelle, Rihanna, Beyonce. They all found success by being their authentic self and I strive to do the same. I can only be me, no one else will."

Describe a time when you had to redefine what strength meant for yourself.

"When we think about strength, we think about our ability to withstand a force or pressure. I also believe strength is noticing when that force or pressure does not serve you and having the ability to walk away. I have been strong in places that didn't value me and that is exhausting. I know my worth and my value and I won't settle for less because I deserve, we deserve, to be appreciated and cherished."