17 May 2019
11:32 PM
This entire week, I’ve been seeing a flyer being advertised on social media for a career fair which would be held at the Robert W. Woodruff Library (the AUC’s library) and would offer over 400 jobs and internships to students and alum. This event was sponsored by Radio One and Rolling Loud. Several high positioned students were headlining the flyer alongside Dutchess Lattimore, a HBCU graduate, tattoo artist, and business owner.
While approaching Dutchess, I have to admit, I was definitely judging her. If not judging, then I was expecting her to carry herself a certain way. As perceived on Black Ink Crew, she had a very complicated personality, but this was a result of her constantly being put in bad situations. On top of that, when I first spotted her in the room she was on her Instagram live not interacting with anyone at the fair which instantly confirmed that my assumptions about her may actually be true.
When I finally reached her, I introduced myself, alongside my peers. Her energy began to overflow. Instantly, a pearly white smile appeared on her face and she greeted us with such warmth. Before introducing ourselves, she flipped her camera to show her thousands of followers that we were Black queens in college “focusing on media so we can change the way the media is written and perceived.” Every word she said held weight. She was extremely vulnerable, transparent and raw. It is rare that successful people are all three of those qualities, as they try to remain relevant to their ideal image.
Dutchess spoke on the value of a HBCU experience, self love, being your own boss and her previous relationship with Caesar, owner of Black Inc and actor on Black Ink Crew, among other topics. I could see myself, as well as other women in my life, in her. She shared the knowledge that she gained from her experiences in life and it really hit home. Seeing a woman who I can relate to, turn her life back around on her own and actually become success is amazing. Not only was she able to become successful, but she followed her passions and allowed her creativity lead her to where she is now is truly inspiring. All I want to do is become successful doing whatever it is that I am passionate about, but recently I have been receiving very discouraging energy from people closest to me so one could see how our interaction was pivotal and motivational.
Seeing the woman that she is today, compared to how she was on the show, anyone would assume that she is a completely different Dutchess. She was able to step back, reflect, remove herself from her situation and grow from there. Describing her to others is such a difficulty as her personality, character and energy were just so vibrant. Any positive adjective could be used to describe her. She is a prime example of why it is important to be who you truly are, not who others want you to be, as well as why you should make adjustments right where you are in life. This is so because it may dictate on how others perceive you. For years, I have been watching her on reality television and can honestly say that she is a product of self love and God.
“Queens being queens.”
— Dutchess Lattimore
Following my encounter with Dutchess, I reflected, questioning myself for hours: Am I in an unhealthy situation that’s hindering my growth? What am I really doing right now to help my future or am I stagnant? What’s my next move? I am still trying to seek the answers, but I can truly say that had I never met Dutchess, I would’ve never been asking myself those questions. She is truly influential and a role model in my life.
Brown Sugar & Tea 