It was interesting for a few reasons.
1. This lady who was working the event was so happy when Kathy announced that one of our special guests (me) had arrived and introduced me as Dr. She came over and congratulated me right then and later on spoke to me about how nice it was to see a Black girl being called Dr.
What struck me about this moment was that I was wearing a bowtie. I had on a dress shirt, a vest, slacks, and a bowtie. That didn't seem to matter. For this lady, she saw herself, a Black woman, in me and how I choose to show up in the world didn't phase her. I love that. I love that we've moved past presentation to substance in some cases.
2. When she found out I was at Howard she was supppppper inpressed. She was like that's where all the smart Black people go.
I love that too. Because it challenges many strongly held notions. I've studied under one of the greatest nanoscientists in the world. I've been a part of the Ivory Tower for 7 years. But this woman...this woman, who worked at the Alumni Center at the flagship institution of the UNC System, was impressed because I go to Howard for med school. How cool is that?
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