About me
Life’s short.
Live passionately.
Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, I grew up in a neighborhood known as “the bottoms.” I’ll never apologize for where I came from because it taught me resilience, community, and the power of diverse voices. From an early age, I was the listener, the observer, often told I carried wisdom beyond my years.
My journey led me to earn my MSW degree, but my education started long before that. I was shaped by people of all races who uplifted me, deepened my respect for others, and sharpened my insight into humanity. Along the way, I turned my learning disability into my superpower, proving that different doesn’t mean less. It means creative, adaptable, and unstoppable.
Now, I use my experiences to advocate, educate, and remind others that your roots don’t define your limits. They fuel your growth.
The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the a direction you have chosen.
Being true to yourself in a world that constantly pressures you to conform is the greatest achievement.
“Staying true to who I am in a world that constantly pushes for conformity is one of my greatest accomplishments.”
Growing up in predominantly white environments, I often felt the subtle and not-so-subtle pressures to fit into a mold that didn’t reflect my authentic self. Whether it was through comments about how I spoke, the music I listened to, or the way I carried myself, there was always an unspoken suggestion that I should tone down parts of my identity to be more palatable.
But I refused to let the world dictate who I should be. It wasn’t easy. There were times when it felt tempting to shrink, to blend in, or to silence parts of myself for the sake of comfort, both my own and others’. Yet, I realized that sacrificing my authenticity would mean losing the very essence of who I am.
Now, I take pride in walking through life unapologetically as Rodney. Every time I choose to embrace my individuality, whether through my voice, my experiences, or my truth, I am reminded that being authentically me is not just an act of self-love. It is a powerful form of resistance and my greatest accomplishment.
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