Chapter 5: You Glow Girl

It is 1996 and I am in a classroom of bright-eyed third graders. I am the shortest student in my class, one of four African American students, and I have approximately seven pigtails in my hair. My lead teacher is absent, and the teacher assistant gives me a marker and asks me to review the multiplication tables with my classmates. In the beginning, nervousness and fear take over as I stand in front of the class and begin to stutter. I say a little prayer to regain my composure and after a few minutes, the power of the marker takes over. Ms. Kelly, the teacher assistant, reminds me that I am in charge, and I begin to cover the material like a third-grade mathematician. My peers’ faces begin to light up as we review the multiplication tables and I can see mini light bulbs flashing over their heads. I have discovered my niche and this very moment serves as my introduction to education and what is means to be a glowing Black girl.