“At forty-four minutes to four

An angel walked up to my door

Opened the windows to my soul

Told me he thinks that I should know

There's no slowing down

As the globe spins 'round and 'round

You gotta keep going, gotta keep going”

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko

Two years ago I kept feeling this strong pull to the continent. Stronger than normal, I should say. I was right on the edge of finishing my doctoral program and needed something to keep me going. So I planned a trip to the continent. I sat at my desk and said, “God wherever pops up first that is where I’ll go.” Low and behold Zanzibar popped up, and I fell in love. I had never heard of Zanzibar and by the pictures, articles, Youtube videos, and tons of questions I asked the Airbnb hosts, a few of my line sisters and I were to celebrate my transformation to Dr. Alexis M. Davis on the continent. This was the first time I felt as if I could breath. I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath for so long. Waiting to Exhale became more than a movie. I remember touching down in Dar Es Salaam and being so excited. We landed close to 4AM I believe and I was walking around the garden at the Baobab Ville where we stayed in Mama Halima’s house. This is also where I will be staying while searching for permanent housing. Anyway, I felt rejuvenated, like I was finally alive. When it was time to go I wanted to say yall go right on ahead. I’ll be here, but I didn’t. All is well, because now is the time. I trust God, my ancestors, me, and my tribe will ensure that I am in Tanzania in January.

I was so excited upon arrival lol. This is one of the first things I did. I wanted to capture my emotions so that I could reflect on them when I returned to the States. I've never shared these until now. 

"Gotta keep going, you gotta keep going

Gotta keep going, you gotta keep going

You gotta keep going, you gotta keep going

You gotta keep going

If there's one thing that I learned

While in those county lines

Is that everything takes time

You have gotta lose your pride"

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko

Mission: To further my personal healing and to look deeper within myself. Also, be able to create a global classroom in the midst of. 

This photo was captured in my Fall 2019 Developmental Psychology Course at Philander Smith College

Purpose: To further my healing journey. To learn and observe needs for healing across the diaspora, starting at the continent. To learn and observe needs for healing across the diaspora. To note similarities and differences of healing from Africans in America and on the continent. Learn more about Hip Hop culture in Tanzania to bridge the gap between Hip Hop culture in the USA, and across the diaspora. 

This picture is taken from Generation Hip Hop Tanzania, a community organization which stems from the global organization. Did you know that there were movements like this in Tanzania? Check them out on facebook: Generation Hip Hop Tanzania Facebook 

Fun Fact: Tanzania saw Hip-Hop evolve onto the scene in the 1980's. Hip Hop or known as Bongo flava, derived from the Swahili word "ubongo" (meaning brains), in Tanzania derives from American Hip Hop and a plethora of musical genres across the diaspora.  To learn more with me read this interesting research article below: 

link to article about Hip Hop in Tanzania 

“You have gotta lose your mind

Just to find your peace of mind

You have got to trust the signs

Everything will turn out fine

So, why aren't you smiling?

Why aren't you smiling?”

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko


At a food place on the beach. One last food run, turned into one monumental message. 

So Why Now? 

This is a journey  I feel my spirit guiding me to do for the betterment of my being, the evolution of me as a healer, and the restoration of me as a teacher. Also, there has been a surge of Black women leaving the United States to protect their mental health. If any other year has shown us, it is now time to protect the African woman from all parts of the Diaspora. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the article (you'll find the article below as well).

“Changing your environment can affect your mental health,” said Dr. Cisse of seasonal depression. “It’s good to look for places that have great weather or where it feels more comfortable and self-edifying as a person of color.”

“I made the decision because I was following this very strict path," Jennings explained. “I wanted to be a big attorney or in politics when I was in high school and college so I said, ‘Okay, I’m on a timeline. I have to go to school. I have to go to law school.’ I was checking off all my boxes. I think I had been practicing for five or six years, and it just hit me that if I didn’t change anything, that I would never have a chance to make a big change in my life.”

How Leaving America is Saving Black Womens Lives                 

"You have gotta lose your mind

Just to find your peace of mind

You have got to trust the signs

Everything will turn out fine

So, why aren't you smiling?"

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko

Mindfulness Matters

I know that this may be a lot to take in for you. Take a deep breath. I love you. I will miss you too. Sometimes that’s hard to say, I know.. There’s also another truth; it’s hard to hear projections like “that won’t work,” “you won’t be able to survive.” Basically, I’m just asking you to consider that we’re both taking a journey together. We’ll always be connected together. Let’s send love and be mindful how we communicate our feelings to each other. I am grateful to have you as a part of my support system as I embark on this journey. 

Five things People say when you Tell them You are Moving Abroad 

"Why aren't you smiling?

Life can get wild when

You're caught in the whirlwind

Lost in the world when

You're chasing the win

You gotta understand

There's really no end, there's really no beginning"

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko

What if I can’t donate? 

That is totally understandable and totally ok! There are so many other ways you can help me make this mission of purpose come to fruition. I have thought these out and here they are:

Provide feedback, suggestions, and/or assistance about my fundraising campaign. 
Review some upcoming files that will be included in updates to come. 
Share this link with 5 people who you believe align with this purpose. 
Send pure love, abundance, success, healing, joyful, peaceful, safe travels vibrations my way. Root me along this journey and celebrate with me when I board the plane to head to Dar Es Salaam. 
If you’re in Little Rock, and you or someone you know needs some furniture, be on the lookout for my Facebook market items. I have some dope vintage pieces. 

I can't remember which one  of us carved this in the sand at Nungwi Beach. We danced, shot a music video (coming to an update near you soon), and truly enjoyed the sun. Writing those intentions down help build them into a reality. 


"There's really no real, there's really no pretending

There's really no fail, there's really no winning

'Cause nothing really isn't, everything really isn't

At forty-four minutes to four

An angel walked up to my door

Opened the windows to my soul

Told me he thinks that I should know

That life only gets harder but you gotta get stronger"

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko


What will  this donation cover? 

This donation will help cover the remainder of my flight. Donations will also help cover lodging and utilities. Lastly, your donations will help with settling in and with other necessities. I will be posting additional details and itemized lists. 

"This is for my brother, I do this for my daughter

That's why I keep going, that's why I keep going

That's why I keep going

That's why I keep going, I gotta keep going

I gotta keep going, I gotta keep going

I gotta keep going, gotta keep going

Gotta keep going"

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko

 

I am grateful for you even reading this far. That in itself means a lot to me I really have a hard time asking for help. However, I am truly learning “we have not, because we ask not” is more than a mouthful. So I thank you because the first thing I asked of you is your time. I understand how precious your time is. So thank you for sharing your time with me. The second ask is for help. Remember that if you can’t help financially, that is totally fine. Don’t forget the other ways you can help support this mission. 
 
Stay tuned for updates. 

Once again, thank you so much in advance! 

Just like I didn't go alone initially to this trip, you are always welcome to join me and visit. Allow me time to get settled in or come and visit me as I figure it out. Know that I am not closing you out of my life, I am only expanding within my own. 

"I gotta show them, that I can keep going

I gotta keep going, I gotta keep going

I gotta keep going

Why aren't you smiling?

Why aren't you smiling?

Life can get wild when

You're caught in the whirl wind

Lost in the world when

You're chasing the win

You gotta understand

There's really no end, there's really no beginning

There's really no real, there's really no pretending

There's really no fail, there's really no winning

'Cause nothing really isn't, everything really isn't

That's why I keep going"

-W.A.Y.S. Jhene Aiko