💫 Belonging Beyond Bloodlines

Seasoned SoulZ | Simply Flava

I’ve always known who I was, even if the world tried to tell me otherwise.
My heritage is a blend — Japanese and German — but my soul was shaped by the community that raised me: the Black community of Seattle. That’s where my heart found rhythm, laughter, and belonging.

My father was a Japanese minister at Seattle Japanese Baptist Church when I was born. Through him, I learned the quiet discipline, humility, and strength that live deep in Japanese culture. His side of the family made sure I knew where I came from — the food, the gatherings, the deep respect that flows through every interaction. That’s the part of me that feels alive when I write about my heritage now.

But my German side… that’s different. My grandmother never accepted us. She couldn’t see past the fact that my father was Japanese. I met her once. My older brothers never did. I don’t carry anger — just truth. I don’t feel I missed out because love was never offered. I’ve learned you can’t crave what was never real.

People often look at me and assume I’m white. But I’ve never felt white. I’ve never lived that life or been seen through that lens. Being of mixed race, raised in a Black community, I understood early on that identity isn’t something people can decide for you. It’s something you build from the pieces that make you whole.

So, I move through life honoring the parts that hold love, connection, and legacy — and I release what never embraced me. My Japanese roots, my Seattle upbringing, and my Seasoned Soul all blend into the woman I am today: unapologetic, aware, and grounded in truth.

Because belonging isn’t about bloodlines — it’s about where your spirit feels seen.
And I belong here, as Simply Flava. 🌻🐆