🌟 The Caliber of People Who Raised Me

Simply Flava | Reflection Series

I think sometimes people look at how I carry myself and assume it’s just who I am.

But what they don’t see is where that came from.

I was raised in the presence of excellence.

Not flashy, not loud—real, grounded excellence.

My parents and their circle of peers were builders, believers, and doers.

They weren’t just talking about change—they were living it.

These were educators, advocates, health leaders, and faith-filled mentors who built community with intention and compassion.

People like my godmother, Elizabeth R. Thomas—the first Black pediatric nurse practitioner in Seattle—who raised me in love when my own mother couldn’t find her words.

And Justice Charles Z. Smith, who used his position to protect, guide, and inspire the next generation—including me.

When I look back, I realize how much their influence shaped my standards, my empathy, and my no-nonsense edge.

It’s why I hold myself accountable. It’s why I value integrity. It’s why I can walk through chaos with calm.

💬 Not Everyone Had That Foundation

As an adult, I’ve met people who didn’t grow up with those kinds of examples.

People who never had a mentor to pour into them or a neighbor who expected greatness.

And sometimes, I forget that—not everyone’s been surrounded by that level of purpose.

That’s not judgment—it’s perspective.

It helps me lead with more compassion.

It reminds me that part of my responsibility is to be for others what those people were for me.

🌻 Legacy in Motion

I’m proud of where I come from.

I come from strong minds, patient hearts, and steady hands.

From people who didn’t just talk about excellence—they embodied it.

So, when people say, “You’re different,”

I smile.

Because I know exactly why.

Simply Flava by Lady Flava

Storytelling with Heart, Truth & Flava