Ciciley
“Being Black in America is not monolithic. Growing up in a small town in California, my father was one of the few Black people that I knew. He, and my Mexican-American mother, taught me early on to be Black, Brown, and Proud because my roots were built through generations of resilience that deserved to be recognized. I took pride in my name, Ciciley Marie, a nod to my grandmothers, Cecilia and Mary, and a symbol of my mixed heritage. I now know how important it was for my parents to affirm me in my identity. When being Black in America means being marginalized in your existence, it is that affirmation that helps me stand in my full humanity. I now share that affirmation with my son and daughters in an act of love and protection. That affirmation is my personal and professional motivation to advance racial equity and help others stand in their identity. To be Black in America is to be rich, rich in history, rich in culture, rich in struggle, and rich in resilience.”
© J.Chong Photography (Las Vegas Photographer)
