We're beyond aware of our sarcastic wit that sometimes slips between the pages, nuanced into the texture of our sentence structure. But there's one thing that we take very seriously - our mission to Educate, Entertain, and EmPOWER the young women who participate in The Cheerleader's Empowerment Academy!
We recently took The Cheerleader's Empowerment Tour to Tennessee where we spoke and guest lectured at Tennessee State University, Fisk University and Meharry Medical College/Elam. It was both an honor and a privilege to stream through the days of the dynamic dolls on campus. As I talked Books, Boys, Booze and Bipolar Disorder, I tried to cut through the noise and connect on a visceral level with each of them. Below is an email from one of the students in the audience.
Hello Ms. Erika,
My name is and you recently spoke to my class. I just wanted to let you know that I, once again, appreciated your testimony. I didn't want to tell you this in front of my classmates, but our stories are similar in many ways. I too am considered to be a manic depressive. I have my highs and lows. Sometimes there are days where I don't want to get up in the morning or just wonder why me? Why am I still here? I too, in high school was quite the over achiever. I was involved in over 14 clubs, varsity cheerleader for all four years, did other sports, and became Class President. I was known and loved by faculty and classmates but still was unhappy. This has been an ongoing struggle since the fifth grade. I have taken medication for my depression, cut myself over 10 times, and had suicidal thoughts. Your story is truly an inspiration to me and I just want you to know that what you are doing makes people like me know that we are NOT alone.
Yep, gets me right back to center and certifies that this lil leg of my journey through service-ville is where my life meets legacy. And since receiving this email, there have been others. It's my honor to let them know, among other things, that I'm now and forever, their BIGGEST CHEERLEADER in the Game of Life!
XOXO,
YOUR BIGGEST CHEERLEADER!
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