Over the past few months I have been so honored to speak at a few engagements to some amazing youth. I spoke on a Young and Successful Panel at Eastern Michigan University. Then flew to Boston to speak to at my Alma Marta Northeastern University where my track meet ended up winning the New England Championships. I was at the Play works luncheon in Ford Field in Detroit, MI and I spoke at career day at Old Redford Academy. Then had the opportunity to fly to Washington, DC to speak to the youth at Hungry Brains a non-profit that my friend Allsion Nevalga supervises. I also had the opportunity to speak with a friend Lawrence Simmons during "I am a Champion" motivational workshop at the Henry Ford Hospital along with Calvin Sibert "Too Cool Moves" The older you get the more you realize your parents are most of the time ALWAYS right... :-) Why? because they want better for you than they had for themselves, because when they look at you they see themselves, because you are their living, breathing, moving dream come true. It is because in their minds they know you will be their living legacy once they pass on. On April 28, 2013 I crossed the stage to accept my Master's Degree from Eastern Michigan University, I crossed the stage in order to accept "Our Victory" while achieving another of "our" dreams. My dad, my mom, my family saw that because of strong faith and God's grace I was able to achieve another accomplishment, another dream. While it may sound dramatic, to me it was My Dad and Mom's dream come true, it was my moment to say wow God... We did it, for there were certainly moments where I know it was ALL GOD. My Momma... Now growing up my mom use to never sign cards and basically just give us the same card every year. So lately each time I see writing in the card, I feel super special. I wanted to share a tidbit of what she wrote in my graduation card, which made me feel so proud, so loved and allowed me to see that my inspiring nature comes from both my mom and dad. Mom wrote: You were born into this world with your own amazing story to tell. So celebrate your success and all you've achieved. No one deserves it more. Love you and keep on Moving in Faith. Love Mom To see that in the card handwritten I knew that she was proud, As our relationship continues to grow my mom has become my Best friend and to hear her tell me she has drawn strength and encouragement from seeing me take on the world, tasks and obstacles. I once again realize that my purpose and God's calling is beyond me. Has been and always will be. But I accept it as his vessel who is BOLDLY ~Moving in Faith~ My dad only made one of my graduations in my lifetime. It was my college graduation from Northeastern University in Boston. When I say he cried, it honestly was an understatement. He cried so hard that I felt his joy, his love. I felt and knew how proud of me he was. During this graduation I was in and out of tears, because even though he wasn't physically there. I could feel him. I went back to school because he pushed and pushed. He said I want my daughter to get her master's and then become Dr. Northover. He said that's what he wants to see. I am physically putting it out there that I will live to see that his dreams continue to come true. While I know he was proud of me. I can honestly say that when he passed I couldn't have been more prouder of him. My Family... From Jamaica, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York few members have come to be by myside as they have always been by my side. I come from a very large family, while not all will always be in attendance there is a core few that will always be. the individuals surrounding me are those few and no matter what they will be. Graduation is a celebration of completion but my degree is not mine alone because as they say it takes a village to raise a child and each person had their hand in helping me to get there. My Michigan parents... Everywhere I go I have been blessed with friends God ordained to be family. The Dishnows and the Jacksons have been that and more for me here in Michigan. With much love, gratitude and joy I humbly say THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU. At the end of it all.... One of the most precious moments is knowing that I'm continuing to pay it forward as my niece and nephew are there to see that anything you put your mind to can and will be achieved. Check this out and enjoy. I love you all and let's keep on Moving in Faith" I have made it past the first round of the Challenge Detroit Fellows Program. It's funny how everything happens for a reason. I found out about this amazing opportunity because a someone remembered how much I love Detroit. Her exact words were "Z" you should definitely apply for this. Brittany Galloway that's the best thing you could have done. I found out on Friday and the application was due that Sunday. By Tuesday I received and email stating that I made it out to the second round which would require me to create a video clip on myself and Detroit and being apart of the program. So I created a video and answered the essay questions as well as got a recommendation letter from literally someone on the streets of Detroit. Having gone down to the D so often to visit, hand out food to the homeless or simply to roam the streets. I've met a few individuals one woman in particular is a street performer who truly confirmed that I belong in Detroit. I wanted to showcase to Challenge Detroit that I look forward to not taking hold of a great opportunity but I look forward to BEING A PART of the CITY because I TRULY have a passion and love for Detroit and the people in Detroit. I will find out by March 24th if I made it on to the 3rd round which is where I will need EVERYONE's HELP with voting from April 1-7 and then they will select about 60 individuals for interviews and then the top 30 will be selected to make up the 2013-2014 Challenge Detroit Fellows team. I wanted to share with you all my Video as well as some of the clips of the Street performer Nyki Flyin. There is so much to Detroit and it needs to be marketed while things need to be changed, transformed and etc.. There are a lot of hidden gems that exist that simply just need to be exposed, and marketed. In the two years I have lived in Michigan in the Ypsilanti area I often hear from individuals in the city "Wow Zara you have been to more places in the D than I have" or from individuals outside the city "Wow Zara your crazy for going to the D so often". Truth is I love Detroit, I believe in Detroit and I am excited to be apart of the city and LEARN all about it. Because I will admit I have a lot to learn. I can honestly say I have gone to the city and never felt unsafe and the few individuals I have brought to Detroit that were skeptical about it. Fell in love with the city. I have done a lot from being on the outside, I cannot wait to get on the inside with the connections I have developed so far I can't wait to continue to bring people into the city who will fall in love and want to become a part of the city as well. I can't wait to be apart of re-energizing the individuals who live in the city. Well thank you for reading my rant about how I LOVE THE D here goes my challenge Detroit video and here goes a few unedited clips of Nyki Flyin, my adventures in the D and pictures and etc... Always remember to keep on Moving in Faith. What God has for us... is for us ;o).
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Zara G. Northover
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October 2015
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