Jakia’s Mission Statement

Break the silence, destroy the stigma, end the cycle of abuse.

I did not recognize ABUSE when it first appeared,
because I could not imagine one soul hurting another.

I did not retreat from ABUSE when it grew;
rather, I washed my face, readied my smile, and wore camouflage armor.

I did not run from ABUSE when it persisted,
choosing instead to blame myself and to see the best in you.

When I finally stood strong against ABUSE,
it was not because I hated you.
I did it because I realized that, at last, I deserved better.

Jakia’s experiences with surviving  domestic violence, sexual abuse, discrimination, and abuse of power, all prove that something as seemingly small as standing up for ourselves can grow into healing and the strength to fight back.