Becoming Yourself: What's Your Story? ✍🏿📓

[@IRJOHNSO21]

My story: I became a mom at 16 (yep, teenage mother). Now, 17 years later, I’m a mother of 4, a wife, and a professor...soon-to-be tenured professor. When ppl realize I was a teenage mom who earned her PhD, they tell me to write a book. I always completely rejected that idea until I saw this video (and I read Becoming). So now I’m at least entertaining the idea, and not because of our forever FLOTUS, but because of cousin Evelyn!

[@NiaMSnow]

I'm an adoptee whose abandonment encouraged me to find who I am. You should consider writing your story. Solely because there are so many individuals, who need some inspiration!

[@MooBerry2009]

Any words of advice i dont have any kids but i also cant find motivation, i want to go back but ill go stop, go take a break ughhhhh so confused

[@hanaalexander2177]

write a book! xx already so inspired

[@emilyla6415]

holy shit! getting tenure is insane. I'd read that book for sure

[@creativite.productions]

I would totally buy/read your book sis.

[@AriellChristiain1]

Lmaoooo that “sponsored” clip. The whole video is just work of a EDITING GODDESS

[@powitskim]

Ariell Christian Her (not so) little brother edits her vids, but he’s definitely developed his editing style on these vids from her blueprints. One time for the family work life balance.

[@AriellChristiain1]

kim e. powell wow months later I’m seeing this haha yass family work life balance!!

[@GeekyGirlsNightIn]

Who gave Evelyn hair!? Y'all know the rules!

[@princess20131]

They must not know lol

[@Sirnicksalot813]

They don't...soon as I saw the wig I was like oh s%^@ here we go!

[@eve582]

She don't know how to behave 🤣🤣🤣

[@beckywiththegoodhair4506]

Geeky Girls' Night In fresher then youuuuuuuuuu lol

[@GeekyGirlsNightIn]

@@beckywiththegoodhair4506 *flails around the room* LMAO

[@Mumbillionaire]

Oh no they gave Everlyn some hair. It’s over for ya’ll 😂😭

[@TinoM24]

lisa k yup! You know how she gets!!

[@chidrine]

She took off that head wrap and I HOLLERED!😂

[@cristinachapelle3415]

The coolio braid came out like, ping! Love it!

[@LifeOfStephanieee]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@kath36912]

I will watch this video every month of this year. Thank you Evelyn! Short snippet of my story: At 9 years old, I couldn't walk in a straight line, feed/dress/wash myself, write and speak clearly, due to illness. I also didn't like myself. Now, 17 years later, I can do all of the above and I quite like me. Amen somebody!

[@ResearchXProject2016]

Kathryn M Amen!

[@thekrocka]

Amen

[@naomi9449]

AMEN!

[@afrobelle8626]

🙌🏾

[@lacreishabob4707]

AMEN!!!

[@LifeofDayy]

Most hilarious intro! 😆😂🤣👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@LoveLaRieXO]

Life of Dayy I laughed and smiled for 3 minutes straight! I grinned for the rest of the video🤣🤣💕🙌🏾

[@NiaMSnow]

That intro reminded me of viola Davis lol

[@Indigoqueer]

Archives are the repositories of these stories and we need more diverse records. In the archival world we have a concept known as "archival silences". This was coined to describe the lack of records from racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ folks, and poor folks in the archives. This is due to the fact that archives as institutions were often set up to only tell the stories of rich, white, straight, Protestant Christian males and their families and business interests. As an archivist I see my role as maintaining and making accessible voices of those who went before from all backgrounds. Having more diverse records can help to diversify our understanding of history and make sure that not only one story is told. I encourage everyone to consider donating your family papers, setting up non-custodial archival access to your family papers, or providing an oral history to your local archives. Your story matters to us and we want to be able to tell fuller histories of our communities. If you feel more comfortable with non-government repositories, seek out your local university or see if someone in your community has set up a community archives. If you are fine with your city or state archives, some have community archivists or liaisons who are from underrepresented communities themselves and can treat your records with full consideration and cultural understanding. Share your voice with us! #archives #archivalsilences #communityarchives

[@Evelynfromtheinternets]

John Rovell 🗣YOU BETTA COME THRU WITH THE CONTEXT JOHN!!!! 😭🙌🏿

[@Indigoqueer]

Thank you so much for doing a video on this! Stories from everyone are what will make our collective history fuller, richer, and more accurate. You are awesome for spreading the word! 💜

[@YT4Me57]

This is interesting information. As a single without children I would like to preserve the genealogical research I've dug up over the years for my cousins and their children. I began a private Facebook group, but it's not sufficient because let's face it, we always have to have a backup. Thanks for sharing.

[@YT4Me57]

@@Evelynfromtheinternets ABSOLUTELY!!!

[@ladonnawashington1643]

“What chu NOT gon do is say I didn’t exist” Another Evelyn from the Internet truism. #truthontaday

[@Ikkey73]

Ok Evelyn with the red lip!!!!! I see you Internet Cousin!! Makeup on point.

[@thefirelotus4624]

I thought I was strange because I liked to document stuff. I'm real big into tracing hands. I traced my hand, my son's, my dad's but I couldn't get my mom's before she passed. However I have a gazillion pictures. I do have a story to tell and laughter I want to share.

This is 100% what i needed Evelyn! It couldn't come at a better time. I've been feeling so unfulfilled since I ~dropped out/left college in the US almost 2 years now (international student here, I ain't got no monies 😭) and I decided to chronicle parts of my self discovery journey here on KZbin/social media & just in real life. Not just the *self-love/self care butterfly* parts but the parts where *existential crises*, the *feeling of being left out* & *depression & anxiety* (and i'm not trivializing this. this is real stuff) ride me like them bad boy bikers in bike rallies. Though i know i will absolutely, 100 percent *cringe* rewatching those old videos, looking through old photos & rereading self-deprecating journal entries, I know i'm gonna be grateful I captured the memories. Your platform though i discovered it just summer of last year, has been a bona fide inspiration for me, especially for me just being 21, experiencing all these things. your video *For People Who Feel Behind in Life* hit different. 👏🏽

[@CurlyChemist]

Evelyn with the finger guns #pewpew

[@Roseyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

*”If you’re watching this video, you have a story to tell”* Wow, Evelyn, this is literally confirmation. *”Even If you’re a “statistic” your story is important”* I needed this. Thank you so much ❤️ I have goals to read more and becoming a published author. My passion has always been poetry, spoken word, and just writing. I have went through so much like depression, weight gain, self-doubt, trauma, etc. yet, something inside of me still keeps on going. My story is personal and lengthy and for so long I thought it was there just for it to be profitable when really, its present to me as an outlet to express myself, be vulnerable and to heal, openly, freely.

[@loverofmysoul8742]

Wow! What a realization. Good for you. I hope you continue to heal and profit at the same time. One day you could be reading your own story on audible.

[@Roseyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

LoverofmySoul Thank you so much! ❤️

[@loverofmysoul8742]

@@Roseyyyyyyyyyyyyy You are so welcome sis.

[@viviantompkins7925]

This is such a great video! 🧡 At this point in my story, I’m working towards the goal of becoming a music librarian so that I can help protect and share the stories of women musicians. I’m also reading Becoming right now and it has shaped how I think about sharing stories.

[@secundrabeasley855]

Vivian Tompkins 👏🏿👏🏿. I am rooting you in your journey!

[@jaydal3030]

Heyyyy fellow aspiring music librarian! Good for you, sis! 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@UKLeonie]

High fives from the UK educational libraries 💴💶💷. You got this.

[@keshnadonia]

I love the fact that you are telling us to go out and document. If there is someone I wish I documented more, my grandma. Who can no longer speak. ❤️❤️ so I try to capture her story through her children who are my aunts and uncles. Ps I love the editing!!!! Lastly l, what can I share about myself? I am Haitian American. I put Haitian first because I grew up with Haitian parents under Haitian traditional and with Haitian culture- in America. I remember growing up people would talk about how poor the country is- but after visiting after a few years you can see where the disparities are. No one to help educate the people, no real stable jobs - lots of corruption but the land oh the land is fruitful. And the fruits are fresh. You could be a vegan there and have no issues! The people don't realize how privileged they are. But once they do, and they are anle to come up with trades and skills they will flourish!

[@cloudylemonade86]

I agree, we think if we document it means to share, but you can document for yourself, first.

[@BlairWaldorf2013]

I work as a counselor and it is BEYOND satisfying helping young black & brown children figure out what their story will be as they become adults. You can’t live forever (or at least I don’t have the coins to pay for that pill or time machine or whatever Elon Musk got) but helping others means I will live on in their lives as they BECOME who they are meant to be. It’s a small thing but it matters to me that I might be able to help someone like my teachers helped me.

[@brieoliver]

Evelyn and this wig cap tho😂 But yes. I just finished reading Becoming and it's so good! It really got me thinking about my journey thus far. Alot of what she wrote about was so relatable and reminiscent of my own journey. We all cant be THE Michelle Obama, the littest FLOTUS of all time. But there's a lot of Michelle Robinsons out here just trying to get it together and make it through. I relate to that so well.

[@mikaylafoster2887]

I can honestly say that this video just saved my life. As “dramatic” as they may come across, I mean that in every way imaginable. I’m a writer. Like you and documenting as you shared, I’ve been writing my whole life. As a kid I wrote books, I acted out scenes I wrote in my head. I wrote on every piece of paper I could find with every and any tool I could conjure. I found myself in words. Simply writing letters down as a practice- handwriting - has always captured me. I taught myself script and cursive. I knew my abc’s before anybody else. I became a poet, or rather awakened that part of me, and never stopped. It made me tick, twitch even when I felt the urge, the need to author something. It comes to me like a super power almost. I can’t stop when I start. It burns in me. Sears holes in my eyes, arms and skin when I don’t write what is on my mind in those moments. I’ve dropped plates on my own feet while washing dishes because verses and stanzas came to me. It’s who I am. But for the past two years, I’ve lost that. I recently flunked two semesters of school as a political science major. I’ve always had mental illness issues since I was a child. Between isolation, anxiety, depression like no fucking other, I’ve dealt with the works. But 2017-2018 put me through the ringer. I hit rock bottom and couldn’t see that that’s what I needed. My 4.0 dropped to a current 1. Something gpa. My heath declined, my relationships crumbled. And it used to make me feel such shame. Now I’m sharing it in this KZbin comment?? Lol but at least it’s freeing. But here I am. At the very beginning of this year, January 2nd I did a Ted X project about solutions for public school(aka black and brown) students. I won’t get into it, maybe I’ll link it when it comes out. But it awoke something in me again. In 2017 I started a nonprofit for black lives matter focusing - again- on solutions for black and brown youth. I was 17 or 18 at the time. It was beautiful. I felt that activism was my stride and I had found it. But like other things, I crumbled in my hands. Good thing, now that I see in retrospect. It wasn’t the organizing that was for me, I was made to speak. I’m a speaker. I’m a voice. When it fell apart, so did I. I stopped speaking my own voice and started speaking to pander to others. I promised myself in November, my birthday (Scorpio gang) that I would not live like that anymore. In a disheveled, weak state. My passion had become limited. My life had become someone else’s. I refused. So I listened to a ted talk, the Year of Yes one Shonda Rhimes gave. No surprise, I was crying. It made sense. So I said that my year of 20 would be my year of yes. I would welcome all challenges, all fears, and all pain. I would go through it all and reclaim it to be my own power. Well here we are. I watch your videos habitually. They always seem to come on time with the messages I need to hear. I rewatch for a laugh, or for some accountability. You be dragging me sis. Your videos feel like hope. Because we share some of the same things. Well the last two months have been exactly what I asked for. Fear, challenge and pain. I’m in the thick of it now. I cut all my hair off for liberation and redefinition, I took the semester off from school to regroup, and I went home to mother to break generational curses. And it sucks. So, I had been contemplating suicide. I’ve always faced these feelings. I even went through an existentialist phase in 10th grade and was really wondering about it then. But these past two weeks have been chaotic in a quiet, searing way. Too loud to breathe. Today I was sure it was it. I couldn’t go on living this way. Anxious, indecisive, cluttered (my moms a hoarder, I suppose I adapted that to my mind). Spiritually stifled. Feeling disconnected from my ancestors and my purpose. From my truth. I let my expectations of myself become those of others and I had lost myself- and eventually my will to live. Today was gonna be the day. But it wasn’t. It never will be the day. Because in a moment of desperation, I picked up a pen. It was laying in my bathroom, I had left it there probably months ago in a fit of writing. Or maybe it was my moms cross word puzzles, who knows. But I picked it up. I found a piece of unused paper. And I wrote a page. I’ve been dabbling with sending pitches to magazines and newspapers. Willing to write anything lately. (Still praying over the send button to essence magazine🤞🏼). But I still hadn’t found my motivation. I felt like I couldn’t. Then after I wrote the page. I picked up my phone and something in me said “Becoming.” My friend met Michelle Obama a couple months ago, and got a free copy of the book from our eop office. So I decided, randomly, to download audible because I knew I could hear it for free. So I downloaded the book but couldn’t press play. I wasn’t ready to sit in one spot and just LISTEN. my mind has been wandering and running rampant for months. I couldn’t focus. So I clicked on KZbin. And you popped up, in a wig. I read the title and it’s this video. I knew in that moment, I was right. I was right to want to listen. To want to write. To want to speak my voice. To tell my story. And the content of your video said the same. It’s time. It’s worth it. I’m worthy of it. It’s important, dare I say vital to not only my own survival but the survival of others. So I’m going to kill my self today. Not the way I once thought this morning. I will be here tomorrow. But not in this life. Not in the mundane, lack luster one I’ve been living. My real life. The life I’ve been given since I was a child. A story teller. A voice. And activist. A speaker. A poet. A writer. Someone who the world needs. So thank you. For the wig. For the moment. For the reminder that my life and my voice hold promise and purpose. The reminder that I am, always, becoming who I am.

[@meshon2010]

I felt that grandparents bit in my soul. I lost my granny 2 years ago and lost my granddad a 1year ago and I wish I could play their voices back. I fight everyday to not forget what they sound like! If you have living grandparents please record them!

[@allthingsloveone4584]

I like it before it started! 22 minutes after release Channel TheGlobalBlackGirl uploading now. Ev you INSPIRED me to finally do this! Story: Los Angeles born and raised poor, black and homeschooled when NO other black children were(1990s) , teen backup singer , writer and spoken work enthusiast, moved out at 16 in college with an apartment ,car and a job, mom at 19, married at 22, 2nd child, moved to Brazil, divorced 28, returned to LA and within 5 days met (then friend, then boyfriend , then current husband ) and one of his children, he had another child, I had a successful beauty business, got married on the beach, now mom to 4, Moved to CRica , purchased a business .....That’s it so far...I’m not rich...I’m ambitious 😊 Thinking of doing a KZbin channel Thoughts?

[@brandyandcream2]

This would be a great tv series

[@cristinachapelle3415]

i'd watch!

[@loverofmysoul8742]

Please do. You got stories. I can tell.

[@hadiyahharrison7681]

AllThingsLove One dope story...very inspiring! Especially the international living part

[@sugarhoneybunch08]

Sounds like you've been doing 👏🏾 doing👏🏾 the👏🏾 damn 👏🏾 thing👏🏾. Continue sharing your story, YT is just the place 👍🏾

[@deonnhurst6125]

Ugh! The heel toe! Can we bring that back please!?!

[@kmariamv]

Deonn Hurst noooooo LoL

[@shellyems]

Whew, this made me emotional. About to call my grandma and record our convo right now.

[@daniellelong6290]

A piece of my story (I guess this is a big piece) - I'm pursuing a career as a professional opera singer, and even though I'm just at the beginning of my career, it's already been a difficult road to travel. I lost my voice my second year of college (my voice was changing and I didn't know how to handle it) and I lost most of my range for three years. I found a wonderful teacher after college who helped me rebuild for a couple years, but she passed away suddenly in September. I then moved out of my apartment to renting a room from my roommate, who had bought a house. Then he kicked me out of the house and I was homeless for a month, looking for a new place to live, while still auditioning, practicing my craft daily, and preparing for a competition I have in a month. Now I've found a place live, but I just took a lesson with a well-known teacher in my area who said I need to seriously re-evaluate my timeline for grad school and entering young artist programs, because my technique is not ready for this next step. So, I have to step back and remember that my voice grows at the rate it wants to, and I just have to serve it and the music I create. I bartend and teach yoga to pay the bills, and I'm in an interminable long distance relationship with a partner I see myself with for the rest of my life. I've told him I'll only move to where he is if I find my next big teacher there. Otherwise, when I move away from my area, it will be to a teacher who can take me where I want to go, and my partner can meet me there, wherever that is, if he wants. Life has a way of teaching you the exact lesson you need to learn when you need to learn it, and if you don't learn that lesson, it teaches you that lesson over and over until you get it. I've been learning to let go of control - I can't control anyone else but myself, and how I respond to the challenges life throws at me. I'm excited to continue learning, working, and growing. Life may be hard sometimes, but I've found it's rarely, if ever, boring. Love you Evelyn! Your videos always inspire me to appreciate myself.

[@ypalmer86]

I love your story. True words that hit me right in the heart. I hope you achieve that success❤

[@daniellelong6290]

@@ypalmer86

[@SapphicSis]

@@daniellelong6290 i hope life has developed in some ways you would hope🤍

[@daniellelong6290]

@@SapphicSis This comment brought me back. Thanks for commenting! Still dating the same person, still long distance cuz I won't move to him unless my career takes me there. Was in a serious car accident after I posted that comment, still recovering from those injuries. But, I'm in grad school now! I am in the second year of my Master's in Voice Performance, and I'm also earning a certification for teaching. I received my first professional opera contract last year, I'm now proficient in Italian and French, I just gave my first Master's Recital last week, I have a role in the university's summer opera, I've sung as the soloist for four oratorios/masses (concerts of sacred music with full orchestra and chorus), I've traveled to Italy, Slovenia, Germany, and Austria for my career, and I found the teacher of my dreams. Still learning how to let go. This journey hasn't been easy, but it has been blessed.

[@RebelRouserEsq]

I👏🏾LOVE👏🏾THIS👏🏾SO👏🏾MUCH👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@amberedgeworth3705]

wow. This is the essence of my Black History lectures.

[@a.k.iii.r.a]

I moved out of my hometown about 7 months ago, only 6 months after turning 18, graduating high school and being accepted into a really expensive, prestigious art school at the last minute. I felt like a fish in a room full of squirrels my first quarter, and I can't afford to live on campus without being in debt for the rest of my life. But being in this situation, living in a "bad" neighborhood for the first time, working more than I ever have in my life, and paying bills for the first time has taught me more about myself than the last 18 years ever have haha. I started to despise the season I'm in, but now my goal is to appreciate every lesson while I'm here so I can appreciate better the next chapter of my life. It's working out for my good, amen! 😊

[@Nepetamoon]

This damn wig, goodbye😂😂😂.

[@Evelynfromtheinternets]

i'll see myself out LOL

[@christaclemons1455]

Evelyn looks like her mom in the wig

[@fearsomefivefilms]

I've started writing about my journey with Tourette syndrome and OCD again. I realized my fear of returning to writing was directly tied to not knowing how to publicly process the changes in my brain and nervous system since becoming an adult. Now that I have come to terms with at least part of my identity, I need to step out and let other people know what that looks like in my life.

[@cloudylemonade86]

its so important to know your story is valued!

[@briannant]

I love your videos so much. Let's see my story: A girl who knows what she wants to do but is struggling to get there. She works at one job she loves and one she struggles to go to daily. She wishes she could speed up life and get to the good parts. She tries to be positive, but finds herself mimicking the negative emotions of the people around her. She would spend every day talk and laughing with her friends even though she doesn't tell them everything. Her story is special because she is special. She protects herself fiercely from any pain. She gets absorbed in the best books to get away from the worst situations. That's her story and she has no choice but to stick to it. -B

🗣 WHEN THEY GO LOW, WE GO HIGH.

[@liquidcrayons76]

Finally able to watch this, and I love it! I’m finally finishing bachelors at 42 in linguistics because I love words, language and storytelling. Thank you for the video❤️

[@fisherwomen1515]

I got diagnosed with Schizophrenia 2 years ago, I just want to let the world know that not all of us are crazy, violent and we actual have lives and can function in a normal society.

[@ErykahStLouis-tg9ym]

I LITERALLY had these exact thoughts on my drive this morning. Too often we look for stories and inspiration from the people who "made it" but truth be told we are all a source of inspiration. Every single being on this earth is a storyteller. It is what makes us human. Thanks for putting this message out there Evelyn, so huge.

[@AseaMae]

this video was dope! I loved it! I want to read becoming next! I promised my husband I wouldn't buy another book until I finish one of the 7 I already purchased in the past 3 months lol. I have a problem I know... this is next on my list tho.

[@msphil4life]

AseaMae...hello I'm Phil and I'm an addict too lol. It's not a bad addiction to have. Too many books, not enough hours in the day 😅

[@toil7154]

Evelyn thank you for always being funny and inspiring. I adore you!!

[@2MuchHair]

I just love your energy!!! I finally found your personal channel!!! 💯🥰

[@DaniiGyalGT]

I have learned that sometimes the reason why things don't work out is because that isn't who you are and it isn't what you are supposed to be doing. Also, that in your mistakes, you always learn something about yourself. Once I realized that, I could truly become myself. No more cubicles, no more "regular," no more conformity. Thanks, Evelyn! This video and past videos have been so inspirational to me!

[@CabblowStudios]

The thumbnail 😂😂😂❤❤❤👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@theequeenbeast2746]

After years of working corporate jobs and chasing financial stability I finally accepted that I can not wait until it happens for me to start back creating art. I have to make time for my art so I'm documenting the journey back to that and a healthier me where I start at the basics.

[@dietdumbie4894]

I’ve dealt w/ mental health my entire life and bc of that my motto was “leave no paper trail of what’s going in your head because who knows what will happen when people find out” and one day I realized that I have a story and one day I’m gonna scream it from the hilltops so I started writing it down. Making notes. All stored in one secure place. I found notes from before I adopted the “leave no paper trail” thing and I add them to the collection. And I read it all and I see who I was and who I am. And as soon as I can I’m going to tell everyone who can hear it.

[@uKANdoanything]

Have been meaning to buy and read Becoming but kept putting it off since I have a stack of unread books that I just tapped into again this year. However, I installed audible via your link and now I get to have Michelle Obama read the book to me in my "down time". Thanks girl. [[[I guess that's also my current story in nutshell :D ]]]

[@iluvzurara2]

yessss!!!! i always think about that that "everybody has a story" when i look at my beloved nyc skyline. each light, i quite literally a window. an apt window a business, an office...with a story. im not sure when i fully realized that but i remember it was profound bc i remember thinking i too have a window with a light..i too have a story to tell. it may not be the most dynamic (although some might say that my family drama deserves its own reality show haha) ...but it's still my disney princess, nyc native, latina, kpop fandom, broadway fandom, superhero loving, animation adoring, anxiety filled, self doubting but also confident in some things, question driven, skincare/makeup/hair care newbie, and food loving life, lol

[@justthatpm]

You're awesome. Sharing our own stories is needed. So many folks can be ignorant and not understand different cultures and lifestyles so just dropping some stories on those people is a step forward. Your piece about grandparents really hit me. My grandpa passed away in 2018 and I always look back and wish I had sat down and recorded him and just talked with him.

[@powitskim]

Kimberly’s life synopsis- a millennial video creator and beloved daughter/ sister / friend, finding her truth with a camera and a whole lot of emphasis on the importance of emotional health, healing, and love.

[@moniqueirizarry7547]

The way I cackled with those hashtags! And shout out to us Texan women!

[@FarenMonique]

Documenting or free surveillance we willfully hand over to these capitalist behemoths?...I can never really tell the difference these days. Appreciate this vid; especially your suggestion of offline documentation as well.

[@Evelynfromtheinternets]

FarenMonique I feel this!! I never participated in that 10 year challenge on social media cuz that’s definitelyyyy gon be used in technology to help machines figure out how we age 🙃🙃🙃😅😅😅

[@Thisreadingcorner]

PREACH!

[@christellefrancios2038]

FarenMonique well since plank don’t crack tell “ Good luck”

[@EmilyBeanz]

I'm a document junkie. Journals on top of journals. I heart you Evelyn!!!

[@lindaeatsworld]

I get so much happiness watching your videos. Please give Aaron and Gloria hugs for me.

[@wonderlandshels9922]

I love how Evelyn weaves the Audible sponsorship into her videos lol. My Netflix synopsis would be something along the lines of "Shelby was an enigmatic fashion girl who grew into an enigmatic fashion woman, and here is her journey to accepting her quirks."

[@sandrakimbrough7611]

This is why I love you so much - I have seen throughout my 50 years the want to tell my story but always feeling like it’s not worth tell. Yet I have often wished I could find writings from my grandparents to give me a glimpse into their lives to bridge our lives together. I did start a blog and want to be more consistent with the content for my grandchildren to have a connection to me.

[@ncamara670]

True, sharing our stories is beneficial in many ways. Sometimes it is surprising to see how many people go through the same as you.

[@msaniko75]

Evelyn I ain't lying, I love you, you too funny. More blessings than your arms can carry girl.

[@mannycrusher]

Listening to Michelle read her own book was so awe inspiring. You can really hear her emotions related to the different events in her life.

[@danielle8690]

I listened to the book on Audible and loved listening to her speak about her life. It was very intimate that way.

[@ericasantifer5872]

When you said to record your grandparent’s voice it hit home. I lost both grandma’s within 3 months this year and there is soooooooo much I wish I did before they passed. If you didn’t hear the 1st time, do it! Record their voices!

[@NaomiTheBookLover]

Look at you being so inspirational this year 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@mutomboinprogress]

Im so glad i stumbled on this channel! Here to stay! Evelyn is a GEM!!!

[@calipidgious]

What a great message. One of my hobbies is genealogy and I also was blessed to be a 5th generation baby. There were pictures in the local paper of the 5 generations of my family alive when I was born. As a result, I knew my grandparents, great grandparents an great great grand aunts. They are all gone now but when I read the 1930 census and see my great grandmother listed with her family, I knew them as more than a name. I ate with them and in the 1980s I lived in the same house they did in 1930. It's a unique part of my life that I feel fortunate to have had. I continue to do genealogy in homage to them. Finding out about the branches of the family tree they had been curious about. Some of the stories are amazing. One of my 10th great grandmothers was found guilty of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. She was sentenced to die but escaped from prison and the entire frenzy ended before she was found. It's a fascinating story, her name was Mary Bradbury. I hope that someday, hundreds of years from now, someone will find my name in their search for where they came from. So yeah, leave your story. Sprinkle it all over because you never know where or how someone will find you!

[@nderevko7923]

I love going to a coffee shop, watching your latest video and trying to convince myself that this week I’m going to do better! 💜 Thanks Evelyn.

[@bridgettebianca]

When you snatched that headwrap off, I felt that! lol. I love this message! That's why I write poetry and teach. I feel like I'm sharing my story and teaching people how to share their own. Also, kind of why I love sharing on social media (and boredom lol).

[@diaryofjess]

when you started talking about grandparents, that shit hit me

[@moniquecowan1599]

Thank you for your channel. I watch you with my 8 year old. She LOVES you, too! I am grateful that you are someone we can watch together. And you are an inspiration to both of us! She is an intelligent little black girl, too and she will be telling her story to millions of folks. We think you're dope and hilarious

[@m.lynettemakun4368]

Evelyn from the internets. I'm so happy I came across your channel, you tickle my soul. You are a beautiful, talented being. Stay blessed

[@rosegold973]

Your personality is GOLD 😂😂

[@nollys8523]

Had a former work colleague who passed away a couple of months ago. When she had retired, she took courses at University of the Third Age, and one of them required her to write about her experiences as a child during WW2. She never married and didn’t have any children, but she was loved by her nieces and Great nieces and Great nephews. After the funeral there was a display of photos from her life. And part of the exhibition was a booklet and folder of her handwritten notes about her childhood in the 1940s. Something tells me her story will live on for many more years.

[@Vividsoloartist]

I love your vibe. So pure and radiant with so much light. Keep doing your thing lady.

[@MadameBlunt7]

I’m an linguist, spiritual mentor and author who graduated high school and 17 and got my Bachelor’s degree a week before my 21st birthday. Going back to grad school this year which feels exciting and a bit scary. I am an Black/Afro-Caribbean woman who is breaking my family’s generational curses and helping others break theirs by learning how to love without losing yourself. It starts with me and I’ll be damned if it stops with me.

[@Angelica-uy1ne]

Both my grandparents on my moms side and my grandma on my dads side have passed away & I only wish I recorded their voices and asked them about their stories more. 😢💔 You’ve definitely inspired me to be more open to share my own story, though. And I appreciate you for that!

[@23ahndra]

As a black girl who was born and raised in Austin, Texas...i got my life to this vid!🙌🏾

[@set85]

Yes! Share your story! You never know who you can help and inspire. I shared my story in a book that I wrote last year about my adventures traveling and living overseas. Thank you for sharing the copy that I gave you on your Insta Story, Evelyn! I truly appreciate it.

[@omachi2027]

Thanks, cuz. I'm barely accessible on social media and I feel like I don't know how to connect with people on or off it. This was inspiring. I'm getting audible and I'm excited to start therapy. Baby steps

[@PoseidonXIII]

Great words on the importance of stories and narrative!! I tell people all the time that history itself is essentially just a story we tell. We try to be objective as possible but in the end, it's about telling a story about ourselves. :D

[@linzeeb4]

"That's not how it works. Kimberly. I'm not calling you mom." 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kendrasheppard6948]

Evelyn, this is why I love you. This is the review non review I've heard. Because, low-key, although we pre-ordered the book, we still haven't quite gotten through it yet. It is also so fitting that I feel that this is my year of becoming me. Please continue to share your story and others as you do so well.

[@MechakittenX]

Becoming was a great book! I bought the hardcover and passed it on to another black woman. It felt right to do so. My Story: Grew up poor and black in Atlanta, raised by an abusive single mother-- that was a drug addict and mentally unstable-- and had a distant but mostly absent father, but his side of the family, that lived in rural southern GA, usually took me in during the summer months. In order to escape this abusive cycle, I joined the Military, got a lot of therapy, stayed in for 10 years, then realized I was in another abusive relationship but this one was with a career. So I started rediscovering my passions and have decided to take a leap of faith, out of a career that will end at 13 years, in order to actually understand WHO I am, without someone telling me this definition, and with less caring so much about what people think of me.

[@RebelRouserEsq]

My story really started when I moved from Texas to DC. It’s been a hell of a ride.

[@ItsRadishTime]

my grandma wrote down all of her stories like HAND WROTE them all down for every one of her kids. six times she wrote them all down in a journal for each of them, and whenever I go to my parent's house I have them all to read. It was a real comfort to me when my grandpa died and its a big part of why I'm telling my story on a weekly basis, and-oh are you suggesting that I stop procrastinating on youtube and go write rn? because rude! but okay ima go do it. FINE.

[@isiomaononye]

I love this so much. I get you. I too am a storyteller and believe that it matters to tell your story. The incredible thing about that is it's liberating to you and others when you tell it. My story is learning to navigate my life back in Nigeria. Getting stable in my career and pursuing my passions for blogging, building my channel and a community that can support and motivate women and girls.

[@eesulbee]

I wish there was something beyond hitting the like button and sharing your video because the content and editing of this video is just SO GOOD!

[@ramieyaharris]

I JUST LOVE YOU, EVELYN ❤ Your videos are inspirational, completely genuine, tactful, positive, worthy to be viewed on a big screen in front of millions, uplifting, dream provoking, extremely hilarious by little effort, and overall you are my favorite KZbinr by far. You don't know but we celebrate 10 years of cousinhood over the internet 🎉🎉🎉☺️🎁🎈❤️

[@desireetaylor6128]

I clicked so fast when I saw the thumbnail :) And paused at the 50 second mark to rewind and then rewind again. You are too much! I love it! And your message was right on schedule!

[@GlamorGrowthTravelwithMica]

Bought the book for my sister’s birthday. Will be buying as gifts for others.

[@tammielee10]

I just literally thought I had the strength to play your video ONCE all the way through, but I had to rewind so many times to laugh even harder. I am a twenty-four year old woman whom is learning what it means who she was designed to be. Straight out of Austin, Texas but from Houston.

[@shae112233]

WHEN THE HEADWRAP CAME OFF AND THE PLAITS... THE PLAAAAAAITS. MY SPIRIT...

[@MsMEAGAIN1]

That idea of recording your grandparents didn't come to me until literally the month after my last grandparent passed away. I'll try with my parents though.

[@BriBeMe315]

Evelyn, girl, you're the bomb. This one really made an impact on my soul.

[@davideurope736]

Sooooo.... My story starts in Guyana 🇬🇾 South America where my family is from. That is the core of my being, my child hood, my upbringing, my identity as a Caribbean American man raised in the South. I'm proud of that. I'm proud to be different. Its a different perspective that i have learned to embrace and cherish. My story is a roller coaster of putting your best foot forward and getting kicked 3 steps back and still persevering to 27 years old. Welcome to my journey 😁

[@MixxyGirl]

You are my favorite story teller on the internets. I love your personality & sense of humor. I really feel like you ate my i ternet prima. 💗 I am always wowed by your editing skills.

[@FeistyPisces31984]

I just love you and your messages are always on time! Thanks for helping an almost 35 year old pull her life together 🤦🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️💁🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️

[@OnlyMeMarilyn]

OMG I love the Netflix Synopsis idea! I will certainly use that idea in my ELA class with my 8th graders!!! Yes, Cousin!!!

[@DeathDelays232]

You're so wise and funny! I love all of your videos, they never cease to inspire me!!

[@abigailwainina4556]

YASS MY KENYAN SISTA. us Kenyans need to stick together

[@user-ig5wv1oq4k]

another wonderful video ugh! I just graduated from college and got my first big girl job and u would think that would give me some sort of stability but life really has thrown me into a tailspin in terms of who I want to be. These videos are so helpful and lovely, Evelyn you did it again

[@lydiabrown4769]

This video is absolutely brilliant! Your message hit the nail on the head! Make your mess your message! Thanks for sharing!

[@chiloveisintheair]

OMG!!! Girl I told someone my story the other day ad didnt even know it. I love you cause you always giving me so much inspo!!

[@julietamponsa-gyasi2358]

What the audience really needs to verify is whether or not the wig used in this video was sponsored or not, any hair company who scrolls past this video needs to give our cousin her coin. This documentation of her beautiful life cannot come for our viewing pleasure alone! Thank you and goodnight ❤️

[@CorettaJG]

Michelle Obama's speech at my alma mater, Tuskegee University, is worth another listen. She was telling real truths.

[@viwer4468]

Love this video! You're one of my favorite KZbinrs and your videos have been helping me in life and understand myself for the past two years. Keep being awesome Evelyn!

[@amandadasilva4498]

THANK YOU EVELYN!!! You are allowing genius to pass through you & serving us up a huge soup of brilliance again! I LOVE you sincerely. Cannot even start to share my story in this small comment field. Friends tell me to write a book. But fro now, I prefer the oral tradition of storytelling & songwriting. Enjoyed your message. So funny! If we had a few hours over tea & bites, yes, I would tell you all, since you're my sister :)