10.26.2009

She Makes Me Wanna - Be a Mom (Eventually!)

I don't talk much about motherhood. I know it is an amazing thing but its never been at the top of my priority list. I pride myself in being a bit of a gypsy, free spirit girl (my motto, I need to be able to fit my life into my car just in case I have to move around really quickly!). Kenya was one of those people I saw as the same way. In college she was super "dope" - she had an original style of dress and she was genuinely a sweet girl. Something about her didn't translate Baton Rouge (not that anything is wrong about BTR natives, she just seemed more worldly). Although we never discussed her future plans I just assumed she'd become some world traveler who lived a unique, non traditional life. Well even though we haven't lived in the same place in forever, Kenya and I keep in touch often and she's living a very traditional existence in a very unique way. I also am a huge fan of the outward show of love she displays for her husband - it is so common for women to talk about what men aren't doing; Kenya takes time to say be uber supportive of her hubby. She's the hip, cool type of wife and mother (she gave birth some beautiful babies!) that makes me consider EVENTUALLY becoming a mother (eventually not any time soon!). Take a second to get to know Kenya Afumi Lewis - see what she makes you wanna do!


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NAME:KENYA AFUMI LEWIS
AGE: 33
HOMETOWN: BATON ROUGE, LA
CURRENT CITY OF RESIDENCE: ATLANTA, GA


EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: SOME COLLEGE
OCCUPATION: SAHM/DESIGNER
AS A CHILD WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP: AN ACTRESS. I WAS ALWAYS REENACTING SOMETHING I SAW ON TELEVISION. I'VE ALWAYS HAD A VERY VIVID IMAGINATION. I'M STILL PRETTY ANIMATED, OR SO I HEAR.
DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO: YES. I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN I WANTED TO STAY HOME WITH MY CHILDREN. I REALLY ENJOY WATCHING THEM GROW. I ACTUALLY TAKE PICTURES OF NEARLY EVERYTHING THEY DO AND TRY TO CHRONICLE THEIR YOUTH THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY. I KNOW THESE MOMENTS ARE FLEETING.
HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER: I STOPPED WORKING FULL-TIME 5 YEARS AGO (JUST BEFORE MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN). AS FOR DESIGN, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ARTISTIC, BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND OUTLETS TO CULTIVATE MY CREATIVE TALENTS INTO MARKETABLE SKILLS. SO SOMEHOW, I CONVINCED MYSELF TO BECOME A NURSE. I STILL WONDER WHAT I WAS THINKING. THANKFULLY, I HAD A REALLY CLOSE FRIEND WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO BECOME MORE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT MY DREAMS. SO, I MOVED TO ATLANTA FOR A MORE AMBITIOUS APPROACH TO LIFE-AN ORDAINED MOVE. SOON AFTER, I ENROLLED IN FASHION DESIGN AND MARKETING CLASSES AT NIGHT WHILE I WORKED FULL-TIME. I'M STILL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT DESIGN. MY HUSBAND AND I STARTED A T-SHIRT LINE LAST YEAR AND ARE PLANNING TO LAUNCH A CHILDREN'S LINE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
ARE YOU LIVING THE LIFE YOU DREAMED OF: YES. IN SO MANY WAYS. I REALLY LOVE BEING MARRIED. MY HUSBAND IS TRULY A GODSEND. IT'S ENCOURAGING THAT MY DREAMS AND GOALS ARE HIS, AS WELL. HE'S SUCH AN INSPIRATION.
AND, OH MY BABIES! I'VE ALWAYS WANTED A BIG FAMILY, AND PARENTING IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME. I CONSTANTLY ASK GOD TO MAKE ME A BETTER WIFE AND MOTHER. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN BEING BOTH.
WHO IS YOUR FEMALE INSPIRATION: MY MOTHERS, KATHI NEWTON AND RUBY LEWIS. BOTH VERY STRONG WOMEN.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN: I REALLY LOVE TRAVELING WITH MY HUSBAND.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WOMEN IN PURSUIT OF THEIR DREAM: MAKE SURE YOUR DREAMS AND GOD'S WILL FOR YOU ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM ONE ANOTHER.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES OR MOTTO:
FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS NULL.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN. GEORGE ELIOT (MARY ANNE EVANS)

6 comments:

Gina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gina said...

LOVE your article on Kenya! I feel the exact way about her...she's such an inspiration!
Dang Davida and Kenya...you two ladies are SO dope! As I said before...flyness begets flyness :-)

Chrissy said...

Two of my favorite people doing awesome things! I'm so privileged to call you my "sisters". Love you both, dearly. You make me want to be a better person...period.

Renee' Francois said...

Kenya is definitely an inspiration not only to the ones close to her, but she has a way of making an impact on people looking from a far. When Kenya walks in a room you not only notice her beautiful outside but her loving, caring and genuine inside has a way of peeking through only to embrace what the eyes can see. Making it an even more wonderful experience to have such a kind spirit in your company. I am thankful to have her as a family member, but more importantly, I am thankful to have her as a friend.

afi said...

I LOVE ME SOME KENYA (A/K/A KEEBS)!!!!!

GFS said...

I love love love these series. I like the the title "She Makes Me Wanna" too!

She almost makes me wanna be a mom lol!

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