I just finished walking from the Capital to Dunbar High School. For you non Washingtonian, that is a 8 mile walk. The women in the picture were serving free soup, cornbread, hot tea and cocoa. That soup was right on time.

January 20th, 2009 was one of the coldest days of this winter. My left foot was frozen and the brisk wind was blowing the lashes off my eyelids. But my heart was warm…actually it was burning up, filled with joy! Not just your average kind of happiness, but the unspeakable kind. Yesterday I had the honor to stand 30 feet away from the Nation’s Capital and watch America’s first BLACK President sworn in!

While standing amongst millions of people from all over the world, waiting for Barack Obama to deliver his first speech as President of the United States of America, all I could do was think. I thought about my little twin sisters, Niambi and Nzinga, business majors at A&T and Florida A&M University, who in the past have thought about changing their names on their resume in order to receive better jobs in corporate America (they are totally over that now). I thought about my Grandmother and a conversation she once had with her third grade teacher. Her teacher asked her, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” “A Supreme Court Judge,” was my Grandmother’s response. Her teacher frowned and said “I don’t think that is a realistic goal Margret. Have you thought about becoming a housekeeper? That would be a better job for someone like you.” I thought about my 6 year old cousin, who I asked the same question this past Christmas. He told me, “I want to be the President of the world!” You mean the United States,” I asked. “No, the President of the world because I want to make sure people outside of the country we live in are happy. I want them to have food and shelter like me.”

After 2 hours of fighting Mr. Freeze, our New Chief approached the podium. He delivered a speech filled with truth, humility, and confidence. He spoke about the challenges of our countries educational system, economy, and war. He made it very clear that it will be a hard job but with all of our help it Will get done. What I loved most about his Inaugural speech was that he did not sugar coat ANYTHING, like past presidents have. None of that America the Beautiful Bullshit.

After his final line was spoken and the crowd went wild my eyes begin to fill with tears. I embraced my sister and we cried together. I was so proud that I made the decision to risk frost bite and witness history. Not from a TV. screen, not from a radio, but in person. All of my previous thoughts, whether they were negative or positive turned into thoughts of ambition. This man, Barack Obama has literally changed my life forever. His faith has given me courage. Courage that I can do anything I want. And I DARE someone to tell me otherwise.