HDS communications reached out to our 2022 graduating students to hear from them in their own words about their experiences at HDS, the people who've helped and inspired them along their grad school journeys, and their plans for the future.
How I've Changed
I have grown to become more precise and deepened in my research work!
Memorable Moment
My most memorable moment at the Harvard Divinity School was when my submission, “La misión era sólo rogar por una sanación para el planeta”: Social Media and Reparative Mobilizations in Regla de Ocha-Ifá during COVID- 19: An Interview Series With Emilio Hernández González, Frank Bell, and Oludaré" was featured in the Graduate Journal of Harvard Divinity School of Spring 2020 (Special Edition) before starting the first semester of my MTS degree program! This particular moment affirmed the power of the loving art and spirit-led work I co-cultivate and am in community with!
Favorite Class or Professor
My favorite professor is Dr. Todne Thomas. I have taken three of Dr. Thomas's courses, and her brilliance moves me in every single class meeting. As a dancer and ethnographer, Dr. Thomas has trained me to continue to carry out the research and art-making that I do with an ethic of safety, love, care, joy, clarity, and responsibility.
Message of Thanks
I have the honor to extend my profound gratitude and love for the following community members who have conjured this journey alongside me and continue to shape and support me: Modupué ("thank you" in Yoruba) Egún ("thank you, ancestors" in Yoruba).
Modupué Mi Cuadro Espiritual. Modupué Orishas. Modupué Lwas. Modupué mi Ilé (Ilé Yemayá). Modupué Dara Bayer and Sistercircle/Siblingcircle for your kinship/siblinghood. Modupué Christopher Tinson and his course "African Americans and The Politics of Reparations" at Hampshire College 2015 for changing my life and called for my life-long commitment to my work and mobilization of spiritual reparations. Modupué John Murillo, Roosbelinda Cárdenas, Deborah Goffe, Amy Jordan, and Dasha Chapman for serving on my Division III Committee at Hampshire College, holding my studies, projects, and undergraduate thesis that continues to grow and will deepen for years to come. Modupué to my Degree Advisor, Dr. Jacob K. Olupona, who has shown up for me and tirelessly trusts my work. Modupué to my Thesis Advisor, Dr. Teren Sevea, who has also shown up for me and gifting me time, capacity, feedback, and defense, and affirms my work and the spirits I take seriously. Modupué Dr. Mayra Rivera, and your course "Coloniality, Race, Catastrophe" for being pivotal for my thesis and dissertation work. It has changed me, and has led me to love my communities harder. Modupué Dr. Todne Thomas, for your brilliance, conciseness, training, and guidance. I see clearer because of you!
What I Hope to Be Remembered By
I hope to be remembered by love, care, my ancestral and present lineage, and that dance is artivism!
Future Plans
I will be starting my PhD program in the Department of Religious Studies at The University of Texas at Austin fall 2022!