Alter Ego

Did you feel the energy shift? What was an aura of black and white suddenly has gotten splashed with a crayon box of color. Once she arrives on the scene, people break their necks just to get a second look. She’s gorgeous. She’s confident. She’s stunning, from her cocoa-brown skin, to her fluffy, cotton-candy ’fro. She is me. I know what you’re thinking: “Is this girl really referring to herself in third person?” You have to do what you have to do to get the reader’s attention. Anyways, to properly introduce myself, my name is Kay. I grew up in Brooklyn but currently reside in Manhattan. To say the least, I have come a long way from where I started. Being a woman of color, coming up didn’t make chasing my dreams any easier either.

I’ve always had a gift of movement, dancing that is. I’ve worked hard enough to where I own my own studio here in New York. I have gained quite an amount of fame and currency for it, too. Most people around here know me as Kay: the girl who is all about her business but has a sassy flair that keeps people interested. I can personally say I approve of that rep. However, only a few people get to see the other side of me.

In a relaxed environment alongside family and friends, I have a softer side. The sass and class never go away but I love just laying back and making the people I love happy. Whether it is cracking a joke, giving gifts, or just a simple hug, I love bringing a smile to people’s faces. My mix of sweet and spicy has attracted many but the main person I’m concerned about is my sexy music producer/entrepreneur boyfriend.

However, not everything is picture perfect. The story of how I got here can raise a few eyebrows. Nevertheless, my past has helped mold me into the person I am today. That’s a story I have yet to tell, until now…

—By Kennadi H., 17, Arkansas