Thread by @maurachanz

Today is such a full circle moment.

I moved to LA in '09 to pursue acting. I made a deal with my parents that if I was not reoccurring on a show by college, I'd go to college.

Numerous bookings over the next couple of years...and then

Fwd to my senior year.
I was making it to producer sessions right & left, but continually told my body was too developed for roles.

I was a fairly late bloomer and so when it hit, IT HIT.

I was told at one producer session "that face is 13, but that ass ain't".

Anyway. A deal is a deal and I had to go to college.

My mom said, "the industry isn't going anywhere."

I left LA summer of 2012. Headed back to Chicago before beginning at Spelman College, fall '12.

Although the industry was picking up in ATL, I decided to go on a hiatus and just have a normal college experience, unlike high school.

Instead of majoring in drama, I chose English (later switched to Women's Studies).

I always stayed connected to entertainment though.

I learned the business side of entertainment via internships and ambassadorships with film festivals, record labels, and tv networks.

I fell in love. Made a home. And slowly, but surely decided I didn't see myself ever moving back to LA.

Shortly after graduating school, I returned in front of the camera. This time non-scripted (something I swore I'd never do).

Didn't lovee it, but didn't hate it and it kind of satisfied a yearning I had.

In Nov of last year, I talked to a friend and told him about my overall desire to broadly storytell...he said I needed to move.

I talked about how I PREFER Atlanta.
"Our preferences are just insecurities...tying yourself down is keeping you from yourself," he said.

I agreed and knew I wasn't doing everything to align myself with what I wanted and truly yearned for...nor was I in the right place to do it

I ran into that friend at Essence.
He reminded me of my greatness & told me he expects a lot from me cause I'm capable of it.

I promised myself that I'd surrender my preference...if an opportunity arose. I'd go elsewhere to something.

While at Essence, I ran into one of my greatest inspirations.
We had met years prior...AT SPELMAN.

She remembered me and some of the work I had told her about and asked what I was up to currently.

I was about to begin filming.

She was in the process of hiring and was looking for someone "like me."

Due to my unavailability, I offered her recommendations.

I returned to Atlanta thinking "damn, EYE want the job I just recommended people for."
This woman is on my vision board for crying out loud.

I told my boyfriend how I felt.
He encouraged me to reach out and tell her.
I did. She left my message on read.

A day or so later, I reach out to my former professor because I needed to begin thinking about what was next after we filmed the show...

He texts me that he had planned to call me that day (prior to me reaching out.)

I intended to talk to him about getting back back into entertainment and production. I needed to be acting, writing, producing...

He calls me.
Before I can get out what I need to say, he says, "there's a job with your name on it. They're only taking personal recs."

IT'S THE SAME DAMN JOB.

I apply (two months ago) and move on with my regularly scheduled program.

I was filming a show.

We wrap filming and having already allocated my checks to numerous needs, I was looking for my next check but hadn't heard back.

Having had to put design work on hold for filming, I began accepting a few clients and opening up my radar for other work...

((Insert thread about where I was prior to this show so y'all can see where I was))

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Again the show must go on.
I'm asked to work a film festival I volunteered at during college.
Big Spelman sis asks...I say yes.

Having been in entertainment, I'm usually tasked with "handling" VIP guest.

The guest I'm handling this year happens to be both mentor AND friend to 1. The guy friend who encouraged me above 2. My potential employer.

I had met her at this same festival last year when she came to celebrate her friend who was being honored.

I knew she knew my guy friend & introduced myself (last year)...when tasked to handle her, she says, "I remember that smile & spirit."

She had talked to my friend about me a year prior and he spoke highly of me.

After my handling duties were done, she treated me to dinner with her friend (+1 other worker).

She asked about my life.
I mentioned the show, looking for work, my dream job.
She agreed the job would in fact be perfect for me.

We depart.
I text her to wish her safe travels.
Days later she texts, I'm going to tell (potential employer) she needs to hire you.

I'm not sure if she did. Or didn't.
That day, beginning my birthday weekend, I was called and offered the job.

Today, I return to LA.
5 years later.
With a job that I couldn't have even imagined.

A job that I planted a seed for when meeting my employer at Spelman 2 yr ago.
The school I tried so hard not to leave LA to attend 5yrs ago.

Still working on logistics, but thanks to an amazing TRIBE & many of you, half the battle is fought.

Want to help? gofundme.com/maura-needs-yo…

Said all of this to say:
1. Trust the journey.
2. Move...in some direction.
3. Be open to receiving.
Your gifts WILL make room for you

To @BobbieRiley who told me "you'll be back and you won't miss anything here in LA that's for you"...I'll see you soon & you were right.

To my parents who forced me to get my education...specifically at Spelman...thank you for making such a decision for me.

, thank you for that talk a year ago and encouraging me to read Elkart...your seed changed my life.

To those who have known about this clandestine ass process and have prayed for and with me, encouraged me, supported me...thank you.

To baé, thank you for encouraging me to reach for every 1 of my dreams & being a stepping stool when I wasn't tall enough to reach alone.

Glory to God.
"...yet will I trust in him."

& now that I'm not as stressed about making a living, I can resume my scheduled program of reigniting tribal community via @youneedtribe