Shout Out to My Village

You ever just sit with yourself—quiet, still—and really think about how you got here?

Not just the wins. Not just the grind. But the people. The hands that held you steady when you were slipping. The voices that spoke life into you when yours was shaky. The eyes that saw something in you before you could even see it for yourself.

I do.

And I call that my village.

But when I say “village,” I’m not just talking about my day-to-day circle. This isn’t just for mentors or friends or even the unexpected blessings. This includes my family too. Because truth be told—my family helped raise me in every way imaginable.

To My Family—Thank You

From both sides—my mom’s and my dad’s—I had strong people who poured into me.

Older cousins who taught me how to hold my own, who made me tough, who showed me love through competition, through protection, and through game. We shared everything—food, beds, laughs, and life. We were a unit. Always had each other’s back. Always found joy, even when we didn’t have much.

To my aunts and uncles who were second parents in every sense—you taught me, guided me, checked me, and cared for me like I was your own child. You made sure I stayed grounded. You taught me family values just by the way you moved, how you gave, how you looked out.

We did what a real family is supposed to do: we stuck together. Through good, bad, messy, and beautiful. Y’all shaped me.

To My Mom and Dad—My Foundation

To my mom—you’ve always been the core of my strength. The way you loved me, the way you protected me, the way you sacrificed without ever making it about you… that’s something I carry with me every day. I remember watching you give your all even when you were tired, still finding ways to make sure I was good. You believed in me even when I doubted myself. You gave me space to grow but never let me forget who I was. Your love? It made me feel unstoppable.

To my dad—whether it was taking me to the park, giving me game, or just showing me what toughness looks like when it's wrapped in care, I was watching. You may not have always said a lot, but I felt it. I felt it in your presence. In the way you moved. In the way you pushed me to be better. I saw what it meant to keep showing up, to be real, to handle your responsibilities with pride. You helped me grow into a man. And for that, I’m forever grateful.

Together, y’all gave me balance. Y’all gave me a foundation that can’t be shaken. A mix of heart, discipline, and resilience that I’m now trying to pass on to my own child. Everything I am started with you.

The Ones Who Stepped In

Outside of family, I had folks in my life who didn’t owe me a thing—but gave me everything they could. Whether it was five minutes or five years, they made an impact.

A neighbor who gave me a plate when I came by hungry.An uncle who wasn’t really my uncle but always made sure I had a fresh pair of socks before a game.A coach who stayed after practice just to talk life.A teacher who told me I was more than my talent—and made me believe it.

That’s village energy.

And the truth is, I wouldn’t be who I am without them.

I Wasn’t Always Easy to Love

Let’s be real—sometimes I was hard-headed. Sometimes I thought I knew it all. Sometimes I was quiet when I should’ve spoken up, or loud when I should’ve listened.

But my village never gave up on me.

They corrected me without crushing me. They showed me discipline without disrespect. They loved me enough to pull me aside and say, “No, you’re tripping,” or “You’re better than that.”

And I needed that.

Because too many people walk through life with no one telling them the truth. No one holding them to a higher standard. My village? They held me accountable—and they held me down.

Mother Figures Without the Title

To the women who mothered me without carrying me—I see you.

You didn’t have to care like that. Didn’t have to pray for me. Didn’t have to fix me a plate or remind me to rest. But you did. You reminded me that love didn’t have to be complicated—it just had to be real.

You reminded me how to be soft in a world that demanded I be tough all the time.

You taught me how to wipe my tears, square my shoulders, and walk back into the world like I belonged—because I did. And I thank you for that.

The Fathers I Studied Silently

I had men around me who showed me how to be a man without ever saying the words.

You showed up. You provided. You led. You protected. You joked and disciplined and showed love in your own way.

Sometimes it was a nod. Sometimes it was a dap. Sometimes it was just silence—but you were there. And your presence? That was enough to teach me.

You taught me how to stay 10 toes down. How to be solid in a world full of fakes. How to say less but mean more. I picked up game just watching you operate.

Brothers and Sisters I Wasn’t Born With

To my friends—the ones who stuck with me through awkward phases, broke days, heartbreaks, and wins… y’all became my family.

To the ones who shared bikes, shared beds, shared clothes, and shared dreams—we were just kids trying to figure it all out. But even when we didn’t have much, we had each other. And that was enough.

To the girls I grew up with—who protected me, checked me, laughed with me, and let me cry when I needed it—you gave me space to be me. You made me better.

Even the Small Things Mattered

The smallest acts meant the most.

A “you good?” at the right time. A ride when I had no transportation.A few dollars when I was short. A phone call when I was silent for too long. A joke when my spirit was heavy.

A home-cooked plate when I hadn’t eaten all day.

These little things? They add up. They build a person. They let you know you matter.

Lessons That Stuck

I carry y’all with me every single day.

In how I treat people. In how I move through rooms. In how I lead, how I love, how I parent, how I hustle.

Because when I didn’t know how to be all of those things—y’all showed me.

I’m not perfect, but I move with purpose. And that purpose was born out of the love and lessons y’all gave me.

The Village Never Left Me

Even now, as I grow older and step into new versions of myself—I still lean on my village.

I still call y’all when I’m unsure.Still hear your voices in my head when I’m making decisions.Still try to live in a way that would make you proud.Still passing on what you gave to me—love, respect, accountability, grace.

That’s what it’s all about, right? Keeping the cycle going. Pouring into others the way you poured into me.

To My Village—Thank You

If you’ve ever loved me, corrected me, protected me, or laughed with me—thank you.

If you’ve ever held space for me, offered me your presence, or gave me your wisdom—thank you.

If you’ve ever made me feel seen when I was invisible, or valuable when I felt like nothing—thank you.

You are the reason I can walk through life with my head high and my heart open.

You are the reason I believe in community. In love. In showing up.

So yeah, this isn’t just a shout out—it’s a love letter.

To my mom and dad. To my cousins, aunties, uncles, and every family member who helped raise me. To the teachers, coaches, neighbors, mentors, and day-ones. To my village.

I carry y’all with me. In every win. In every setback. In every decision I make.

Let’s keep building. Keep loving. Keep showing the next generation how it’s done.

We might not have had everything, but we had each other.

And that was more than enough.

With love,Kay