I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 3rd, 1965 to Marie A. Rent and Billy A. Rent.

I was introduced to the Buy Black Movement on October 14, 2015, by Miss Dorothy Cooper who approached me at a Jamba Juice in Huntington Beach, California. For those of you who know Dorothy and those of you who will soon know her zeal for this movement, what ensued after that initial meet was nothing less than amazing! What she dropped on me in a matter of about 15 minutes was what seemed to me to be the answers to several of the questions I'd been asking myself for the last 25 years.

The concept of raising the consciousness of Black people from an economic standpoint and learning and acknowledging who we are, and our contribution to society, has been an in-progress concern of mine since my late teens. When Dorothy presented Delxino and Debbie's vision for the Buy Black Movement, she simply asked what my take was on being a meaningful part in supporting and also creating Black businesses that make, market and sell products and services that are solely intended for Black people. I was immediately drawn to the possibilities that would be afforded our people.

Realizing that Afrikan's 'in America' haven't enjoyed substantial economic success while in this country, I would often ask those basic questions. Who, what, why, when and how could we return to our proper place in this world? Dorothy had essentially, at least for me, answered each of those questions in that 15-minute timespan.

My decision to go after that highest Supporter position was set from the first time I read about the levels in the Buy Black Movement. I assumed I would reach Honored Afrikan in say, 15 years. The push to get it done as soon as possible was motivated by Honored Afrikan Billy Lee Felder. I will forever thank him for taking on the challenge with determination and in turn, without even knowing it, inspiring me to follow him to that finish line.

Achieving Honored Afrikan is right at the top of my list of all time greatest accomplishments. It's been one of those self-evaluation journeys that reassures me that with a little sacrifice, some focus, and a mindset of already seeing that task completed, absolutely nothing is beyond my reach.

My message to the vast number of soon to come Citizens is simple... come on home. The very history of our people was one of lifting one another up, encouraging each other, having our own backs and of course, supporting one another's idea's, dreams and visions. We were the champions of seeing it through to completion. All we have to do is go get our people and show them that we are still out here, achieving and conquering. We are still winning. We need to reclaim our rightful place in this life. Garvey Nation with millions of Black Citizens will get us there.

I would say to realize that fact that as a Citizen, you've already proven yourself worthy of recognition and praise. As you stay on task and constantly visualize the prize, we will all lift you even higher. One day, you will have stamped your name in the history books as one who was devoted and unyielding, and understood the great necessity of Black people needing this movement that started with Marcus Garvey a century ago. Walk in your victory.

Our ancestors were creators. They were thinkers. Some were physicians and biologists. Some where mathematicians, scientists, builders and weavers. We had kings and queens. Our people nurtured and raised the babies. They laid the foundation of success for our families. The blueprint was then stripped away from us. What was common to our everyday life was to be remembered no more. Garvey Nation and Buy Black Movement are the exclusive path back to our origin of strength and leadership. We will know financial independence and stability again. We already live in it. Take this that has been perfected for you and continue to build on it. It is ours to plant and grow. It is yours to continue with the same care and pass on for generations to come.