There Are Levels to This S.H.I.T. - Building up your Strength, Hope, Intentions & Tenacity

In 2010, I walked into Aspire Prep in the Bronx, ready to serve as the Literacy Coach, and there she was—Chrysalix, the English teacher with a heart for her students. Each morning, I would pray, and Chrys would follow with a worship song, setting the tone for our day. I was only at Aspire Prep for a year, but those mornings left a lasting impact. Over the years, life took us in different directions, but fate brought us back together at a writing workshop I hosted in Harlem. Since then, we've been inseparable. We are no longer colleagues or friends. We are sis-stars.
Over the years, we've evolved into visionary women, each leading purposefully—she as C.E.O. of Butterfly Beautiful, and I as C.E.O. of Dee's Passion-Filled Experience. Chrys has supported me in countless ways over the years. One of the most indelible marks she left on my journey was creating my first film, Behind The Mask, which we'll release soon.
After a pause, we're both back in execution mode, committed to Getting Our S.H.I.T. Together. We're here to rise with Strength, Hope, Intentions, and Tenacity.

Creating with Pain and Purpose
One day, Chrysalix sent me a beat called Warrior Angels. The moment I heard it, I felt the presence of heaven around me. I listened to it over and over until a poem resurrected inside me.
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​As I listened, I wrote this poem:
Sometimes I get tired of carrying all this pain,
Telling my story over and over while things remain the same.
I suffer while everyone else seems to gain.
Abba Father, have you forgotten my name?
Cast your light on my heart and show me why I'm being slain.
The beast inside me is alive, and she no longer wants to be tamed.
The power of focus has become a mental strain.
Inner desire sending electric shocks to my brain,
Leaving me strapped with my pen, plunging in deep into my veins.
Blood mixing with ink, spilling onto my page.
A grave site for my emotions and my internal rage.
Call the priests, rest in peace.
Sweet relief, free the beast.
This artist, deep Denice
She won't cease.
She won't cease.


A Moment of Tension, A Lesson in Trust
After I shared the poem with Chrys, she was inspired to create a song called Warrior and transformed my poem into a rap. When I first heard her rendition, I was angry. I felt like the piece was no longer mine. Creative boundaries came into play, but the pain point in my heart was more profound—I felt like I'd lost something personal. I had a conversation with Chrys, and she understood. She apologized and returned the song to the vault, promising not to release it.

Chrys joined me for T.E.A. with Dee on November 1 (episode coming soon!), and we spoke about the echoes in the shadows and the light we carry within us to illuminate our paths and others. The next day, I spent some time reflecting on our tea time. I revisited all three parts—the instrumental, my poem, and Chrysalix's song—and heard it clearly: There Are Levels to This S.H.I.T. - Strength, Hope, Intentions, and Tenacity.

I realized that I can't be afraid or intimidated by the light of others because I'm carrying light, too. Even though there are boundaries to respect in friendship and business, I must be open to trusting the process. Past friendships have left me with trust issues that have become a pain point. But this experience with Chrys taught me that what's for me is for me, and the people meant to be here this season will stay.
Throughout the years, Chrys has shown me that she has not just my back but my heart, too. I can trust her with the vision I'm executing.

Stepping into Strength
Healing, growth, and unity are layered. Each of us has unique levels to uncover as we move forward. The journey to get our S.H.I.T. together is ongoing, and it's in the trust, collaboration, and courage to create that we will find our way.

My new book, Get Your S.H.I.T. Together--
A Journey of Strength, Hope, Intentions, and Tenacity, is a call to action.
With the final quarter of 2024 here, it's time to focus strategically.
We must get our S.H.I.T. together to step boldly into our dreams for a better tomorrow.
It's about owning our struggles and doing the work to heal our bodies and souls!
​-Dee