We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vivian Moultrie Hawkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vivian , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I developed the skill of overcoming the fear of being the only one as a very young child starting in kindergarten being the only black girl in my class. I grew up in the country and attended schools with few African american students. I had to develop the skill of being the only one. I was at times an outcast, made fun of, and it was difficult but other times I had a couple of friendships that endured and encouraged me. At home I was encouraged always and that’s where my strength came from. I was taught at home not to compete with others, especially by my grandfather, but only with myself to do better and be better and that is the only true way to excel and that is what I did. I performed well academically and participated in sports and extra curricular activities.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a retired educator living my best life. I’ve wanted to write books since I was a child. Now I have the time to fulfill my passion. I raised my family and I love the way they now encourage me to follow my dreams. When I was six years old, I read a story about a lost doll and I never forgot it. The lost doll on the side of the road, who had no love and no home, she needed a story and I wanted to write it. I just didn’t know, one day I would be the lost doll that I would write about.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three areas of knowledge that were most impactful during my journey is my Faith, Education and Community Service. My faith has sustained me through the hard times and areas where I was weak and has given me strength and always made clear the path I was to stay on. When I was two years old, my grandfather told me I would go to college and that is when my education began. His name was Alfred Moultrie and I valued his opinion greatly. He struggled to attend Tuskegee Institute and knew the value of education.
I’ve always participated in serving my community since the 1970s and started several organizations myself that are still open today, including the KUUMBA Arts in Fresno (where I was Co-Founder) and the Sisterhood Organization in Modesto (where I was Founder). I also, for the love of helping others, took on Foster care for ten years in Sacramento, California.
The greatest lines of advice I can give is to: “Keep your Faith first in your life”. “Follow your Dreams”. “Don’t compete with anyone except yourself”. “When people say you can’t do it, prove them wrong”. “To those who give you a lot of negative advice, tell them to just “Stop Talking”. “Surround yourself with positive speaking people”. “The tongue is a powerful tool.”
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
There was an original book called “Nobody’s Doll” that I used to read when I was a little girl. They don’t make the book anymore but I’ve never forgotten it. The story was about a lost doll that had fallen off a family’s wagon as they were moving down the road. It looked pathetic and lonely laying in the dirt by itself as the family drove away. I’ve read this book repeatedly all Summer when I was six years old and related to it because my mother left me when I was three months old. I felt like that lost doll and it led me to collecting twenty three dolls by the time I was twelve. Caring for them, teaching them in ‘make believe’ classrooms and thus my love for caring for others and teaching was born.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/varsha._51/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vivian.moultriehawkins/
- Other: Vivian Moultrie Hawkins P.O. Box 803 West Sacramento, CA 95605
Image Credits
Oscar Gomez-Rioz
