My name is Alyana, and I'm a first-generation Jamaican-American from Brooklyn, New York. My family’s story starts with my mother’s decision to leave her home in the early 90s. As the youngest of 12 children, her decision was influenced by the desire to break the cycle of generational trauma caused by economic struggles in her parish. At the young age of 22, she packed her things and traveled to the Bahamas. My mom stayed there for a few months, working as a housekeeper off the books, saving to pay for a passage to Florida. There, she was able to connect with a family friend in New York and make her way over. Once she was able to stand on your own, she sent for her two daughters back home. This is where my family’s story begins! Her continuous bravery and perseverance to build a future for me and my siblings remind me to honor her legacy by turning her sacrifices into opportunities. Every accomplishment I earn isn’t just for me, but for her and our family. 

– AJ

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child