Photography: Felecia Causey
My name is Shunta Lomax-Wright, and I was adopted by my maternal grandmother Ethel Smith when I was 4 year's old, and my brother was 8. I lived with her from birth. My mother (Debra)was young when she gave birth at the ages of 16 and 20, and she wasn't able to care for us. My father, nor his family wasn't ever involved in my life even though his mother lived only 10 minutes away from me.
My mother was in, and out of my life, but at the age of 13, I remember she became a constant figure. I became pregnant at 16, and I gave birth to my oldest son. M
y mother, my grandmother, my son's father, and family was right there to support me. ( My support team was strong). My mother gave my oldest things she couldn't give me, mainly her time, but before she could enjoy being a granny to my second son she died from breast cancer at the age of 50 in March 2005. It was eleven months later, the family's back bone, my grandmother, passed away. My uncle Gearld "Biggie" and aunt Mae fill that backbone spot now.
y mother, my grandmother, my son's father, and family was right there to support me. ( My support team was strong). My mother gave my oldest things she couldn't give me, mainly her time, but before she could enjoy being a granny to my second son she died from breast cancer at the age of 50 in March 2005. It was eleven months later, the family's back bone, my grandmother, passed away. My uncle Gearld "Biggie" and aunt Mae fill that backbone spot now.
Life for me hasn't always been easy, but I went on to graduate high school a semester behind my class('92 Vols) because my grandmother instilled in me that having a baby didn't stop anything. She wasn't condoning teen pregnancy, but she told me to keep pushing forward. I was taught to use those TLC "bricks", as stepping stones, and that Tulane Court was my extended family. For some reason people have a misconception about the "projects". I have more extended aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, and sisters all because of those "brick's". I have an "aunt" Angie, and she's always a call away.
I didn't go to college right after high school, but I managed to enroll at Troy University June 2003 at the age of 30, and I received my associates in July 2007, and a Bachelor's Dec.2007. I am a foster care caseworker for the State of Alabama. I provide stability for children, and help find forever homes for some through adoption, and foster homes. My life turned out just as GOD planned the day I was conceived.
My husband and I have been married almost 19 years. My sons are grown, and I also have some sweet little grandchildren.
My prayer is to inspire someone, and let them know your beginning doesn't have to be your end.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs3:5-6