During Black History month, everyone will remember the long list of history that remains to be celebrated and look to the future of history being written with the kings and queens, leaders, speakers, champions, and heralds of a great nation of people. Among these great people are those who may or may not fully appreciate the effect they have had on history and I want to dedicate this article to a children’s cheerleader, poetry and motivation in the person of LaKisha Marie Tanksley.
I am blessed and deeply moved to have met LaKisha in Chicago while working to bridge the digital divide by educating people about the uses of technology. The cliché that this is a small world has never been true in getting to know and work with LaKisha while she was in Chicago, a huge city of hard-working people with a unique vision. Chicago has given us some history makers in their own right: Mayor Harold Washington, author Richard Wright, explorer Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable, Chicago founder, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, and many more. After working with Lakisha for too short a time, I knew in my heart that she was in the right place at the right time. Since her passing in the summer of 2005, I also know that she will be missed by thousands and hopefully millions that her work was able to touch.
Lakisha had a vision to motivate those around her in the same way as Oprah Winfrey and Gwendolyn Brooks. Her poetry moved and inspired those who read the living words she brought to light not only herself but the children she worked tirelessly to inspire and reminded me of Cleopatra VII, Queen of Ken, and an incredible linguist in her own life.
In the search for wisdom, his thirst was as real as Makeda, Queen of Sheba. LaKisha would tell me about her quest to find ways to inspire others through poetry and encouragement for all those who thought life was dark and hopeless.
Poetry was a beacon of light for LaKisha, as was Behanzin, who is often referred to as King Shark, a surname that symbolizes strength, strength, and wisdom. LaKisha used words in her poetry to give strength and wisdom to her readers. She fed her poetry to anyone who wanted to listen. Thankfully, the words weren’t something that just lay on a page, the words were for inspiration, action, comfort, and solace for LaKisha, as anyone who got close to her would immediately discover. If you stopped for a few minutes around LaKisha, you will hear some poetic or motivational words, a definite proof that she has King Shark as her ancestor with her huge contribution to her time and ours.
During the summer of 2005 we lost another member of our motivational cheerleaders, especially one who would have become a motivational icon. I close with an excerpt from her collection of poems: Bridges of Hope, a fitting title for a book by a fantastic cheerleader of hope: Ms. LaKisha Tanksley-Simpson, poet and motivational speaker, Chicago, IL
I leave you all with a small excerpt from one of his books – Bridge of Hope: An Anthology of Motivational Poems and Stories, with the 2nd book titled – There is an Oasis: A Collection of Motivational Poems.
From the book ‘Bridge of Hope’, a poem titled ‘I am destined for greatness’
I am destined for greatness.
I am determined to succeed.
I have what it takes to get what I need.
Because success is the core of my existence;
The manifestation will appear in time.
Determination is what my dreams are made of… When I seek I shall find.
By Lakisha Marie Tanksley
Writer/Editor
