Meet Malika
Even though Malika and I grew up together in the same household and had similar encounters we also had separate experiences in our lives that has made us into the people that we are today. I took a road trip with Malika to her alma mater Northwood University. When we arrived and took a stroll through the campus, she told me “This is where I grew up”.
Starting this university when she was just 16 years old, she had a lot of growing up to do. Before going to Northwood Malika grew up a middle child. My oldest brother Maurice was my Mom’s favorite, Maisha our older sister was my Dad’s favorite, I was the youngest and got taken care of by all, and then there was Malika in the middle. She was loved for sure but was definitely lost in the shuffle sometimes. Malika states that before going to Northwood she was a square, not social, and green of a lot of worldly matters. It wasn’t until she went up to Northwood that she was able to come into her own. She was independent of family hierarchy and able to develop her own identity of being just Malika.
Going to Northwood was a learning experience for her and I’m not talking about the classes she took. Matter of fact most of her learning was not about what was in the textbook at all it was more about relationships. The university helped to expose and give her a look into real America, Conservative and often times racist environment. Growing up in Detroit where the population was predominately Black it was a true life shift going to a university where 8%, and sometimes less, of the student population looked like her. She stated that university prepared her for real life in corporate America, knowing that often times it is not what you know but who you know.
Northwood University is where Malika forged lifelong friendships. Friendships that have lasted nearing 30 years and still going strong. Solid friendships that will survive the test of time, weathered many of life challenges, and has even been etched in stone as to show the strong foundation.
This university is also where Malika started a new life. A senior in college she got pregnant with her one and only son Tyree. She took an absence in the middle of her final semester to return home and gave birth. Determined to finish what she started after giving birth she returned to the university with baby in tote. With the help of Tyree’s dad, Maisha our older sister who was a transfer student to Northwood, and Tyree’s Godfather they rotated schedules to make sure Tyree had fulltime care while Malika complete her degree.
Walking thru this campus with Malika reminiscing thru all her memories of her growth and fun on this campus made me understand her a little bit more. Malika is one of the strongest, loving, thoughtful, determined, friend, mother and sister that I have ever encountered.
Places and Origins 