Terrell County Author's Chair Spotlight: Reading Across America 2026

My hometown school district, Terrell County School System featured me and fellow alumni as local authors while highlighting the importance of reading and acknowledging local authors during Reading Across America 2026.

This Author's Chair spotlight is an honor and full circle moment as my love and appreciation for reading and literacy began with Saturday visits to the Historic Carnegie Library🏛, spelling bees🐝 (Lillie Cooper Primary, Carver Elementary, and Terrell Middle School), and many journal entries, essays, thesis statements, writing/editing projects✍🏾, monthly blogs/newsletters later (Terrell High🌊, Darton/Albany State🐏, graduate school x2📝, Just Write! Support Group, etc 👩🏾‍💻.) Thank you to my no nonsense parents😅 (heavy emphasis on reading; always gifted us books/journals), my no nonsense older sister😅 (who allowed me to hijack her books sometimes which led to my increased vocabulary & reading level) and to my no nonsense educators 😅 during my time within the Terrell County School System (1990-2003) who never slacked on their duties of ensuring we the students of Terrell County, GA were equipped the 'Write' way and 'READy' for any challenge (reading out loud, silent reading, Book It! Pizza Hut program, Reading Rainbow, and other PBS programs.) This is the fruit of your labors. You are honored and appreciated. Thank you all for being a part of my story. God bless! 💚💛💫🔰

📷🚸Me in Kindergarten (the late, great Linda Lane Owens class) with classmates Chris and Daniel reading newspapers and creating in the Writing center 😀😍

#ReadAcrossAmerica2026 #TerrellCountyAuthorsChairSpotlight
#TCGreenwaveAlumniSpotlight #AuthorsFromTerrellCountyGA #TerrellCountySchoolSystem  #FullCircleMoment 

Lequvia Ousley 

🔟🐏💙💛🎉 10 years of Connections and Community Service with ASU DeKalb

🔟🐏💙💛🎉10 years ago, a Twitter post about the ASU MRSB heading to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA connected me to the ASU DeKalb County Area Alumni Chapter under the leadership of past president Dr. Maria Boynton and past VP Dr. Takeshia Thomas. 

As a resident, I was so intrigued to know a local chapter existed in DeKalb County that on 12/28/2015, I headed to the ATL Airport and was introduced to members of the chapter as we congratulated our band in true RAMily fashion (posters, cheers, laughter, and connections.) 

When the band returned on January 2, 2016, I was introduced and interviewed by President Boynton who was so gracious despite being jetlagged. Past Membership Chair Debra Lemons recruited me to join and I attended my 1st meeting January 9, 2016 at the S&S Cafeteria in Tucker which also reconnected me to LaJohnda Johnson, our current ASU DeKalb Secretary who I knew from my time at ASU (2006-2008) as well as other RAMily. From there I tagged team with the social media presence via IG alongside past Marketing & Social Media Chair Khadijah Nurridin (2016-2021), volunteering as Chapter Reporter in 2019 for a few months and officially serving later as Chapter Reporter (2019-2021) under the leadership of Past President Pam McMichael and past VP Maria Boynton. My service during the COVID pandemic was tough with majority virtual meetings and limited connections to alumni, family, and hometown but I got through it and my connections and commitments were strengthened and refined. 

Today and many memories later (2025-2027), I've reprised my role and service as Chapter Reporter under the leadership of President Naeem Roberts & VP Shayla Davis alongside fellow officers as we collectively bring our time, talent, treasures, and ties as #BIGDeKalb, "Building, Influencing, and Giving" to students, alumni, stakeholders, and community of the 'Unsinkable' and 'Indestructible' Albany State University. Cheers to a 10 year connection to True Blue community and Golden service!! 🔟🔷️💫🫂🤝

🔵www.asuramsdekalb.com 

🟡www.asuramsnationalalumni.com

#ASUDeKalb #229BlueAndGold #RAMsinService #RAMilyConnections #TrueBlueCommunity #GoldenService #Building #Influencing #Giving

17th RAMaversary!! 👩🏾‍🎓1️⃣7️⃣💙💛🐏

💙💛1st time in 1️⃣7️⃣ years seeing my #AlbanyState graduation pictures. Back in April, I decided to develop 4 disposable cameras I had between 2008-2010. Honestly, I didn't think the pictures would be so clear after the time frame, but I was so happy these came out clear. As soon as I saw them, I teared up. Thank you to CA photographer, Albany native, Alex Davis for sharing her filmtography and inspiring me to develop my film.

📷 🎞I'm pictured here with classmates and RAMily who shared this special day with me. 

🎓👩🏾‍🎓Shequita (fellow Darton grad & business major)

🎓👨🏾‍🎓De Reid (former SIFE leader & fellow business major)

✍🏾📖Tasha (one of many friends I met summer 2008; she's also a Psychology graduate, an amazing writer, poet, and published author)

🎵💃🏻Charlotte (roomie in Hall 3, Spring 2008, Political Science graduate, and fellow Mariah Carey fan)

The period from age 23 to now has been a journey. When I think of 17 years, it's like graduation from high school all over again. Those moments in my life were truly a rebirth and new beginning for me from reclaiming time lost, relearning myself, and removing myself from situations and spaces that were meant to derail & destroy me. But God....He has proven consistently that He is a keeper and healer through all things. 🎵"I want to thank you Heavenly Father for shining Your Light on me....."🎶

🎵🎶 "Can You Stand The Rain", released 12/13/1988, "Sunny days, everybody loves them, tell me, can you stand the rain?.....storms will come, this we know for sure, can you stand the rain?"..... I continue to withstand every storm⛈ , embracing the rain☔, appreciating the sun🌞. 

 

#PotentialRealized🌟🙌 #OldASU💙💛🐏 #Classof2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ #RecessionGrad🎓👩‍🎓 #year1️⃣7️⃣ #ALBtoATL🦋🌹#FromTC2Destiny🛣

In Memory of Auntie Rosie Lee Ousley 8/15/1938-9/14/2025 🌹💜🕊👑

🌹💜🕊👑The day I received the news that Auntie Rose transitioned, I struggled with processing my emotions while maintaining my daily schedule. This is the 4th family death I've experienced this year (2 Great Aunties and 1 cousin within my paternal side and my maternal grandfather) all in a span of 8 months.

Work, writing, going through old pictures, remembering family moments, and volunteer duties were heavily my distractions these last few days to compose myself each day as it led to today. 

The emotions kicked in as I attended the Homegoing celebration for Aunt Rose. I was overwhelmed yet as always happy to see family and celebrate Auntie Rose's life, a life well lived and served for her family and community. This poem came to me days before (9/23): 

Rare gem with a beautiful heart and infectious smile.

One in a million with her love, a gentleness so meek and mild. 

Sisterhood and family time are her legacies.

Intrigued with music and dancing, what an amazing sight to see.

Eternally resting, she is remembered as a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, we forever celebrate you to infinity. ROSIE......🌹💜🕊👑

We love you and will see you later.

#MyTwin #EternalRose #purpleforRosie #celebrationoflife

🎂4️⃣0️⃣ Is Fine When You Look 2️⃣9️⃣🦋: A Poetic and Photographic Celebration of 40 Years.

Today is my 40th birthday and in honor of myself and creativity, I wrote the following tribute to celebrate this blessed milestone:

40 Blessings of Lequvia: Poetic Edition

Born July 7, 1985, a southern belle with a city charm, destined to flourish and thrive. 

Weighing pounds of 7 and ounces of 12, her earlier years predestined a life to excel.

A love for powerful words and musical notes, her eclectic taste gave her loads of creative freedom and poetic hope. 

A hope that was never lacking or deferred, a hope that propelled her and freed her.

These 40 truths dwell within and represent her existence and being:

1. Writer 

2. Warrior 

3. Wise 

4. Worthy 

5. Survivor 

6. Courageous 

7. Intelligent 

8. Poet 

9. Musical 

10. Nostalgic

11. Classic

12. Generous 

13. Sentimental 

14. Beautiful 

15. Witty 

16. Dreamer 

17. Chosen 

18. Unique 

19. Philanthropic 

20. Grateful 

21. Author 

22. Admin 

23. Advocate 

24. Ambivert 

25. Loquacious 

26. Inquisitive 

27. Aspiring 

28. Unapologetic 

29. Authentic 

30. Scribe

31. Timeless

32. Creative

33. Prayerful

34. Consistent

35. Purposeful

36. Vibrant

37. Celebratory

38. Present

39. Thoughtful

40. Anointed

🎂4️⃣0️⃣ is fine when you look 2️⃣9️⃣🦋. 

Thankful for this new decade and who I am by God's design. Reflecting on how God has kept my mind, I'm looking 4️⃣ward to another beautiful j0️⃣urney and sacred time. 

#Vintage1985 #Chapter40 #LimitedEdition #AgedtoPerfection #40IsFineWhenYouLook29 #Forever21and19 #Sweet16and24 #2020Focused #4wardJ0urney

4️⃣ever Blessed & Gratef0️⃣l,

Lequvia Ousley 

In memory of Berta Mae Shannon Ousley 12/17/1938-11/15/2009 🕊1️⃣5️⃣💐

Today makes 15 years since my grandmother passing. I only have 2 memories of her. Once as a teenager in the grocery store, looking for an item on the aisle and she spoke to me. I spoke back but didn't know who she was and it was brought to my attention that she was my paternal grandmother. My second memory was my last year at ASU (2008) and I spoke with her over the phone. She expressed how she wanted to know us but the circumstances at the time wouldn't allow it. 2008 was a year of healing, discovery, and closure for me. Once I graduated and moved away, my grandmother's funeral was my 1st visit back home in 2009 and an opportunity to reconnect with more family. Thanksgiving was also coming up which gave me more time to be at home. Through the years, I experienced more losses with family and friends and made a conscious decision to be intentional, celebrate more, and create memories as much as possible. In this season of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful that I have connection and community with family and loved ones. 

In memory of Berta Mae Shannon Ousley 

12/17/1938-11/15/2009 1️⃣5️⃣🕊

In memory of Grandmother 'Shug', Emma L. Mays 9/24/1943-8/29/1994 🕊3️⃣0️⃣💐

The death of my maternal grandmother on 8/29/1994, was the first death I experienced in life. I just turned 9 years old a month before and my family in Albany, GA were recovering from the 1994 flood from Tropical Storm Alberto. My hometown of Dawson, GA only experienced heavy rainfall and minor flooding in areas close to bodies of water. It was my mother's 34th birthday and I still remember playing with my older sis (12 years old at the time) when the doorbell rang. It was our grandfather, my mother's father at the door letting her know that my grandmother passed. My mom was in disbelief because we had just visited her days before and she was recovering from surgery where a blood clot was removed due to head trauma from a previous car accident. She was coherent at the time, talking as usual. I still remember her showing us her beautiful red hair in a ziplock bag (she had a scarf on). We learned that she suffered a stroke which led to her sudden death at 50, a month shy of her 51st birthday. My mom comes in to tell us that grandmother passed and we were both shocked. I don't even remember crying at the mention of her death. I remember my mother telling our father she passed when he came home from work. There was a silence between my sister and we later met our family at the hospital and that's when my mother broke down and cried and then I started crying. That moment may have been the last memory of my mother crying. My mother was never the same after that and at that moment and every year around my mother's birthday, it was a dismal time of celebrating life while also honoring the memory of a loved one. I felt weird telling my mother "Happy birthday" but she understood my heart and through the years, I learned ways to honor her without it being weird. When she turned 50, I made sure it was extra special by gifting her favorite Gospel artists' albums that she once had on cassettes with the ones on CD with additional titles added. As time went on, simple prayers and cards were my tokens of celebration that she appreciated. During COVID in 2020, I surprised my mother for her 60th birthday. Despite the circumstances at the time, I made sure to be intentional. It was a blessing to have made those memories. A memory of my grandmother that sticks out to me is when my Dad had car trouble while we were in school. I remembered my mom calling grandma to come and take all of us to Albany so he could see what was happening with the car. My grandma had a white car but that particular moment, she came in her friend's gray Camaro which resembled my Father's car. After the car was situated, I remembered all of us grabbing a chicken family pack from Hardee’s (chicken, biscuits, and sides) and we came back to the house. Grandma talked with us for awhile and then she headed back home.  Everytime we went shopping in Albany, we always made a point to see grandma. With all the pictures I've taken with family through the years, I wish that I would have had more photos early on with my grandmother. She was a fashionista, a DV survivor, a woman of God, and just a beautiful person, very reminiscent of the late great Tina Turner. She would have been 81 this year and when I meet women in her age group, I often think of how she would have been had she lived. She left us too soon, but I know she never left our hearts and memories. 

In loving memory of Emma Lee Lowery Mays aka 'Shug', 9/24/1943-8/29/1994.

Lequvia Ousley