🔟🐏💙💛🎉 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