If strength were a person, her name would be Kymberly Wiggins.
My mother is the kind of woman who turns obstacles into stepping stones and wears her responsibilities like armor—never heavy enough to break her, always strong enough to carry others. She is my north star, my quiet storm, and the reason I walk with my head high even when the road gets tough. Because of her, I learned that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you earn, one challenge at a time.
By day, she juggles multiple jobs like a pro. By night, she becomes a teacher, mentor, and entrepreneur, running her own business where she leads classes on how to build better teamwork and professional collaboration. But in between the spreadsheets and seminar rooms, she’s also a world-class mother, a pillar of strength for our entire family, and the glue that holds so many of us together. She’s an auntie with a heart as big as her dreams, a cousin you can count on, and a friend whose presence calms chaos. Somehow, she does it all—without losing her joy or her purpose.
And while she builds businesses, she’s also been building me.
She never let me doubt myself for long. When I questioned my place, she reminded me of my power. When I failed, she didn’t say “try again”—she said, “You’re built for more.” Watching her never give up on her goals showed me that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a part of it. Her grind became my blueprint. In the past, I didn’t always see the leader within me. I came into college as an athlete, ready to contribute to the baseball team, but disagreements with the coach led me to walk away from the sport. At the time, it felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind. But my mother helped me see that walking away wasn’t quitting—it was choosing growth. That choice opened the door to lifelong friendships, academic opportunities, and personal transformation I never saw coming. Now, I’m a proud student at Jackson State University. I’ve earned a place in the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College and recently became an initiate into the Delta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. I speak with confidence. I walk with purpose. And every step forward is rooted in the sacrifices she made and the love she never withheld. My mother doesn’t chase recognition—but she deserves the world. Every scholarship I apply for, every honor I pursue, I do with her in mind. Making her proud isn’t just motivation—it’s my mission. I know the miles she walks for me. I see the late nights, the early mornings, and the endless love stitched into everything she does.