Community came into my life at an interesting time. When I was 8 years old my family moved to Dover, Delaware. It was in Dover where I learned what a community was. When I moved to Dover it was me and mom. At the time my mom was working at Delaware State University as the Senior Women’s Administrator and head Coach for the women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field team. Due to her job she had to travel sometimes so occasionally my Mama would come down and watch me or other times I would stay with my mom’s friends. Over the years my mom’s travel cut back but my interaction with my community grew.
I was very involved as a child. I was in Delta GEMS, on the usher board and junior trustees at Mt. Zion AME Church, ran track, played soccer, was in band and that’s to name a few. I was so engulfed in my community that anywhere I went I was known as either “Connie/Coach Hayes’ daughter” or “Jasmine’s little sister” (I didn’t become Jamila until 2009/2010). Growing up in a place like Dover, everyone knows everybody, and everyone is related as kin in some capacity. So, growing up I had the mindset of me, myself, and I. Outside of my mom and my sister I had zero kinship ties to anyone in the state of Delaware.
Over the years my community became my second family. It was my senior year of high school and I had qualified for Meet of the Champions, a state meet where the top runners from each division compete to see who the champion amongst champions is. Throughout my athletic career my mom has never missed a track meet but this time my mom was traveling for work and couldn’t make it. My sister was in college and my dad had come and surprised me right before the 200m race. I wasn’t fully alone I had my coach, my friends, teammates, school, and my dad there to support me, but it still didn’t feel right because my mom wasn’t there. Long story short I ran my race and got second place. After my race I got a phone call from my mom screaming praises about my race. This confused the heck out of me because she was states away so how did she know about the race. Well days before my race my mom invited my church family, her line sisters, sorors, and friends because she knew she couldn’t make it. When I looked up in the stands, I saw an entire section of my community supporting me.
I’ve carried my love of community with me in college and beyond. The section Community are pictures of friends and family that have supported me throughout my photography journey. Whether posing for me so I can practice a new technique or commissioning me to capture a special moment, my community got me here. To my community thank you for loving and supporting me.
JPHazyLens Photography 