The two decorated scholars entered from stage right, their six-foot figures soaking in the applause from the crowded auditorium. After all these years of virtual meet-ups and conversations, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Dr. Clint Smith seemed just as moved as we all were to finally enjoy each other’s company again.

They wasted no time in getting to business.

Here are five things I learned as a professional historian-in-training at my first guest lecture experience at Dr. Lisa Diller’s (a great mentor and friend) Church History course at Southern Adventist University:

There’s a party tonight, and you’re invited. I’m turning 25 and while we drink sparkling cider to my accomplishments, it’s also time to be honest. I’m having a quarter-life crisis, and you are, too. So come on in, let’s all crowd into my little, gentrified apartment in Washington, D.C.

This week, my family celebrated our first Thanksgiving without Grandad, who passed away earlier this month. Grandad was my buddy and we did everything together. I’m glad I was able to spend this year with him.

I share this story to remind us that there will always be people in our lives who refuse to see our stories, struggles, or situations. Some people thrive when they have a misguided sense of power. They use that power to make others feel inferior, incapable, and insufficient. But when I think back to my conversations with Grandad riding in his trusty Toyota Avalon, I try my best to remember: “An ignorant person will make you hurt yourself.”

I hope you see me. I hope you see our struggle. In all this, remember that you have the ability to turn this all off when you walk outside. Before they see anything about you: whether you have a disability, you have a criminal record, you own a Fortune 500 company, or you attend church every week, etc. They’ll see your skin first. They won’t see you as they see me. Because, I’m Black.

I’m Adventist-ish because I believe in using everything that I’ve learned about my church and all of its resources to be an example of a Christian on the world’s stage--not just pouring straight back into my church and never daring to meet with people outside of its doors. Is everyone called to be a nurse, doctor, professor, pastor, etc.? Not at all!

Okay fine, I’ll admit it. I didn’t know who Celia Cruz was until I started dating my Afro-Latina girlfriend 4 years ago. I mean...I knew Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Shakira, and I knew Selena! (I mean we could count Selena Gomez, too, pero…) When I used to think of a Latina, these were the men and women I was used to picturing. I remember being slightly dumbfounded that my Panamanian friend in middle school (who was just a tiny bit more light-skinned than me) spoke fluent Spanish with all of our Mexican classmates. But...how could one be Hispanic/Latina(o) and...dare I say it… be BLACK!?

There were several amazing teachers and professors who loved and supported me throughout this journey. I obviously didn’t do this by myself and never want anyone to think that I did. I also don’t believe that these situations I’ve gone through were supposed to destroy me, but to remind me of what God’s done in my life before. Special thanks to all of my friends and family who have advised me on this journey. Next stop, Howard University in Washington D.C.

As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, many of us feel like we’re pushed through the system: Adventist education, Adventist church, Adventist corporation. Rinse and repeat. We raise our children to go to Adventist schools and do all of the culturally appropriate “Adventist-ish” things. So, are we Adventist enough? Let’s make an obviously satirical checklist.