My Story …

So, it began as a little girl. For some reason I was drawn to the people that “looked like me.” I remember when in public with my parents I would instantly be drawn to African people … melanated people. They were warm, they were kind, they were inviting and they were beautiful.

One particular incident I will never forget is when my father was living, we were all out to dinner; my Father and children and we walked into this restaurant and I immediately was drawn to these very tall, slim, dark men. Not in a romantic way, but I attracted to their energy … their presence. They were unique. Something was different about them. They were African and my best guess was they were from The Congo or maybe Sudan. I told my Father, “I have to speak to them!” So, I went up to them and I said, “You guys are African!” They said in a very interesting accent, “Yes we are.” “And, I would venture to say you are from The Congo or Sudan.” And they said, “Yes, of course; we are from The Congo. It is our first time in the U.S.” Their spirits were so warm. I welcomed them to the U.S. and told them I hope they enjoy their stay.

I never forgot that experience and I never will. Fast forward, I had the opportunity to date an African man. Of course, that lit my fire for Africa once again. I began to feel a “drawing to” the continent. The best way to describe the feeling I have is to say, ”The Ancestors are calling me home.” That feeling has only grown in intensity over the months and years.

And so, here I am. Embarking on my first trip to Africa; to the Continent; to The Motherland; to Ghana, West Africa.

When I was a young women married and having my children, I was a part of a ministry in Central Florida where I am from. The choir at the church use to sing a song and in the lyrics of the song it said, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Every time this song was sung by the choir I felt as if God was speaking directly to me. I never understood why until now. Just recently in my planning and preparation for Ghana, the words of that spiritual song came back to my remembrance; here I am Lord, send me.

I would never claim to truly understand why I felt I must go to the continent. But what’s real is, I knew I have to go. Sometimes when God calls you to do something, He doesn’t always make it clear as to “why” He is calling you and “what” He is calling you to do. Our responsibility is to just answer the call.

That being said, I am praying and asking all that would pray that I see and hear what God is showing me; that He will order my steps. I pray for my safety and that He will place people in my path that will assist me on this journey.

Since this all began, Africa has been on my mind when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. The energy is real; “the calling” is real!

On my birthday, June 30, 2020, I “pulled the trigger!” I purchased my ticket to Africa! I am beyond excited and there are so many emotions that I am feeling, so I am taking it a day at a time in order to keep from feeling overwhelmed. It is a massive undertaking. The planning is broad and it is not an inexpensive trip. However, as I have stated, I must go. He has already answered my prayer by continuing to strategically place people in my life that will assist me along the way. So, I have help. In approximately six months I will be stepping foot on the continent of Africa for the very first time in my life. In addition, I will be the first person in my family to return to the continent since the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, whereby my ancestors were taken from their land never to return. I will be returning and I am honored.

In closing, my goal is to document this journey via blogging and vlogging for those that will see and hear what my experience will be on the continent of Africa. Prayerfully, it will be educational, informative and eye opening for all of my readers and viewers that dare to open their minds to the possibility of traveling to and even repatriating back to The Motherland. We have options and my goal is to expose those options.

So I encourage you to take this journey with me. Shall we?

Until next time … may our ancestors be with us.

Demetra “Afua” Driskell

I am Demetra Graham Driskell, an African woman born and raised in the United States of America. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and I have worked in the field of Social Services for over twenty years. I am also a Teacher in the State of Florida. I am a Mother of three young adults, a Grandmother of two precious Granddaughters and now a Blogger. It is my dream and goal to bring my story of my personal journey to the continent of Africa, raw and uncut to those in the diaspora that have eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind to absorb the truth about this massive continent. Innately, I know this story must be documented from beginning to end. And so, as I like to say, the journey begins.