About

I'm Acasia, a motivated - melanated - milspouse - mom and travel maven.

Motivated: I’m a Spelman Woman (‘08) with a Masters in Public Health from The George Washington University (‘10). My professional journey has included public health research, project management, strategic advising, executing a national racial healing and reconciliation campaign (EmbRace Healing), financial management, wellness consulting and directing a children’s ministry. But wait, there’s more...

Melanated: I’m unapologetically black and celebrate my heritage, self love and liberation (theology). I consider myself a vessel of Black Girl Magic with a growing and abiding love for Jesus Christ (the Middle Eastern person who probably most resembled this man. Let's be real, if Jesus of Nazareth and his kinfolk hid in Egypt, they most likely resembled the people I saw in Egypt, Bahrain and Oman, etc.). 

Milspouse: I’m a professional nomad who belongs to an extensive community of dynamic and awe-inspiring spouses navigating the ups and downs of military life. In between undergrad and grad school, I met and befriended the brilliant, intelligent and breathtaking man that I have the pleasure of calling my life partner and Best Friend. We've been married for 10 years and have bounced around from the DC Metro area, Washington (state), Atlanta, The Kingdom of Bahrain, Sunny Southern Spain (SoSpa) and now North Carolina. But, our greatest adventure to date arrived in November 2018…

Mom: I am mom to the one and only, Lavender Sophia, the love of my life, my heartbeat and baby girl who was born in Spain. My husband and I are on this lifelong journey of parenting and I’m grateful to be raising a Navy Baby! She keeps me on my feet and teaches me all sorts of things as we raise her.

Travel Maven: I was born to travel. No, really. My dad served over 20 years in the U.S. military and I have been traveling since I was a toddler. I’m always in search of a new environment, community and adventure. From growing up military, to academic and professional relocations, and now being married to a military service member with a family of my own, I’m constantly on the move. A life time of travels, coupled with my passion for adventure, appreciation for cultural literacy and sharing my experiences makes me your travel maven.

THIS BLOG

Over the years (12 to be exact) I have had several personal blogs dedicated to separate aspects of my life. One for faith, one for travel, one for ambitions, etc. But I finally decided to stop dividing and conquering myself.  I knew I needed to consolidate everything into one space and chronicle the fullness of me, which is where "Rhymes with Acasia" begins. This is a lifestyle blog featuring travel guides, insights on life abroad, the joys of being an unapologetically ambitious, career-oriented woman, mom and military spouse. I provide reviews, social commentary and reflections governed by the faith that shapes, guides and keeps me. 

Now don't be a stranger. Come back often, leave a comment, follow me on the social interwebs and give yourself permission to live unapologetically bold and free!

photo credit: Joni Smith Photography