I am like a chameleon
Forever changing between
the textures, the layers
of black and white

Colours like places I didn’t belong
Like places I couldn’t call home
Growing up as not white or black
They said
but Black enough to infect the pool water
They said

Four years old
when I realised I was black
Just enough to stand out
from the white kids with blue eyes
from the white men in grey City Law suits

I am like a chameleon
on land of corporate code-switching
Knowing what is business
and what is blood
knowing and loving
growing into every bit of me
and my identity

Slowly but surely coming home to me.

I am on a mission
for kindness, joy and equity
in an industry that didn’t always
make space for me

Following my dreams, my intuition
yet constantly reminded by society
of the expectations and limitations
of who a woman should be

And I’m not a corporate dresser
That’s just not me
But I have a power
Even if they don’t always see it
What I am and who I choose to be

I grew sick and tired
Of empty promises and the lack of opportunity
So I got inspired
Left the men to it in their own breweries
And created my own beer community

Some people look at me funny
Proudly pulling pints and smiling while pregnant
The audacity of running a beer business
My beer business
With a mindful approach to selling
And a musical approach to being.

I am in love with the world
and everything around her
For she is
All things musical
and
All things beautiful
The ultimate piece of art, peace

Is seeing things in colour
Is painting my power
A canvas transforming
into the artist I’m supposed to be

Living and loving every colour
for her
With art bombs blasting
like music to my ears
Singing, shouting…
“Just draw something, Janet.”

I am alive
And tired of not being
the protagonist
of my own story
Of living in fear
Stuck in the box
you try to put me in

I don’t have to disappear
I deserve to be here
I can take up space
make love and make noise
Leave notes and melodies
with no apologies 
And with that endless musical rhythm
I won’t forget just who I am

So no more
putting myself last
and allowing you to do the same
I am
Taking it back, taking it all
My value
My power
My music
Because I am worth so much more than this.