I was born Terry Roteshra Rhodes but this was not correct. I don't know what the deal was with my mom and dad but they had it wrong from the start.

After a life of heartache and confusion, being neglected and ignored, I'm just now halfway through life and I'm finding my way and living on my own terms. My given name is not who I am at all. As a matter of fact that person is dead to me. I say this out of love for the woman, wife, and mother I am today.

My name is Jamila Carr-Bankston but everyone calls me Jamilah Renae. It means beauty reborn. I'm married, we have 10 beautiful children, and a dog named Shadow. I've been writing short stories and poetry since I was a small child. I was often left alone so poetry was all I had to keep me sane.