Makena: See Me, Hear Me, Know Me
Washington D.C. – 2021Bringing My Shine
On the first day of school, Makena picks out a new outfit to wear for the first day of seventh grade. She posts it on Instagram before heading out the door. On the way to the metro station, she passes her neighbors, Jerome and Stella, a mixed-race couple that lives across the street.
In the metro, she reunites with her friend Najee, who spent some time in Brooklyn while his mother recovered from COVID. But now, he’s back and ready to go to Aspire Academy with Makena.
Upon arriving at Aspire, Makena is introduced to Adeline, who is also Black. She follows Makena on Instagram, and so she recognized her. They realize they have some of the same classes, and decide to make their way to class together.
Makena and Adeline meet two new awesome teachers, Ms. Jacobs-Lee of homeroom/social studies, and Mr. Djondo of algebra. Mr. Djondo makes a point of emphasizing that names matter, so it’s important to get each others’ names correct.