As I Rise A Private Viewing of As I Rise at Chapman Collective Gallery

As I Rise is a striking photo exhibition and upcoming documentary film that celebrates five extraordinary Black women from South Dallas who have overcome deep personal, social, and systemic challenges to become symbols of resilience, leadership, and legacy.

Through the powerful lens of fine art photography and first-person storytelling, As I Rise offers an intimate and poetic exploration of identity, labor, motherhood, mental health, entrepreneurship, and community service—elevating voices that are too often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Set against the backdrop of South Dallas—a historically Black community often misrepresented in media—the film invites viewers to experience the beauty, complexity, and strength of women who have chosen healing, truth, and purpose as acts of resistance.

This documentary is a reclamation of voice, space, and story.

Entrepreneur | Veteran | Creative | South Dallas Native

When I think of the quiet power that lives in Black women—the kind that builds, heals, and holds generations together—I think of Carrie Shannon, known as Patti Duke.

Born and raised in the historic heart of South Dallas, Carrie’s roots run deep. For over 25 years, she has served as a hairstylist—but that title only scratches the surface. At Dukes Hair Studio, the salon she owns and operates, women don’t just come for a style—they come to exhale. They come to be heard. They come to feel whole again. Carrie’s chair is a place of transformation, not just for the body, but for the spirit. Her salon isn’t just a business—it’s a ministry.

Alongside her work as a stylist, Carrie is also the proud owner of Starship Transport, an 18-wheeler transportation company she has led successfully for over 10 years. Whether she’s styling a crown or managing logistics on the road, she moves with purpose, precision, and heart.

Purchasing her salon and the property it sits on stands as one of her proudest milestones—a bold act of ownership, legacy, and faith. Carrie is a child of God, a proud Black woman, and a tireless worker whose strength comes from her deep-rooted belief in possibility and divine order. She is deeply inspired by the women who came before her and motivated to show others that success can bloom anywhere—especially in South Dallas.

To her, As I Rise is a divine assignment. It’s a reflection of her journey, her faith, and her joy in seeing other women rise too.

Her message:
 "Stay consistent. Work hard. Trust the process. And don’t forget your lip gloss."

Visionary Healer | Legacy Builder

When I think of what it means to rise—with grace, intention, and unwavering purpose—I think of Dr. Michelle Morgan.

Born and raised in South Dallas, Dr. Morgan carries a title rooted in legacy, memory, and a vision for healing that’s been growing since childhood. From her early days at Charles Rice and Pearl C. Anderson schools to earning a full scholarship to Southern Methodist University and becoming a faculty member at Baylor College of Dentistry, her path has always led back home—with a mission to serve.

Dr. Morgan brings healing through her hands, her faith, and her commitment to community. She believes that healthcare is a right, and she has spent her life creating access through dentistry and holistic wellness. Her purpose goes beyond private practice—it reaches into the heart of her community.

Now, she leads the restoration of Forest Avenue Hospital—once the only hospital for African Americans in Dallas—into the Legacy of Hope Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art health facility on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. What started as a childhood memory has grown into a movement for transformation. Through tireless fundraising and bold vision, Dr. Morgan is turning a long-abandoned building into a place of healing, dignity, and hope.

As moderator for As I Rise, Dr. Morgan brings both wisdom and heart. Her story reminds us that when women rise with purpose, they bring entire communities with them—one step, one brick, one dream at a time.

 Psychologist | Healer of the Heart

Dr. Teresa L. Jackson’s journey speaks softly but powerfully to the soul of As I Rise. Her life’s work is a testimony—a sacred call to healing, restoration, and sisterhood.

In a world that often demands that we hold it all together, Dr. Jackson offers something deeper: a place to unravel, reflect, and be rebuilt with grace. As a licensed psychologist and board-certified art therapist, she brings together science, empathy, and creativity to guide her clients toward healing. She doesn’t just treat symptoms—she reaches for the whole self.

Rooted in the belief that humans are emotional, spiritual, and physical beings, Dr. Jackson uses a blend of cognitive tools, psychodynamic understanding, and expressive artmaking to help people reconnect with their truth. Her practice is grounded in care, curiosity, and deep listening.

She serves adults of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and anyone navigating trauma, transition, or simply the weight of survival. Her office—The Montgomery Behavioral Health Institute—is a clinic that serves as a sanctuary where healing begins the moment you walk in. With soft light, 

Publisher | Community Torchbearer

Mollie Finch Belt’s life and legacy embody the very spirit of As I Rise—a journey defined by resilience, purpose, and generational impact. As the Publisher and CEO of The Dallas Examiner, she has transformed personal loss into leadership, continuing the legacy of her late father, civil rights attorney Fred Finch Jr., by turning a once-struggling newspaper into a powerful, award-winning platform for truth, justice, and community empowerment.

Her unwavering dedication to civil rights, health equity, and education has made her a respected voice in Dallas and beyond. Through the lens of journalism, she has documented the struggles and triumphs—of Black Dallas. Her work uplifts voices too often left unheard and ensures that community stories are told with dignity, depth, and accountability.

Prosecutor | Legal Advocate | South Dallas Daughter

Some women are called to protect. Others are called to rise. Shawnkeedra Martin was called to do both.

Born and raised in South Dallas, Shawnkeedra’s journey is one marked by grit, grace, and a fierce sense of justice. Before she ever stood in a courtroom, she stood up for herself—in a workplace dispute that could have silenced her, but instead lit a fire. That moment wasn’t just a turning point. It was a calling. It was the beginning of a legal journey grounded in purpose and powered by advocacy.

Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Prairie View A&M University and a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law, Shawnkeedra has spent the last 18 years as a trusted voice inside the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. She is known not just for her sharp mind, but for her heart—for showing up with integrity, discernment, and compassion. In 2023, she was named Prosecutor of the Year, and for four consecutive years, listed in the National Black Lawyers Top 100—honors earned not through ego, but through excellence.

She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a mentor to rising legal minds, and a steadfast example of what it looks like to serve with both power and humility.

For Shawnkeedra, As I Rise is not just a celebration—it’s a mirror. A reflection of what it means to rise through truth, to speak with clarity, and to lead with conviction. Her story is a reminder that justice begins not in the courtroom—but in the courage to believe your voice matters.