Queen Cecka Rose Green
How We Met
The story of my life seems to be a never ending plot twist.
Sometimes I win.
Sometimes I fail.
And, sometimes I'm too confused to make a move so, I just stand there.
No matter the victory and no matter the storm, Cecka Rose Green is there to love me through it.
The day we met was one of the worst days of my life, but she is the reason that God made second chances.
From our first email to our most recent text message, Cecka is the same. What you see is what you get!
Straight. No chaser.
In 2008, I applied to be her intern at the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. They needed a few public relations interns, so I threw my name in the hat. While I was only a broadcast journalism student, I recognized the power of having a diverse resume. Also, I was the most confident and most qualified sophomore you'd ever meet, but that's not who showed up when I finally got a chance to shake her hand.
When I reached out via email expressing my interest, she informed me that I missed the deadline. It was the day before. Fortunately, she gave me a chance. Then-- I blew it.
I missed the interview.
I missed the interview and she still gave me another chance.
That day is still a blur to me. All I can remember is the taste of disgust it left in my mouth. I have never been more disappointed in myself.
When I show up to interview, I'm sharp. I knew I was walking into her office representing Florida A&M University. Sadly, I let everyone down.
I bombed the interview! The girl who arrived late to her second-chance interview wearing a pink blazer was nothing like the Georgia you know today. She was trash! That was one of the toughest chapters of my life. It was the year I started therapy.
Eight months after my miserable interview, I got a second chance. I saw Cecka at Women in Communications meeting. Hoping she didn't remember me, I walked over and greeted her. She remembered me. I’m bold so, I followed up with an email asking her to mentor me. She agreed and nothing was the same.
Nine years later, she's still my queen.
Last October, we did our makeup together before heading to campus for homecoming activities. My heart was so full. Sharing stories between blush and eyeliner will always be one of my favorite memories of us.
When I was a little girl, I used to follow my mom into the bathroom. After she undressed, I would put on all of her clothes and walk around the house pretending to be a “big girl.” Her shoes didn’t fit, her skirts dragged the floor and the bra was just unnecessary. Deep down. I’m still striving to be a big girl. I hope to one be able to fit Cecka’s shoes.
She is the mother I aspire to be, the wife I will strive to be and the friend everyone deserves.
Cecka, you are too dope for words.
About Cecka
For more than 25 years, Cecka Rose Green, CPM, has enjoyed a notable communications career locally, statewide and nationally. As Communications Director for Florida Housing Finance Corporation, she oversees media/public relations, communications strategies, and business continuity activities.
Born in Okinawa, Japan, and raised in Tallahassee, Cecka was valedictorian at FAMU High School, then majored in English at FAMU. She was a Presidential Scholar, Kappa Psi Psiette, FAMU Cheerleader, Epicurean Model and pledged the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Beta Alpha chapter). Cecka was Queen of the Orange & Green and Miss Black & Gold (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Nu chapter).
In August 2014, Cecka created the FAMU 10 for 10 Challenge, a social media fundraising campaign that, to date, has raised more than $300,000 for the University. Among other accolades, she’s a 2015 “FAMU NAA Distinguished Alumni” and was selected HBCU Digest’s 2015 “Alumna of the Year.”
Cecka is also the co-founder of Which Wrist? Bracelets by Anita + Cecka. They make custom bracelets that compliment any attire.
How You Can Find Cecka
Twitter: @FAMU10_for_10
Instagram: @FAMU10for10
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhichWrist/
Website: http://advancement.famu.edu/index.php/giving/10for10
