In this column, I reflect on my journey from aspiring teenage writer to advice columnist for The Voice. Inspired by early reads and real-life friendships, I aim to create a space where community members feel heard, supported, and empowered—writing with empathy, honesty, and a desire to connect through shared experience.

In 2020, during my senior year of high school, I texted a good friend of mine that I could write a book on my experiences with friendships and offer advice. It was a random thought that came into my mind as I, then 17 years old, often reflected on the friendships I had up to that point and what I wished someone my age would know, like, it’s true, friends really do come and go, but there are so many people you haven’t met, and that’s both reassuring and exciting. My friend replied, “So you’re gonna be an author?” While I haven’t gotten around to writing that book, I’ve done my fair share of writing as a senior journalism and English double-major at UNC-Chapel Hill throughout my time in college: news articles, research papers, you name it. One area of writing I haven’t explored but has piqued my interest much farther back than the text I sent my friend is column writing. I used to read the American Girl Smart Girl’s Guide Books as a preteen (“Drama, Rumors, and Secrets” ring a bell to anyone?) and spent considerable time flipping through the pages, absorbing the advice and seeing how I could apply it to my life. The chance to interact directly with readers, develop an intimate connection with them and be entrusted to share my thoughts on a particular subject while experimenting with my voice as a writer appealed to me. So, when the Voice’s editor-in-chief, Professor Carl Kenney, asked if I was interested in being the publication’s advice columnist after I served as a reporter for the Voice last semester, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to embed myself in the Durham community. 

My hope is that the Voice’s advice column is a safe and welcoming space where community members can share what’s on their minds. As your advice columnist, I will write with empathy, compassion and respect for you. If my words offer comfort, a new insight or a glimmer of hope, that in itself is rewarding. Your voice is your superpower, and I aim to elevate it.  

To submit a question, send me an email at deardurhamvoice@gmail.com with the subject “Dear Durham Voice Question.” Review our column’s code of conduct to ensure your question meets our guidelines. I can’t wait to read your submissions! 

Code of Conduct:  

1. Submissions should not include anything that attacks the character of a person 
2. Submissions should not disrespect the life of someone in the community.
3. Submissions should not question the credibility of a person’s religion or lack thereof.