Arts student Anecia Shepherd performed at the African Heritage Month Opening Ceremony at SMU on January 31
First-year Arts student Anecia Shepherd has already made an impression at Saint Mary’s with her passion, powerful writing and commanding presence. So, when her Professor, Soji Cole, recommended her to perform at the African Heritage Month Opening Ceremony, she saw an opportunity not only to share her words but to honour the legacy of those who came before her.
Originally from Antigua, in the Caribbean, Anecia says she immediately felt a sense of belonging at Saint Mary’s. “SMU has this community feel that fosters not only growth but health and wellness,” she explains. She credits her professors for making efforts to connect with and support students as individuals, as well as campus initiatives like African Heritage Month programming, which helped establish a deeper sense of connection and belonging.
“We put everything into celebrating Black culture in February back home,” Anecia explains. “The fact that SMU acknowledges February as this sacred month for Black people and celebrates that is beyond words. I think it makes all the Black students feel extremely appreciated.”
Anecia moved the audience with her spoken word piece ‘Recalled: A Dream Had, A Dream Have’.
Anecia’s performance at the AHM Opening Ceremony took the audience on a journey through a dream, where a dove sent by her ancestors urged her to confront the past and acknowledge the towering legacy of Black culture. “What lies ahead of you is forged in the histories of those who have bled before you,” she recited from her spoken word piece, Recalled: A Dream Had, A Dream Have.
Her performance reflected on the sacrifices and resilience of Black individuals, particularly Black women, and the burden of expectation placed upon them. “I can’t just be. Being is a measure of mediocrity. I gotta be strong...original...creative...revolutionary.” Her words lingered, acknowledging each stacked pressure before finally casting them off. “Forget I gotta be,” she declared, embracing both the struggles and triumphs of the legacy that shaped her. At that moment, she reclaimed her power. “I am!”
As February’s Black History Month transitioned to March’s Women’s History Month, Anecia sees a natural connection between the two. "Black history and women’s history are deeply intertwined, woven together by stories of strength, struggle and resilience," she says. But with that legacy often comes immense pressure in the expectation to be everything to everyone and to do it all without faltering.
Anecia’s piece also paid tribute to her grandmother, whose life was a testament to choosing fulfillment over expectation, embracing culture and living on her own terms. But beyond her personal inspiration, the poem served as a broader reflection on how Black individuals, and women in particular, face relentless pressure to fit into societal moulds, to excel without rest, and to endure without complaint. Her performance challenged that societal construct, rejecting the notion that success must come at the cost of self.
Anecia’s love for writing extends beyond the spoken word. She hopes to use her words to explore injustice, honour her identity and find ways to influence meaningful change. “Writing feels like something I’ll do in every lifetime,” she says.
Reflecting on both African Heritage Month and Women’s History Month, she shares a powerful message: “I’m still here…I, for myself, for my ancestors, for every Black person and woman in the wider community. We are still here...make space. Let’s work together and flourish together by building a community built on equality, love, kindness, and justice.”
