Janora's 2023 Year End Review

Although Colon Cancer was not on my 2023 Bingo Card, I was not going to let it stop my Annual Newsletter and Year-End Recap tradition. If anything, it was a wake-up call to not take a day for granted and to continue to celebrate everything along the way, including the people in it. So thank you for being on this journey with me & allowing me to share at the end of every year. Here are a few of my favorite highlights from this one...

Checked off a couple of Bucket List Items...

In January, gave a TEDx Talk as part of the TEDxYouth@NCSSM event back in my hometown of Durham, NC. Click here to watch.

Walked the Red Carpet with both my wife AND parents. This moment happened as part of the Praise This Movie Premiere in Atlanta. I played "Aunt Liz" and Praise This is currently streaming on Peacock.

Shared a few powerful times with my wife...

Returned for the 2nd year in a row to Vice President Kamala Harris' official Pride Celebration in Washington, DC.

Joined forces as the DJ & Emcee tag team for the Los Angeles Women's Police Officers and Associates (LAWPOA) Annual Leadership Symposium

Saw Beyonce twice :)

Picket lines and projects...

Spent important time on the SAG-AFTRA and WGA and picket lines. The time was even sweeter when my brother, nephew & sister joined me in solidarity during their visits from NC.

Played "Brenda Garrick" (AKA young Ludacris' mom) in the Christmas movie "Dashing Through The Snow" currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

Booked a national commercial for Toyota that aired throughout the summer.

My other "What's VMS" commercial actually aired during the Super Bowl!

Was part of the long-awaited "Starfield" video game by Bethesda Game Studios. I voiced the badass space pirate Naeva Mora.

Was part of the post-production sound Loop Group on some pretty cool film and tv projects this year including BMF, So Help Me Todd, Reacher, Vacation Friends 2 and the prequel to The Hunger Games

Returned as the live in-studio on-camera host for the introduction of the Kia EV9

The year is not complete without returning to Chapel Hill a few times...

Was part of the cast for "The Story of Us," a staged reading performance of LGBTQ+ oral histories from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Delivered the key note address for UNC-Chapel Hill's Lavender Graduation.

Also was extremely honored to be quoted in the Chancellor's remarks during Carolina's full Spring Commencement.

Received the Harvey E Beech Outstanding Alumni Award for overall achievement.

Click here to view my Acceptance speech

Now on to my biggest role to date...

At the end of October, I went in for a routine colonoscopy and came out with a cancer diagnosis. I had no symptoms and simply had the procedure because the new recommended screening age dropped to 45. Talk about a life plot twist!

After more tests, tons of prayer and lots of tears, it was determined that the next step was surgery to remove the compromised portion of my colon.

On December 29th I had the colectomy and I am beyond estatic to report that it was a success. I'm even more thrilled to share that from my final pathology report released this week, there is no evidence of the disease in my body AKA I am CANCER FREE!!!

Early detection (and the grace of God!) saved my life. So please, if you're over the age of 45, get your colonoscopy!

And now that I have a second chance at life, I refuse to waste it on things that just don't matter. I cannot wait to share all the blessings this renewed attitude and awareness will bring.

In the meantime, thanks for reading & may God bless & keep us all in 2024. And Live Your Life!