COMMUNITY It should be wiped clean you would think since I was found not guilty, but no. It’s been hard finding jobs. If I fill out a job at a daycare, I won’t get it since I’m on the registry. The news, I learned a lot about them. When I did my first interview, they wanted to only talk about asking me questions about stealing grant money. I didn’t steal any grant money. I told them to call the Attorney General’s office and they will tell you I didn’t steal any money. It was a made-up excuse for the reasoning behind taking my grant. They have never done this for any other organization. That is a different issue. They weren’t fair and I felt they treated me differently and I don’t agree with it, and I hope to address it in the future. I also feel like our community doesn’t stand up for each other and maybe some are afraid since they are in high places and positions, they don’t want to lose anything. I have a lot to speak on and address. I think maybe I was supposed to see all this for a reason. At the end of the day, you don’t have any friends. All you have is the Lord. I’m lucky to have close family and friends. Everyone seemed to go on with their lives and didn’t care that I lost everything. The mother who accused me moved and went back to where she was from. Everyone continued and my life stopped. What do you say to those who abandon you? I am not mad. I forgive. I just know now, a lot of my family and friends say, don’t you help them. I know myself, and if those same people who did me wrong would ask for help, I know I would help them. I know my heart. I know to cherish those who were there for me and pray for the ones who weren’t. I can’t dwell on it. I can’t hate and I must forgive them for myself. I know people are still looking at me and saying things, but the people who came to support me know. I’m grateful for my last lawyer Andrea Flanagan and her law firm, she really helped me. She was court appointed. I had two paid lawyers at one time. I was blessed. I was in the court house crying because one of my paid lawyers had quit on me a week before trial and I didn’t have a lawyer. One of her assistants was in the courthouse and they were like we know her, we will defend her. I believe God had His hands in having them help me. She helped me in ways my paid lawyer didn’t. I was able to watch the body cameras that the police had on them and I heard the things they said. It was crazy that the police waited three weeks to arrest me after the accusation was made. I’m just glad it’s over. My dream is to have my own childcare again, but this time there will be cameras everywhere. I have seen all the comments, I even got death threats. Going through all this has taught me not to be quick to judge that is between them and the Lord. Final Words If anyone finds themselves in any situation don’t give up, get on your knees and pray. Watch people around you and treat people good. Make sure you’re a good person, remain humble especially when starting a business and keep God first. I want to take this moment to thank Calvetta for her story and giving part of her evening to share this in in her own words. Dwana Bradley
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