“Something has to drive you, and it has to be desire.” – Thea Nerissa Barnes This year didn’t start off well for me. Instead of engaging in the usual excitement surrounding the beginning of a new year, I spent this time mourning the loss of my cousin, Thea Nerissa Barnes, who passed away on December 28, 2018. Although Thea was my first cousin (my father’s niece), she was more like a big sister to me. She was an amazing dancer, choreographer, teacher, mentor, and researcher wh