Our Crew
Every great love story deserves an unforgettable supporting cast.
Meet the BrideSquad and GroomCrew — the family we chose, the friends who’ve become family, and the ones who’ve been there through every laugh, late-night talk, and “you got this” moment.
They’re not just standing beside us; they’ve been holding us down from the start.
From planning to partying, this crew embodies the joy, style, and love that define The Burks–Marshall Experience.
The Bride Squad
These are the people who know me at my core. The ones who have seen every version of me and loved me through every chapter. They are the friends who remind me who I am when life gets loud, who speak to my spirit, who show up without being asked. When I chose my BrideSquad, I didn’t choose based on history alone, but on the love, consistency, accountability, and truth they have poured into my life. These are the ones who have helped shape the woman I am today, the woman walking into this marriage with a full heart and a steady mind. I am honored to have them stand with me, not simply as witnesses, but as the ones who have walked the journey with me.
--Thadijah
Ti’Erra S. Burks-Woods
Ti’Erra has been in my life since 1993 — my very first best friend and the steady flame that has always kept me grounded. She is loyalty embodied — the one who shows up, tells the truth, and reminds me of who I am when I forget. From helping me win Miss Freshman at TSU to showing up for Brayden in the middle of the night, she has always been there without hesitation. She has walked beside me through every season — every rise, every fall, every decision, and every lesson. I chose her to stand with me because she is the voice that reminds me I am worthy, deserving, and capable — and she has been that since the beginning.
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"My stylish, loyal, first best friend — the one who keeps me grounded and lifts me higher all at once."
Thomas L. Branch
Thomas came into my life in 2018, but the impact he has had is lifelong. He is the one who saw value in me before I fully saw it in myself — the coal miner who dug patiently, not to change me, but to reveal the diamond already forming. Even before we were close, he held me accountable to my highest self, pushing me to lead, grow, and stand firm in who I am. His guidance helped shape the woman Kenn met — confident, grounded, and clear in what I wanted. I chose Thomas because this wedding, this love, and this moment would not look the same without the belief, discipline, and wisdom he poured into me.
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"My bold, action-driven friend who pushes me toward excellence and loves me in a way that builds me."
Veronica L. Woodward
Veronica is my safe place — the space where I never have to perform, explain, or shrink. With her, I am simply me. Our friendship has been built across years and chapters — from TSU, to shared kitchens and late-night conversations, to bar stools where we talked about who we were becoming. She has loved me for who I am — not for what I could do, give, or prove — just me. I chose her to stand with me because she reminds me to walk into this new chapter grounded, whole, seen, and loved.
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"My brilliant, genuine, dependable friend who loves with her whole heart and makes space for me to be real."
The Groom Crew
These are my people.
The ones who have seen me through every version of myself.
They held space for me when I was rebuilding.
They laughed with me in the joy and sat with me in the quiet moments behind closed doors.
They are not here because of time alone.
They are here because of truth, presence, and love that has proven itself over and over again.
--Kenn
Lakeysha “Keys” Haddox-Jones
We met in 2006 on a skating rink floor. No words at first. Just laps and music and showing up. Funny how you can build a bond in silence before you ever speak a word. Keys has always been steady for me. She is the one who tells the truth softly. Never loud. Never cruel. She does not say I told you so. She simply stands beside me while I find my way. When my life felt heavy and I was trying to hold myself together, she rode with me every evening on my drive home from work. Some days we did not even talk. But I was not alone. That is the kind of love you do not let go of. I chose her because she has witnessed my evolution. She knows who I have been and who I am becoming. Her presence is a light and a laugh you feel before you even see her face.
"My steady place — the quiet strength that never wavers."
Rashad Dion “Big Brotha Almighty” McCray
We met in the rink in 2008. The bond was instant. The brotherhood was earned. Dion has been my foundation more times than I can count. When I needed to rebuild my life in Atlanta, he did not offer help. He spoke a simple truth. You coming to stay with me. We will get you together. And he did. That season changed everything. He has seen me at the start of storms and at the calm after them. He has seen the work. The growth. The choosing of better for myself. He belongs here because he has been a witness to the becoming. If you know him you can already hear it: I just wanna appreciate yall. Head tilted. Smile on his face. Heart wide open.
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"My foundation — the brother who made space for me to become myself."
Zamia “Mimi” Laboo-Foster
We crossed paths in 2010. Life brought us under the same roof and friendship turned into family. Mimi has been my shelter. The one who held me up when I could not hold myself. When I had nowhere else to go, she came to get me. Middle of the night. No questions. No judgment. Just love and protection and a place to breathe again. She has covered me in ways I cannot fully explain. The kind of love that says, I have you even when you do not have yourself. That is why she is standing beside me today. There is no celebration of my life she has not poured into. She is my angel in plain sight.
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"My shelter — love that protects, restores, and holds without question."