Art has been a part of my life since I was very young. Memories of fashion sketches, self portraits, story writing, and music fill my mind when reminiscing. My friends and family supported me by showing up, asking questions, and believing in me. My recent life journey has been working on believing and supporting myself.
I grew up in Detroit, MI, and from the energy of the city, my people, and the creatives, there is no denying the effect of my hometown on who I am. I am often called back for my family and friends, city events, and the artistry. I went to Harvard for college, and that was a shock to my body, soul, and sense of self. I found groundedness in my chosen family on campus, who related to the shock and lack of reality at school. I continued to ground myself through art, finding that it was my only avenue to process my experiences, and find my sense of self that felt so lost. Art was my pathway to finding me again, and it held me through all the tough times, life transitions, and shifts. I am a multimedia artist, often answering questions of “what type of art do you do?” with the answer “Anything I’m called to. Finding space currently in print form with zines, and music with my violin.”
I took a chance and pivoted when joining the co-director team at ACI. I mostly worked in youth direct service spaces, with organizations who provided resources and space to young people. Youth work and support is still a passion of mine; however, my soul was yearning for something new and something that would push me to grow in my artistry and find more artist community. Now, I am the co-director of systems support at ACI, supporting our team with developing and creating systems that make our work more easeful. I help with our gallery space, (first time curating!), and that is a new niche that has lit a fire in me. I’ve met a lot of new people who are all kind and powerful in their own ways, and have felt more at home and secure in my identity as an artist.
So if you read this far, I ask you to support the organization that has supported me, with a donation. Any gifts would help continue growing and learning as a leader with ACI. Stay tuned for our 10th anniversary birthday celebration on May 20th, 2025!
