“It takes a village.” This phrase is my driving force. I want to see change that benefits many and brings us closer together. Whether I am teaching in a class, designing printed materials, organizing an event, or writing a blogpost, my thoughts always go to those involved … how they feel, what brought them here, how they can be included. Community makes us stronger. As an adoptee, I lost my original village, but that adversity allowed me to build a wide-reaching village … from Seoul to Kigali to London to various cities in the United States. My background is varied. I’m a transracial adoptee, a parent, an artist, a motivational speaker, a teacher, a writer, an activist, a feminist and so much more. All these experiences guide me in my work to create community and an appreciation for the arts.I enjoy teaching and sharing the love of art and design. Watching my students discover the beauty of art and its power energizes me. I see my job as a nurturer.In my artwork, I like to lend a voice to those who may not have one or point out the beauty in something that is often overlooked. All these aspects of me, culminate in that idea of a village. A way of bringing people together to take care of one another.