It is difficult to exaggerate the role of storytelling in my life as I have contemplated the career path I'd like to pursue. I have always been passionate about stories, from reading, artwork, or listening to podcasts in the car with my family. Storytelling is what allows us to grow as people, to learn from the past, to share in others' experiences, and enrich our daily lives through meaningful connections. In this way, storytelling is an act of care that is essential to human life. As an artist, I see art in particular as an incredible vehicle for both understanding personal identity and the individual in relation to broader society. This is something I began to explore in my senior art show, Canary Blues. Of course, storytelling transcends just one mode of representation. It can be felt through dance, song, written text, and notably, through oral histories. Its significance as a historic tradition is not lost on me and through collaborating with The Creative Process, I would love to bring my perspective as a storyteller (writer and artist) to shed light on important conversations and topics across industries around the world. Naturally, this would be a two-way street. I would be particularly excited to learn more, bring an open mind, to the important work done by this team. 

I am a recent graduate of Princeton University with a degree in African American Studies and Visual Arts. My senior thesis, "Black Lives Matter and the Rise of Hashtag Activism; Analyzing Twitter as a Tool of the Black Political Imagination," explored the dynamics and drawbacks of online activist work. My visual arts exhibition, Canary Blues, grappled with identity, loss, and healing through the lens of the black female experience. Now working as a Visual Culture and Communications Specialist for Dr. Ruha Benjamin's Ida B Wells JUST Data Lab, I'm unpacking the implications of imagery and language used to build narratives around race during the pandemic. I'm also developing an online art shop, Duende Art, which sells commissioned paintings and other customized artworks. As far as written projects, I am now writing an addendum to my thesis, Names In The Street, which discusses the recent Black Lives Matter protests, COVID-19, and the ways activism has evolved in the age of social distancing. Ultimately, I would like to go on to earn my Ph.D. and MFA but would like to spend some time working before then. 

This year has had its fair share of chaos and I'm sure I'd be hard-pressed to find someone unaffected by the series of events that have occurred. My wish is ideologically related to one of the artistic projects I have started, Duende Art. Duende is a Spanish word that brings me a tremendous amount of joy. It refers to the indescribable quality of a work that inspires passion and inspiration, allowing the viewer to establish a profound connection with said work. If I could have one wish for the future (excluding the obvious wishes for world stability, lessened global hardship, etc.), it would be that I keep the light of Duende alive in myself and find ways to help others cultivate it within their homes and communities as well. This doesn't have to be limited to art; in a world where social distancing can create feelings of isolation, finding the Duende in the everyday is what has kept me going. In this way, The Creative Process is well aligned with this goal. In highlighting creative work, archiving important conversations, and nurturing connections, this organization is creating space for the content that truly sustains us, especially in such turbulent times. 

Check out www.duendeartc.com, which features my more recent artworks.