As an only child much of my childhood was spent in solitude. This time alone became a canvas for my creativity, with drawing and painting being my first voice. I started a clothing line at age 7 called “Dripping Strawberries” with the help of my grandmother, Denise, which is a story for another day. But, growing up in a West Indies household where creative pursuits weren’t always viewed as practical was hard; I often found myself navigating a path without encouragement or examples to follow.

From a young age, I was deeply self-aware and hyper-independent. I learned to be both my own nurturer and teacher; with an overwhelming expectation of perfection which led me to often neglect my own desires in favor of meeting external expectations.

When it came time for college, I was still operating from a place of obligation, not choice. I thought I would satisfy myself with a new business venture, which was a custom jewelry line called “Vice.”

Following my mother’s suggestion, I pursued business marketing which led to more unhappiness, the peers in these classes didn’t look like me or hold the same values I did. I became detached with academia and failed a class for a second time. I didn’t know where I was going but I made the first appointment available to speak to a guidance councillor. I knew nothing about anthropology at the time, but decided to say yes to myself for the first time. Made the decision to pursue something unbeknownst to myself or family. That choice, though uncertain, turned out to be one of the most liberating and transformative decisions of my life.

Life became a whirlwind, balancing multiple roles and a variety of jobs while finishing my final semester in school, was overwhelming. Then…the pandemic hit, stripping away everything.