Tell us your story. (Your journey, your work, or what brought you to where you are today.)

My journey began with a passion for the creative arts and a deep desire to empower young girls and women to see themselves as whole, worthy, and powerful. As someone who grew up often being the creative, quiet one in the room, I learned early on that art could speak when I couldn’t and that creativity is more than talent, it’s healing. After years of working in fashion, education, and nonprofit spaces, I founded Creative Girls Rock®️ in 2017 to build a safe, vibrant space where young girls, women, and now intergenerational communities can express themselves, heal, and grow through creativity.

Name a person, tradition, or community value from your past that guides how you give or serve today.

The foundation of how I give and serve today is deeply rooted in my parents and upbringing. I was raised in a home where generosity wasn’t about abundance, it was about intentionality and heart. My parents taught me the value of showing up for others, not just in grand gestures but in the everyday ways that matter most, offering time, sharing skills, extending kindness, and always doing what you can with what you have.

Their quiet strength, unwavering faith, and belief in community shaped my own commitment to serve with purpose. Whether it was my mother cooking for neighbors or my father lending a hand to someone in need, they modeled what it meant to lead with love. Today, those same values are the heartbeat of Creative Girls Rock®️.

Sankofa teaches us to look back so we can move forward. If you could speak to your younger self or to future generations of Black gamechangers, what lesson or moment from your past would you share?

If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say this: Your creative mind and heart are your power. I would also remind her that not every path is meant to be straight. There is purpose in every pause, every redirection, and every challenge. I hope future generations of Black girls and boys know that their uniqueness is their superpower and that they don’t have to wait for permission to lead.

The parable of the talents teaches us to grow and share what we’ve been given. How have you used your gifts — whether time, talent, or resources — to make an impact in your community?

I’ve used my gifts, especially my creativity, vision, and leadership, not just to build a nonprofit but to build community. Creative Girls Rock®️ has impacted thousands through programming in the arts, mental wellness, and youth development. I’ve mentored emerging leaders, empowered students through murals, music, and design, and collaborated with elders and youth in ways that remind us all we are better when we build together.

How have you seen Black generosity and community investment show up in ways that might not always be recognized as philanthropy?

Black generosity is everywhere. It lives in the aunties who braid hair for free before school starts, the church members who provide rides and meals, and the community elders who donate wisdom, time, and presence without a spotlight. We don’t always name it philanthropy, but it’s the most powerful kind, rooted in love, culture, and care.

How do you define “being a Gamechanger” in collaborative efforts or philanthropy?

Being a Gamechanger means not waiting for systems to fix themselves. It means dreaming differently, moving with purpose, and being bold enough to bring others to the table or build a new one. In philanthropy, it’s about investing in people, not just programs. It’s about relationships over recognition and about making impact a shared mission, not a solo achievement.

What wisdom or encouragement would you share with someone in Nashville who’s just beginning their journey here locally as a philanthropist or community leader?

Start where your heart is. You don’t have to have it all figured out to make a difference. Nashville is full of Gamechangers and your voice, your story, and your perspective are needed. Stay rooted in your “why,” build community before seeking credit, and remember your presence is enough to spark change.

What are you curious about, excited to see unfold, and/or looking forward to initiating over the next year?

I’m excited about the completion of our new collaborative community space with FiftyForward, a hub that will serve youth, women, and older adults under one roof. I’m looking forward to expanding our Creative Seniors Rock and Creative Kids Rock programs in schools and neighborhoods that need more joy and healing. I’m also curious to explore new models of collective care, ways our community can innovate around wellness, creativity, and legacy building in ways that center equity and impact.

Black Philanthropy Month: Sankofa Now!

The past holds the key to our future. As we navigate growing challenges, we must draw strength from those who came before us. For this year’s Black Philanthropy Month recognition, we must:

• Remember our philanthropic roots, built on collective care and community-driven investment. 
• Reclaim our power to shape the future, ensuring Black-led change is not just recognized but sustained.
• Rise by reinvesting in our people, our movements, and our solutions, because the future of Black philanthropy (and all humanity) depends on what we do today.

A thriving Black community benefits everyone. The fight for equity, opportunity, and justice strengthens our collective future, creating a world where all can prosper. Black philanthropy has always been a catalyst for change. In a time when progress is at risk, we need all hands on deck.