Art has always been my language when words fail me. Growing up, I learned to process pain and tell my story through creation, pouring into projects the emotions I couldn’t articulate. My work is deeply personal—born from experiences of loss and the journey to reclaim my identity. For much of my life, I kept my art hidden, believing it was too uncomfortable to share. But through therapy, friendship, and a near-death experience, I discovered the power of allowing others to see me fully, through my art. Creating is an act of healing for me. It’s where I confront my past and honor my present, where I rediscover who I am beyond the pain. As the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, I’m honored to help children find their own voices through art, to give them the safe spaces I once needed so desperately. Sharing my work publicly has been terrifying, but also liberating. My hope is that my art speaks to those who need to see it—that it sparks a moment of connection, reflection, or healing in others. For me, that’s what art is truly about: showing up authentically and trusting that the message will find the people it’s meant for.