Currently residing in Los Angeles, CA, I am originally from Houston, Texas with Trinidadian and Irish roots. I am a classically trained ballet/contemporary dancer and graduate from Queen Mary, University of London. I have travelled to many countries over the years and exchanged life stories of trauma, challenges and celebrations with a number of inspiring women from different corners of the globe. Their stories along with my own experiences of loss, trauma and healing inspired me to publish "BLACK MOON," a stunning hardcover center table book of dance photography, lunar art, and a collection of meaningful stories from women around the world.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
Some of my biggest initial hurdles were money and the lack of self-publishing knowledge. Self-publishing can be a very expensive undertaking and requires a ton of research. I also lost my job due to the global pandemic and no longer received an income to support my personal projects, nor the cost of rent. By hosting a GoFundMe page, I managed to raise enough money to design, print and publish my book. After a ten year dream of writing a book, I dedicated my time and attention to the success of this publication and saw it through despite the challenges.
What books are you currently reading?
When I'm not reading my own book, I enjoy reading Derek Walcott's "Collected Poems, 1948-1984," a collection of stories and poetry. Derek Walcott is a Saint Lucian/Trinidadian poet and playwright whose work celebrates the Caribbean and its history as well as investigates the scars of colonialism.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
No, fortunately I've never had to deal with any contention from my family and friends in pursuit of building my website, publishing my book, and launching it as a brand. The experience has actually been the complete opposite. My family and friends have been my support system and my main source of encouragement to follow my dreams. All it takes is one person who believes in you and offers support at any capacity to see things through.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your success?
The single most influential factor in my success has been my family and friends. Their belief in me, their words of encouragement, their time and attention to offer insight and financial support. Without them and their dedicated orders, I am nothing.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started?
I've learned that time has a mind of it's own. We often set intentions to have our goals completed within a specific timeframe. However, if you are not equipped with the skills, resources, wisdom and knowledge to create a quality outcome, life has a beautiful way of building you up through experiences and giving you what you need to be better than you started, even if it means extending your goal of completion by a month or even years.
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
Be patient with yourself. Listen more. Observe more. It’s no biogenetic coincidence that God gave us two ears, two eyes and one mouth. Listen to what others have to say before making informed decisions, passing judgement or rejecting an idea.. Try putting your two feet in their shoes. Then and only then.. should we be allowed to speak.. and act.
