After learning how visual stimuli effects attitudes and decision making as a Ronald McNair Scholar researcher, I became a first-generation college graduate, earning my Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Visual Communication.

I worked to serve the underrepresented student and faculty populations as a Program Coordinator, Instructional Designer, and Digital Literacy Instructor.

Initially, my fascination with design began with my interest in the minimalist lifestyle and the tiny house movement. But the pivotal moment that encouraged my design development came with the onset of the ​COVID-19 pandemic.

I went from being an instructional designer and digital literacy instructor for students in one department to an entire division of faculty members. Needing to expand my knowledge of accessibility and usability in order to serve the "generational divide" within the "digital divide" introduced me to UX Design, Content Design and Product Design.

My goal is to create inclusive products, and accessibility guidelines allows empathy to minimize emotional, functional and technical frustration in order to maximize usability for designs that improves the human experience.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are efforts taken to create a more welcoming environment for underrepresented people. My purpose has always been to help eliminate barriers to help foster the feeling of belongingness.  I believe that designing the right things before designing things right makes products more equitable for diverse audiences and will allow me to continue to "design for good." 

I grew up in poverty, I'm a teen mom, I experienced transitional and hidden homelessness, and I failed . . . like . . . a lot! I learned that my needs were mentorship, education, achieving good mental health, not being afraid to ask questions and having a sense of humor — all pivotal to navigating a positive human experience.

I also learned to build meaningful relationships that could help me attain my goals when initial resources were not readily available. I consider it a privilege to leverage those life lessons through my design process and with my design team.

What sparks my joy is badminton, budgeting and saving, riding my Brompton, urban and nature walking, streaming, traveling, photography, decluttering, sipping flavorful tea, guzzling robust coffee, making homemade pizza, and treating myself to Jeni’s Brambleberry Crisp ice cream!

Click here to see the work that I have accomplished and the work that I am continuing to do. You can also ready my articles on Medium. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.