Do you have any rituals or routines that support your daily well-being?
I have a set of rituals that I cycle through depending on how I'm feeling on a given day. I like to give myself some flexibility, because life is constantly changing, as am I, and so my needs evolve too. The rituals that ground me include movement practices (dance/yoga/capoeira), prayer, meditation, time in nature, writing, reading, and divination. These practices help me stay grounded, connected to my purpose, to my ancestral lineages, and to my own creative power.
How do your work and lifestyle affect your creativity?
I'm a multi-disciplinary artist and community organizer, so my work and lifestyle revolve around my creativity. I believe that we are creating all the time whether we are artists or not. Our imaginations, conversations, and connections are all creative outputs. Everything we post on Instagram or speak out loud is creative output. I try to build my work routines around my own personal needs because it allows me to feel more connected to my deeper purpose, and I'm able to create/produce from a more authentic place.
Photo by @dche
What is your cultural and/or ethnic background?
I'm American born, and of Afro-Brazilian and Jewish ancestry. I come from a family of artists and activists and am proud to be of those lineages as well!
Any cultural tips/tricks you've learned from family and/or friends?
I've learned a lot about the importance of community, and how to live a spiritually grounded life through my family. My friends have allowed me to put those values into practice. My loved ones have helped me learn the tools to stay grounded in what matters most, despite living in a world that values competition, materiality, and individualism.
How do your culture(s) and identity intersect and affect your creative perspective?
Being from an intercultural family, being queer, and being of two diasporas, has been an incredible blessing. I have had to learn how to occupy intersections with my very being. I don’t accept when people try to simplify me to a category or medium. My identies make me expansive, and help me be expansive in my creative pursuits. I am connected to multiple places and possibilities all at once. Creatively, I feel limitless.
Photos by @_detigre
How do you choose brands to support? Any favorites?
I do my best to support ethical and sustainable brands like For Days, Reformation, and Hara Label. I try to save my $$$ and spend more of it in places where I know workers are being paid well, or that their practices are mindful of the environment-- while recognizing that it is a privilege to be able to do so. Even more than that, I especially love to uplift community brands and support my artist friends. One of my beloveds just launched a brand called Lewa Ancestral (IG:@lewa_ancestral). Based out of Salvador, Bahia she creates waist beads, herbal tinctures, and teaches virtual community classes. Her brand is a great resource for plant medicine and ancestral knowledge.
If you were to create the perfect product for yourself, what would it be?
A ‘dream set’ that included personalized silk robe and matching bed linens.
Who or what inspires you most?
My creative community. I am so inspired by the incredible innovations my peers are dreaming up, and grateful that I get to expand and grow alongside them. A special shoutout to my favorite creative co-conspirators Eilen Itzel Mena (@eilen.itzel.mena) and Avila Santo (@avilasanto).
Are you working on any projects you’d like to share?
Phew, lots--some of it under wraps, but here is what I can share. My short film Trust Issues was just screened at the Pan African Film Festival, and the accompanying EP will be dropping Wednesday, March 24th! I'm super excited about this because the process of creating the EP and the film were some of the most emotionally challenging, healing, and liberating moments in my creative life thus far. I am really humbled to be able to share this vulnerable work, and hopefully encourage folks who have felt blocked from pursuing the paths they most desire for themselves. In addition to that, my business partner (Eilen Itzel Mena) and I are also in the middle of our Nomadic season under our social practice Honey & Smoke. Honey & Smoke is an artist platform that makes space for creatives to meditate on the important themes of our time. Right now through the end of April, we are focused on the theme Nomadic--exploring this through workshops, community dialogue, and digital content. You can follow us on IG to learn more about that :) @_honeyandsmoke_
Are there any resources you'd like to share with the community?
As a part of the rollout for Trust Issues short film, which tells the story of a young musician dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault, our team has put together a google doc resource for sexual assault survivors and folks who are invested in Transformative Justice. You can access it through the link in my bio, and if you have suggested contributions please email us at trustissuesthemovie@gmail.com!