About Me

I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and from a young age have been committed to uplifting Black and Brown communities globally through my values, education, and practice. My early exposure to community-building, culture, and travel came from helping my parents with our family-owned business, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in Los Angeles County, as they attended expos all over the country and I experienced different places, cultures, and people and became drawn in by the overlapping differences and similarities. 

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In my teens, I founded The Building Hope Project in Uganda, focusing on youth education through school sponsorships and leadership development. This initiative has also created opportunities for Black Americans to engage in international volunteerism, cultural exchange, and transnational engagement. With this work being led directly by host communities in Uganda, these volunteer experiences are grounded in efforts that seek to reshape power, narrative, and common practices in westernized charity practices. My time in Uganda deepened my interest in identity, belonging, and solidarity across the African continent and its diaspora. I explored these interests at American University, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Sociology and Justice & Law, researching race, education, and development.

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Throughout my career, I've focused on fostering cross-cultural dialogue and building coalitions between Black and African Diaspora communities. Additionally, I have worked with grassroots organizations to shape philanthropic strategies that support predominantly Black and Latinx communities. I also consult with mission-driven organizations, helping them enhance their funding capacity, secure grants, and ensure sustainability.

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In 2020, I became the creator + co-host of "The Ubuntu Podcast," a platform that brings together voices and stories from across the African Diaspora, exploring themes of identity, culture, and community. As an avid traveler who has visited 29 countries (and counting) across five continents, I am dedicated to making travel accessible and enriching for everyone. I curate trips for individuals and organizations designed around mutual cultural exchange and building solidarity.

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Now, as a PhD student in sociology, I conduct research on creating pathways for global exchange between members of the African Diaspora and Africa. Aligning with my work on the Continent and my role in Building Hope Project, part of my research leverages curricula and praxis I have developed that teach cross-cultural competency, decolonizing Western charity, and maximizing community impact through international travel, which I have implemented in over half a dozen of volunteer service trips in the past 5 years. Through my platform "Etho Travel," I also offer tailored, full-service travel experiences for those looking to engage in meaningful and ethical global exchanges across the world.