Since I was a child, I’ve been enamored with the magical way that great stories inspire and impact. My stories do the same to highlight individuals seeking solutions that heal relationships between people and the planet.

Travel itself has shown me many stories that have deeply radicalized me: I will not ignore the dirty reality of imperialism, capitalism, and overconsumption worldwide. Through my stories and labor, I intend to shine a light on the dark -isms that dictate the global systems in which we live, and co-create towards a future that drips with sweet justice.

My goal is that my words weave resources, ideas, and connections together, centering campesinos and scientists, people of color, youth and femmes, immigrants and ancestors, and of course La Madre Tierra herself.

I’ve worn many hats: growing my skills as a student journalist at Northwestern University, losing my faith in humanity as a D.C. politics reporter in 2016, slinging dishes and exploring coral reefs as a steward on expedition ships through the Panama Canal, herding sheep and organizing water restoration as a supporter on Navajo land, and so much more! What stories can we cook up together?

I spent two weeks with a group of marine biologists in Pisco, Peru, volunteering in their laboratory and filming videos of their work and projects for the team’s proposal for a 10-year project under a network of Peruvian universities.

The team of marine biologists is tackling the problem of battling the invasive seaweed Caulerpa filiformis and conserving the indigenous seaweed Yuyo. Not only do they spend long hours in the lab studying seaweed properties, they’re also testing Yuyo farming techniques at sea while teaching local fishermen biology classes with a certification upon the completion of classes to begin farming their own seaweed.

I plunged into freezing waters to collect seaweed samples, observed the science classes, and crafted the “branches” of seaweed trees. I loved working with a group passionate about the intersection of environmental justice, marrying science with social and economic empowerment of the working class.

2019

Peru

Proyecto Alga Marina.

The Experiment in International Living.

Tanzania

2017

I spent a summer in Tanzania with non-profit organization World Learning as the Digital Media Fellow for their program The Experiment in International Living, a cultural immersion program for high school students of all economic backgrounds. For five weeks, I traveled with my group of 12 American high school students throughout Tanzania, where I shot photos & videos of experiences. My footage was used to increase application interest for the Tanzania trip.

We lived with homestays in the fishing village of Stahabu, learned about the colonial history of conservation with the Maasai, and listened to two exiled Black Panthers who fled the United States and continue working for Black Liberation in Tanzania.

This has been one of my favorite jobs. I loved getting to use my camera on a daily basis, often working in conditions like unpredictable weather (dust storms) and a lack of electricity. However, this pushed me to become creative and selective about my shooting opportunities.