MY beginning

Let’s begin in a pivotal point in my life - 2018. This is the year I had the blessing to study abroad in Madagascar, Africa to study lemurs and anthropology for 3 months with Stony Brook University at Centre ValBio Research Center. I fell in love with the people, the culture and the language. There I met my Malagasy native friend, Ella, who helped me assimilate into the culture and learn the language. When we met, I barely knew Malagasy and she barely knew English! We decided to be friends to to teach each other during our studies together. I felt like a small kid again, excited and curious and happy to have a friend with me along the journey.

Earlier that same year I interned at Fauna Foundation, a primate sanctuary located in Quebec, Canada. There I studied non-invasive behavioral research, primate gesturing & helped maintain/clean the facility. I lived in a trailer on the santuary’s grounds for 3 months with two other interns.

You might be wondering - you were working with primates! What changed? It changed when I realized that I love working with people that building community & autonomous individuals is the way to “save'“ our planet. I also became a mother - and this taught me more about humanity more than any anthropology class ever could. I still have a deep, deep love for the animals that will never go away and I do want to visit these magical places again. But now I have embarked on my journey as a mother and community developer. I like to think of motherhood as applied anthropological research.

How Project Human X Art Center Began

After these two experiences, I had a different worldview and came back to the U.S. with reverse culture shock. I sat alone in my studio apartment and decided to give away much of what I had that I knew I didn’t need. I felt confident yet a bit confused because I knew I had to do something to give back to my community. I longed to return to Madagascar to interact and do communal work there, but I knew in my heart that there is work to do be done right here in my community. I was still in my college town, Carbondale, a place where I felt had a great opportunity for growth.

Well well well, that is when I met my sweetheart Marquez. We both went to SIU yet we never met until the first “Project Human X” house party. It was a college-style art party where guests came to create art on canvases hung upon the walls.

After leaving I knew we were meant to be (and he knew too - he messaged me the next day and asked me to breakfast ;) Eventually we began having the parties at my apartment, then we eventually found a commercial space to hold the events. Soon we began learning more artistic skills and began teaching classes. This is probably the Project Human X Art Center that you know! Only a fraction of people remember those wild art parties.

Motherhood

I always knew I wanted to be a mother. It gives me the greatest joy to be with my kids. As I get older, I realize more that my purpose…deep down inside…is to be present with my family. My first child was born in March 2020…just 3 days shy of the pandemic lockdown. I juggled running the business during the pandemic and being a new mom (with family 5 hours away) in 2020. I had my baby boy 2 years later as things began to “normalize” again. This is also when I finished my degree in December 2022, right when I was freshly postpartum. I still remember bringing little Arty to class a few times so my colleagues could interact with him. At the time I was studying postpartum culture and wrote my senior thesis about the subject. This was happening all the while I still facilitated the art center.

The Journey Continues…

Through my time running this art center, I realized there are many other women who want to start a business. In my eyes, the more small businesses the better. Running a small business, whether a brick-and-mortar, service based business or e-commerce, not only helps you and your family but it helps your community. If I can help just a few women get their ideas out there head and into the real world, I feel like I’ve done a divine service.

I am so very happy to help, no matter where you are on your journey. We are on this journey together and I want to help you build. Well that is where this chapter ends for now.

Thank you for reading and take care.

Fun Facts

My Degree:

I have a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a minor in Environmental Science. My senior thesis topic reflected postpartum cultural practices in the U.S. vs. Lamu, Kenya. I am passionate when it comes to learning about mental health & self care for mothers. This blog’s main purpose is to share the thoughts I’v had on my heart for a long time. Writing to build community is a part of my mental health journey and I’m happy you’re here.

My Favorite TV Show:

I love limited Netflix series. My favorite one so far is Behind Her Eyes (because it’s about astral projection…oooo). South Park and Regular Show will forever be classic animations that make me laugh until my belly hurts. But my overall favorite genre is sci-fi and I like shows such as West World, Black Mirror & X-Files when I’m in the mood for something a little spooky.

Favorite Food:

Right now I’m obsessed with tacos. Shrimp tacos, lamb tacos, breakfast tacos, classic steak tacos you name it. Eating tacos almost everyday helped me lose my 2nd child’s baby weight! lol

Places I Want to Travel To:

I want to trek the Rainbow Mountains of Peru and hike the Costa Rican rainforests to see howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys. I’d love to tour South Africa to learn how to speak Zulu and learn about the Saan people culture…and of course back to Madagascar to re-visit some old pals.