“Vaksn Zolstu vi a tsibele mint kop in dr’erd!” (May you grow like an onion with your head in the ground!) – Yiddish Proverb

I was raised in a Puerto Rican, Italian, and Jewish household. The blending of these cultures allowed me to cultivate the art of storytelling, the skill to organize large gatherings, and a knack for finding my way around the kitchen. With wildly different flavors, my family was constantly cooking up cultural concoctions. I experienced countless boundaries melt like butter and satiated bellies burst with delight. But what made each meal delectable wasn’t just the food; it was the way my family’s openness, joyfulness, and curiosity unleashed childlike wonder for everyone at their table. As a leader in my community, I bring these same innovations and invitations to my artistic practice.

The proverb above was once spoken as a curse; but in my work, growing with your head in the ground is crucial to making a positive, everlasting impact on the broader community. We must know where we have come from to inform where we are going, and that comes from connecting with our roots: those cultural, racial, religious, and more. In my educational and professional career, I’ve learned how to wield my intersectionality to uplift the voices of others. By continuing to acknowledge my roots, I can become open-minded, joyful, and curious; allowing me to craft stories and create spaces where all are welcome at the table.