Saint Augustine University, Commencement, HBCU — Photo by kickstand/Getty Images

by Kandiss Edwards

September 12, 2025

The ‘Gro Fund’ Will Provide Cash Assistance To Atlanta’s Young Adults

The program offers monthly income assistance with capital to build long-term wealth.

A new program named Freedom Futures seeks to support young adults in Atlanta by putting money in their pockets.

The program offers monthly income assistance with capital to build long-term wealth. The pilot program is an initiative of the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity (GRO) Fund. Those accepted into Freedom Futures will receive $500 per month with no conditions for four years to help cover basic, day-to-day expenses.

Additionally, each participant will receive an “investable sum,” sometimes called a “Baby Bond.” The Baby Bond is worth more than $20,000. It’s intended for purposes like starting a business, buying a home, educational investments, or planning for retirement. The program also offers financial education and advising services. To meet all the educational needs, services offer both one-on-one and group sessions to help participants use the funds effectively.

Freedom Futures aims to ease immediate financial stress while also providing tools for long-term wealth creation. GRO Fund’s goal will be to observe the success of the program in four years. The hope is that the initiative will generate evidence and narratives that could inform public policy around wealth-building programs like Baby Bonds. Addressing disproportionate wealth disparities, especially along racial lines, is central to its mission.

The Atlantic region’s data show that white households hold substantially more average wealth than Black households. This is only one reason the pilot is structured: to address “structural wealth exclusion” for young people.

Applications are open to young adults aged 18-25. The program is open to all with no standing requirements. Instead, it seeks to offer a foundation from which lucky participants can build financial resilience and expand future opportunities.

The GRO Fund is accepting donations to help propel its mission forward. For more information, go to the GRO Fund official website.

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by Kandiss Edwards

September 12, 2025

Work-From-Home-Only Employees Offered Severance By NBCUniversal

The company is directing its hybrid employees to resume in-office work four days per week beginning January 5, 2026.

NBCUniversal is offering severance packages to work-from-home employees who refuse to come back to the office.

The company is directing its hybrid employees to resume in-office work four days per week beginning January 5, 2026. Only Fridays will be allowed for remote work. The new terms of employment were laid out in a memo, obtained by Deadline, from Chief Operating Officer Adam Miller.

“We are better when we are together.” Miller stated, “As we have all experienced, in-person work and collaboration spark innovation, promote creativity, and build stronger connections.”

NBCUniversal has made a “voluntary exit assistance package” available to employees who would rather not comply. All employees who elect not to return must give notice to their HR manager by Oct. 3. The severance package includes eight weeks of base salary and three months of continued healthcare, which includes medical, dental, and vision. Additionally, they will be eligible for their full bonus, provided they remain on active payroll through December 31 and assist with transitioning other employees to fulfill their duties.

This policy applies to U.S.- and U.K.-based hybrid employees at the vice president level or below. Employees in divisions affected by an upcoming spin-off of NBCU’s cable networks, including MSNBC and CNBC, are excluded from this mandate and the severance offer.

In the memo, NBCUniversal reminded staff of its supposed goal: to reunite more employees in physical spaces, believing that working side by side enhances problem-solving and team bonds.

The corporation is not the first to demand employees return to the office after the 2020 COVID shutdown led to a mass work-from-home movement. NBCUniversal’s parent company, Comcast, made similar demands of its workforce in 2023.

As companies attempt to balance the chemistry of in-person work with employee expectations for flexibility, NBCUniversal’s policy will serve as a closely observed example. Employees have a few months to assess their options and respond.

College dorm, Move in, Undergrad, school, Dorm room, hbcu, Mizzou, Camp HBCYouth — (Photo: FVSU/Flickr)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 12, 2025

‘The Price Of Excellence’ Documentary Details Historic Underfunding Of HBCUs

The documentary was made in partnership with U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams.

A new documentary is highlighting the systemic underfunding for HBCUs.

Alma Adams, a U.S. Congresswoman for North Carolina’s 12th district, has partnered with The Century Foundation to bring “The Price Of Excellence” to the big screen. Adams appeared in the documentary’s trailer about how the opportunity to learn is a “fundamental” civil right.

“Of all of the civil rights for which the world has struggled and fought for 500 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental,” shared Adams.

The progressive think tank that produced the film aims to shed light on the importance of HBCUs and how they catapult diverse youth in academia. Filmed entirely at North Carolina A&T University, stories from both HBCU educators, students, and advocates give a holistic view of this persistent issue.

The documentary not only includes this personal insight. The Century Foundation detailed how the film examines “deep historical processes and complex data that impact underlying endowment practices, state appropriations, and funding gaps, painting a poignant picture: a transformative social institution hampered by the same biases it sought to address,” as reported by The Grio.

The discrepancy in funding and resources between HBCUs and predominantly white institutions remains vast. According to the Columbia Political Review, the endowment gap stood at 100:1 in 2024, with HBCUs essentially getting only $1 for every $100 a PWI receives. For land-grant institutions, the 2023 report confirmed these HBCUs were grossly underfunded by the states in which they are located, totaling $13 billion. They received only $1 billion in funding, compared to the $45 billion allocated to PWIs.

The gap remains an issue, as HBCUs continue to serve as a pipeline for Black graduates in medicine, engineering, law, and other fields. While significant political strides occurred during the Biden administration, including a record $17 billion allocation toward HBCUs, these institutions face budget cuts under President Trump. Now, many HBCUs are concerned about their futures, as federal funding is in jeopardy.

“The Price of Excellence” calls attention to the ongoing plight of HBCUs and how they are crucial to the upliftment of diverse communities in America. It includes commentary from various experts, including Dr. Katherine Wheatle of the Equity Research Cooperative, and historian Dr. Jelani M. Favors, a former professor at North Carolina A&T University who serves as VP for the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute at the United Negro College Fund.

“The Price of Excellence” premieres on September 25, with both online and in-person screenings at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual conference. The director, JD Jones, calls the documentary “both a love letter to the legacy of HBCUs—and a battle cry for their future.”

TikTok ban, Trump — (Photo: Didem Mente/Anadolu via Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 12, 2025

TikTok’s Shavone Charles Departs D&I Post To Launch Fashion Series

Prior to bringing her expertise to TikTok, Charles worked with other major platforms like Twitter, Instagram and photo-editing app VSCO, where she held the title director of consumer communications for two years.

TikTok’s Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Multicultural Communications, Shavone Charles, is leaving the social media platform behind to launch a fashion series for creators, scheduled to debut at the 2025 New York Fashion Week (NYFW), according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The model and creative agency — Future of Creatives — founder announced she will depart from TikTok to work on the Future of Fashion series in partnership with Ford Models Digital and Soho House in New York City. The series will highlight visionary creatives and disruptors of the fashion culture who are redesigning the industry in addition to uplifting innovation, inclusivity, and the voices of the future.

In a LinkedIn post, Charles made her grand exit, celebrating her successes with the platform. “Over these years, I’ve had the honor of creating and scaling a global marketing and communications function that helped reshape how the brand engages with culture, public figures, communities, and creators, driving campaigns and initiatives that reached billions of impressions (and hearts) worldwide,” she wrote.

“I want to give a special shout-out to the colleagues who truly cared, showed up for our creators authentically, and partnered with me to push this work forward. As I shift gears and focus on what’s next, alongside growing Future of Creatives (FOC), my tech-minded, multidisciplinary creative collective, hospitality brand, and global consultancy, I’m excited to welcome new conversations and beginnings.”

During the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok sought to improve the relationship between Black creators and the brand after several spoke out on not receiving credit for their creative trends that went viral around the world. One of the most popular trends — the Renegade dance — received backlash after late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon invited influencer Addison Rae to the show to perform the dance instead of its original creator, Jalaiah Harmon.

After a number of creators went on strike, TikTok then hired Charles in 2021 as the brand’s first-ever diversity and inclusion communications executive in an effort to build profiles of underrepresented creators. While the creative visionary admitted there was no plan in place, she knew that her job was to bridge the gap. “There was no roadmap. But I knew there was a gap, and I set out to build what was missing in support of amplifying brilliant creators and underrepresented communities,” Charles said, according to PR Week.

Under her leadership, Charles created and expanded the global marketing and communications function at the popular platform, which helped reshape how the brand engaged with culture, public figures, communities, and creators, driving campaigns and initiatives that reached billions of impressions and hearts worldwide.

Prior to bringing her expertise to TikTok, Charles worked with other major platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and photo-editing app VSCO, where she held the title director of consumer communications for two years.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2025

The Knight Foundation Commits $19.8M To Turn Detroit Into A ‘Vibrant And Thriving’ Community

Detroit will undergo a nearly $20 million facelift thanks to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Detroit will receive nearly $20 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to support new investments into the city’s art, technology, and public spaces.

Announced on Sept. 7 during a community celebration at Michigan Central, the Knight Foundation will invest $19.8 million in 12 Detroit projects, the Detroit Free Press reported. The funding will expand trails and public green spaces, strengthen the city’s equity-focused tech economy, and revitalize educational and arts institutions, among other efforts.

“These are all things that we believe are really important to creating a vibrant and thriving city,” said Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, President and CEO of the Knight Foundation. “By focusing on these areas, we create opportunities for connection, we help preserve vital history for the community, we provide ways for the community to really access one another and the downtown core.”

The Unified Greenway Project will receive the largest share of the investment, with $5 million allocated to expand nearly 30 miles of trails and public spaces connecting the Joe Louis Greenway, the Detroit Riverfront, and 23 neighborhoods. The funding will be split evenly, with $2.5 million going to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and $2.5 million to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy for construction and activation.

Black Tech Saturdays, the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, and the Vanguard Community Development Corporation will each receive $2 million. The funding will help scale Detroit’s tech space by connecting residents to high-growth jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, create the Woodward Avenue trailhead linking Highland Park to the 27.5-mile greenway, upgrade the museum to expand community programming, and complete the city’s new cultural hub at the North End Community Campus.

“Detroit has always been a city of resilience and reinvention,” Wadsworth said. “Our latest investments support a Detroit that will continue to be shaped by the creativity, talent, and vision of its residents. Whether it’s transforming public spaces along the Joe Louis Greenway, expanding local residents’ economic power in tech, or strengthening the city’s creative economy, these efforts reflect the energy of a city on its triumphant rise.”

The Eastside Community Network’s Mother Tree Wellness Campus will receive $1.5 million to complete a nine-acre public space focused on health and the environment. Detroit Horse Power will get $1 million to develop a 14-acre equestrian center with youth programs and community events. Give Merit – Merit Park will receive $1 million to convert vacant land into a youth hub with sports fields, outdoor classrooms, retail incubators, civic spaces along the Joe Louis Greenway, and a small business space at Merit Park Plaza.

Design Core Detroit/College for Creative Studies will receive $1 million to support local creative businesses through training, funding, and events like Detroit Month of Design. Black Leaders Detroit will receive $1 million to fund a no-interest loan program for marginalized developers and entrepreneurs, expected to support over 30 residential projects and create 150 jobs. Downtown Detroit Partnership will receive $800,000 to improve accessibility in spaces such as Campus Martius and Capitol Park, while Rootoftwo via CultureSource – The Transformer Building will get $500,000 to convert a former electrical substation into a civic studio with tech labs, digital tools, and workshops.

“We’re here to support the amazing, creative, passionate people who are Detroiters, who have the ideas about what it is that their community needs in order to continue to thrive,” Wadsworth said of the projects chosen to receive the funding. “Knight’s role here is really only to serve as the wind at the back of these amazing people who care so much about their community. So every one of the decisions about where we invest is driven, first and foremost, by the people of Detroit.”

National Baptist Convention, — Photo by Megwara Favour: https://www.pexels.com/photo/energetic-church-choir-singing-in-lagos-30550589/

by Jameelah Mullen

September 12, 2025

History In the Making: First Woman Preaches At National Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

The National Baptist Convention ordained its first woman preacher in 1965.

Reverend Tracey L. Brown became the first woman to preach at a worship service during the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.’s (NBCUSA) annual meeting.

The 63-year-old pastor learned of the accomplishment from NBCUSA leaders moments before the Sept. 9 service held at the Kansas City (MO) Convention Center.

“I feel humbled and honored,” said Brown, founder and pastor of Ruth Fellowship Ministries in Plainfield, NJ, told Religion News Service.

Although women have been preaching in local Baptist churches for years, Brown’s sermon was a significant moment.

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“It’s a long time coming; it’s 2025,” Professor Renita Weems told Religion News Service. “A lot of local churches are light-years ahead of the executive cabinet of the National Baptist Convention.” The organization is 145 years old.

In her sermon, Brown spoke mainly about recent changes in the church, including some of the traditions lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she acknowledged that the church has benefited from being forced to adapt.

Brown, who has been an ordained minister since December 15, serves as an Associate Minister of the Rose of Sharon Community Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. She founded Ruth Fellowship Ministries in 1999.

At the close of the evening worship service, Rev. Boise Kimber, president of NBCUSA, praised Tracey Brown, saying the night “will go down in the history books,” Religion News Service reported. Kimber discussed his plans to increase the visibility of women leaders and younger pastors.

In April, Kimber appointed Rev. Debbie Strickling-Bullock as the first female chairman of NBCUSA’s Sunday School Publishing Board.

In June, Kimber faced criticism after reports surfaced that NBCUSA received donations from Target for education and economic development initiatives. This occurred during a months-long boycott led by Pastor Jamal Bryant, another Baptist leader, due to the retail giant’s decision to scale back its DEI initiatives.

Honor 9/11, Sept. 11 — DHS photo by Tia Dufour, Public domain

by Ahsan Washington

September 11, 2025

11 Ways To Honor Victims Of 9/11 On Sept. 11

The lives of thousands of innocent people were lost

Approaching another solemn anniversary means remembering and honoring the 3,000 souls lost 24 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. The violent attack has forever changed the way citizens navigate daily life in the United States, particularly in travel. For example, only recently has the government waived the removal of shoes when going through airport security screening. More importantly, the lives of thousands of innocent people were lost during the attacks and in the aftermath. An act of remembrance is the smallest way to honor those lives. Here a several ways to participate.

Attend or Watch the Official Name-Reading Ceremony

Every year at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, there is a ceremony to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks by reading the names of those who perished that day. The event can also be viewed via stream starting at 8:25 a.m ET.

Observe a Moment of Silence

Giving a moment of reflection is an honorable gesture to share on Sept. 11. Paying respect in this way is promoted by the 9/11 Memorial site for remembrance purposes.

Join or Host a Stair Climb

Participate in a Stair Climb event, which pays tribute to the 343 firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives as a result of the Twin Towers attack by climbing 110 floors. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and similar organizations host these events in communities nationwide in remembrance of fallen service members.

Run in a 9/11 Heroes Run

Join a 9/11 Heroes Run each September to bring communities together in honor of those lives that were lost and to raise money for veterans and military families as support to first responders and survivors of the event.

Volunteer on the National Day of Service & Remembrance

Engage in community service on the National Day of Service and Remembrance, an occasion that also serves as a day of volunteerism. Groups such as Points of Light organize volunteering activities nationwide, from assisting with hunger relief to participating in community initiatives.

Perform Acts of Kindness: #PayItForward9/11

Participate in the “Pay It Forward 9/11” initiative, which encourages people to do three deeds for individuals and mention a 9/11 victim during each deed. This helps honor the memory of those lost in the tragedy while promoting acts of kindness during interactions.

Visit or Support the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a place where people can visit to see artifacts and hear stories of that fateful day. It’s open all year for anyone to come and learn about the events of 9/11. The museum relies on the kindness of donors to continue its work of honoring and educating people about this moment in history.

Experience the “Tribute in Light”

Witness firsthand “The Tribute, in Light” in New York City and at 9/11 locations where 88 vertical beams of light illuminate up into the evening sky at the location once occupied by Twin Towers of World Trade Center. This moving display that started back in 2002 is upheld each year as a radiant homage that can be seen from far distances.

Contribute to or Attend Memorial Events in Your Area

Visit gatherings in your local area where communities come together to honor and remember those who have passed away as a result of 9/11. Towns across the country hold their own ceremonies to pay tribute. Many set up flag memorials to commemorate each life lost in their community and ensure they are always remembered.

Visit Memorials Across the Globe

Exploring monuments globally is an experience worth embarking on. Tribute Park in Queens, New York, stands as a tribute to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives through inscribed bricks and a granite fireman’s helmet etched with their names. Similarly, in Jerusalem lies the 9/11 Living Memorial Plaza, which commemorates the victims of the tragic event — including five Israelis — through a sculpted flag transformed into flames and melted metal from the Twin Towers forming a cenotaph.

Honor Black First Responders and Families Personally

The Black Vulcan Society of the FDNY pays tribute to the 12 Black firefighters who lost their lives each year on September 11 with events like memorial services in Brooklyn and street-namings, along with reaching out to families personally to honor the bravery and sacrifice of their fallen loved ones in a visible and respected manner.

SAVE, plan, student loans, borrowers, president, Biden, Harris, — Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 11, 2025

Kamala Harris Calls Joe Biden’s Reelection Campaign ‘Recklessness’ In New Memoir

Kamala Harris is breaking her silence on the "recklessness" tied to Joe Biden's 2024 reelection campaign.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is speaking her truth on the “recklessness” of Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign.

In her new memoir, Harris speaks candidly about the Democrats’ failed 2024 campaign, which ended with her losing the presidential race to Donald Trump. An excerpt from her forthcoming book, 107 Days, describes Biden’s decision to run as a “personal decision” made by him and his wife.

“‘It’s Joe and Jill’s decision.’ We all said that, like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotized,” Harris writes in her book. “Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness.”

Harris continued. “The stakes were simply too high. This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego or ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision.”

The surprising reveal highlights the division between the Biden administration and the debate over Biden’s decision to seek a second term amid concerns about his age. In hindsight, Harris says she believes she should have spoken out.

“During all those months of growing panic, should I have told Joe to consider not running?” she wrote. “Perhaps.”

Before Biden dropped out of the race, Harris wrote that she feared he might see her advice to withdraw as “naked ambition” or even “poisonous disloyalty.” She also criticized his age, saying, “At 81, Joe got tired. That’s when his age showed in physical and verbal stumbles.”

“I don’t believe it was incapacity,” she added. “If I believed that, I would have said so. As loyal as I am to President Biden, I am more loyal to my country.”

The memoir also details Harris’ struggles with Biden’s associates, whom she feels contributed to the “constant attention” on her vice presidency.

“And when the stories were unfair or inaccurate, the president’s inner circle seemed fine with it,” Harris wrote. “Indeed, it seemed as if they decided I should be knocked down a little bit more.”

She also criticized the administration for failing to defend her against right-wing attacks over her handling of migration at the southern border, a responsibility Biden had assigned to her.

“When Republicans mischaracterized my role as ‘border czar,’ no one in the White House comms team helped me to effectively push back and explain what I had really been tasked to do, nor to highlight any of the progress I had achieved,” Harris wrote.

The former Vice President also took issue with how the administration “rarely pushed back with my actual résumé” when conservatives attacked her “on everything from my laugh, to my tone of voice, to whom I’d dated in my 20s, or claimed I was a ‘DEI hire.'”

According to the former California Senator, she “often learned that the president’s staff was adding fuel to negative narratives that sprang up around me.” And despite the White House having a large communications team, Harris said, “getting anything positive said about my work or any defense against untrue attacks was almost impossible.”

Biden has not commented on the revelations from Harris’s memoir, set to be released later this month.

Target, stock decline, turnaround — Photo by Mike Mozart/flickr

by Kandiss Edwards

September 11, 2025

Back-To-School Shopping Did Not Give Target A Leg Up

According to reporting, Target’s August performance shows a decline despite expectations of a boost from back-to-school shopping.

Back-to-school hopes for Target have not panned out as the corporation is still experiencing a sales slump.

Sales figures for August have been released, showing that foot traffic at its stores has dropped for the seventh month in a row. Target continues to face fallout from recent changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Changes that prompted an ongoing nationwide boycott

According to Fortune, Target’s August performance shows a decline despite expectations of a boost from back-to-school shopping. Target’s previous quarterly reports had already shown signs of the decline. In the second quarter of 2025, foot traffic fell 3.1% compared to 2024.

In addition to fewer shoppers in stores, Target has also seen significant financial consequences. Earlier reporting showed that Target lost billions in market value following public criticism of its reversal of its DEI policies. Critics argued that the company did not adequately prepare investors or customers for the risks tied to the change.

Amid the growing backlash, Target is attempting to shake up leadership to regain customer confidence. Brian Cornell, who has served as CEO since 2014, announced he will step down in February 2026. COO Michael Fiddelke will take over the role. Although the move may be viewed as a step in the right direction, many feel it is performative.

Pastor Jamal Bryant reacted strongly to Target CEO Brian Cornell’s decision to step down, calling it “stylish with no substance.” He argued that although Cornell is leaving the CEO role in February 2026, he remains on Target’s board and is still “making decisions concerning the company,” meaning the change is more cosmetic than real.

As the holiday shopping season approaches, all eyes will be on whether Target can reverse the trend of declining foot traffic and regain its footing.

Teyana Taylor, Essence, Apollo,, Innovator Award — Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 11, 2025

Teyana Taylor Says Culinary School Has Been ‘Very Therapeutic’ For Her

Teyana Taylor is discovering joy and a sense of therapy through culinary school.

Teyana Taylor is sharing her excitement about returning to school to study a passion of hers: cooking delicious meals.

The multifaceted singer, actress, and creative director opened up about her decision to enroll in culinary school and pursue something she’s always been interested in.

“I’m so excited. Like, literally as soon as we get off this interview, I’m going straight to class. I’m putting on my coat, my uniform, and I’m getting to it,” Taylor told Marie Claire. “It’s always been a passion of mine. I’ve always loved to cook. It’s been very therapeutic for me.”

With such a demanding schedule as an entertainer and mother of two young daughters, Junie, 9, and Rue, 5, Taylor views pursuing her passion for cooking as “showing up for myself.”

“I don’t have the time to do it, but I have the time to show up for me,” she shared. “It’s ‘work’ in the best way because it’s something that you’re doing for you. It’s a passion that you’re turning into purpose.”

In July, Taylor announced on Instagram that she was enrolling in culinary school with a playful video showing off her apron and chef’s hat. In the caption, the A Thousand and One actress shared her lifelong love of cooking, noting her neighborhood nickname, the “Hood Betty Crocker,” for baking treats for friends.

“Wow… it’s really happening. A dream I’ve carried in my heart for so long is finally becoming a reality, and I’m feeling every bit of it,” Taylor wrote.

“Cooking and baking have always been more than just hobbies for me; they’ve been my passion, my peace, my therapy. Since I was a little girl, I remember being glued next to whoever was in the kitchen while the other kids played around! Lol, watching all the amazing women in my life cook all our favorite meals with so much love and joy. I must say I def got a cooking ass family lol That’s where it all started. And by the time I was 13/14, I was the “hood Betty Crocker” in Harlem, baking cakes for the neighbors and anyone who asked.”

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Despite life’s “twists and turns” and her busy schedule as a working mom, Taylor is finding joy in pursuing a natural passion that continues her family’s legacy in the kitchen.

“Through every twist and turn in my life and career, the kitchen has been a safe space,” she added. “So it was always a goal of mine to get my degree in Culinary Arts & Pastry Arts but I never got around to it due to my crazy work schedule, mommy life and simply life, life’nnnnnn lol but honestly finding my way back and going to school at this time is important because it’s the time where I get to show up for me. No matter how hectic life gets, I find comfort in the rhythm of it all—the chopping, the stirring, the creating.”