COVER ARTWORK FOR LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE

In 2020, Louisville Magazine commissioned me to create the cover for their largest issue to date. This edition covers the issues surrounding race, inequality, and protests against police brutality. At the forefront is the portrait of Breonna Taylor, in collaboration with the Magazine’s art director, Sarah Flood-Baumann Unraveled. Ms. Taylor’s Portrait uses a quilting technique inspired by Lola Jenkins, a well-respected master quilter.

With the intentional absence of color, the viewer is confronted only by Breonna Taylor’s smile, contrasted with the vicious reality of her death. Using black and white, I wanted to convey a sense of timelessness while acknowledging the persistent struggle for equality for Black Americans — especially Black women.

Click here to read the full artist statement.

You Are a Queen originated from my thesis work, serving as a heartfelt love letter to my daughter and young Black girls. This project holds immense personal significance to me.

I took on multiple roles throughout its creation. As the creative director, I collaborated closely with a children’s book illustrator to ensure the imagery was engaging and child-friendly. Additionally, working alongside a children’s book writer and editor, we tailored the original letter to be easily understood by a younger audience.

As the project manager, I delved into researching best practices and layouts suited for young readers. Coordinating the production of art prints was another essential aspect of this journey. Finally, as the designer, I poured over the layout to ensure every detail was just right.

Though I have a newfound understanding of the publishing industry, I opted for self-publishing over the traditional route. I wanted the book to reach audiences quickly. Traditional publishing timelines can be lengthy and often exclude important and diverse voices.

Available for purchase on Amazon

For an adventure-loving couple who loves the luxury and glamour of traveling, a branded experience was created. Passport to London included a custom rubber stamp and handmade passport-style invitations. The branding continued with hand-stamped face masks, a custom wedding website, social media graphics, and signs.

My absolute favorite part? It's the making! Each invitation was printed, handstitched, and stamped by me.

As an alum, I had the advantage of knowing the history and culture of this 168-year-old institution when updating the collateral pieces for marketing and recruitment. As part of the newly co-ed format, the existing branding guide was applied to various publications for Admissions and Student Life Services. Go Koalas!

THESIS PUBLICATION

Little Brown Girl: Essays on the influence of Black Womanhood in Visual Communication (or Vice-Versa)

My graduate thesis, Little Brown Girl is a series of essays, personal stories, and work that reflect the subject matters of hair, skin, and self-love as a Black woman in America. What I’m sharing with you is the result of my journey to finding and expressing my own voice through design and other forms of visual communication.

This Skin I’m In discusses the history and effects of colorism, and what it means to be judged by one’s own race by the lightness or darkness of skin.

Better than Good Hair, reveals the complex, emotional struggle and celebration of a Black woman’s hair, as I share my own personal journey in the struggle to love and accept my hair no matter what state she’s in.

On Loving Blackness and Black Womanhood explores the struggle to love one’s own Blackness, and how doing so is both a personal and sometimes political choice. 

This work does not begin to encompass all of what being a Black woman is and means, nor does this work speak to every Black woman’s experience—for we all don’t experience our Blackness the same.

Take in the imagery from the book and exhibition. Click here to read the digital version of the Little Brown Girl.

BROCHURE AND SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP

Recently teamed up with the SCAAF to create a map commemorating the anniversary of the Briggs v Elliot case—a pivotal case that served as the for the Brown v Board of Education. The brochure features the unsung stories of the brave men, women, and children in the SC towns Manning and Summerton. The map highlights the significant landmarks (churches, schools, and homes) where meetings took place. The project culminated in an unveiling and dedication service of the project. The surviving children, teachers and community leaders and the notable Sen. Jim Clyborn were in attendance

As creative director and designer for this project, I worked with members of the Foundation, the lead writers and hired a freelance cartographer to help tell the story. It was important to incorporate the signatures on the original filing document in the design. I researched the imagery in the SC Center of Archives.

As Creative Director at the South Carolina Bar, I’ve worked on and led team members to create pieces that help attorneys in their profession and aid the public in legal education and various public service programs. Here is a sampling of a few of the projects I’ve worked on including branding, print, and email marketing design, and exhibition design.

Getting up in front of strangers, family, and friends to talk about myself or my work is always a challenging task for me. However, every time, I rise above my fear of public presentation and share what's in my head and heart. Or I make a video about it!