fourth generation
storyteller and creator

I was the kid sitting front and center on the alphabet carpet during story time, no matter how many times my leg fell asleep. What truly captivated me were the illustrations, the design – those visual elements that made me care about the story, despite what adults said about not judging a book by its cover.

While I get the sentiment, I believe untold stories remain hidden because they need visuals to pull in an audience, alongside words that make an impact.

Growing up in a multi-ethnic family, I heard many stories, but the one that stands out is about my great-grandfather, Ben Ingram. In 1919, he made headlines as an independent Black farmer in Mississippi who was acquitted by an all-white jury after killing his white neighbor, Green Brumley, in self-defense.

At a time when lynchings were common, his acquittal was a rare victory of justice in the Jim Crow South. The community, both Black and white, came together around a bonfire to protect our family. After the trial, The Commercial Appeal ran a front-page headline that read, "Negro Kills White Man; Is Acquitted," marking an extraordinary moment of justice.

This story shapes who I am today. It taught me resilience, the importance of authentic storytelling, and how communities can unite across divides. His legacy instilled in me the power of representation, the belief that stories – big or small – can spark change and drive us to believe that the impossible is possible.

I design because stories-told have the power to move people. They connect us, spark understanding, and challenge the status quo. Like the headline in The Commercial Appeal that documented my great-grandfather’s trial, I use design to amplify voices that have been overlooked, foster inclusivity, and create change that resonates beyond the surface. Through my work, I help others own their narratives and use their stories as a force for equitable change.