I wasn't obsessed about any one subject enough to be a geek. Instead, I identified as a Blerd (Black nerd). Prior to delving into design, I was a skinny punk rock skateboarder who relished questioning the status quo, listening to reggae bands like Steel Pulse, sketching in my notebook, and seeking solace in the Angeles Crest Mountains to escape the brutality of the Los Angeles smog.
My prowess lay in art, which unexpectedly translated into success in math, particularly excelling in geometry exams. Proficient in spatial dimensions and deductive reasoning, I possessed a knack for visual thinking and a rich imagination, propelling me towards a career in design.
Upon completing my undergraduate studies in illustration and Spanish literature at Long Beach State University, I secured approval for a specialized study abroad program at The Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Returning, I enrolled in a visual communications class with Archie Boston, a notable African American designer and educator.
At Pratt Institute in New York, I embraced the philosophy that designers serve as cultural innovators, shaping awareness and engaging with the world through analysis and creativity. Graduating with a Masters in Communications Design, I honed my creative voice and problem-solving skills. Subsequently joining The Moderns, a creative think tank in New York City, I delved into modular design and solutions-based thinking.
Transitioning to Gregory Mountain Products as the resident art director and designer, I conceptualized national advertising campaigns, rebranded the company, and refined retail design strategies, emphasizing fit, quality, and durability. At the time, REI praised our point of sales product marketing as best in the industry.
Eventually I founded Be True Design, a brand design consultancy focused on health and wellness communications. I leveraged my experience as an art director to create cohesive branding solutions for clients like Imagine Health, Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwest, and Kaiser Center for Health Research. My approach centered on strategy, clarity, and information accessibility, ensuring clients achieved the branding outcomes they wanted.