"From Finding My Voice to Empowering Theirs: The Story of Evolving Thru Art"

I grew up in Missouri City, Texas—a shy, quiet kid who avoided eye contact and struggled to speak up for myself. Honestly, I preferred to blend into the background. But there was one thing that made me come alive: music. It gave me a voice when words felt too heavy to say.

Picture this: Little me, humming Monica’s “For You I Will” in the bathroom. Not belting it out—just loud enough for me to hear. Even my family didn’t know I loved to sing. That all changed when my elementary school choir teacher, Mrs. Christine Cockrell (shoutout to her!), decided I wasn’t allowed to hide anymore. She pulled me forward and insisted I sing a solo in front of the class. I was terrified, but I did it. And that moment sparked something in me that changed the course of my life.

By middle school, I was still shy and struggling with bullies who pointed out that I was plus-sized. But creativity became my safe space and my confidence booster. I auditioned for another solo—and I got it! My parents came to the show, and I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face when I started singing. He was so surprised, he forgot to record it for my mom, who was home sick!

It wasn’t just music that shaped me. I fell in love with theater, reading, writing, and everything creative. Over the years, incredible mentors showed me that there was a world far beyond my neighborhood. They encouraged me, opened doors, and helped me see new possibilities. Creativity became my sanctuary, my superpower.

Fast forward to today: I’m a full-time mental health therapist and the founder of Evolving Thru Art. Through my work, I’ve seen firsthand how creativity heals, empowers, and helps people find their voice. But I’ve also seen how many young people—especially Black and Brown youth—don’t have access to those same opportunities. That’s why I created this nonprofit: to change that.

Here’s why we focus on teens aged 13–18. Adolescence is a time of transformation. It’s when teens are figuring out who they are, building confidence, and dreaming about their future. But for too many underserved youth, it’s also when they feel most vulnerable—struggling with identity, lacking positive outlets, or feeling invisible. We want to meet them at this critical moment, offering a safe space to explore their creativity, discover their voice, and feel empowered to dream bigger.

At Evolving Thru Art, our mission is to introduce underserved youth to healthy forms of creative expression through mentorship, community enrichment, and hands-on experiences. But this isn’t just about painting pictures or writing poems—it’s about equipping young artists with the tools to tell their stories, overcome challenges, and shape their futures. It’s about mentorship, empowerment, and building a community where every young person feels valued, heard, and inspired to leave their mark on the world.

Every donation, partnership, and shared story helps us bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Together, we’re creating a world where no young person feels unseen or unheard.

So here I am, stepping out of the background once again—this time as a founder, mentor, and champion of the arts. Thank you for being part of this journey to create a brighter, more creative future for our youth. Together, we’re evolving through art.