About me
Since 2020 my work with PlacemakingUS is dedicated to modeling standards of diversity, equity & inclusion within the United States placemaking network. I'm an economic inclusion enthusiast passionate about bridging the gap between communities, businesses, and institutions who believes in the power of collaborative design strategies to fuel a thriving population in living cities.
Being an African American woman deeply rooted in Santa Ana, CA I've always admired the city's dynamism. My journey echoes the adage, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," encapsulating a rich tapestry of community psychology, arts, and business leadership.
As the Executive Director of Santa Ana Business Council, I spearhead economic growth in the heart of Orange County, managing a diverse portfolio of 800 businesses across 133 sectors, bolstering the local economy, and empowering Latino communities.
I am the proud founder of Diamond Heart Enterprises, where I wield the power of communications and placemaking, weaving together narratives of collaboration within vibrant cultural landscapes.
Also, I serve as an Executive Board Member at Community Engagement, a nonprofit arts organization with far-reaching influence from Portland to Tulum.
Equipped with a dual Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and Community Psychology, Liberation Psychology, Indigenous Psychology, and Eco-Psychology, my academic pursuits meld seamlessly with my hands-on involvement in community projects.
My actions are driven by a love for community, arts, culture, and sustainability, and each of my endeavors has been a brick in the vibrant mosaic of my career.
As Maya Angelou once said, "Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."
My journey echoes this sentiment, with each step contributing to the crescendo of economic inclusion, diversity training, and strategic planning.
