Why This Work Matters to Me

I grew up in Washington, and Northwest Explorer has given me the chance to see my home state through an entirely different lens.

The work constantly puts me in places I might never otherwise visit and in conversation with people whose stories I might never otherwise hear. I’ve interviewed artists, business owners, historians, chefs, community leaders and people who are deeply invested in the places they call home.

Being a Black woman hosting a travel and culture series in the Pacific Northwest also matters to me. Representation in this kind of storytelling still isn’t something I take for granted. I get to move through communities across the region with curiosity, ask questions, and help expand the image of who gets to be the explorer, the host and the person guiding an audience through a place.

It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and a project I’m proud to continue growing.