April 2022 by Austin Woman Magazine

COME SEE HOW WE’RE DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY THE FIRST-EVER MAZDA CX-50 Arriving Spring 2022

ROGER BEASLEY ONLINE EXPRESS STORE

MAZDA CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN

HAVE A CAR TO SELL?

Why shop Roger Beasley Mazda? • One of the largest Mazda dealers in the U.S. • Locally-owned with 3 convenient locations. • Celebrating 50 years. Austin true since ‘72. • Offering the same great prices as always. • Trade-in values remain extremely high.

ONE OF MAZDA’S HIGHEST HONORS AWARDED TO ONLY 50 DEALERS IN THE U.S.

ALL 3 ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS EARNED THIS DISTINCTION FOR 2021

AWARDED DEALERS ARE LEADERS IN SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.

PROVEN CUSTOMERCENTRIC CULTURE AT ALL 3 LOCATIONS AND IN OUR COMMUNITY

Mazda named

2021 BEST CAR BRAND FOR THE 6TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

2021

www.usnews.com - Nov. 17, 2020. 2021 Best Vehicle Brand Awards. The awards recognize the brands whose vehicles perform the best on an overall basis within four major categories of the U.S. News vehicle rankings: Cars, SUVs, Trucks and Luxury.

since

www.copenhagenliving.com phoenix

tucson

2 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

gilbert

scottsdale

san antonio

austin

el paso

Come experience The Power of Italian Design. Our new Arline sectional combines the best in Italian design and craftsmanship SATISFY YOUR EGO with today’s technology. Built-in power headrest and footrest assure you of the most comfortable seating position, whether watching television, enjoying a good book or simply unwinding with a little “me time”. Choose from our incoming stock options for quicker delivery or use your imagination to create the one-of-a-kind, custom piece you’ve always dreamt of. This is your chance to satisfy your ego.

Arline sectional with two seat power recline from stock as shown in slate grey top-grain leather. $9448 Made in Italy. Direct import by Copenhagen.

Austin 2236 West Braker Lane

512.451.1233

San Antonio 18603 Blanco Road 210.545.4366

furniture and accessories for your modern lifestyle

ATXWOMAN.COM | 3

30TH ANNIVERSARY

ANNIVERSARY WEEK! 15% OFF All Products and 1 Cosmetic Service or Package *some restrictions apply

Visit us at: 3500 Jefferson Street, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78731

FEATURE

CHAMPION OF THE LIGHT BY STACY INGRAM KALEH PHOTOS BY ROMINA OLSON

FEATURE

A BETTER AND BRIGHTER WORLD BY DARBY KENDALL

ATXWOMAN.COM | 5

CONTENTS | APRIL

24 22

FROM THE DESK OF Allie Danziger and Kathrin Applebaum

STAFF PICKS What’s One of Your Favorite Businesses That Does

Work for the Community?

COUNT US IN DivInc Champions Change

GIVE BACK The Kindness Campaign

GIVE BACK Torch Literary Arts

PROFILE Chesma McCoy

ON THE MONEY Socially Responsible Investing

SEE HER WORK Multidisciplinary artist DeLoné

HOME SURVIVAL GUIDE

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Women and the Impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

WHERE TO WORK

TASTEFUL ART honeysuckle teatime Founder Sara Hinojosa

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Barbara Porter

ATX WOMEN TO WATCH

56 6 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

KRISTEN HUGULEY

CHRISTINA PAZ

A legacy of exceptional care for your family. sleep apnea dental implants facial trauma wisdom teeth removal

The specialists at Austin Oral Surgery have been providing exceptional care and attention to families in the Austin area for over 50 years. Our 15 oral surgeons are highly-trained, board-certified doctors who finished dental school and an additional four to six years of residency and education. They are hospital-trained in anesthesia, internal medicine, general surgery, and emergency surgery. This comprehensive training and years of proficiency are critical to a safe and trouble-free experience when your family needs oral surgery. Before you consider oral surgery for your family, visit with one of our surgeons in any of 13 convenient locations in Central Texas. 512-591-9557 • AustinOralSurgery.com

Over 50 years of exceptional care. Cedar Park • Central Austin • Dripping Springs • Georgetown • La Grange • Lakeway • Marble Falls N. Central Austin • Pflugerville • San Marcos • South Austin • Temple • Waco

Join Us We celebrate women who are challenging outdated structures, envisioning new models and laying the foundations for an inclusive, authentically expressed and innovative city. We are proud to present the seventh annual Woman's Way Business Awards. Categories spread across a wide variety of industries for women who are makers, shakers and disruptors. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements on our keynote speaker, special guests and giveaways!

MAY 12 2022 8 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

SAVE THE

Austin Downtown Marriott Doors open at 5:30pm

DATE

ENJOY A NIGHT THAT INCLUDES • Networking happy hour with Austin's leading women • Photo booth • Giveaways • Dinner and award ceremony • Endless girl power and inspiration

TICKETS ON SALE

NOW!!

ATXTICKETS.COM

Sponsorship Opportunities Available ATXWOMAN.COM | 9

AUSTIN SPRING ADVENTURE Locals and road-trippers alike can enjoy Austin’s beautiful springtime with the best available rate, complimentary self-parking and a $25 hotel credit per night.

RESERVE YOUR ROOM WITH US TODAY FairmontAustin.com | 512 600 2000 | 101 Red River Street Austin, Texas 78701

CONTRIBUTORS This month, we asked our contributors: “April showers bring…”?

A PUBLICATION OF AW MEDIA INC.

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 8

JEN RAMOS PERKINS

Director of Business Operations

STACEY INGRAM KALEH Writer “Champion of the Light,” page 34.

JAIME ALBERS

• She is a fourth-generation Austinite.

Creative Director

• She’s obsessed with the Foo Fighters and lives for rock concerts in general.

CY WHITE

• She thinks there’s something magical about

Managing Editor

Richard Linklater’s films.

DARBY KENDALL

“April showers bring…” big, brilliant Texas

Copy Editor

sunsets.

KRISNA MENIER

Director of Events and Branding Strategy ANNE COX

Production Manager

ROMINA OLSON Photographer, “Champion of Light,” page 34.

DONNA MITCHELL

Sales Account Executive

• She makes a mean pumpkin cheesecake pie.

CONTRIBUTORS

• She shares the same birthday as Leonardo

Editorial: Jess Bugg, McKenzie Henningsen, Jenny Hoff, Shanna Howard, Stacey Ingram Kaleh, Darby Kendall, Chesma McCoy, Barbara Porter, Cy White Art: The Ampersand Team, Cheryl Bemis | Bemis Digital Media, Anne Cox, DeLoné, Carla Dunda, Cindy Elizabeth, Charles Glenn Photography, The Kindness Campaign, Romina Olson, Sarah E. Porter, Jessica Wetterer, Cy White

DiCaprio, on 11/11. • She gets a kick out of cold fronts. “April showers bring…” ultimate power.

JENNY HOFF Writer, “Socially Responsible Investing,” page 27.

INTERNS

Jess Bugg, McKenzie Henningsen, Madison Reyna

• She walked part of the Great Wall of China. • She jumped out of an airplane over the Australian brush. • She lived in Singapore for part of college. “April showers bring…” an end to cedar

AW MEDIA INC. MELINDA GARVEY

KIP GARVEY

Co-founder/Co-owner

CEO/Co-owner

SAMANTHA STEVENS

Co-founder

season allergies!

ASHLEY GOOLSBY

CFO

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc. and is available at locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. To offer feedback, email feedback@awmediainc.com. For submission information, visit atxwoman.com/jobs. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at atxwoman.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 | 7401 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78739

CY WHITE Writer, “Creating an Atmosphere of Magic,” page 52. • Her favorite album of all time is Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder. • Her first professional interview was with Daryl “DMC” McDaniels. • She’s released two EPs and an LP. “April showers bring…” more reasons to sit out in the grass.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 11

FROM THE EDITOR

Spring has certainly crawled its way

SXSW Music into being this year, hasn’t it, dear Three SXSW featured reader? The sun is out. The birds artists have started singing. The world is alive with new growth again! Though the cold is reluctant to take its leave, people are out and about. Which also means… South by Southwest is back! Yes, April is certainly a time of celebration. The warm “Soy Chingona” weather means that so many by The Tiarras more people’s hearts are also warming up to help those around them. It might be hard to see in these desperate times, but there are wonderful people in the world. Look no further than the pages of this issue. Our cover woman, Raasin McIntosh, has such an unbelievable heart for Austin’s art “Mayahuel” by Flores community. Her nonprofit, Raasin in the Sun, brings people of underrepresented communities together to rebuild their neighborhoods, bringing art, color and life back into parts of East Austin that have long been neglected. The mothers and educators of the Round Rock Black Parents Association have dedicated their lives to ensuring BIPOC children know they are loved, appreciated and seen. They’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that the schools in their community are safe environments for every child to learn in. We have brilliant pastry artist Sara Hinojosa who was instilled with “Sunday Morning” by both the love of art and a calling to serve. The founder of a school, Barbara Porter, who built said Magna Carda school with the community’s parents and for 37 years gave children of all backgrounds a quality education. The Kindness Campaign continues to be an example of just how much genuine and intentional kindness can and does make a difference. If there’s one thing South by has taught me it’s that having a community of people around you who care deeply for what they do instills an unparalleled peace of mind for me. What it’s taught us all is that at the end of the day, people carry deep passion, immense intelligence and unconscionable fortitude. In this world that will continue to try to break us down, there are women like those in the April issue and events like SXSW that remind us that, in the end, if we lead with love, genuineness and a will to help those who need it most, the world will be okay. Love yourselves, and love one another.

CY WHITE EDITOR

Publication of Austin Woman would not be possible without the support of our monthly advertisers and sponsors, who believe in the impact we are making in the Austin community. The following businesses have stepped up their support of our efforts beyond traditional advertising and we are proud to recognize them as our partners. The team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses that have shown their commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses and all our regular advertisers.

12 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

DIAMOND-LEVEL PARTNER

PLATINUM-LEVEL PARTNERS

Sponsored Content

Five Makeup Tips for a Fresh Spring Beauty Routine Protect and prep. Now that spring is here and the sun is out, we spend more time outside. Protecting our skin from the sun is more important than ever. A tinted SPF will provide you daily sun protection while offering a sheer coverage to even skin tone and blur blemishes. For some, this may be all the coverage you need. For others this can cut the amount of foundation you layer on top in half. Spring is all about light layers and fresh skin.

Opt for foundations that deliver a natural finish. Look for words like "satin," "skin-like," "buildable." Apply where needed, starting in the center of the face, as this is where we tend to have more sunspots and discoloration. Use a brush with dense but soft fibers to blend out seamlessly. The BK Beauty 101 contoured foundation brush is the perfect tool to deliver adjustable, seamless coverage with any liquid or cream foundation. The BK Beauty 101 brush is shaped so long fibers at the tip blend and sheer out makeup, while shorter dense fibers at the base build customizable coverage. Multitasking makeup products are the next wave in beauty. Not only do they save time on your beauty routine, but their formulas are typically cream, liquids or light-as-air mousse textures. These textures give a healthy glow to the skin and blend out effortlessly. For eye makeup, use a brush large enough to sheer and blend but firm enough to spread liquid product. The BK Beauty 206 eyeshadow brush is the perfect one-and-done brush to blend out liquid or cream shadows.

Curate your application tools and choose tools that perform for the products you use. Brushes with longer fluffy fibers pick up and apply powders more sheerly. If you like a natural, light powder application on the face, the BK Beauty 102, 103 or 104 powder brushes are the perfect option. If you like to build coverage with your liquid or cream foundations, blushes or bronzers, the BK Beauty 101 or 106 are the brushes that will deliver this application. When it comes to eye makeup, the smaller the brush, the more product it will pack on. The larger and fluffier the brush, the better blender it will be. For smaller eyes, the BK Beauty 202 or A502 are the perfect size for blending work, while the 201 or A503 are ideal for eyes with more lid space. Wash your brushes every week to keep them clean and sanitary. Synthetic fibers won't absorb products like natural hairbrushes, so they may be able to go an extra few days depending on the products you use and how often you use them. Use a brush shampoo and avoid using hot water or allowing the brush ferrules to be submerged. This can damage the brushes over time, loosening the adhesive. Clean makeup and tools are crucial to keep the skin healthy and prevent blemishes or breakouts.

LISA JAUREGUI Youtube Creator ((@lisajmakeup) Founder, BK Beauty (bkbeauty.com)

My current favorites are Ilia Liquid Powder eye tints or Armani Beauty eye tints. Apply a light layer and blend out into the crease and you are good to go! Another must-have multitasker is the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks blush stick. This beautiful formula can be used on the cheeks, lips or eyes. Use the BK Beauty 108 brush to blend out cheek color for a natural flush-like finish.

@BEAUTY

ATXWOMAN.COM | 13

CONNECT WITH US

Can’t get enough of this issue? Check us out at atxwoman.com. The Trials of Melissa Lucio A mother and abuse survivor faces execution this month. As more facts for her case come to the surface, the Innocence Project is asking people to act.

Leslie Gray Harmon & Her Cat Collar Empire Entrepreneur and cat mom Leslie Gray Harmon saw a need in the pet market and made it her mission to fulfill it with her line of pet collars, Made By Cleo.

Break the Bias This year for International Women’s Day, we #BreakTheBias and ensure equitable, improved maternal health for women of color.

@austinwoman

LIKE US

austinwoman

WIN THIS! Addie Rose Boutique Northwest Austin’s favorite shopping destination Addie Rose is celebrating its one-year anniversary this April in more ways than one. On Saturday, April 9, celebrate the day with Addie Rose at their one-year anniversary party, complete with complimentary sips, bites and an on-site astrologist giving 10-minute mini astrology readings. The stylish boutique is also celebrating by giving one lucky Austin Woman reader a $200 gift card to shop ’til they drop! With most pieces in the store under $100, we’re talking new wardrobe! Enter to win by following us on Instagram @austinwoman. We’ll announce the winner at the end of the month.

14 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

@ austinwoman

The Trials of Melissa Lucio photo by the Innocence Project. Leslie Gray Harmon & Her Cat Collar Empire photo courtesy of Leslie Gray Harmon. Break the Bias photo by Simi Iluyomade. Addie Rose Boutique photo courtesy of Addie Rose Boutique.

Don’t forget to visit and subscribe to the Austin Woman YouTube channel!

CONNECT WITH US

Austin Woman @ SXSW 2022 Austin Woman magazine was out and about at the return of SXSW.

Dirty South Ball

The Tiarras

Photos by Anne Cox and Cy White

Flores

Lizzo

Magna Carda

ATXWOMAN.COM | 15

FROM THE DESK OF

AUTHENTICITY THAT RADIATES

BY MCKENZIE HENNINGSEN

Allie Danziger is a serial entrepreneur. After founding and selling her own marketing company, Integrate Agency, Danziger immediately began her next adventure: creating a professional development platform for young professionals called Ampersand Professionals. Kathrin Applebaum has enjoyed over a decade of her career focused on advising and training hundreds of young professionals during her time in international education and the expert network industry. Together, Danziger and Applebaum, the company’s COO, share their advice on how to start your own company whether you, just like Danziger, are a serial entrepreneur, or a business newbie.

BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE COMPANY YOU ARE CREATING.

Allie Danziger: When I founded Ampersand, I knew that I wanted to be deliberate about what we were doing as a business, the impact we were having, how it was being run and how I am actively spending my time at work and outside of it. I know that we are building an amazing company that will shift the way companies hire entry-level talent, but I also need to make time to take my daughter to gymnastics. Kathrin Applebaum: Embodying this work-life balance, or at least showcasing its importance, gives employees the freedom and power to take control of their schedules and spend time where it is important to them.

ALLIE DANZIGER (LEFT) AND KATHRIN APPLEBAUM

INCREASE WORKPLACE DIVERSITY.

It’s key for companies to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusivity and belonging in the workplace. The easiest place to start is by removing barriers from the very beginning by providing access to equitable paid internships that can diversify the talent pool. While businesses should continue hiring diverse leadership, they should also invest in a long-term diversity strategy by allowing for a new, diverse generation of employees to confidently enter the workforce. At the same time, it is extremely important for employers to unlearn internalized biases they may have become accustomed to, or not even realized they were exhibiting, and get prepared for this new generation, as they have so much to contribute to the organizations they enter. RECRUIT THE EMPLOYEES YOU WANT.

Every company should understand its core values— there are plenty of valuable exercises to determine this—and hire accordingly. It shouldn’t be aspirational in nature, but ask yourself what is important to you, and who can help you to get there. Spending time recruiting the rock stars you want to be with on a daily basis sets the stage for a secure and resilient business foundation. At Ampersand, we work with a very diverse population: 60% of our professionals are female, 40% are first-generation college students and 72% identify as non-white. It’s important for us to practice what we preach and recruit diverse talent that can properly connect with our key customers—45% of Ampersand’s employees identify as non-white; 11% identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community; 22% are Jewish; 11% are first-generation U.S. citizens; 33% were first-generation college students and 33% are bilingual or multilingual. Our diverse team only makes us stronger, which is how Ampersand is able to thoughtfully and strategically help other businesses to recruit the workforce of today and tomorrow. LEAD AUTHENTICALLY.

INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION.

Young professionals, more specifically Gen Z, are going to overtake the workforce in the next few years. In fact, by 2026, more than 25% of the workforce will be Gen Z employees. We have both spent most of our careers upskilling entry-level employees and investing time into young, driven individuals early on so they are able to confidently enter the job market and continue to build off of those skills in the future. While it can often be frustrating that young professionals lack the polish, etiquette or knowledge of how to be successful in the workplace, taking the time to give them the experience through paid internship opportunities can set these professionals up for a lifetime of success. (Note: It’s not just Gen Z; each generation has complained about “the newbies,” including when you were entering the workforce!)

16 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

Leaders aren’t just the ones with the fancy titles. Leadership is a skill that can be practiced and honed regardless of your job, age or experience. As a leader, it’s imperative to stay true and genuine in the way you present yourself and represent your company. Keep your personal goals and values in mind at all times and always bring that into the forefront as you make business and personal decisions. Employees want to be proud of the places that they work, and the only way they are going to do so is by having higher-ups that have this strong sense of authenticity that radiates down the employee pipeline.

Photo courtesy of the Ampersand Team.

Ampersand co-founders Allie Danziger and Kathrin Applebaum understand the key to the future is intentional diversity.

UV Protection 50+

Up to size 9 years coming Spring 2022

WWW.COOLLIT TLEONES .COM

Less Sweat & More Fun

Cool Little Ones are the coolest moisture wicking clothes for Little Ones. Cool Little Ones was started by a mom who saw how her kids were constantly sweating when playing outside so she started sewing them moisture wicking clothes. Cool Little Ones are the most versatile kids clothes and can go from pool, beach, lake, park, sports practices, to school to all day play without changing!

YOUR COVID CONSCIOUS CLEANING SERVICE

We offer standard and detailed cleaning services for your residential and commercial space. Call for a free estimate. 35 Years Serving Austin BBB Accredited Business Locally Owned Fully Insured

Trust Twin for a little help on your big day. BEVERAGE PLANNING FOR WEDDINGS, SHOWERS, PA RT I E S , A N D M O R E !

Mention this ad for 20% off a detailed cleaning.

AmesCleaningAustin.com

512.331.9694 | 12308 Hwy 620, Austin ATXWOMAN.COM | 17

STAFF PICKS

WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESSES THAT DOES WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY? The Austin Woman staff show love for local businesses uplifting the community. JESS BUGG EDITORIAL INTERN

Austin Bouldering Project is one of my favorite places to go in Austin. Yes, it’s a place to climb and workout, but they’ve also built an amazing community that has greatly contributed to my east Austin neighborhood. (And now they have a second Austin location on South Lamar.) A percentage of their membership revenue goes toward antiracism efforts, which includes providing neighboring community discounts, financial support for Black-led organizations involved with political action and support for voting campaigns aimed at removing barriers of voter suppression. The bouldering experience itself is more accessible than rock climbing because it doesn’t require any gear aside from climbing shoes (that you can rent) and welcomes all levels of experience. There are unlimited climbing options for beginners and pros alike. All are welcome.

CY WHITE MANAGING EDITOR

I have been an avid reader since I was about 1 year old. As I’ve gotten older I’ve become so intentional about wanting to purchase books from Black-owned booksellers. There are quite a few, but not that many local to Austin. Then one year I stumbled across Black Pearl Books, a literal home business. The owner, Katrina Books, runs the store out of her house with her family, their garage acting as the storeroom. They’re not a traditional storefront by any stretch of the imagination. However, their store is very intentional and specific about the type of books they sell. These books are meant to help Black and Brown people see themselves in literature. You want to talk about diversity, equity and inclusion? Brooks lives and breathes this work. The Black Pearl Books selection is an education in and of itself. Truly one of my favorite businesses in Austin. (By the way, the first book I purchased from them was Questlove’s latest, Music Is History.)

KRISNA MENIER Instacart was a necessity in every household when the pandemic hit, and now some of us couldn’t imagine going back into a grocery store to shop on our own. Instacart CEO Figji Simo is giving back to her community with a new women’s health startup, The Metrodora Institute. This clinic is made up of an array of world-class doctors including geneticists, immunologists, neuroscientists, chemists, physicists, machine-learning engineers and data scientists to bring a new outlook to women’s health. As women in a gender-biased medicinal society we are told “You’re just tired” or “This happens to all women,” and our health issues are brushed under the rug. The Metrodora Institute is here to dedicate its time to research and advocacy for women’s health. Its stated mission is to advance women’s health equity, with a focus on treating people with “complex neuroimmune disorders.” 18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

ANNE COX PRODUCTION MANAGER

I recently went to a small event put on by the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary here in Austin. They had food, drinks and a few adorable puppies up for adoption. The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is striving to make every shelter a no-kill shelter nationwide by 2025. They also have foster programs available and plenty of volunteer opportunities. Go to bestfriends.org to learn more.

All photos courtesy of respective staff member.

COMMUNITY AND EVENTS MANAGER

OFFICIAL EVENT PRODUCTION COMPANY OF AWMEDIA INC.

Street-style sweet potato with fried plantain sauce, agave syrup, candied amaranth and wafer confetti

JU ST W HE N YOU THOU G H T Poblano pepper stuffed with lentil and pinto bean picadillo with tomato sauce

W E COU L DN’T B E B E T TE R. . . Salmon ceviche wrapped in cucumber with achiote jus and cilantro oil

Look to us for your expert tax preparation. Our team has the experience and knowledge to guide you towards finding financial freedom. freedom

512.699.5632 • dorothybutlerlawfirm.com 151 E. Mercer Street, Suite E, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

@dorothybutlerlawfirm

@yourtrendylawyer

Come try all of the incredible new dishes from COCINA DE ORIGEN Y BELLAS ARTES

2330 W. North Loop | Austin, Texas | 512.459.4121 | www.FondaSanMiguel.com ATXWOMAN.COM | 19

COUNT US IN

DIVINC CHAMPIONS CHANGE

DIVINC CONTINUES TO SET THE EXAMPLE OF SHIFTING THE TIDES OF EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN AUSTIN. BY CY WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER

7 years After seven years as the president of Huston-Tillotson University, Austin’s first higher education institution, Dr. Colette Pierce Burnett is retiring from her position. She was the first woman president of the university since the Huston and Tillotson colleges merged in 1952. At DivInc’s fourth annual Champions of Change Awards ceremony, she was awarded the Legacy Award, the first of its kind for DivInc’s annual ceremony. The distinction will be named in her honor as the Dr. Colette Pierce Burnett Legacy Award for her tireless dedication to the education and uplifting of Black and Brown students not only in Austin, but from all over the country.

2016 Founded in 2016, DivInc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is “to generate social and economic equity through entrepreneurship.” CEO and co-founder Preston James II says of his desire for DivInc’s impact, “In 10 years I hope there’s no need for DivInc. That’s the vision.”

20 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

73 DivInc is directly responsible for ensuring BIPOC and woman-led companies and companies that are severely under-resourced have the capital and support they need to launch. As of June 2020, the nonprofit has aided 100 founders of diverse backgrounds and experience in launching 73 companies.

$14.7 million From 2016-2021, companies who have participated in the DivInc cohort have raised $14.7 million in investments.

4th On March 4, 2022, DivInc held its fourth annual Champions of Change Awards and fundraiser. This ceremony recognizes the contributions of some of Austin’s most stalwart drivers of change in Austin’s economic landscape and community. In particular, it recognizes those who have had a direct impact on shifting Austin’s makeup in equity, diversity, inclusion and justice. This year, nominees spanned across nine categories including Executive of the Year, Nonprofit Leader of the Year, Champion of the Year and the DEI Leader of the Year.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 21

GIVE BACK

THE ART OF KINDNESS

The Kindness Campaign is holding its annual Art of Kindness event, offering families a positive way to nurture emotional wellness. BY MCKENZIE HENNINGSEN

Trigger Warning: The story makes mention of suicide. Reader discretion advised.

“TKC was born out of a place of sorrow and trying to process a devastating loss both as a mother and a friend, but the development, developing marketing tactics, speaking with board members and momentum behind it has always been that one child,” Liemandt more, she’s the driving force behind the Austin-based nonprofit The Kindness says. “If we can help just one more child and prevent a similar Campaign (TKC). To add another feather in her cap, she’s taken a major role in tragedy, then I consider my work successful.” the planning of TKC’s Art of Kindness event taking place on April 1 and 2. The Art of Kindness is the organization’s annual fundraiser. Her goal with The Kindness Campaign is to create and provide accessible Liemandt and Executive Assistant to the Founder Jana Bland are emotional health curricula and programs to both children and adults. hosting the event to promote emotional health and wellness for “We’re constantly innovating at The Kindness Campaign, thinking about the local community. products and experiences that merge creativity and emotional health,” “After the past two years, I hope Art of Kindness will bring Liemandt says. “We work with schools, youth organizations, corporate and together our community for fun,” Bland says. “While the more, providing them hands-on curriculum and workshops that teach emotional statistics related to mental health and wellness are devastating, health skills in an entertaining, artistic way.” I am hopeful that Art of Kindness allows friends of TKC and our Liemandt founded The Kindness Campaign following the death of a family community to experience happiness and express that emotion friend who took her own life when she was 12 years old. Liemandt and her through art and connection.” daughters processed the tragedy through creating a shared journal they could Among the numerous company partners and vendors write in whenever they needed comfort. These journals helped Liemandt participating at the event this year is co-chair BK Beauty, develop the organization’s first campaign and inspired its mascot, Enoughie whose founder and CEO, Lisa Jauregui, is a social media beauty Buddy. influencer and educator.

Photos courtesy of The Kindness Campaign.

Andra Liemandt is a woman who wears many hats. Beyond product

22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

“I’m also a mom to two young daughters,” Jauregui says. “How I influence their programming around beauty and self-love is my greatest responsibility. As a mom and beauty influencer I started to worry about the message I might be showing my girls around what beauty means. When I thought about my daughters, the pressures they face in the age of social media they are growing up in, I felt called to get involved in supporting our kids. BK Beauty and The Kindness Campaign is a beautiful partnership. I love the work The Kindness Campaign does to support our youth and their mental health.” The Kindness Campaign donated over 1,000 tickets to Title I students and their families to be able to attend the event for free. The Art of Kindness event will feature exclusive previews of The Kindness Campaign’s future products, live art and music displays, mindfulness activations and a meet-and-greet with Enoughie Buddy, among many other activities for attendees to partake in. “It has always been a goal that TKC’s Art of Kindness be a nontraditional fundraiser, in the sense that our events truly embody the mission and spirit of the team,” Liemandt says. “It is my hope that we continue to provide these essential resources to our community. All of that is made possible by Art of Kindness and our generous donors. We really hope that you come out to experience it this year and mark your calendars for 2023.”

The Kindness Campaign’s Art of Kindness event takes place on April 1 and 2, beginning with the Sponsor Celebration Evening starting at 8 p.m. To learn more about Art of Kindness and purchase tickets, visit tkckindness.org/aok.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 23

GIVE BACK

VISIBILITY AND REPRESENTATION MATTER

Torch Literary Arts celebrates 15 years of amplifying Black women writers. BY JESS BUGG

For Torch Literary Arts Founder and Executive Director Amanda Johnston, words have immense power. Born in East St. Louis, IL, and raised in Austin, she pursued poetry with immeasurable passion. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine, crafted two chapbooks, GUAP and Lock & Key, and a full-length collection, Another Way to Say Enter. Her work has not gone unnoticed, receiving numerous fellowships, grants and awards from organizations including the Cave Canem Foundation, The Watermill Center, Tasajillo and the Austin International Poetry Festival. However, the accolades, deserved as they are, pale in comparison to her dedication to those whose voices are often smothered. Along with founding Torch Literary Arts, a nonprofit that publishes and promotes Black women writers, she is a member of the Affrilachian Poets and co-founder of Black Poets Speak Out.

What was your thought process when starting Torch Literary Arts?

Torch Literary Arts recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. Speak about the relaunch and the importance of this milestone.

The relaunch has been amazing. The pandemic has been hard for everyone, and over the last two years, I had time to think and assess how Torch was serving our community and what was needed. Along with my board of directors, we decided to relaunch and build on our years of experience with a stronger foundation and enhanced programs. We applied for and received our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, created a new publishing model to increase online [author] features to over 64 per year, continued our Wildfire Reading Series in-person and online, provided writing workshops and planned for a week-long retreat in Austin. We also pay all of our featured authors for publishing their work. Everyone should be paid for their work, but as artists, it is also an important sign of validation that will have a lasting impact on their writing careers. This relaunch is the groundwork to grow Torch Literary Arts into a destination online and in Austin for Black women writers and readers around the world.

24 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

Could you tell our readers more about the Wildfire reading series, your workshops and retreats? Beginning in fall 2022, we will resume our curated Wildfire Reading Series at local independent bookstores. We have held many readings at our beloved Bookwoman, one of the oldest feminist bookstores in the country, and we look forward to hosting events with others like Resistencia Bookstore and Black Pearl Books. Our adult workshops will be facilitated by worldclass authors and educators and offer participants dedicated time and space to cultivate their craft. A week-long retreat is in the planning phase for summer 2023. The retreat will include a workshop with an experienced author and ample time for rest and rejuvenation in beautiful Austin. This precious gift of time and support with a group of peers is essential for creatives, especially Black women who may not have this opportunity elsewhere.

Photos by Cindy Elizabeth.

I started Torch Literary Arts in 2006 to reserve a virtual space for Black women writers. As a Black woman writer, I’ve experienced the challenges of race, class and gender discrimination. I wanted to provide an outlet where other women like me could share their work unapologetically and celebrate each other. Our mission has always been to publish and promote Black women writers on our website. Over the years, we’ve grown to include programs like our Wildfire Reading Series that features authors at local independent bookstores and workshops for writers at all stages of their careers.

What is next for Torch Literary Arts?

Could you speak about the importance of highlighting other Black women in the literary arts?

Torch Literary Arts is growing and strengthening our presence in Austin. We’re actively reaching out to organizations to partner with and increase opportunities for Black women writers. Email us at contact@torchliteraryarts.org if you want to learn more about Torch and how you can help. Subscribe to our newsletter at torchliteraryarts.org/contact to receive announcements and read new work published every Friday.

Visibility and representation matter. Seeing and uplifting Black women writers is vital to preserving our immense literary contributions and inspiring future generations to share their poems and stories with the world. We must amplify each other’s work if we are to see an accurate depiction of the world we share. That can’t happen without the diverse voices of Black women from across the diaspora.

Why is it important to support organizations like Torch Literary Arts?

Black women writers have a wide and rich history across the literary landscape, but we have a long way to go to reach equality in the publishing industry. In 2020, authors took to Twitter with the hashtag #PublishingPaidMe to share what they were paid for debut collection and subsequent book deals. Sadly, it showed that writers of color, especially Black women, were vastly underpaid in comparison to white authors. But a 2013 Pew Report showed the number one person most likely to read a book is a collegeeducated Black woman. When you support Torch by donating and reading new work on our site, you are saying you value the literary legacy fought for and created by women like Phillis Wheatley, Zora Neale Hurston, Lorraine Hansberry, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison. You are allying yourself with contemporary writers like Torch features Crystal Wilkinson, Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones and Elizabeth Alexander. You are investing in emerging voices like Desiree S. Evans, Ebony Stewart and Kindall Gant, whose poem “Elegy for [Redacted],” featured Feb. 18, 2022 on Torch, was her very first publication. We can’t do this work without the support of our community, and we won’t have a true representation of our human experience without the work of Black women writers.

Ebony Stewart, Torch Literary Arts February Feature

Visit atxwoman.com to read the interview in its entirety.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 25

PROFILE

MENTAL HEALTH IS WEALTH

Through tears and prayer, aspiring author, holistic health life coach and Pastors’ Closet Founder Chesma McCoy stands strong in her purpose.

Chesma McCoy’s life hasn’t been a crystal stair. A small-town girl raised in Bartlett, TX, she was placed in the foster system at the tender age of 3. She’s carried the burden of various tragedies on her back. “Lost, lonely and afraid, I’ve gone through divorce, suffered from a miscarriage, been unemployed,” she reveals. “Stuck between a hard rock and soft place, I fell into despair.” However, all of the pain she suffered throughout her life never stopped her. In fact, she refused to give in to that despair. “I had a 5-year-old son at the time, so I didn’t have time for a pity party. I decided to take the power and charge of my life back.” Bruised, but not broken, McCoy pulled herself up and founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Pastors’ Closet in 2018. Why Pastors’ Closet? “Because every sheep needs a shepherd, so does a shepherd need a covering,” she says. She founded Pastors’ Closet as a safe haven and wellness center where people come for restoration. “We provide mental health, pastoral counseling and life coaching by way of services in retreats, life coaching and wellness conferences, while also providing food and essentials to the homeless community. “We help empower the church and community in their spiritual walk, health and wellness,” she continues. “Our focus is on encouraging others to prioritize their lives in family, business and ministry. Self-care is a priority, and mental health is your wealth. We want to create space and opportunity to bring the community together in unity.” McCoy is not a pastor or wife, but she stands by the notion that God gave her this vision to carry forward. Along with her dedication to service, she’s an aspiring author. Her book Overcomer is a 31-day devotional for overcoming adversity, depression, rejection and temptation. “I wrote Overcomer as my memoir and testament that God is able!” she says emphatically. “I 26 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

want to encourage anyone who meets me to read my story. It comes from personal experiences and life circumstances. You will be surrounded by critics no matter what you do. This is a self-help tool that will guide you through a biblical perspective, and daily affirmations to remind you to speak life over yourself. “I called it Overcomer because life will take you into a storm,” she explains. “Whether in the middle of a storm or coming out of a storm, no matter what, you will overcome it. Take a lesson in this. Whenever you’re driving in the rain, you don’t stop to get out, nor do you back up and turn around to go in the opposite direction. Instead you keep on driving. [It’s called] Overcomer because in spite of everything life tried to throw at me, I’m still standing.” McCoy is not only “still standing.” She stands tall in her purpose. She’s a Christian life coach in holistic health and the CEO and owner of Kingdom Lifestyle N Apparel, LLC, an apparel line she created as an extension of Overcomer. It’s obvious she’s found her calling and is following it with every ounce of her being. It’s a calling steeped in the belief that the hard work toward healing must start with breaking generational misconceptions. “We as a culture suffer in silence because we were taught that prayer alone can cure depression and/or mental disorders,” she says. “You can’t eat, cry, sleep or even pray it away. The Bible is specific. Faith without works is dead. Selfcare is a priority, and mental health is your wealth. Find a safe space to talk it away, journal it away. Writing is therapeutic. If you’re into fitness, you can exercise; or if you’re into crafts, find your creative niche. But don’t wallow in your wilderness. You must walk through it. Everything that you go through, you grow through. That’s not just a cliche, it is experience. The test of true faith is how to remain humble in the face of adversity.” McCoy’s purpose-driven life extends to her children. They serve as her biggest inspiration. She penned the Big Girls Don’t Cry story and coloring book as something of a love note to her daughter. “I found myself telling my daughter that she didn’t have to do all the whining because big girls don’t cry. But as I reflected on it, I discovered that was a lie. I’ve cried more times than I can count. I want to empower young girls to understand that they don’t have to hide behind their pain. Life and chance happen to us all. Whenever you can’t find the words to speak it’s okay to cry because tears are prayers too.” No, Chesma McCoy’s life hasn’t been a crystal stair. But beyond the pain she’s found true glistening joy and purpose. “I am committed to building growth and unity in the Kingdom,” she says. “I am dedicated to this mission and strive each new day as God gives me strength.”

Photo courtesy of Chesma McCoy.

BY CHESMA MCCOY AND CY WHITE

ON THE MONEY

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING

Put your money where it matters to you. BY JENNY HOFF

If you’re looking to start investing your money but want to support companies aligned with your values, you can join millions of others who are committed to socially responsible investing. Fortunately, it doesn’t necessarily require hours of research and individual stock-picking to make sure you are making the right choices. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds are becoming ever more popular as investors see an opportunity to align their money with their values. Also, many of the companies that fall under this designation have stable returns, perhaps due to more governance and self-monitoring in order to keep their ESG status. If you’re looking to put your money where it matters to you, it’s no more difficult than investing in a basic index fund through a financial company. WHERE TO FIND THE FUNDS

OTHER WAYS TO SOCIALLY INVEST

If you’ve read our past articles, you’ll know that an easy, low-cost way to invest your money in a diversified portfolio is through a global index fund using Vanguard, which charges very low fees. If you’re looking for the easiest way to invest in big companies that fall under the ESG designation, you can go to vanguard.com and invest in the ESG USA stock (ticker: ESGV). Some companies included in this bundle are Apple and Amazon, so you’re not exactly investing in the little guy, but at least you know there are some sort of standards they need to abide by to stay in the fund. The Calvert US Large-cap Core Responsible Index Fund (CISIX) is another low-cost way to invest in companies that meet a strict set of criteria, including gender pay equity. Calvert is known for its rigorous vetting process to ensure the funds meet their criteria before including them in the fund. If you’re more risk-averse or you want to diversify into more than stocks, you can socially invest through bonds. Through the Fidelity Sustainability Bond Index Fund (FNDSX), you can invest in a portfolio consisting of a mix of government and corporate bonds and mortgagebacked securities. The return is typically much less than investing in a stock portfolio, but bonds are also usually less risky options.

If stocks and bonds don’t entice you, look at organizations that support social entrepreneurs, for-profit businesses that also benefit society. Investors do often see a return on their investment, both financially and through social capital. Organizations like ashoka.org have been supporting social entrepreneurs for decades and can be a great resource for finding entrepreneurs creating products and businesses you care about. If you want to invest in a particular business, an organization like Ashoka is a great place to start your research. The idea that knowing your investment went to something worthwhile is a return in itself. Unlike GoFundMe or platforms where you can give directly to people or causes you care about, investing in social entrepreneurs does also return a financial profit, making it a true form of investment. With current inflation rates, your money loses value every day it sits in the bank. As the cost of goods like gas and food go up, your money buys less. While it’s always good to have an emergency fund, cash you have above would serve you better if invested in ways that can help your money grow. If you can do that while also supporting your beliefs and values, you’ll have made a return even greater than expected.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 27

SEE HER WORK

HEALING THROUGH ART

Afro-Indigenous artist DeLoné uses dreams and ancestral work to create art that heals. BY JESS BUGG

Self-taught artist DeLoné first began drawing as a child as a way to cope with

Photos by DeLoné.

abuse in their household. Doodling in their closet was a way for them to hide from it all. Later, as a teenager, DeLoné would spend afternoons at an anime shop reading manga and developing the foundation of their artistry. “I started copying the hair and the eyes. It came pretty naturally. When I realized I could draw these characters, I began to draw other things.” However, it wasn’t until a traumatic miscarriage that DeLoné began to explore painting. “What started as an escape evolved into a way to heal.” DeLoné’s friend brought them paints and brushes and introduced them to Frida Kahlo. “I remember looking up everything I could on her. Then I started learning about other artists and how so many lived such painful lives but could still create such beautiful things. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to create beauty from the chaos and darkness.” Years later, 2020 would bring a new evolution to DeLoné’s work. While they had experienced vivid dreams and visions most of their life, the pandemic allowed them to fully pay attention and focus on their craft without distractions for the first time. “All I wanted to do was recreate my dreams into art. In that creation, I started to deep dive into my spirituality. Often you will see my work set in the desert.

28 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

“” I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do believe in energy. When we pass, that energy has to go somewhere.

I recently asked my ancestors in a dream, ‘Why the desert?’ They said, ‘Because that is the only place you can listen without distraction.’ Lockdown was my desert in the physical realm.” DeLoné’s work is a sight to behold. Celestial stories of mixed media play out in ornate detail. Like all great works, the pieces, while deeply personal to DeLoné, are able to transcend the artist and allow the viewer to see their own stories within the creation. “I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do believe in energy. When we pass, that energy has to go somewhere. I also believe that since time is not linear, there are different timelines stacked on top of themselves. I really feel like my ancestors are reaching out to me, helping to guide me through this life. When you heal yourself, you heal your bloodline. What people seem to forget is we are all connected. I see now how my work is not just helping me heal, but those around me.” Their current medium of choice is pyrography (a free-handed wood-burning technique). First trying it in 2020, DeLoné fell in love with the application as well as the challenge. “I started with a $12 soldering iron, fell in love and then saved up for a big kit. I also add acrylic and metal leafing into a lot of my pieces. I have ADHD, so having a bunch of different materials, layers and textures to work with really seems to help keep me in a creative flow.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 29

“” While DeLoné’s work used to be darker, portraying pain rather than the healing from it, there has been a shift in their work that connects them to their younger self. “As my work started to portray more messages of power, protection and healing, the style turned into more of how I drew as a kid. All the swirls in the hair were meditation, and the way I paint my eyes is a throwback to me as a teenager drawing anime characters all the time. It has become a way to go back in time and hug that scared little 10-year-old and tell her everything is going to be okay. That she is beautiful. And that she does all the things she was told she couldn’t.” Just as DeLoné seeks to heal those around them, they also seek to amplify voices in their communities, bridging the gap for others. “Something that needs to be said is yes, I am Black and Indigenous, but I am also light-skinned. I am also queer. I check off all these little boxes for these different marginalized communities where I might be more palatable or socially acceptable in one space versus another. So, I see myself giving back to my communities and uplifting their voices. I see myself being the bridge that can help others get into spaces they didn’t think possible, to make a name for myself that can open doors for the people who come after me. And if I can’t save a seat at the table, I see myself building my own.”

30 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

I see myself being the bridge that can help others get into spaces they didn’t think possible, to make a name for myself that can open doors for the people who come after me. And if I can’t save a seat at the table, I see myself building my own.

ATX

WOMEN to WATCH Our pages are full of stories of Austin’s most engaging, empowering and successful women, and this section is specially designed to provide you access to even more incredible role models and success stories. Be part of this amazing group and share your story with thousands of women. Contact us at sales@awmediainc.com or call 512.328.2421 for more information. PHOTOS BY ROMINA OLSON

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | | 31 31

ATX

KRISTEN HUGULEY

L E A N D E R E D U C AT I O N A L E X C E L L E N C E F O U N D AT I O N | E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

risten Huguley’s executive leadership and systems thinking ensure the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation is a critical support system for thousands of Leander ISD teachers and students annually. Her purpose is for her daily actions to make a positive long-term impact in her community, and that’s evident by her actions inside and outside of her career. Her community engagement and national emergency assistance programs, relationship development and marketing strategies have increased each nonprofit’s annual impact, making it possible to better serve their communities. Huguley serves as the Leander Chamber of Commerce board chair and is the vice president of scholarships of Professional Women of Williamson County. She enjoys going on adventures with her husband and producing award-winning productions together as Ten House Productions. leeftx.org

32 | SPECIAL PROMOTION

ATXWOMAN.COM

Photo by LifeStyle Photo and Video - Larry Ross.

WOMAN to WATCH

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

C H R I S T I N A PA Z

SILLER PREFERRED SERVICES, LLC | CEO

ulfilling a dream while providing livable wages is the driving force behind Christina Paz, owner of Siller Preferred Services. Growing up in South Texas with her six siblings, Paz watched her mom struggle to meet her monthly obligations as a migrant worker, often relying on social services and government assistance. Wanting to break the cycle of poverty, Paz dreamed of a future of stability. While living in Minnesota, she worked for an employment agency. Working her way up from receptionist to regional manager, she realized how she could help individuals, like her mother, provide for their families with honest work. Moving back to Texas prompted Paz to open her employment agency in 2014. Today, Siller provides over 200 individuals throughout Austin with livable wages. A mom of three, Paz stresses the importance of hard work and giving back to your community. She is an active member of her church and enjoys Pilates. sillerservices.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION | | 33 ATXWOMAN.COM 33

CHAMPION OF THE LIGHT Raasin in the Sun Founder Raasin McIntosh envisions an authentic and united Austin. BY STACY INGRAM KALEH PHOTOS BY ROMINA OLSON STYLING BY PARKE BALLANTINE WITH INSPIRATION FROM CHARM SCHOOL VINTAGE, FARM RIO, NEIMAN MARCUS AND GUSTO GRAPHIC TEES MAKEUP BY ALEXANDRIA ANDERSON HAIR BY B. SAMPSON, INDIVIDUALLY TWISTED BRAIDS & BEAUTY SHOT ON LOCATION AT WALLS UNITE

34 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

Immediately upon meeting Raasin McIntosh, you feel her energy

“” Life is about what you can give. The more you give, the more the universe puts you in a position to receive so that you can give more. You receive so you can give out and give back.

and enthusiasm. Positive, kind and driven, she exudes an optimism as vibrant as the murals she helps produce to brighten up our community. Many may know McIntosh for her career in the global arena as an Olympic hurdler. But today, she is focused on her future and what she can do to shape the future of her community. Dynamic and multifaceted, she’s a nonprofit CEO, entrepreneur, creative, advocate and public servant. And she’s only just getting started. Ever since a track scholarship to the University of Texas brought her to Austin in 2000, McIntosh has called the city home. She currently resides in East Austin, the community her nonprofit, Raasin in the Sun, serves. McIntosh founded the organization to help inspire, restore and unite the East Austin community by supporting arts and culture, fueling opportunities for local creatives and organizing neighborhood cleanups. It’s all part of spreading the light and making the community a little bit brighter each day. She describes this fittingly as “light work,” work that’s going to help others. “Life is about what you can give,” McIntosh states with raw sincerity. “The more you give, the more the universe puts you in a position to receive so that you can give more. You receive so you can give out and give back.” With seemingly boundless drive and creativity, McIntosh considers herself to be solutions oriented. She’s addressing the needs of Austin’s ever-growing community, aiming to unite where there are divides and preserve authenticity when it is increasingly threatened. Her work doesn’t stop at the neighborhood level. McIntosh also works for the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation as director of Parks and Placemaking, overseeing programming for Republic Square Park, among other sites. Adding another leadership role to her already extensive resume, she recently co-founded video production company Be the Change Studios with her business partner, Kris San. McIntosh has found a powerful alignment of purpose, passion and mission as a storyteller. In fact, all of her current endeavors seem to share this common thread, weaving the community together and creating connection through storytelling. Her goal: keep Austin authentically Austin. “Austin’s authenticity is everything that makes Austin unique. It’s our job as citizens to champion that uniqueness on all levels,” says McIntosh. She believes the people of Austin can protect the city’s authenticity as it grows by supporting the arts in their many forms, making space for creatives and taking good care of Austin’s green spaces, the places people gather together. McIntosh wants the Austin of the future to still be the city where folks love to have casual conversations with their neighbors, eat tacos and listen to Willie Nelson, support grassroots organizations and mom-and-pop shops, enjoy locally organized events in green spaces and advocate for the things that make Austin the place its residents take pride in. McIntosh envisions an Austin that stays true to itself, and she is going to do everything she can to make sure that happens.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 35

Designing Her Journey: From Olympic Athlete to Nonprofit Ceo Raasin McIntosh grew up in Houston, part of a tight-knit family with five siblings—one brother and four sisters—and humble means. She calls the home they grew up in loving and lively, and her siblings have cheered her on throughout her life and various ventures. For instance, her brother currently serves on the board of directors for Raasin in the Sun. But she’s been most influenced by her dad, who is an artist. He inspires her to bring creativity to everything she does. “Growing up, he was always encouraging me to get into the arts,” McIntosh says of her dad. “Not necessarily the visual arts, but music and anything I could use as a platform to create things he encouraged me to pursue.” So, she’s not surprised that when it came time for her to start a new chapter beyond track, she ended up in the arts and culture arena. Alongside being raised in the church, track and athletics were a significant part of McIntosh’s childhood. Having known McIntosh since she was in seventh grade, her former track and field coach and mentor Rose Brimmer calls her “bold, beautiful and brilliant. She is a go-getter as an entrepreneur working to make things happen. She views the community as bigger than herself and will always be a contributor to a good cause.” These qualities are evident in the way McIntosh moves through the community today. She’s purposefully charting her own course, or “journey,” as she would call it, through life. McIntosh credits Brimmer with helping her get to a place and platform where she could “be and do anything I wanted to achieve.” McIntosh’s experience as a student athlete at UT Austin was also formative. After winning multiple state track championships in high school as a hurdler, McIntosh received an athletic scholarship and joined the Texas Longhorns track and field team. McIntosh says her time at the university empowered her to go out and change the world. “UT taught me the importance of community, getting out past the Forty Acres and understanding how acts of service can really impact the community around a school and empower a city.” She tells a story about one memorable experience, when the track team volunteered as part of an effort to clean up 12th and Chicon Streets in East Austin, introducing her to the needs of her future neighborhood. Unity is something McIntosh speaks of with great urgency and enthusiasm. While it’s one promise of Raasin in the Sun’s mission, it also seems like a personal philosophy. “There are so many divisive energies around us. But I believe that the power is in unity,” McIntosh remarks.

36 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

“” There are so many divisive energies around us. But I believe that the power is in unity.

“Separation and division slow us down as a society. I truly believe the power is in folks coming together.” As an Olympian (she competed in the women’s 400-meter hurdles for Liberia at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London), McIntosh had a chance to experience firsthand what it’s like for the world to come together peacefully. Through her travels, especially interactions with young people in Africa and Europe, she gained a unique perspective on what community means and how different people in countries across the world model unity and service. “My travels from track and experience at that global stage absolutely impacted my perspective,” McIntosh says. “They lit a fire under me. It was like, ‘Here’s the world and here you are, and this is your time for impact. You have to start now.’” After finding success as a collegiate and Olympic athlete, McIntosh was ready to make a move, carrying what she learned from her experiences on the track—teamwork, leadership and how the two work together— and her unmatched drive with her into her next endeavors. When McIntosh began her next journey, she initially became a high school teacher, teaching English as a Second Language. Thanks to her experiences abroad, she felt at ease interacting with international students. While she enjoyed helping her students, her heart led her to make more space for creativity in her life and, in turn, to create more space for artists of all kinds in Austin.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 37

A Source of Light and Connection When McIntosh founded Raasin in the Sun in 2015, she chose to give back to East Austin in part because it is the place she calls home. However, for her, it also represents every “east side” of every city or urban community—any place where a community has been divided. “There’s a side in every city that is associated with separation, poverty, environmental justice issues, crime and a lack of resources,” she says. “The east side here needs every bit of uniting, restoration and inspiration. The community here is rapidly changing. There’s a huge surge in development. The communities that were here before have now been pushed out, new people are moving in and the divide is stronger than ever. It’s the perfect time for us to start a solutions-based organization to combat that divide—to help heal, provide beautification and mural arts to tell stories and uplift, to help provide developers with a platform to give back to the community and invite community residents to the table.” Raasin in the Sun is focused on placemaking (for example, activating vacant lots with inspirational programming) and beautification, including funding murals, organizing cleanups and planting community gardens. You can see the organization’s impact all over East Austin, from The Resilience Project—murals depicting 14 African American trailblazers through a hyperlocal lens, stenciled by artist Niz—to The Pillars Project—an effort to transform each pillar under the Pleasant Valley Bridge into its own work of art—to Project Green, which has planted trees and gardens at locations like Ortega Elementary. For McIntosh, the “beautification” aspect of these projects goes beyond aesthetics. “To me, beautifying has a lot to do with environment. It’s looking at a neglected space or space that needs sprucing and bringing the community together through the process of intentionally working on that space, cleaning it up, planting trees, creating mural art.” Each mural or program Raasin in the Sun produces helps communicate the history of its place and the people who have laid the foundation for us today. It tells a story that is meant to help us connect with one another. McIntosh wants Raasin in the Sun to serve everyone, broadly defining the meaning of community. “When I think about the word ‘community,’ I think of all-encompassing,” she says. “Everybody at the table. No matter the color you are, the job that you have, the status, the ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation… everybody has a seat at the table. That being said, I created Raasin in the Sun for the community.” She hopes that everyone who gets involved with the organization’s programs also takes something away they can share and replicate in their daily lives. “Pruning, powerwashing, painting, picking up trash—there are so many things that you can do immediately to restore an environment, to restore a friend or a neighbor’s space.” She emphasizes that anybody can take action to help at any time. With every fiber of her being, McIntosh is committed to leading the community toward a brighter future, knowing when to get out front to set an example and when to get hands-on in the daily grind of the work. “Raasin is a creative and kind soul,” says Pamela Benson Owens, CEO of Six Square, Austin’s Black Cultural Arts District. “She is so committed to our community and everything she touches turns to gold! What I admire most about Raasin is [that] she is a ‘first to show up and last to leave’ leader.”

38 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

“” Raasin is a creative and kind soul. She is so committed to our community and everything she touches turns to gold! What I admire most about Raasin is [that] she is a ‘first to show up and last to leave’ leader. — Pamela Benson Owens, executive director of Six Square

LOCATION: WALLS UNITE Walls Unite is an outdoor art gallery—temporary lot restoration, with the theme of Social Cohesion: Unity in the Community. In a time of much division within our world, we need more initiatives to bring us together. Come experience Walls Unite at the East Seventh Street warehouses, bringing community and creatives from all backgrounds together for one cause. 5123 E. Seventh St., raasininthesun.org/walls-unite.html

ATXWOMAN.COM | 39

“”

Stories transform. They heal. They set free.

40 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

As Raasin in the Sun grows, McIntosh plans to increase programming alongside a strong board of directors and hopes to acquire a warehouse for mural and cleanup equipment as well as a space for artists to gather. McIntosh is motivated by addressing the community’s needs as Austin continues to rapidly grow, making sure the city stays vibrant and supports the arts.

Building an Authentic Austin During the week, you can also catch McIntosh at her other fulltime at the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation. There, she works closely with Executive Director Molly Alexander to ignite downtown through the arts and creative spaces that capture the spirit of Austin, by and for everyone. “Raasin loves to build teams, utilizes everyone’s strengths and is intentionally inclusive to her core,” says Alexander. “Her spirit is infectious; her life’s work has meaning, and she uplifts those around her. She is positive, funny, and she lights up a room with her passion.” McIntosh sees her work at the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation as a natural complement to her work with Raasin in the Sun, extending her work to address community needs into downtown. “The mission for Raasin in the Sun helped me get the opportunity for Downtown Austin Alliance. We know there’s rapid change happening, so we need stewards of parks to keep green spaces alive and vibrant. We need to keep and restore empty storefronts and void spaces. There’s opportunity and canvas to keep Downtown Austin alive through what has made and is making Austin authentic, and that is the arts and the culture.” Although she is ever the optimist, McIntosh does express concern for the direction Austin is headed. “I’m scared about the future of the city, and I’m here to change that,” she says. “We need to create space to help artists, nonprofit organizations and creatives thrive. I’d love to see our city as a mural arts city. I see every space as a canvas to tell a story or to employ a creative. I see music on every corner. If a space is vacant, let it sit vacant, even for a day. If you’re a developer, work with artist residencies and create space for art, even if temporarily. Because it will benefit us all. Arts and culture are the heartbeat of Austin.” So, what does an authentic Austin look like, and how can the Austin community help sustain the city’s authenticity? “Authenticity is our identity. We are proud of the Austin we come from, and we should make strides to preserve it and incorporate new things. We’re behind right now,” she warns. “We need to have things put in place for people to access and be able to learn about the culture and the city and about what Austin is, who it is, and about different folks that have made it what it is. Before it slips away, we have to preserve the authenticity. What does that mean? It means there are certain structures that need to be preserved. It means making space for a community of thriving creatives, strengthening our live music industry, supporting and making sure grassroots and arts and culture organizations can continue to do the work they are doing. It means our local communities and mom and pop’s still have space and are able to thrive and employ.” With so much work to be done, McIntosh’s role could easily seem daunting. However, she finds hope and energy by taking action, serving as an example everyone could all follow.

The Power of Story What’s our story? How do we uncover our most authentic selves and authentic identity as a city? McIntosh constantly explores these questions. “I’m a storyteller. It’s the core of what I do and it comes very naturally to me,” McIntosh says. She has long documented her projects and activities through video. It’s important to her that, even when a project is done, there’s an opportunity to go back and reference it, to build and learn from it. “No matter if the project is temporary, the story lasts forever.” Stories that live on create a lasting impact. “To me, stories have the ability to live through generations. And, I believe, with this new generation and the storytelling platform online, even if young folks can’t be there in person, they can see it, and feel it, and be a part of it somehow,” she explains “Another aspect of why storytelling is so powerful to me is that I think of somebody who’s not able to tell their story—whether they’ve passed on or just are not able to—having the opportunity to share that person’s story, to give that gift to put their story out there, that to me is very powerful and the reason why I put storytelling into everything. “We have to be accountable for the delivery of the story and giving voice to the voiceless.” McIntosh believes when we hear each other’s stories, it can foster compassion. For her, the power of story is that it connects. When we learn our neighbors’ stories and the ancestors who made Austin the beloved city it is today, we identify a little piece of ourselves as we better understand others, and realize we’re all in this together. “Stories transform. They heal. They set free. The person whose story it is, if told with truth, it really uplifts the individual and the person hearing the story.”

Embracing Boundless Optimism McIntosh finds beauty and story everywhere and encourages her fellow Austinites to also see the bright side of things. She’s in the business of creating inspiration. That begs the question: From where does she pull her own inspiration? “There’s been something in me since I was very young. I feel there’s this ancestral tie, this invisible force or covering of love around me that I feel every day,” she shares. “My energy comes from within, by channeling, meditating and focusing in on the mission and this unbelievable overflow of love that I feel every single day. It’s like there’s this cup that’s ever flowing, and I’m able to tap into that to keep that energy. I don’t expect to lose that energy until it’s time for me to go to the next place, out of this world.” Her effervescent personality and positivity rub off on everyone she engages. McIntosh is full of inspirational mantras and joy-filled nuggets of wisdom that she generously pours out. “Every day you have a brand-new slate, a brand-new canvas, to be who you want to be.” How is McIntosh seemingly always able to focus on the bright side? She leaves us with another piece of wisdom: “Beauty is everywhere and in everything. Light is everywhere and in everything. If you open your eyes consciously, the universe will present something to you that provides that moment of clarity on the next step in your journey. It comes down to opening up to receive what is out there for you. It’s just a matter of time, just a little bit of traffic before we get there.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 41

42 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

A BETTER BRIGHTER

WORLD

The Round Rock Black Parents Association champions racial and educational equity in public schools. BY DARBY KENDALL

Photos by Charles Glenn Photography.

Stories of successful efforts to stop book bannings in Texas schools have recently seemed few and far between. So, when a book championing diversity and equity remains on library shelves, the win feels very much worth celebrating. Last year, the Round Rock Black Parents Association (RRBP) helped win a battle against the banning of a book on anti-racism, Jason Reynolds’ Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, within the Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD). As books focusing on race and the LGBTQIA+ experience are condemned by state governments and school districts across the South, advocates for equality and Black success could take a page from the association’s book. Formed in 2015 in response to a 14-year-old Black student being chokeslammed by a RRISD school resource officer, Round Rock Black Parents Association is now over 400 members strong, providing indispensable support to Black children and teenagers across the district. The leadership within the organization is collective, with duties spread across a handful of women, each assigned roles that play to their individual strengths. “The organization was really born of pain, but it has become a source of hope and joy and connectivity for so many,” explains Tiffanie Harrison, who serves as both chief innovator for RRBP and a school board member in RRISD. “Black students are only 9% of the student population in Round Rock ISD, and even though it’s a small group of students, those students deserve representation. They deserve to feel safe going to school. We focus on unifying, mobilizing and uplifting parents of Black students on behalf of all the students in Round Rock ISD.” Members of RRBP have been champions for Black students at school board meetings well before the debate over banning Stamped was raised in the district, so when the book ban was brought up last year, they were ready to fight it. Tanjour Bowman, a founding member of RRBP, has been a driving force behind having parents at the board meetings since 2015. As the official disrupter for the association, “I don’t think my title needs any explanation,” she laughs. Within her role for RRBP, Bowman has spent countless hours at board meetings, organizing parents to speak on behalf of their children and the issues they face. Often these meetings run late, sometimes until 3 or 4 in the morning, but they stay until they can speak. Thanks to the dedication of Bowman and the rest of RRBP, their voices are heard, but it’s not without tire and struggle on their behalf. “Instead of it being a partnership, it feels like the district is creating the situation where they want you to get tired and leave and not have to address what your issues are, and that is unfortunate,” Bowman says. With their countless late nights put in, along with backing from organizing groups like Anti-Racists Come Together and a petition supporting the book, made by former RRISD teacher Aidan Larson, the attempted banning of Stamped was unsuccessful. The book remains on the shelves of RRISD schools, a physical manifestation of the association’s hard work.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 43

“”

The children are awesome. Even on their worst day, the world hasn’t ruined their outlook. — Tiffanie Harrison

Tiffanie Harrison, chief innovator for RRBP and school board member in RRISD

44 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

“I feel like having any book banned in Round Rock ISD sets a dangerous precedent for what that means for the curriculum going forward. It was kind of imperative that we fought that one and continue to fight anything that tries to be banned,” says Natosha Daniels, chief systems navigator for RRBP. As someone who worked within RRISD for 13 years as both a teacher and school administrator, Daniels gained her title within the association thanks to her knowledge of the ins and outs of the district. Another member of the association, Chief Community Catalyst Keiawnna Pitts, jokes that Daniels’ title should instead be chief joy navigator as she’s such a source of happiness for the whole group. It’s undeniably apparent how fond these women are of one another, and that mix of closeness combined with their unique strengths is what has led to the association’s success in whatever they set out to do. The children of RRBP members have benefited from this support system, with several forming Black student unions in partnership with the association, or forming book clubs that focus on the uplifting parts of the Black experience. “Keiawnna’s second oldest and another member’s son have started a book club within Round Rock Black Parents so other kids can join in, and they read a new book every month,” Daniels says. “It’s just a beautiful space, because we often talk about Black suffering, and really to focus on Black joy is such a beautiful thing.” Clearly proud of her children for having helped to form such an impactful group, Pitts expands on the idea that the kids seek out books featuring new narratives. “One thing I found interesting was that they wanted to find books that had characters that look like them. They wanted to have books that just didn’t talk about slavery. They’re done with that; they were like, ‘We’re more than that,’” she says. “By wanting to find themselves in books, things that they can relate to in their love of reading, and wanting to share that with other students, they created a safe space.” While raising children of color in a state like Texas, where critical race theory (CRT) has recently come under fire from the government, the moms in this group are grateful for the community and conversations that RRBP provides for their children. Last June, a “critical race theory” bill was signed into law by Governor Abbott, defining how teachers can discuss current events and prohibiting students from receiving credit for participating in civic activities. Up until last year, CRT was a term used mainly by scholars and academics, regarding how the intersection of race and law in the U.S. has shaped various practices and institutions. Now the term has been warped due to its frequent The Bookworms of Round Rock Black Parents Association We asked the women what their favorite books are regarding antiracism and the Black experience, as well as their favorite book of the moment bar none. Tiffanie Harrison: My favorite book on the Black experience is I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown. I have never felt so seen and affirmed in a piece of literature. I believe that everyone would benefit from reading this book. I also highly recommend Courageous Conversations About Race by Glenn E. Singleton. I love this book in the context of understanding race and racism in education, but it is applicable in so many settings.

Tanjour Bowman, founding member and official disrupter of RRBP

Natosha Daniels: I’m torn between the two I am currently reading: The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones, for its historical contexts, and We Do This ’Til We Free Us by Miriam Kaba, for its inspirational abolitionist messages. My favorite books, period, are any of those written by Octavia Butler. I first read Parable of the Sower and have been hooked ever since. Tanjour Bowman: My favorite anti-racist book is, of course, Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi. My favorite book otherwise is My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due. Keiawnna Pitts: The book that really made me think and gives me hope is The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto by Charles M. Blow. I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown is one of my favorite books right now.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 45

Natosha Daniels, chief systems navigator for RRBP

usage in politics and media, often used as a way to represent fears that children are being taught to demonize U.S. history—when at its scholastic roots, the word simply serves to represent a fair analysis of how race and law impact the American experience. Often the rhetoric around CRT, anti-racism and book bannings focuses on the children and their ability, or lack thereof, to process complex information. However, Harrison, who won two Teacher of the Year awards during her time working at Round Rock High School, asserts that these kids are ready for conversations around race. “The children are awesome. Even on their worst day, the world hasn’t ruined their outlook. I’m talking about all these students, even when they struggle, they have such empathy and such curiosity around the things that they don’t know and they don’t understand,” Harrison says. “I think what keeps us from curiosity is often our fear, our lack of understanding, and because of that, we don’t want to pursue more knowledge, we just want to stay in our fear. The students are ready to learn, all the way down to preschool. If we can move past this anti-CRT stuff, then we can make a better and a brighter world.” Another part of RRBP’s efforts to make the world better and brighter includes helping Black students make the leap into higher education, setting them up for success in early adulthood. The association has now hosted two annual historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) fairs, the second held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this change in format allowed for new opportunities within the fair, including a panel of former RRISD students who answered questions about HBCUs for the current class of seniors. “These are students that we have walked side by side with since their freshman year of high school, maybe even eighth grade, and now they’re at HBCUs. They were sharing their knowledge and experience with the students that were now entering university,” describes Harrison. “They were speaking their own truth and talking about their own lived experience, and I thought that was really powerful.”

46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

Keiawnna Pitts, chief community catalyst for RRBP

Ashley Walker, member of RRBP

From taking on book bannings to promoting Black student unions, the supportive message of RRBP is starting to reach other parts of the state, and Pitts is excited for the growth. “That’s why we’re here fighting for our community, uplifting the voices of Black parents, Black families,” she says. “I feel that there’s a need for Round Rock Black Parents, and when we get outreach from Hutto, from Pflugerville, from Austin, I know that we’re onto something. What we want to do is to help bridge other communities to speak up for our children.” Along with the community the women have helped grow in the district’s schools, they have also found kinship amongst each other. Daniels describes her first time visiting Bowman’s house and feeling overjoyed to meet this group of women. “It was immediate, and it was a breath of fresh air in my life just to have people that I loved and cared for so deeply in such a short amount of time,” she expresses. “They have just been my ride or die from day one.” “I think we educate each other as well. We continue to want and have the desire to grow even in the work,” Bowman adds. “We’re exchanging information and lifting each other while we’re trying to lift the community.” Despite the challenges they’ve faced, thanks to their mutual support and the backing of their families, the members of Round Rock Black Parents are only further motivated to continue their mission to unify, mobilize and uplift Black parents, students, educators and stakeholders. “I feel grateful. I mean, this is a space of uplift, love and support,” Harrison says. “I think we’re modeling what we want to see in our school system, and that’s persistence and love, and care and compassion, and so many other things. It’s not easy, but we’re committed.” If you’re interested in joining or giving back to the Round Rock Black Parents Association, visit roundrockblackparents.org.

Meenal McNary, member of RRBP

ATXWOMAN.COM | 47

HOME SURV IVA L GUIDE

Now that spring has (hopefully) sprung, no doubt you're looking to clean up and organize your current home. Or maybe you're even in the market to upgrade to new digs. To help out we've pulled together a list of some local experts who can lend a hand no matter what you're thinking.

CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

Copenhagen Imports Since 1970, Copenhagen Imports has been a design destination for Scandinavian contemporary and modern furniture and accessories. Copenhagen’s 25,000-square-foot showroom features living, dining, bedroom and office vignettes complete with art, lamps, rugs and accessories. Our design team collaborates with furniture brands from around the world to bring you a carefully curated, diverse selection of European-style furnishings. Shop one of the largest luxury Italian furniture collections in Austin, with everything from leather sofas and sectionals to contemporary dining furniture and platform beds by brands like Egoitaliano, Incanto Italia, Cattelan Italia and more. Our premium galleries of dining furnishings by Skovby of Denmark, and Norway-made recliners and seating by Stressless® of Norway bring clean, sustainable Scandinavian design to the forefront. Our experienced design team will help you find the perfect styles, from stock or by special order, so that you can design your own sanctuary.

48 SPECIAL WOMAN ADVERTISING SECTION 48 || AUSTIN | APRIL 2022 |

ATXWOMAN.COM

Pictured here are the Marathon dining table, Belinda chairs and Sablier lamps by Cattelan Italia. Family-owned and operated for over 50 years, Copenhagen specializes in providing high quality, professional customer service, including design consultations and financing through Wells Fargo. From our experienced sales associates to our in-house delivery and service team, our Austin team will help you find modern and contemporary furniture that enhances your comfort and sense of everyday luxury. Visit our Austin Showroom at 2236 W. Braker Lane, or give us a call at 512.451.1233. copenhagenliving.com

REAL ESTATE

PERSONAL INSURANCE

Distinct Real Estate

Time Insurance Agency

My expert guidance results from more than 20 years of real estate experience, providing luxury service at any price point to a wide range of buyers and sellers. Distinct Real Estate delivers outstanding results to every client. distinctrealestate.com

After 61 years in Austin, Time Insurance Agency knows the diverse needs of their neighbors. The family-owned and -operated independent insurance agency helps you find the most comprehensive insurance coverage for your specific lifestyle. With dedicated agents, this boutique agency focuses on customer service, quick turnaround and making insurance simple so you don’t waste time or money. Their local agents help you save up to 15% annually by bundling your insurance and finding discounts for you and your family’s specific needs. Quick tip: The best time to reshop your insurance portfolio is when home buying and purchasing a homeowners insurance policy. timeinsurance.com

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN

Texas Provincial Interiors When your house needs a major remodel, Texas Provincial Interiors is the designer to call. We take your fuzzy ideas and elevate them into polished cohesive plans, complete with 3D renderings. We then support the construction process every step of the way to answer questions and ensure everything comes to life right. We can’t wait to make your remodel a success. texasprovincial.com

PROPERTY SEARCH

austinhomesearch.com | ACTRIS MLS Your next home is here! Let us help you find it. No matter what type of property you are looking for, the Austin Board of Realtors®’ Multiple Listing Service, ACTRIS MLS, provides you with the most accurate and comprehensive Austin real estate listings. Visit austinhomesearch. com to access properties in real time. From rental homes to residential resales to vacant land, it’s all at your fingertips. Get an inside look at each of Austin’s unique suburbs by accessing our Communities Guide to help you find the perfect place to call home. Whether you are looking for your first home, next home or investment property, austinhomesearch.com is your go-to online resource to help you feel confident in viewing reliable information with the most accurate Central Texas real estate data. Our Realtors® take on a variety of roles to get the job done right. They are local market experts, client advocates and trusted advisors. When you’re ready to make a purchase, austinhomesearch.com is here to help you find the right Realtor® to help guide you through the process. Trust austinhomesearch.com to be your essential guide to Central Texas real estate. austinhomesearch.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | 49

HEALTH & WELLNESS

WOMEN AND THE IMPACT OF ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA

BY SHANNA HOWARD

Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women—as are twothirds of their caregivers. A third of those caregivers are the daughters of those living with Alzheimer’s. Sandwich Generation

A quarter of dementia caregivers care for their parents while also raising their own children. Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, co-owner of Blue Water Homecare and Hospice, is part of this sandwich generation. Her mother-inlaw joined the household after a dementia diagnosis. “I’m pulled in a million different directions: assisting my mother-in-law, raising four children, being a wife and then the responsibilities that come with owning a fast-growing health care organization,” she says. Prescott became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association as a volunteer community educator and board member. “Even as a nurse, I craved knowledge on dementia and how to successfully care for someone with this disease that has no cure,” she says. “I began to feel isolated and frustrated with the daunting task of balancing work and family.” Caregiving and Purpose

Jennifer Marchand, event coordinator/promoter for Bleu French Laundry Productions, left Austin to help her father care for her mother, whose memory loss led to a dementia diagnosis followed by mobility issues and a Parkinson’s diagnosis. “I was in an exciting new job and sad to leave it. But my love for my parents is the most important thing, so it wasn’t a sacrifice,” she says. “I wanted to help any way I could.” Marchand later helped her father manage a move and became a caregiver for both her parents after he had a stroke. Medication management was a challenge as was finding a home health caregiver, which she ultimately took on. She says it’s an enormous job taking care of your loved ones 24/7.

Hope and Healing

Courtney Joyner lost her mother—a talented artist—to dementia last year. Joyner followed her mom’s artistic and entrepreneurial spirit as a self-taught ceramic artist, leaving the corporate world and opening Brush Strokes Pottery. Her mom sent ideas and attended events with her. “I’m glad I have those memories of her being able to participate in the business with me. It makes me really tearful because I want her here now, but I have to just remind myself that she did see it, and she is watching over me.” A portion of the proceeds from the purple cacti she sells benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. “I didn’t seek it out to do specifically for dementia. It just spoke to me that this is the next color you should try to do. Once it came to fruition, I was like, ‘Oh, okay, this is for mom.’ Soon she began to connect with others affected by Alzheimer’s through her work. “This is something that is not talked about, and I want to talk about it. We shouldn’t be scared to be vulnerable about this. I think there is power in knowing other people are going through this,” Joyner says. “As hard as it is sometimes for me to talk about it, I feel like it’s what I’m supposed to be doing right now. I know [Mom’s] like, ‘I am so proud of you, and this is exactly what I want you to do.’”

Resources: Marchand found comfort letting others give her a caregiving break or talking to a friend or loved one. She sought caregiving advice through the Alzheimer’s Association’s online community board and 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. Prescott also sought Alzheimer’s Association resources. “I have been involved in local caregiver education conferences and support groups that help me with this season of life, which gives me a consistent sense of hope for the future.” Resources, education and support is available at alz.org/texascapital.

50 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

Photo by Cheryl Bemis, Bemis Digital Media.

Alzheimer’s and dementia impact women disproportionately.

“I felt a bit lost because I knew nothing about senior care, and the idea was to get professional help. It was a whole new world of trying to navigate through all of these new issues piling up on one another.” Marchand found respite listening to music and working in an antique shop part time while her sister assisted. “Any way you can give yourself a mental and emotional break, do it. You can’t be everywhere at once. Do the best you can, and know that the fact that you care and are there for your loved one is really the most important thing.” Dementia outreach and fundraising became Marchand’s mission. A longtime events and PR professional, she held a successful Rolling Stones Hoot Night at the Continental Club last December, one in a series of fundraising concerts she’s done for the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her late mom. “When I see someone I love struggle, the first thing I think is, How can I help?’ I decided to take this feeling of helplessness and turn it into productive energy and try to help find a solution.”

WHERE TO WORK

ARE YOU HIRING?

Advertise your open positions here! AUSTIN WOMAN Advertising Account Executive This is an opportunity to join a well-respected company in the fastest growing city in the country. Austin Woman is at a critical inflection point and is seeking a sales executive who is self-driven, curious and collaborative in nature. Creativity, adaptability and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential. You will be focused on prospecting, qualifying, handling introductory calls and scheduling and executing meetings. You must have great communication skills, both written and verbal. If you are driven to achieve a higher level of success, you will find challenges and real rewards with us with unlimited income potential. We have a solid flow of incoming leads, as well as existing accounts to augment your prospecting. We are looking for two-plus years of sales experience, a bonus if it is in media sales. Pay: $45,000 - $75,000 per year.

HALCYON HOME Halcyon Home Business Development Liaison Are you a seasoned hospice sales professional in the Austin or San Marcos area? Are you looking for an opportunity to offer the full continuum of caregiver services in central Texas, including Home Care, Home Health and Hospice, with an excellent salary and incentive package? Come join Halcyon Home, an award-winning company that demonstrates daily one core value: Our Purpose is People! Email awest@halcyonhome.com with interest.

Scan or go to the link to apply and find out who else is hiring! ATXWOMAN.COM/WHERE-TO-WORK

TASTEFUL ART

CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF MAGIC

Nostalgia and a nurtured love of the arts helped honeysuckle teatime Founder Sara Hinojosa create one of the most memorable dessert pop-ups in Austin. BY CY WHITE

and sugar. Pinks, purples and light blues dancing in swoops and swirls on the slopes of an ice cream mountain. Dragons dueling in the sky, protecting their earthbound mistress. The canvas: cakes, cookies and milkshakes. honeysuckle teatime Founder Sara Hinojosa resides at the intersection of fine dining and fine art. It’s in her blood, the desire to create beauty in the least expected places. Growing up in San Antonio, her father’s multifaceted adoration of the arts propelled her passions and gave her direction. “My dad’s a creative person, but he ultimately got into nonprofits and teaching,” she says. “He was a chef for a little while; he’s a multimedia artist too. Then he’s like, ‘I really want to do good. I want to work with children.’ My family is always in art,” she recalls. “My dad actually runs a nonprofit that is geared toward having young people have their own gallery show, which is super amazing.” It’s no wonder her cakes and milkshakes have been described as almost baroque. Indeed, there’s an understated yet very notable elegance to her work. “In my family, my mom is very religious,” she says. “But me and my dad and my sisters…museums are like our way of meditation and connecting with something greater. I guess from a young age I’ve seen all of that.” Her adoration of the arts drew her innately to anything having to do with creativity. After attending Sarah Lawrence College for nonfiction writing and film, she cut her teeth in the competitive and oftentimes tumultuous world of fine dining. Fine dining led to fine art, a world not too unlike the food industry in terms of always striving to be and have the best. The two industries also share a lack of representation for women, a fact highlighted when considering who Hinojosa worked for. “It was a little bit shortlived,” she says with a chuckle. “When I was in New York City, I worked at the Mary Boone Gallery. It so happened that I curated an event for her and she loved me. She was like, ’Who are you? I need to hire you.’ I was sort of her right hand. She wanted me to learn everything about the gallery scene. I was pretty young, I think I was 23, 24. “I was literally living in The Devil Wears Prada,” she continues with a bright laugh. “It was an amazing experience, but it was hard work. I worked from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, on call. It’s truly shaped me for sure, and taught me so much about so many things. That was my first experience with female entrepreneurship, a woman running a business.” 52 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

Photos by Sarah E. Cooper.

Layers of ice shaped in dips and swirls atop mountains of milk

“” The environment might have forced her to mature quickly, but Hinojosa has retained her almost childlike fascination with the fantastic. When she returned to Texas from New York, she reconnected with her childhood to decide her next journey. “I thought back about when my dad would throw these birthday parties,” she reflects. “He was the chef and would do these tea parties for us and all these amazing things. I remember sitting at a big table with all of my little friends, having these amazing moments that you don’t even realize as a child are truly developmental and creative.” She reaches back to a cherished family memory. “When we were young, we had a big honeysuckle vine growing on our back porch, and our parents taught us how to pick the petals and suck the honey out.” The memory brings a broad smile to her face, eyes wide with wonder like a child learning the taste of nectar on her lips the first time. “That became honeysuckle teatime, tea party catering.” To go from mind to magic isn’t something everyone is born with. Her innate ability to weave remarkable works of art out of something as malleable as cake, as temperamental as sugar, has earned her the love of every client who’s ever been blessed with one of her fantastical desserts. It’s not a fluke. It’s the mark of a true artist. “I’m a self-taught pastry artist and had never done it before,” she admits. “But all these things are ingrained in me. I’m not a custom cake artist. I work on my own terms. The way I’m feeling that day really could influence how a cake turns out.”

I’m a self-taught pastry artist and had never done it before. But all these things are ingrained in me. I’m not a custom cake artist. I work on my own terms. The way I’m feeling that day really could influence how a cake turns out.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 53

“” I’m not going to create something that is not going to give me joy... But everything I do has to have a purpose for myself and my own personal growth.

54 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

One of the many blessings she inherited from her parents was the desire to help others through education and generosity with resources, and her time at the Mary Boone Gallery gave her imperative insight into the business side of art. As such, Hinojosa splits her time between honeysuckle and e-commerce app Lemi. As the company’s director of business development, Hinojosa has helped other small businesses get much-needed support. “It’s about two things, really,” she says. “Giving people the opportunity to make a living doing what they love, and getting them in front of the people and the resources to actually compete. In a world filled with corporatization, globalization, big companies that are taking over the world, we want the little people to have a way in. It’s a story of entrepreneurship.” Sara Hinojosa is an artist’s artist, someone who pushes the boundaries of what her medium can do and still works to ensure others have what they need to find their own success. This is her form of self-love. “I’m not going to create something that is not going to give me joy. Which is a selfish thing to say, and it’s probably a pretty poor business decision. I have turned away clients before who want something really specific. But everything I do has to have a purpose for myself and my own personal growth.”

Who or what has inspired your art? “I obviously love Frida Kahlo, definitely one of my favorites. We actually have done a Frida popup before, which was really fun, like milkshakes with unibrows and marigold flowers. It was so fun. Also nostalgia is such a big part of my life—things that I watched when I was growing up like The Little Princess. I was an avid reader when I was young too. So I love Anne of Green Gables. I read the entire series plus all of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s extra stuff like The Story Girl and Emily of New Moon.

Any ideas for future cakes or milkshakes? “I don’t know how I would do it, but I love Bridgerton. That would be like something really gorgeous. Even doing a pop-up event space based on that would be really pretty interesting. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch came out, so that could be really fun.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 55

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN

WHAT A JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN

Barbara Porter has spent nearly four decades educating the children of Austin. BY BARBARA PORTER

grow up in a loving and comfortable family in England. My father was the managing director at a textile mill, my mother a homemaker. I had one sister who was seven years older than I, and she was in boarding school for much of my childhood. I vividly recall visiting her at school, around the age of 10, and announcing that the place hadn’t changed since the Brontë Sisters were there over a hundred years before (a true fact), and that I’d run away if I were sent there. My parents wisely did not consider this school for me. Growing up in the ’60s, I was thrilled with the changes that were coming to England, particularly the new freedom that women were embracing. My skirts were as short as everyone else’s. I taught in London for my first year. It was an underprivileged multicultural school with horrible problems, quite a contrast to the schools I had known. There were 38 7-yearolds and me in that first classroom. It was one of the toughest experiences of my life and also one of the most rewarding. I knew if I could be successful teaching there, I could make a difference and teach anywhere. The desire to travel brought me to the U.S. (to Indianapolis, to be exact). It was a lovely Episcopal school, totally diverse and quite a contrast to the rest of the city. Life in Austin

Ten years later I found myself in Austin. Texas was not exactly where I’d wanted to be, but boy, was I glad it was Austin. I loved it from the beginning. Moving from the “Swinging Sixties” of London to “Keep Austin Weird” fit me to a tee! In 1985, I was headmistress at the old Resurrection Episcopal School, just off Burnet Road. The Bishop decided to close that school, but the parents and I knew we had the makings of a great institution. St. Francis School was now a reality. We chose the name to reflect the school’s religious origins at Resurrection and the values that St. Francis embodied as a human, everything we wanted to see in our students. It didn’t hurt that he loved animals, as do I.

56 | AUSTIN WOMAN | APRIL 2022

We had almost no money and no building. We started with close to 50 families the first year. We could barely pay our great teachers. For years, the only employees were the teachers and me. Parent volunteers did everything else. We found a burned-out office building on Huntland Drive, near the old Highland Mall. Our school was built on hard work, love of community and willingness to share time, talent and treasure. A parent who was an architect volunteered to draw plans, get city permits and supervise construction. Prosperity Bank took a chance and made the mortgage loan; a grandparent took a bigger chance and loaned her retirement funds for the down payment. Our architect found a contractor who did all the construction over the summer. I kept urging our parents and teachers to have faith and stick with us through this crisis, and most of them did. We opened on time with 122 students. Today, St. Francis has 380 students and a waiting list. We have doubled our facilities. We have a faculty of close to 60, and we still run a lean administration. From the beginning, my vision was to offer small classes, a diverse student body and to meet the needs of every child. We keep our tuition low and maintain a large scholarship budget. We serve a very diverse student body: gifted and talented, as well as a variety of learning differences and exceptionalities. We value interpersonal skills such as tolerance and acceptance as much as the curriculum to prepare them for high school. I didn’t build St. Francis alone. The deep commitment of so many parents and talented teachers has been essential. I claim only to have been a key part of that effort. “I’m in Charge”

I have always tried to listen closely and chat reasonably with any student that I interact with. I have found that this simple policy works. Lessons about treating one another with kindness and respect are as important as developing academic skills. I learned many of these lessons from talking and observing my father back in Lancashire, England. He never lost his cool, a lesson I remembered and used often during the tricky Covid time. He liked and respected everyone and always treated people with genuine caring, which I have embraced all my life. “Treat kings like commoners, and commoners like kings,” was his basic philosophy. Even in a very socially conscious country like England, all people were equal in my dad’s world. Life with COVID-19

As I write this, it is almost two years to the day since our world stopped. The parents and students were magnificent in their support of this new normal. We adjusted, we tackled, we worked as a team and we did it! After 37 years as head of school at St. Francis, I am retiring on June 30. As I look back on all the generations of Austin children who went from surviving in school to thriving in school, I am so proud to have been a part of this. St. Francis turned out to be a lifetime project, and what a journey it has been. Thank you, Austin.

Photo by Karla Dunda.

I was fortunate to

ONE OF MAZDA’S HIGHEST HONORS AWARDED TO ONLY 50 DEALERS IN THE U.S.

ALL 3 ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS EARNED THIS DISTINCTION FOR 2021

AWARDED DEALERS ARE LEADERS IN SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.

PROVEN CUSTOMERCENTRIC CULTURE AT ALL 3 LOCATIONS AND IN OUR COMMUNITY

Mazda named

2021 BEST CAR BRAND FOR THE 6TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

2021

Elevate your drive with electrification. Designed for a better way to move through the world. Meet Volvo’s pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The new Recharge line brings you technology, design and sustainable materials that elevate your drive. Learn more today at Volvo Cars of Austin.

Luxury that cares

Experience the new luxury where instant power comes with low or zero tailpipe emissions. Volvo Recharge brings you technology, design and sustainable materials that elevate your drive.

Pure for real

Whether you go for a Recharge pure electric or a Plug-in Hybrid car, you can drive it without any tailpipe emissions. Just select Pure electric drive mode in your Plug-in Hybrid to use your car’s electric motor.

Safety

Since 1927, safety has been at the core of Volvo. And with the introduction of the Recharge car line, our ambition is to create the safest chargeable vehicles on the road.

VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 7216 N. IH-35 • 512-706-7000 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM

April 2022

Articles inside

ON THE MONEY Socially Responsible Investing

FROM THE DESK OF Allie Danziger and Kathrin Applebaum

COUNT US IN DivInc Champions Change