protest activity around racial justice, it’s that same feeling because I’m confident that my colleagues are working toward a more equitable future—and working, too, toward a reality where we can say that justice has truly been served. It’s dismaying as a Black woman to wake up and see the news about how people are treated, but I get to convert those feelings into action, which is wonderful. It helps to give me a sense of balance and purpose in troubling times.
How does Williston fit in? We learned a lot about civic society and civic engagement, and that helped contribute to my investment in those types of issues. I wrote very passionate op-eds for the school paper. It was during the Bush presidency, the Iraq war. I got a journalism prize from Williston… [Googling] Oh! It’s the H. Thomas Wood prize, apparently! I always loved the news and I loved to argue, debate—my dad still thinks I should be a lawyer. I thought I was going to work in the music industry, as a journalist. But after working with this one publicist, I realized I like telling people about the things that I like, rather than having to do criticism about them.
You like to cook! What are your inspirations? Nigella Lawson! I’m also a big Bon Appetit fan. The Food Network—Ina Garten is obviously a legend. My next challenge, because I live in a heavily Caribbean neighborhood, is trying to make more Caribbean food on my own instead of just ordering it out.
You read advice columns. Yes! I like Dear Prudence on Slate. I’m really nosy, and it’s a really interesting slice of life. People are going through things that are really serious and heavy—it’s good to be reminded of the privileges I have. But it’s also good perspective on the challenges people are dealing with that are [laughs] self-created.
What books are on your night stand? Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. I’m also reading Luster by Raven Leilani.
Your favorite thing about Brooklyn? The people! I’ve always loved living in New York because there’s an energy in the street that doesn’t exist in other places in the same way. The energy of the city just carries you. Since COVID-19, there’s a sense that my community is invested in a project, and the project is living here. Those of us that are here—we want it. SPRING 2021!BULLETIN 39
