French
The other night, I was honored to receive the Key to the City in recognition of my work to promote inclusivity, culture, and heritage. From the first day I set foot in Los Santos, I’ve dedicated myself to these values—whether it was helping run a soup kitchen with Skye in 2021, hosting events to amplify voices, or creating a magazine focused on reflecting the diversity of our industry. Every step has been about representing the person I needed to see growing up, and to have reached this point is something I never anticipated.
It’s a profound honor to be recognized on such a global scale, and to share this moment alongside another incredible Black woman, Sade Aliz, means everything. I’m deeply grateful to those who believed in me from the start and continue to inspire me to push forward. My mission is far from over; I’m committed to fostering diversity in our city, raising awareness for meaningful causes, and breaking boundaries at every step.
Growing up in Davis, there were times when hope felt out of reach. The odds seemed stacked against me, and I faced pressure to fit society’s mold. My advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar place: adapt, but don’t let your surroundings define who you are. If you stay true to that, you’ll discover a version of yourself you might never have imagined.
Since launching my project Diversify two years ago, I’ve witnessed remarkable progress in the fashion, arts, and entertainment industries. More members of my community are making their mark in these fields, breaking barriers with each step. To everyone putting in the work and shining brightly—I see you. This journey has always been for us, and I’m committed to continuing to make our community proud. Thank you once again for this award. And to Sade Aliz, and to those in our community who will be celebrated in the future—I am incredibly proud of you. And to the child in me who once doubted their place—this is for you.
Lastly, thank you, Hank Preston, for this incredible honor. This means so much to me and only strengthens my drive to push forward with the initiatives and projects I have planned.
It’s a profound honor to be recognized on such a global scale, and to share this moment alongside another incredible Black woman, Sade Aliz, means everything. I’m deeply grateful to those who believed in me from the start and continue to inspire me to push forward. My mission is far from over; I’m committed to fostering diversity in our city, raising awareness for meaningful causes, and breaking boundaries at every step.
Growing up in Davis, there were times when hope felt out of reach. The odds seemed stacked against me, and I faced pressure to fit society’s mold. My advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar place: adapt, but don’t let your surroundings define who you are. If you stay true to that, you’ll discover a version of yourself you might never have imagined.
Since launching my project Diversify two years ago, I’ve witnessed remarkable progress in the fashion, arts, and entertainment industries. More members of my community are making their mark in these fields, breaking barriers with each step. To everyone putting in the work and shining brightly—I see you. This journey has always been for us, and I’m committed to continuing to make our community proud. Thank you once again for this award. And to Sade Aliz, and to those in our community who will be celebrated in the future—I am incredibly proud of you. And to the child in me who once doubted their place—this is for you.
Lastly, thank you, Hank Preston, for this incredible honor. This means so much to me and only strengthens my drive to push forward with the initiatives and projects I have planned.
The other night, I was honored to receive the Key to the City in recognition of my work to promote inclusivity, culture, and heritage. From the first day I set foot in Los Santos, I’ve dedicated myself to these values—whether it was helping run a soup kitchen with Skye in 2021, hosting events to amplify voices, or creating a magazine focused on reflecting the diversity of our industry. Every step has been about representing the person I needed to see growing up, and to have reached this point is something I never anticipated.
It’s a profound honor to be recognized on such a global scale, and to share this moment alongside another incredible Black woman, Sade Aliz, means everything. I’m deeply grateful to those who believed in me from the start and continue to inspire me to push forward. My mission is far from over; I’m committed to fostering diversity in our city, raising awareness for meaningful causes, and breaking boundaries at every step.
Growing up in Davis, there were times when hope felt out of reach. The odds seemed stacked against me, and I faced pressure to fit society’s mold. My advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar place: adapt, but don’t let your surroundings define who you are. If you stay true to that, you’ll discover a version of yourself you might never have imagined.
Since launching my project Diversify two years ago, I’ve witnessed remarkable progress in the fashion, arts, and entertainment industries. More members of my community are making their mark in these fields, breaking barriers with each step. To everyone putting in the work and shining brightly—I see you. This journey has always been for us, and I’m committed to continuing to make our community proud. Thank you once again for this award. And to Sade Aliz, and to those in our community who will be celebrated in the future—I am incredibly proud of you. And to the child in me who once doubted their place—this is for you.
Lastly, thank you, Hank Preston, for this incredible honor. This means so much to me and only strengthens my drive to push forward with the initiatives and projects I have planned.
