What are you up to right now? What projects and new ideas are exciting you personally, academically, professionally?
I am a new mom to identical twin girls, Laila and Yasmine! They were born December 10th and life has been very busy since! The day before they were born I was also promoted to director of a 60 bed state run homeless shelter for individuals with serious mental illness in Boston. When I return to work, I have intentions to help create a mission statement for the program. My hope is that with a shared vision, we can further improve our services of providing trauma informed care for our residents. 

Have you been keeping in touch with your Bezos Scholar Alumni, and if so — how?
I mainly keep in touch via Facebook. Admittedly this is not something I’m good at. I mainly just creep on everyone, especially during middle of the night feedings! 

Which influential books, albums, podcasts, or films would you personally recommend to the BSP community of curious minds?
I’m a huge fan of On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast. I also love RadioLab, Crime Junkie, and Ear Hustle. I have been catching up on a lot of TV and highly recommend Ken Burn’s docuseries, College Behind Bars. And for books, Untamed by Glennon Doyle, I read it months ago but I’m still processing all of the insights and gems it offered. 

Who or what are you finding inspiration in right now?
Becoming a mother. I am in awe of my body and what it has been able to accomplish. I have a whole new appreciation for women and their power, abilities and resilience. 

Anything else you want to share with the BSP community?
I hope you all are staying safe and balanced. Life has never made me feel so vulnerable, but I truly believe that if we find a way to stay connected and grounded, we will persevere. As Glennon Doyle writes, “we can do hard things.”