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I’ve always loved being part of a community.

I grew up in a small beach town where community wasn’t just something we talked about—it was something we lived.

From childhood friendships and classmates to neighbors who felt like family, we showed up for each other in big and small ways. Community can take many forms: it might be found in the workplace, a place of worship, or born through shared grief, interests, values, or causes.

At its core, community is where we find belonging, safety, and meaningful connection.

What I love most about being part of a supportive community is that no matter who we are, where we go, or what we believe, it grounds us. It reminds us we’re not alone.

In a world that can feel divided and heavy with judgment, community offers a safe space for compassion, listening, and growth. These are tense and politically divisive times, so it’s easy to retreat inward, to protect ourselves from the noise and conflict. But it’s exactly in those moments, when fear and disconnection feel loudest, that we most need to lean into our community.

To me, community is where empathy, hope, and courage live. It’s where people feel seen, heard, valued, and understood. It’s where shared experiences and human connection help us navigate life’s complexities, seek comfort, and find strength.

Courage isn’t always loud. Courage is speaking your truth and listening to someone you may not agree with, without judgment. It’s reaching out to someone in need or asking for help when you need it. It’s building trusting relationships and holding onto hope even when the world feels uncertain.

I’ve been lucky to be part of many meaningful communities throughout my life. Some have nurtured my creativity, like the tattoo community. Others, like my yoga community, have guided me inward, helping me connect with my emotional needs, intuition, and spirituality; this community has also carried me through some of the hardest times in my life. My backpacking community expanded my worldview and taught me how to live beyond the boundaries I once knew. And my time at Georgetown has helped shape my professional identity, giving me the courage and confidence to speak up and trust myself, both as an entrepreneur and a communicator.

These communities are vastly different, filled with people from all walks of life and perspectives, but they all share a common thread: they allow me to show up as my full self.

I feel grounded in many ways, and still, I feel the pull to expand and reach beyond what I know and step into what’s next. I find myself at a point in my life where I’m seeking something new: a community that reflects who I’m becoming. One that stretches me, challenges me to grow, honors vulnerability, values transparency, and builds a connection rooted in authenticity.

It’s not that I’m leaving the communities I’m already part of—they’re woven into my DNA, and I’ll always carry them with me. But growth often requires the courage to step outside of what’s familiar.

Community is more than just a comfort zone. It’s a space where we become braver, more open, and more aligned with our values. It’s where inclusion meets action, and where every voice isn’t just heard, but deeply valued.

So if you’re feeling stuck, unseen, or unsure right now, start where you are. Lean into the communities that have held you, and don’t be afraid to branch out. There’s so much more to discover, not just about others, but about yourself.

And when things feel hard, let’s remind each other that we’re not meant to go it alone. Let’s show up, speak out, and keep building the kinds of communities where we all feel safe to be exactly who we are—and who we’re becoming.

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