When I reflect on the legacy I hope to leave behind, I do not think about titles, awards, or accomplishments. I think about people. I hope to be remembered for the lives I touched, the hope I inspired, and the communities I helped strengthen. If I have helped even one person believe in themselves, find healing, or discover a sense of belonging, then I will have fulfilled my purpose. As a proud lesbian for more than forty years, I have experienced discrimination, rejection, and heartbreak because of who I am and who I love. Those experiences were painful, but they also gave me a deep understanding of the importance of community. I know what it feels like to search for places where you can be your authentic self without fear. That understanding became the foundation of my life's work. I wanted to help build a safer, more connected LGBTQ+ community where every person feels seen, valued, and supported. My commitment to community extends beyond my own experiences. Throughout my life, I have worked to create opportunities for healing, resilience, and connection for people from all walks of life. Through founding Community Now, I have dedicated myself to addressing trauma, advancing racial justice, preventing violence, mentoring leaders, and building partnerships that strengthen communities. I believe that people thrive when they are connected to hope and to one another. One of my greatest joys has been mentoring others. Watching someone discover their own strength and confidence has been more rewarding than any professional recognition. Leadership, to me, has never been about being in the spotlight—it has been about helping others find their voice and empowering them to create positive change in their own communities. Writing Spice Cabinet Healing allowed me to share another part of my heart. It reflects my belief that healing comes in many forms and that the wisdom passed down through generations should be preserved and shared. I hope the book encourages others to reconnect with themselves, their families, and the healing traditions that have sustained communities for generations. Above all, I am most proud to be the mother of my daughter, Sapphire. She is beautiful, intelligent, creative, and compassionate. More than anything I have accomplished, I hope the values I have lived—kindness, courage, integrity, resilience, and love—are reflected in the woman she continues to become. She is my greatest legacy.

When my story is remembered, I hope it is not because of the programs I created or the book I wrote, but because I helped people believe in themselves, created spaces where they felt they belonged, and showed that compassion has the power to change lives. The discrimination and heartbreak I experienced did not define me; they strengthened my determination to ensure others would not have to walk alone. If the seeds I have planted continue to grow through the people I have mentored, the communities I have strengthened, the readers inspired by Spice Cabinet Healing, and the love I have shared with my family and friends, then I will know I lived a life of purpose. My legacy is one of hope, healing, authenticity, justice, and love—a legacy that reminds others that every person belongs and that together we can create a more compassionate and connected world.