- Nadia - Oregon - I'm a creative contractor who partners with Directors at small to large nonprofits — and soon corporations and K–12 schools — to provide paper collage workshops and multimedia materials. I run my own company (Garam Masala Studios,Inc and Cool Storytellers) and subcontract with other women-of-color artists. I’m currently in strategic placements with short-term substitute teaching so I can focus on securing more stable bigger contracts and long-term creative work. I’m also growing into a community investor mindset. I use my knowledge and experience to build real leadership presence in my city — not just referrals, but contracts, influence, and social capital. I desire to be known as someone who shows up and takes action. That’s one of the reasons I joined Rotary. I’m not looking to lead councils or join commissions right now. I did that before and burned out, especially being the only Black-Asian woman in those spaces. Instead, I want to build influence in a sustainable way — by investing in relationships, showing up consistently, and positioning myself as a respected community investor and socialite of my own making (I do not come from a wealthy background but want to be a socialite). My city is becoming younger, more diverse, and more educated — which aligns well with who I am and what I offer. I know I’m a strong fit for this moment. I just want to be more intentional about leveraging those opportunities without overextending myself. My larger goal is to move from surviving on substitute teacher income into stable sales through content creation, contracts, and online work. I manage health challenges and need to build this in a way that supports my well-being long term.tions at work and it's been really hard to make it happen but this year thing are moving. - I have a photo from a photoshoot last year from an artist event called The Washington County Art Alliance.

I appreciate the welcome video Ms.Angela. Thank you so much for sharing what lead you to be a certified coach. I am in Rotary and I too feel the need to show up and do more as the only Black-Asian woman in my chapter, but as I watch your videos I am learning to navigate and leverage. Thanks so much for what you do and looking forward to deepening my learning here.