SUMMARY

Hi! I'm Ashley. I wish I could say my name came from a deep rooted family history or some other significant, meaningful origin -- but it didn't. I was named after an Olsen twin.

 

Long story short, my older sister (who was six years old when I was born) had an obsession with the Olsen twins. Upon my arrival to the world, my mother had agreed to let my sister name me. When my sister adamantly suggested the name Mary-Kate (her favorite Olsen twin) it was a hard sell. Ashley, however, ended up being the perfect compromise. Ta da! 

Unconventional naming origin aside, I've always enjoyed looking at my life like a story. And while it's still being written, I'm happy to share some of the best parts I've read thus far. 
 

I am originally from Providence, Rhode Island. I'm a summer baby (born in July) and my zodiac sign is Leo. As a kid, I always had a flare for creativity. I loved anything that allowed me to express myself and enjoyed transforming ideas in my head into different forms of reality. It started with cooking and singing, then went on to creative writing, drawing and videography. 

 

I went to North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Mass Communication. The four years I spent there were undoubtedly the most fundamental of my life. Until that point, the schools I'd gone to and neighborhoods I'd lived in were predominantly white. I was always the only Black kid in my class and constantly felt the challenges of trying to fit into spaces that weren't meant for me. Going to a historically Black university made me feel like I was finally in a place where I felt defined by who I was and not necessarily what I represented. That experience also gave me a deeper awareness and appreciation for my culture. It was the root of where my passion for creating equitable spaces both digitally and physically began.  

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In 2015 I obtained an MA in Interactive Media from Elon university. I loved my graduate program because it introduced graphic design and web development as new tools of creative expression. I found I was able to combine all of my passions into one place and digital storytelling quickly grew into my favorite creative outlet. 

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After grad school I moved back to Washington and dove into the non-profit world. I spent a few years at an education-based organization creating digital content for students in underserved communities. This included making dense topics like applying for college and obtaining financial aid digestible to teens across the country through graphic design, video, special events, and written content. From there I transitioned to a community-based organization focused on direct services and programming for Black and other marginalized families facing economic hardships. My primary goals in this role include meeting people where they are by finding digital ways to connect with and uplift them, as well as building relationships within community to support programmatic initiatives. 

 

Outside of work, some of my favorite things to do in my spare time are spending time with my family, watching movies, practicing hot yoga, and making cooking videos on TikTok. I also love traveling to new places and exploring different cultures through food. 

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If you've made it this far into my story, I truly appreciate the time you've just spent getting to know me. I'm not one to read ahead but I do hope the future chapters include a chance for us to connect! 

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Until then, please enjoy the work I have displayed on this site.

 

Talk to you soon! 

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Ashley