I was born in Jamaica, where plants were more than just a backdrop—they were survival, culture, and connection. My Saturdays were spent on my grandmother’s farm, where I learned that the land holds stories, traditions, and the power to heal. But like many, life pulled me in different directions before bringing me back to my roots.

After moving to Raleigh, NC, I found myself on a winding path through engineering, physics, and technology. I worked in startups, engineering firms, and software, gaining skills but never quite feeling at home. Something was always missing. Eventually, I listened to that inner pull, left the corporate world behind, and launched BackYaad Botanist—a space dedicated to healing, heritage, and horticulture.

As a Certified Therapeutic Horticulturist, I specialize in working with displaced people—those who have had to leave behind homes, histories, and identities, whether by force or by choice. Displacement leaves invisible wounds, and I’ve seen firsthand how reconnecting with plants, nature, and shared traditions can help in the process of healing. Through garden parties, gatherings, and immersive horticulture experiences, I create spaces where people can reclaim their sense of belonging—one plant, one lesson, one conversation at a time.