Roots to Grow

HoCo Culture Lab was born from deep family roots and an endless curiosity about what it means to be human—and how we can do it better together. As someone who often says, “being human is hard,” I’ve come to realize that maybe it doesn’t have to be. We have choices, and they all have consequences. When we make different choices, we get different results.

Over the past ten years, I’ve been exploring work, relationships, and the roles we play in life. I earned a Master of Arts in Cultural Sustainability from Goucher College, where I studied my roots as a child of Columbia, MD, and a ninth-generation Howard Countian. This journey connected my personal history to the broader cultural story of these historically significant places and what they teach us about American democracy and community values. Along the way, I’ve also been investigating how play and performance can help us show up more authentically in our lives and relationships.

My background in theater, with a focus on acting and set design, sparked my fascination with humans in space—how we move, interact, and create meaning together. I’ve worked across various industries, from life insurance and real estate to helping families celebrate life’s moments at a local floral shop and pottery studio. But I’ve found my most rewarding work at local furniture stores, helping individuals and families navigate one of life’s more complex purchases.  

Some Say Couch, Others Say Sofa

All say Comfort

A sofa purchase might seem simple, but it’s actually about so much more than furniture. When thousands of dollars are on the table for something you’ll live with daily, relationships reveal themselves. I’ve witnessed couples who’ve been together for decades move through the process with an unspoken ease—they know each other’s needs and preferences. I’ve also seen newer couples discover important things about each other, sometimes for the first time.

What I love most is witnessing people discover their shared knowing. When studying Cultural Mediation for my master’s program, I had no idea how useful it would be in furniture sales! It’s taught me that a quality sofa is an investment on many levels—in comfort, in relationships, in the life you want to create at home.

THE WORK

Understanding ourselves allows us to see patterns in our choices and actions. Life with others is an art that requires practice, patience, and grace. HoCo Culture Lab explores this beautiful messiness while building a repository of knowledge about how we can be together—with ourselves and each other.

The central question driving this work is: Can we make being human a little easier? How can we approach each day with more intention? How can we create space for others—both those we know and those we’re just meeting? And in creating that space, how can we show up more honestly and understand the role we play in our human connections?

I’m someone who loves people deeply and also needs time to recharge after intense social interactions. I believe in being present and creating engaging spaces, but I also recognize that some encounters can be draining—especially with those who are quick to defend or take offense. After difficult interactions, I want to retreat with some good books and close out the world for a while. The truth is: I love people, and sometimes I need space from people. I don’t have bandwidth for unregulated energy when my own path feels delicate.

HoCo Culture Lab recognizes that culture means something different to each of us, even within shared communities and families. Our individual lives, values, traditions, and passions make us unique. It’s in the collection of us together—with all our different traditions, practices, and values—that we create shared knowledge and meaning. I believe that by fostering more intentional time together, we can return to living with genuine mindfulness and care for our shared presence in this world.

I know some people will find this mission pretentious, trivial, or self-righteous. I’ve heard these concerns and welcome them as part of the process. While this space aims to serve our community broadly, it won’t resonate with everyone—and that’s okay. That’s the beauty of having choices. We can decide how to spend our time and energy. Constructive feedback and participation are always welcome, but if this approach doesn’t align with how you want to spend your time, we wish you well on your own path.

I’m excited about what we’re building at Frank & Ethel’s and the opportunity to explore our shared stories together. I deeply believe in the power of play—though I know it looks different for everyone. HoCo Culture Lab is rooted in my passion for sharing my family’s history, which includes a childhood home filled with wonder and creativity. Thanks to my family’s commitment to preserving our local roots, I want to sustain and share this legacy for future generations.

HoCo Culture Lab honors our ancestors—many of whom served this country—while also looking forward. Using ethnographic approaches, we’ll document what culture means to people today. By sharing voices from throughout our county, we can plant new seeds of understanding and broaden our sense of community with each encounter. As we create and host experiences together, we’ll generate new opportunities for discovery and connection.

As we work toward creating more spaces for community, we also hope to nurture awareness of the paths we all navigate. I believe in a world where we can live with less fear and anxiety, anger and resentment. Let’s make time to celebrate and treat every day as a gift. None of us are perfect, but we can offer grace with this shared knowledge. Maybe if more of us embrace this way of being, we can create a life with less stress and more peace, knowing we’re all doing our best. Perhaps then, life might not feel quite so hard.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you’re interested in learning more about upcoming activities or opportunities to explore a new way of having fun together, I’d love for you to sign up for our newsletter!

To My Parents with Love

For those who know me, you know how much my parents mean to me. For those who don’t—and for my parents—let me share why they’re so central to everything I do. Our family story brings context to the foundation of what I’m offering and the service I strive to model.

Both of my parents were military children who grew up traveling the world. While I didn’t have that same experience, my father is a retired Commander and CIO of the 459th Communications Squadron from the US Air Force Reserve. I grew up hearing stories of my great-grandfather’s service in World War II and learning about my grandfather, who died in service during Vietnam.

I don’t believe in war, but I do believe deeply in democracy and the rights outlined in the Constitution. I won’t debate military policy or act superior to anyone with different views—just as I respectfully disagree with constitutional interpretations that don’t align with mine. What my parents gave me through their childhood experiences was a deep belief in the American democratic values that honor others and treat all people with basic understanding and respect. We must find ways to come together while making space for our differences.

Growing up with parents who had a global perspective taught me that there’s not just one way to live. While others might find new encounters threatening, my instinct is curiosity about the unfamiliar. It might feel uncomfortable, but I’ve learned that many benefits often come from what we don’t yet understand.

To my parents: I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to fully appreciate the gifts you’ve nurtured in me from my first breath. You’ve never coddled me—Mom, you have an incredible ability to cut straight to the heart of things when necessary, and Dad, we’ve learned to respect the boundaries that keep our relationship strong. Thank you for your patience, love, and support as I’ve found my way.

You’ve lived full lives beyond your roles as parents. Despite childhoods with frequent moves and changes, you created a childhood of wonder, celebration, and faith for me. While other families took beach vacations, Dad would pack multiple states into road trips, teaching us what it meant to live together in close quarters with quick turnarounds. It wasn’t always pretty, but those memories and the desire to share similar experiences with my own family remain strong.

When it comes to understanding how I see the world, please know I am nothing without my roots. I’m grateful for my family, friends, and community. While I’m blessed with natural talents, my parents—who are truly among my best friends—are God’s greatest gift to me. I enjoy their company, they make me laugh, and they will always be the reason I get to live this life. I’ll never blame them for that. This life is beautiful, scars and all. Thank you.