Fresh off the COVID-19 lockdowns, I was ready to try something new and find a more stress-free lifestyle. When I was discussing my desire to leave Houston with a friend, they encouraged me to apply for the Tulsa Remote program. So I did and was accepted on November 11 (11/11), which I took as a clear sign that the Universe was giving me a big “yes" to move. I thought, OK, Tulsa Remote — let's go!
My youngest son and I traveled to Tulsa to tour the city. We fell in love almost immediately. One of the first things I noticed was how clean the city was. The nature and architecture were breathtaking, and I really liked the feeling of living in a mid-size city with less traffic and a family-oriented vibe.
At the time of my visit, the centennial celebration of the Tulsa Race Massacre was a few months out, so I started looking for a place right away. I wanted to move in time, and I was fortunate to find an apartment right across from the Arkansas River, within walking distance to the Gathering Place, and surrounded by parks with trails for bike riding, yoga, and so much more.
Now having been here for three years, I can say with certainty that the move to Tulsa has turned out to be a great decision, if not one of the best of my life. The Tulsa Remote community has been very supportive at every turn. The connections and relationships I’ve cultivated with folks from all different backgrounds and walks of life have been indelible reminders that a solid community is critical when big life change happens.
These are some of the same people who have gone out of their way to support my business, Imagiread, which has flourished in Tulsa. Imagiread arose over a decade ago from my love for reading and desire to inspire families and communities to do the same. The professional opportunities to connect with Build in Tulsa and Sky's the Limit for mentorship, funding, and resources have been game-changing for my work. With this support, I launched our first line of X-S.T.R.E.A.M. Adventure Kits for school-aged children and opened Imagiread’s very first Literacy Lab inside Tulsa’s Lacy Park Community Center in January of this year. The response to our programming has been mind-blowing. My team and I are looking forward to serving more Tulsa Remoters and the Tulsa community at large with our “Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community” philosophy.
As for my personal journey in Tulsa, the biggest win has been finding the time and mental space to pursue my passion for music. Not only have I revived my peace of mind and started a new business venture, but I have fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a performing artist. I've released two albums since being here and filmed the launch videos locally— one on the Arkansas River and the other at the gorgeous Woodward Park. Stepping out on faith and having folks respond to my art has been so exciting! It's opened up the doors for me to perform live with a jazz ensemble weekly and co-create with tenured musicians.
Since then, I’ve made it my mission to connect with more Tulsa artists and musicians. I was there when the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture declared July as Tulsa Music Month. At Cain’s Ballroom, I imagined myself performing alongside the hundreds of talented musicians, vocalists, and producers in attendance.
One of the most memorable experiences I have had to date is being asked by the phenomenal team at Tulsa Creative Engine to co-host Tulsa Fresh in honor of Women’s History Month. The lineup on the show was epic! The energy was so fresh and so clean. Now, I’m plugged into the local scene and have had the opportunity to travel to OKC to perform because of the relationships I’ve nurtured with other Tulsa artists through Tulsa Creative Engine.
I make the most of every opportunity I get to talk about Tulsa's burgeoning art and culture scene. Getting to be a part of one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the country affirms that I made the right decision to move and stay in Tulsa.