About
Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a passion for storytelling. As I’ve grown, I’ve channeled that passion into Light & Gather, a digital lifestyle publication where I explore literature, food, and seasonal living. Through Light & Gather, I research, write, edit, and publish original long-form content while developing editorial calendars, recurring series, and digital publications. This portfolio showcases a selection of my work and reflects my approach to creating thoughtful, audience-focused editorial content across digital platforms.
Light & Gather Editorial Projects
September Zine Issue 2025
Published Works
Midnight & Indigo: Issue 5
“Our literary journal features bold, immersive fiction and narrative-driven essays by 400+ Black women writers across the diaspora. We publish year-round in our online journal and curate pieces tri-annually in print and digital issues.”
Obsidian: Volume 49.1
“Obsidian cultivates, through publication and critical inquiry, Black imagination, innovation, and excellence—supporting Black, African, and African Diaspora creatives globally.”
Food & Hospitality
Food + Gather: Soup + Stars — A Cozy Fall Dinner
This month’s theme is Soup + Stars. With the days growing shorter and the air turning colder, it felt like the perfect way to welcome the season, a warm table beneath a wide autumn sky.
Food + Gather: Soup + Stars — Cozy Fall Dinner Menu
The idea here is to take a familiar comfort meal and elevate it into a simple dinner party. Nothing too fussy, unless you want to add extra touches, but flexible enough to work two ways –
Food + Gather: Soup + Stars — Making the Night Memorable
Now that we’ve set the mood and built a cozy menu, let’s talk about how to make this a night that’s truly memorable, without overcomplicating it.
Cookbook Reviews
How to Actually Use a Cookbook
I remember standing in the cookbook section of my local library, my baby strapped to my chest, still dazed, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
So I told myself: everyone has to eat. I might as well take it seriously.
CookbookReview: When Southern Women Cook
I thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook. It currently sits in my top three favorite cookbooks. For me, it is more than a comprehensive and inclusive cookbook. It made me more aware of my palate and preferences and why I eat the way that I eat.
Cookbook Review: Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends
Blanco is not shy about his alternative hobbies, both literally and in his writing style. There is a mix of psychedelic absurdity and grounded, heartfelt moments that really round out his character and set the stage for the premise of the book: cooking with and for friends.
Seasonal Living & Essays
Valentine’s Day, According to a New Mom: Strawberries, Salmon, Salad, and Cinema
Instead of diamonds and champagne, I go for the cute packs of Valentine’s Day cards that you get from Walmart. Honestly, the more childish the better, extra points if it feels like a vintage illustration. I don’t know if this is kitsch or cozy, but it’s definitely a lane I am comfortable in.
The Fisherman’s Daughter
It wasn’t until this past year that that version of me began to feel out of touch and unattainable. As if the weight of the world had turned white linen pants into thick denim, stained by the salty spray of the ocean. Knitted sweaters seemed impractical unless you had something weatherproof hanging over them. And wine was out of the question.
If You Are the Chip, What Is Your Caviar
So naturally, I turned to Pinterest. I was scrolling, looking for something to inspire me out of my cinnamon bun coma to change something about my life, when I came across a close-up of a plate of chips, and in the middle was a dish of creme fraiche and caviar.
© 2026 all rights reserved. Designed with WordPress.