As a preeminent pioneer of Mexican-American studies and a Texas State Hero, Dr. Arnoldo De León transformed his journey from the cotton fields of Robstown into a monumental academic legacy that redefined our understanding of Tejano history. I somehow manifested this fortunate meeting with a scholar whose name now graces the halls of history, and his mentorship offers a powerful mandate to continue writing the stories that restore our "bygone" way of life.

In 2019, I moved from the high-pressure world of fashion design and production into the classroom, guiding my students as they bridged the gap between a flat sketch and a finished, three-dimensional garment. It was a rewarding journey of watching them overcome burnout and doubt to finally see their "concept to reality" vision come to life on the runway.

Discover how my 30-year fashion career and children’s books come together in Creative Construction, children’s workshops that uses design-thinking to help kids build resilience and self-confidence. This post explores my hands-on workshops where children become "Jefes" of their own stories.