While I enjoy downtime, I often spend my free time supporting non-profit work that benefits the preservation and understanding of American history—especially through partnerships with museums and parks. I’ve had the opportunity to assist with everything from curating ephemera and advising on exhibit layouts to helping smaller organizations share their stories when they don’t have the resources to do it alone. The photo above features a volunteer landscaper and storyteller tending the grounds of the store where Emmett Till entered in 1955—one of several sites now part of a growing national effort to preserve these important places with honesty and care.

When I’m not working or contributing to preservation efforts, you’ll often find me wandering antique shows, outdoor markets, or deep in research on early American furniture—particularly Southern craftsmanship from 1680 to 1830. There’s something about the joinery, the handwork, and the untold stories behind each piece that fuels my creativity. I’m drawn to the way form meets function in these objects, much like in thoughtful digital design—only built to last in a different way.