The Herstory Project

Now it's your turn to respond. Take time to write down ways you can make rest real in your life. 

Uel is a native San Antonian, representing the Eastside for 21 years. She is a housing and environmental advocate. She believes that policy must be rooted in the community in order to make the most impact. In her free time, Uel likes to hang out with friends and family to recharge and drink matcha.

Taylor Mobley is a television producer, host, hyper-creative, and philanthropist whose work is always rooted in serving others. Taylor’s work as a producer for reality television has taught her to expect the unexpected! Taylor began her career in television as a producer with “San Antonio Living” on the local NBC affiliate, and “Daytime with Kimberly & Esteban” on the local Fox affiliate. Her most recent production credits include Netflix’s “Love is Blind” and HGTV’s “Flip to a Million.” When Taylor is not working in production, she fuels her philanthropic interests through her Taylor’d For You organization, which she founded in 2016. Taylor’d For You is a fundraising platform that provides fuel to high-impact nonprofit community organizations. The award-winning Taylor’d For You fashion show has raised nearly $100,000 in support of empowering women, adult literacy, homelessness, youth enrichment, and senior wellness. Taylor continues to expand her brand and leverages it to put a spotlight on the community’s greatest needs. She has been recognized as one of San Antonio’s “Top 50 Women to Watch.” She works tirelessly to grow her partner and nonprofit network for the greatest good. As a proud graduate of Trinity University, she remains active in her support for the university and often mentors and shares her personal journey with current students. Taylor is honored to be included with such inspiring women as a part of the HerStory platform.

LadyStacie Rimes-Boyd is the Associate Director of Campus Relations in CELCS at Trinity. She made her way to Trinity through untraditional routes that started in a small East Texas town, led her to Baylor University and then to Georgetown Law followed by non-profits in DC and finally to San Antonio. LadyStacie strongly believes in lifelong learning, curiosity, and connections. She brings energy and vitality to each space with a genuine spirit. As a wife and the mother of a young daughter, she intimately knows the struggles of finding, resisting, and redefining rest while trying to engage in her own various interests and hobbies.

Julie Ledet is an artist, writer, and gardener residing in San Antonio, TX. Through her interactive installations, photography and printmaking, Ledet explores the ritual behavior she finds specific to her native Southern Louisiana, examining the undeniable allure surrounding its culture and people.

Juany Torres is the oldest daughter of working class Mexican immigrants and a first generation American. She was born and raised in the south side of San Antonio, Texas and attended Stanford University on a full scholarship by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation before receiving her Masters in Public Policy from UT Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs. Juany is focused on increasing equity and opportunity through public policy and local government, organizing with immigrant rights organizations in San Antonio, Texas and working on racial equity and community engagement projects in Austin, Texas. Juany’s background includes having worked at the White House as part of the Domestic Policy Council under President Obama in 2011, serving as the Nevada Deputy Digital Director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign, increasing civic engagement in her home state of Texas through the creation of OrganizeSA in 2017, and serving in leadership roles for various elected officials and candidates across Texas for the past 5 years.

As the Radical Joy Coach™, Jordan helps bleeding heart business leaders learn to be advocates for themselves and their communities through the practice of rest. Jordan has coached business owners from a variety of industries like: public relations, life coaching, floral design, event planning, copywriting, and local government learn how to rest, dream, and (imp)act. Having spent four years lovingly disrupting the wedding industry as a planner and advocate of marginalized couples, she pivoted exclusively towards rest and joy coaching with an equity lens in 2020. She’s been featured in New York Magazine, Yahoo, Attn, Oprah Magazine, San Antonio Magazine, and Martha Stewart Living. She currently serves on the Liftfund’s Women’s Business Center Advisory Board in San Antonio.

Jonabelle Josiane Timms is a big dreamer who believes in taking leaps to receive the most out of what life has to offer us. She grew up in a family business and has always had a desire to create a space like no other. After growing a large following on social media through her passion for videography and marketing, she opened Beauty Haus, a beauty studio and energy studio which has served as a safe space for all persons in need of devoted self care in downtown San Antonio. Less than a year later, she founded Vice Versa Coffee & Jazz bar with her partner. Jonabelle is a huge supporter of individuals who put their passions and happiness first and constantly searches for ways in which she can pass her wave of influence to anyone who have a dream too. One loving interaction at a time, she is always ready for the next challenge.

Korean-American, a child of the US east coast, a later transplant and believer of San Antonio, Texas. Gratefully married, pursing a career in commercial real estate as a means to a purpose. Thankful to wake up another day.

Christina Jovanna Olivarez is an award-winning Strategist, Coach, Trainer & TEDx Speaker. She has coached and impacted thousands of minority-owned businesswomen through the Hustle + Socialize conference, summit, educational events, social media trainings, and 1–1 business coaching. For over 8 years, Christina has empowered businesswomen to generate over $500K+ in revenue dollars for their businesses through my coaching, events, training, and social media campaigns. In addition, she has coached prominent individuals, including numerous CEOs, executive directors, political candidates, and elected officials. While Christina is passionate about entrepreneurship, she is also very passionate about community organizing, mentoring youth, & civic engagement. Throughout the course of her business journey, Christina has been able to impact the next generation through mentoring programs and speaking engagements with non-profit organizations such as NAWBO’s Entrepreneurial Connections, Girls Inc, The Boardroom Project, Latinitas, New Leaders Council San Antonio and had the honor of working alongside Councilwoman Rocha and City Leaders for the City of San Antonio’s Girls Empowerment Summit.

I’m a seven-year teaching veteran teaching our future leaders to be decent human beings along with academics. I believe that I’m helping to shape the future of our country with love and tenacity. Everything I do is for my daughter I want her to grow up and see all her mother has accomplished and been through and say, “yes that’s MY MOM and she’s a badass, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Caroline Gonzales is an abstract artist, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Gonzales’ work reflects her journey as a woman through obstacles, challenges, and celebrations. Gonzales envisages her blank canvas by digging deep into her emotions and realizations. Colors, forms, and movements all playing a part in her orchestrated conclusion- whether it be one piece or a series for this to happen. Caroline Gonzales obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Texas A&M- Kingsville in 2015. Gonzales has since moved back to San Antonio, where she met her husband, Albert Gonzales. Both having a passion in the arts, and goals for a larger picture, they learned to work together on business endeavors, while still encouraging the individuality of one another’s space and freedom as artists. Gonzales co-owns Southtown Art Gallery with her husband in San Antonio. In 2019, they decided to consolidate their studios and the gallery into one place, making it a studio/workspace and gallery. During this year Gonzales also gave birth to their first child. This gave much change and form to new bodies of work she started creating. In February 2021, Gonzales made the leap and went full-time into her art career.

Ms. Alicia Sebastian is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been a San Antonio resident for 17 years. Ms. Sebastian has worked in nonprofit development and program management for over ten years leading and serving several community initiatives that support positive outcomes, focusing on mentorship, life, and career readiness concentrated on youth development. Sebastian is also an entrepreneur who owns and operates several businesses and has focused on employing single mothers and recent high school graduates, emphasizing teaching them to start and successfully operate businesses of their own. Her academic studies include Interdisciplinary Leadership, Business Management, and Educational Leadership. Ms. Sebastian is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications at Essence Preparatory Public School and serves as the Vice-Principal of the San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Amanda Dominguez owns and operates Digital Pro Lab, a full-service professional photo lab located in San Antonio, specializing in image printing and archiving. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from the University of the Incarnate Word. With over 20+ years of experience printing, photo editing, and image archiving, she is dedicated to helping photo takers of all levels document the world and their point of view through printmaking. Amanda Dominguez is an active community and industry member, sitting on the Boards of the Independent Photo Imagers (IPI), Musical Bridges Around the World, and the American Marketing Association.

Alexandra is a public health advocate and tech startup co-founder based in San Antonio, Texas. She’s passionate about creating spaces that empower people to form healing connections within their community. In her free time she loves baking, traveling, and exploring food & culture with her partner and their two dogs.

Akaimi Davis, born and raised in Austin, Texas, knew her life’s calling was to become an artist at the age of 5. Fine art is her third career, following 12 years as a licensed hairstylist, as well as a graphic designer and art director for 11 years. Following a very rare cancer diagnosis in 2012, Davis chose to resign from her position as art director for one of the nation’s top 25 retailers. She delved into painting as a full time career to support herself and her three children. While undergoing 2 years of chemotherapy, she sought art as a therapeutic process, which is still utilized today as a form of meditation and prayer. To see more of Akaimi’s story and work, follow her on Instagram @akaimi.the.artist.

In this third chapter, a new cohort of women discusses the topic of rest. These are women who are changing the landscape of our city and making a tangible impact in our community every day. 

The founder and editor-in-chief of ESJ Magazine, Katie has been working to make sure representation exists within the sustainable fashion space, and that real conversations that lead to accountability and action are happening in fashion. Over the past year, her work with the magazine has expanded to create a bigger platform for Black women and femmes, and artists to reclaim and take up space in ethical and sustainable fashion.

Sarah Wooley is the owner of The Impact Guild.

For 15 years Brielle has worked to create brand identities and digital communication strategies for nonprofits, private businesses, and political campaigns ranging from municipal ballot initiatives to serving as Digital Director for Julián Castro’s presidential campaign. She has poured the soul of her work into advocacy and community-building and has made it her goal to uplift women and help amplify the voices of those who are continuously left behind. Brielle currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the board of health equity nonprofit Con Corazón, and the Bexar County Child Welfare Board.

I hope to uncover what’s inside me — my heart, my mind, and my soul — and to use that light to build something bigger than myself. I believe this life is mine to live, but it is not for me.

An avid performer of contemporary music, STEPHANIE KEY is the founding and current Artistic Director of SOLI Chamber Ensemble. She received her BM with Distinction in Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston, and she has performed with many orchestras and ensembles across the country and internationally. She is Associate Principal and Eb Clarinetist with the San Antonio Symphony, and serves on the music faculty at Trinity University. Ms. Key is a designated Artist with Buffet Crampon, makers of fine wind instruments.

Kiran is the President & CEO of SA2020, the nonprofit that drives progress toward a shared community vision for San Antonio through research, storytelling, and practice. She previously served as the first Chief Equity Officer for the City of San Antonio. Kiran is a 2020 Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity.

Storytelling with intent and purpose is the thread that runs through Mary Ullmann Japhet’s decades-long career as a communications professional, and she tells those stories with enthusiasm and passion. The owner and founder of Japhet Media LLC, Mary provides public relations, media training and video and audio production services for companies, nonprofit organizations, and individual leaders.

Prior to founding Japhet Media in June 2019, Mary spent 18 years as the Senior Vice President, Communications & Community Engagement for San Antonio Sports, the local sports commission. She oversaw the public relations and marketing strategies for NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours and numerous other national and international sporting events. A former award-winning TV anchor and reporter, Mary was also the 2019–20 Trinity University Entrepreneur in Residence.

Alexandra Leticia Zapata Simpson is an artist. Her love for creating has made her a proud alumni of Istituto Marangoni with a BA in fashion design as well as an alumnus of The New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts with a degree in film television and theater arts. Today Alexandra and her husband Keith Simpson along with their two children sell life in a jar at their local juice bar SQUeeZeRS.

Leonora Walker is the founder and CEO of FREED Texas, which serves formerly incarcerated men and women ages 18 and older living in Bexar County and seeking to improve their lives in order to avoid reoffending. Walker was once formerly incarcerated, but has now been set free and delivered for over six years from incarceration and addiction. 

Leonora Walker is now a Nationally recognized Designated Peer Support Specialist. 

Rocío Guenther grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico and bridges two countries, two cultures, and two languages. She currently works as Director of Constituent Services in the Office of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, where she also serves as LGBTQ liaison.  Rocío previously worked as an International Relations Specialist at the City of San Antonio’s Economic Development Department, where she actively promoted San Antonio’s role on the global stage and helped manage official Sister City relationships by promoting cultural, educational, and economic exchanges.

Prior to her service with the city, Rocío was a bilingual reporter and editorial assistant for the San Antonio Report from 2015 to 2017. Rocío holds a bachelor's in English with a minor in political science from Trinity University and is finishing her Master’s in Public Administration at The University of Texas at San Antonio.  She is a 2021 New Leaders Council Fellow. 

Hallease is a video producer and digital storyteller based in San Antonio, Texas. She has produced content for PBS, Google, SPANX and YouTube. In 2021 she became an Adobe Creative Resident, and for the next year will focus on producing an independent comedy web series, a video podcast interviewing mostly BIPOC artists about their careers, and teaching others how to tell their own story through online classes. 

In this second chapter, a new cohort of women will take the stage to share their stories. These are individuals who are changing the landscape of our city and making a tangible impact in our community every single day.

Lauren makes Herstory by being a mother, a wife a sister, and a friend. She strives to give her very best to those she loves and a faithful believer that prayer works. 

Chris makes herstory as the first Black woman to host Pecha Kucha and she is the co-founder of Ehcü Public Relations.

Naomi makes herstory as a creative, wife, daughter, sister, queen, a community advocate who has found her voice. And she won't be quiet about it. Naomi is the founder and master artisan of Say That Accessories in San Antonio, Texas. 

Krystal Hamilton makes herstory as a Pastor at Faith Community SA and owner of JustDogs34 by creating opportunities for spiritual development and growth as well as personal development, job placement, training and entrepreneurship.

Gabrielle is making herstory as a marketing and business coach on a mission to help Black business owners overcome their plateau and reach their next level. Gabrielle also makes herstory by educating and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Rhonda makes herstory as a retired EEO Director for the U.S. Navy, leader in her church, wife, and mother. 

Bria Woods makes herstory as an Executive Digital Producer for a news station and a photographer, published internationally. She loves telling stories that matter and connecting with the people she crosses paths with.

Nerryl Williams makes Herstory as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. For 13 years she has proudly served the medical community as a Sonographer, for such a time as this.

Rebekah makes herstory by doing her best to follow God’s plan for her life! She’s an avid actress, teacher, and professional baker and loves to spread joy where she can!

Aramis Parker is making herstory as a Probation Officer in Bexar County. She keeps God first while helping people change their lives around.

Piper Vann-Morgan is making herstory as a Senior at Incarnate Word High School. She is a future HBC/U graduate.

Adrienne Vann is making herstory by raising two amazing children. She is also a makeup artist and financial advisor.

Kan’Dace Brock makes herstory by creating space for all humanity. As a Pastor and social worker, she is given the opportunity to remind people they matter to others and they matter to God.

Morgan makes herstory by creating a lane for minority black women in entrepreneurship by educating and running Female executives of TX, Mo’s Mangonadas & Eternal Essence event styling in San Antonio, TX.

Kimiya Factory is the President/Executive Director of Black Freedom Factory and the Co-Founder of #ChangeRapeCulture. Kimiya makes herstory by believing survivors of trauma and abuse, demanding accountability from political systems, and reimagining futures.

Hola y Bienvenido to the Herstory Project. Bria here, the creator of the Herstory Project. I've curated portraits of some really influential and inspiring women who we'll read about in textbooks one day. And the best part is these portraits can talk. Click play next to each portrait and listen to a short story about what brings these powerful women joy.