Month: September 2026

While walking on Monday morning, my soul sistalove Adejoke and I stoppped by Brew on U to get a matcha latte and visit my U Street Neighborhood Association’s Temperance Garden. It was such a beautiful and mindful self-care morning filled with sunshine, cool air, and great conversations and exercise.

How’s your September mornings going?

My dad, Dr. John. F. Leeke and I are headed to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture on September 19th from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to discuss our book, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion and share our family’s extraordinary story of freedom seekers who used the Underground Railroad to escape slavery in Hagerstown, Maryland, and make a new life in Amherstburg, Canada. REGISTER HERE.

On Septmber 15th, my dad, Dr. John F. Leeke and I will receive a proclamation from the City of Hagertown that pays tribute to the extraordinary faith, trust, vision, courage, fortitude, and organization of our ancestors, Peter and Catherine Leek who along with their 14 children undertook a treacherous 410-mile journey from Hagerstown to Amherstburg, Canada via the Underground Railroad in approximately 1839.

My dad, Dr. John F. Leeke and I will lead the “Footsteps to Freedom” discussion on September 12th from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Caroline County Public Library, 100 Market Street, Denton, Maryland.

During the event, we will discuss our book, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion and the Underground Railroad journey our family took to escape slavery in Hagerstown, Maryland, and build a new life as free people in Amherstburg, Canada.

Being in and building community with fellow creative folks really feeds my spirit, heart, mind, body, and practice. That’s why I attend Creative Mornings Baltimore and DC gatherings on a regular basis.

On August 28th, I met up with my soul sistslove Ayesha and attended the Creative Mornings Baltimore gathering at the Maryland Zoo. What fun we had! I even got to meet a penguin named Daphne!

If you missed the Inspire! Podcast conversation I had with host Sue Webley and Garnet Jay, my soul brothalove and music producer, about our creative collaborative journey that gave birth to Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter, my debut spoken word album, watch the video below.

With Sue’s guidance and insightful questions, we took a deep dive into the ocean of our creative collaboration that started during the global pandemic in 2020 and culminated in an album featuring nine tracks of powerful words and soulful music that represent my spiritual and creative essence, relationship to my mother Theresa and ancestors, grief experiences, and mindfulness practices.

Serving as the U Street Neighborhood Association’s Artist-in-Residence gives me an opportunity to build community and share my healing arts gifts with my neighbors. On August 26th, I led the second workshop in the Thriving Mindfully on U Street series entitled “Honoring U Street as American History” at Hamiltonian Artists, a contemporary art center and professional incubator for emerging artists.

We started the workshop with a land acknowledgment, meditation and mindful movement. I introduced Thriving Mindfully, a heart-centered approach to being present with breathing and intention setting exercises. As we listened to music, we expressed and documented our favorite U Street history makers, historical events, moments, buildings, movements, organizations, and businesses. At the end of the event, we discussed our reflections in a sharing circle.

IF YOU ARE IN DC, JOIN ME FOR THE SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER WORKSHOPS.

SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP: The third event in this series, “The Future of the U Street Community,” will take place on September 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the True Reformer Building, located at 1200 U Street, NW, in DC. Come share your love for U Street and contribute to a community art project (to be displayed during the final workshop). CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

OCTOBER WORKSHOP: The fourth, and final event in this series, “The U in U Street Community,” will take place on October 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at True Reformer Building, located at1200 U Street, NW, in DC. Come share your love for U Street and have a final chance to contribute to a community art project (to be displayed during the event). CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.