Losing my mom was the hardest thing I have been through, and I still struggle with her absence every single day. Now, whenever I visit Santa Cruz, it is the only place I go to talk to her.

I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by very strong, resilient and present figures in my life, and I draw my Black Girl Magic from them. I am who I am because of who they taught me to be.

What do you think of when you see a woman wearing red? You may think of passion, courage, love! We want to introduce you to Mary, a heart transplant candidate who embodies all of these.