Wife, mom, autism advocate, and gamer @DaFemalePhenom fell in love with video games as a child when she got her first console — a Nintendo — and played Zelda, Super Mario, and Friday the 13^th. She’s also a huge wrestling fan — her favorite female wrestlers are Lita, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax, and Ember Moon. When she’s not gaming or following wrestling, you might find this JBL Quantum Grant winner perfecting her self-taught beauty and special effects makeup skills, watching her favorite true crime and paranormal shows, and reading horror comics.

What is your dream in gaming and/or esports? 

My dream is to become a voice actor or character in a horror game and to host next year’s gaming awards.

How will this award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals? 

It will fund my travel to conferences to network with game developers or take hosting jobs. I always wanted a career that involves something that I love and enjoy. This grant will help me get so much closer to the goal and dreams I have manifested and that I am working so hard to achieve.

What does being a 1,000 Dreams Fund – JBL Quantum Grant recipient mean to you? 

It means the world to me. I never thought that opportunities like this would ever come my way or even exist. I am also excited because all the little girls who are watching and who have the same goals or dreams as I do can be confident that there is a place in esports and gaming for them.

Women are underrepresented in gaming and esports. What can we do to change this?

The only way I feel change could happen is to keep opportunities like this or jobs available for women in gaming. Without programs like 1DF helping women, it is easy to be unseen or unheard.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way? 

Not having access to funds for conferences and other possible opportunities has been a big challenge. Also, taking care of a special needs child sometimes takes up a lot of my schedule.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the gaming or esports industry? 

Don’t give up! There will be challenges and struggles, but in the end it will all be worth it.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals? 

I stay focused and motivated because of my boys. For every win, my favorite reward is a hug and a “good job mommy “ from them. I can’t give up because they are watching and learning from me, so I have to teach them to push through and work hard for what they want.