The Brilliance of Vulnerability: My Journey with Islands of Brilliance
We’re All Looking for Somewhere to Belong
Kadijiha vending at Morgantown library Author's Fair
We’re all looking for somewhere to belong, somewhere we can show up as our truest selves without fear of being judged. The thing is, finding that kind of place isn’t always easy. It takes time, risk, and sometimes even relocating.
Three years ago, I was introduced to Islands of Brilliance by a former coworker who wanted to connect me with a local organization that had a similar art and community model to my business, Brush Box. I was only a few months into entrepreneurship, so building connections was high on my list.
Brush Box’s Superhero Event at Cheat Area Public Library (Morgantown, WV)
My initial meeting with Mark happened on a Friday afternoon…not an ideal time. But I didn’t need to worry about the Friday slump because our meeting felt like a spark, like we were instantly in sync. Our conversation felt energizing, an unspoken connection brewing between us. After just a few weeks of talking, Mark asked me to join the IOB team. I was thrilled.
But there was one thing I needed to tell him, something I knew could change everything.
I was moving to Atlanta in just a few months. I remember feeling nervous about bringing it up. What if knowing I was relocating made this perfect opportunity slip away?
When I finally told him, Mark’s response was immediate, reassuring, and unbothered. “A few hundred miles isn’t going to stop us from working together. We want your energy here.”
In that moment, I felt seen and accepted. I had a place to belong. It wasn’t just about the work; it was about the community built at IOB and how much I wanted to be a part of it. Even though I was still figuring out the logistics of moving to a new city, it was clear to me that this was where I needed to be.
A Community That Feels Like Home
Brush Box’s Superhero Buffet at IOB’s Colors and Chords 2021
I’ll be honest, when I first joined IOB, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I knew that the energy Mark and I shared in those early conversations wasn’t something I could walk away from. It felt like my community—one that cared for me as much as I cared for it. And over time, that sense of belonging has only deepened.
Even though I was new to IOB, I quickly learned I was never alone. That was especially true when I moved to Atlanta just two weeks before I officially joined the team. I had no idea what my new life in a new city would look like, but I had IOB to lean on.
Despite the physical distance, I was plugged into a network of people who were genuinely rooting for me, finding ways to include me in team get-togethers and important org events.
Traveling Far, Feeling Close: How IOB Empowers My Volunteer Work
One of the best things about working at IOB is the deep sense of community. Every aspect of me that I’ve shared has been respected, encouraged, and celebrated.
To know me is to know that volunteering brings me great fulfillment. One organization I volunteer with is the American Red Cross. As a volunteer, I deploy nationally in response to disasters across the country, assisting those communities in any way needed.
The process of being deployed is always quick and urgent. When disaster strikes, I have to be ready to leave within 24 hours. Although devastating, I always feel a deep sense of excitement and purpose. The people around me—my team at Islands of Brilliance—are always incredibly supportive.
It’s not always easy to leave, though. Sometimes it’s hard because I’ve just returned from a deployment or I’ve already been away for an extended time. No matter the circumstances, they’re always encouraging me to go.
That kind of support is a huge relief. It allows me to celebrate my growth and the freedom I’ve gained to make a real impact, whether it’s through the work we do at Islands of Brilliance or by helping a community in need.
Being able to drop everything at a moment’s notice and serve, especially in the aftermath of a natural disaster, is powerful. It’s something I’m incredibly proud to do.
Distance Doesn’t Diminish the Depth of Connections
In recent months, I began co-hosting Doodle Lounge, and I look forward to it every week. Even when I’m on deployment, I find myself thinking, “How can I still attend Doodle Lounge?” What I get out of it is so much more than I expected.
At first, I was nervous. I wondered, “Should I be doing more?” But then I thought about what I’ve learned from my experiences in different communities: you can’t always go in and assert yourself over the group. No matter your level of expertise, you have to understand how the community already functions and figure out the role you can play within it.
So, what I’ve stuck with is simply showing up.
With Doodle Lounge, I’ve found that my role is often just to create. Most of the time, my head is down and I’m focused on completing my artwork to share before time is up. It always makes me smile to think about the rapport I’ve built with different students—commenting on each other’s work, joking, and even sharing personal projects and excitements.
It’s such a sacred time, and I often think, “I can’t believe I waited this long to truly enjoy the magic of this.” But everything comes in due time, and I’m so grateful for the time I get to spend in Doodle Lounge, at BBC, and in staff meetings.
Distance doesn’t make me feel like I receive less of the IOB magic. And to know the team is as dedicated to making me feel included—finding creative ways to engage virtually, even if that means Mark delivers me a Kringle from the best place in Wisconsin so I can participate in our office party—means the world.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
As I’ve grown within IOB, so has my journey. After three years of living in Atlanta, another incredible opportunity came knocking.
This time, I was making a move again—to Morgantown, West Virginia.
West Virginia themed recycled paper, Mon Arts Center (Morgantown, WV)
It felt like a leap of faith, but one I couldn’t pass up. I was accepted into a program that would support me in continuing to build my business, and I knew it was a chance to take my entrepreneurial dreams to the next level.
As I made the move, I knew I had some serious growing pains ahead. I didn’t know anyone in Morgantown. I didn’t know what to expect.
But I did know one thing: I wasn’t doing this alone—I had the support of my people with me.
In my first three months here, I’ve been doing fantastic—attending events, finding volunteer opportunities, and even hosting art workshops in the community.
Everyone at IOB—Mark, the team, the community—was genuinely excited for me. They always asked for updates, set time aside in meetings to talk through any flustered moments I was having, and offered unwavering support as I navigated this new chapter.
Their belief in me gave me the confidence I needed to press forward. In Morgantown, I knew I was still part of a larger community, one not bound by geography but by shared values and a commitment to one another’s growth.
The Power of Vulnerability and Connection
As much as I’ve grown professionally, the most profound growth I’ve experienced at IOB has been personal. IOB has shown me the power of vulnerability and authenticity—not just in the work we do, but in the way we show up for each other.
That sense of belonging has been woven into every step of my journey with IOB. Whether it’s the monthly calls I have with Natalie—where we catch up on life outside of work, talking about hopes, dreams, and everything in between—or those team meetings where I can always count on Matt to be there early for a quick check-in, it’s the little things that make IOB feel like home.
These moments help me stay grounded, connect on a deeper level, and remind me of why I’m here.
One of the most impactful moments for me at IOB came recently after the 2024 election results. I found myself having a very difficult time. It was a moment of confusion and fear, and I felt unsure where to turn.
Mark created an online space for the team to process together.
At first, I didn’t have the words to share. I sat there quietly, listening to others. What I discovered in that space was something I didn’t expect: a deep sense of connection.
When people spoke—sometimes through tears, sometimes struggling for words—I heard honesty. I heard vulnerability. I heard stories, raw and unfiltered, and I realized I wasn’t alone.
It wasn’t about having all the answers. It was about being willing to show up, to be real, to be in the moment together, even if we didn’t know what to say or how to process it all.
That’s the brilliance of IOB. It’s a space that invites us to be who we truly are. Whether it’s during team check-ins, personal conversations, or moments of shared vulnerability, IOB has taught me that showing up authentically—even when it’s hard—is one of the most powerful things we can do.
How Do You Want to Celebrate?
As I reflect on my journey with IOB—from my first conversation with Mark, to moving to a new city, to navigating the ups and downs of life as an entrepreneur—I can’t help but feel immense gratitude.
This organization, this community, has given me more than just a job or a role. It has given me a place where I can grow, not only as a business owner but as a person.
Through the support, the mentorship, and the opportunities for connection, IOB has become a second family to me.
I’ve learned to embrace my authentic self—flaws, imperfections, and all. I’ve learned to take risks, to bet on myself, to celebrate the big and small moments, and to trust that the right people will show up to help me along the way.
I know this is only the beginning. I’m excited about the future—about all the brilliant things that are yet to come.
I’m grateful for the people who have supported me, challenged me, and encouraged me along the way. And as I continue this journey, I’m reminded that the best communities are the ones where we can show up as we are and, in turn, grow into who we are meant to be.
