Our Blog

Choosing beauty where it isn't always obvious is almost completely what takes up my artist brain. In every setting I enter, in every story I hear, finding the beauty and turning it into art consumes me. When a couple of us with Empower and Shine first learned about Lilias Trotter, it felt like we were learning about ourselves in a past life, in a past century. Some stories stay with us not because they are loud or dramatic, but because they are quietly brave. Lilias Trotter’s

A new year often arrives with all the pressure to change, to improve, to become something “better.” But at Empower and Shine, we shifted and decided to believe January can be an invitation to begin gently. Before goals, before plans, and before productivity, there is now self-love. Self-love is about listening to yourself, honoring your needs, and choosing kindness in the small, everyday moments, not about perfection or constant positivity or productivity. It’s learning to re

Here at Empower and Shine, our team is primarily comprised of women. Because of this, we often write from our own personal experiences and perspectives, sharing from our realities. However, we want to ensure that we are balancing that with love and attention to men as well. We are all surrounded by strong, empowered men, and they have shared some valuable insight into how self-care may look different for men than it does for women. I spoke to some men in my own life and we ha

As a team member of Empower & Shine, I get a front-row seat to the quiet ways generosity changes lives. Patty and Steve are the heart behind Empower & Shine—steadfast angels who lead with humility, love, and a deep belief in people. The reach of their kindness is wider than you could ever imagine —and Edgar’s story is a beautiful example. At 19, after watching his father work in landscaping for 25 years, Edgar was offered the opportunity to take over 10 landscaping accounts i

At Empower and Shine, we have found that empowerment, like all good things, begins with love. Love that helps people remember who they are and see the light that’s already inside them, it’s about authenticity.  But what does it really mean to  empower  someone? Empowerment isn’t about giving someone strength or a trait they don’t already have. It’s about helping them see the strength that’s been there all along, sometimes hidden under fear, doubt, or pain. It’s about offering

Have you ever caught yourself thinking,  “Are you mad at me?”  even when no one seemed upset? Maybe you apologized too quickly, overexplained, or tried to make everyone comfortable, even at your own expense. If so, you’re not alone.  At Empower and Shine, many of us have experienced what psychologists call the  fawn response,  a trauma pattern where we seek safety through people-pleasing. It’s our nervous system’s way of saying,  “If I can keep everyone happy, I’ll stay safe.

Celebrating 700 graduates from Street Business School At Empower & Shine, we believe that true change begins when one heart reaches out to lift another. Every act of generosity—big or small—creates waves of hope that stretch far beyond what the eye can see. This past year, we’ve witnessed incredible transformation across Uganda—700 graduates completing their journey with Street Business School in Buliisa, and the joyful opening of the new God’s Will Preschool in Mubako. Eac

Last month, we traveled to Nakigalala, Uganda, for a moment we’ll never forget—the unveiling of the Field of Dreams at Shalom Junior Trust School. The celebration was pure magic. The students and school leaders came together for an afternoon of heartfelt performances—singing, dancing, and sharing their gratitude in the most beautiful ways. Their energy filled the air with pride and excitement as they officially opened their new field—a space where dreams can now take flight t