ULTRAVIOLET LUPUS WARRIORS
The Wolves + Butterflies initiative is more than a campaign, it’s a movement of art, advocacy, and resilience. As a 20+ year lupus survivor, I’ve learned to transform pain into purpose, using creativity as both a lifeline and a catalyst for change. My work with the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) and other community partners in both Chicago and Kansas City is driven by a deep commitment to raising awareness, funding, and visibility for those living with lupus, the often invisible warriors who fight daily battles with strength and grace.
Through art installations, film, and storytelling, this initiative bridges creativity and impac, turning each piece into a vessel of education, empathy, and empowerment. Wolves + Butterflies is not just about survival; it’s about transformation. It’s a call to action, to stand in solidarity, to amplify unheard voices, and to champion the fight against lupus through the unifying power of art.
This is bigger than a passion project.
It’s a mission. A movement. A legacy in motion.
WOLVES + BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTARY
Wolves + Butterflies is an award-winning documentary that illuminates the complex realities of living with lupus, a condition that too often remains invisible. Through raw storytelling and intimate visual narratives, the film captures the emotional journeys of lupus warriors, as well as the caregivers, loved ones, and advocates who stand beside them.
What began as a personal act of healing has grown into a larger movement, merging art, awareness, and advocacy to bring visibility to those who have long felt unseen, misunderstood, or marginalized in their fight.
This film has been recognized across several prestigious platforms, earning honors at Spotlight Film Festival (Bronze Winner), International Black Docufest (IBDFF), Women of African Descent Film Festival, KC FilmFest International, and the Kansas City Underground Film Festival.
More than a documentary, Wolves + Butterflies is a testament to the strength of a global community, uniting through art, empathy, and resilience to rewrite the story of lupus awareness and hope.
Documentary
Film Premiere Party Sizzle
Becoming An Activist
Is Lupus Hereditary?
Fighting Like A Warrior
How To Support Love Ones
SOCIAL MEDIA
The Wolves + Butterflies social media campaign extends the impact of the award-winning documentary by amplifying real voices from the lupus community. Through authentic video interviews and short-form storytelling, lupus survivors open up about their personal journeys,from the daily physical battles to the emotional strength it takes to keep moving forward.
Each clip is designed to educate, empower, and connect, reminding viewers that no one fights lupus alone. The campaign builds community through vulnerability and visibility, creating a safe space where stories of courage, healing, and perseverance inspire others to take action and spread awareness.
What began as an artistic project has evolved into a social movement, using digital storytelling to bring empathy, understanding, and advocacy to the forefront of the conversation.
KC Parade of Hearts 2024 – “The Epic Tale of the Ultra-Violet Warrior”
In 2024, I was honored to be selected as one of the featured artists for the Kansas City Parade of Hearts, a community art program celebrating creativity and connection. My piece, “The Epic Tale of the Ultra-Violet Warrior,” was inspired by my 21-year journey as a lupus survivor and dedicated to the 1.5 million Americans living with the disease.
Through bold purples and radiant greens, the artwork symbolized visibility, strength, and resilience, transforming the “invisible” fight of lupus into a story of empowerment. In a touching full-circle moment, the heart was auctioned to another lupus warrior, a woman also living with the disease, making its message of hope and unity even more powerful.
ULTRAVIOLET ART SHOW
The ULTRAVIOLET Art Show is a dynamic fundraising experience that unites art, advocacy, and awareness, raising over $5,000 to support the Walk to End Lupus Now™. Showcasing original works from local and national artists, the event celebrates creativity as a force for change, shining a light on the experiences of lupus warriors, especially women of color disproportionately impacted by the disease.
Adding to the celebration, Bombay Sapphire proudly sponsored the event, crafting signature themed cocktails that reflected the show’s vibrant energy and purpose. Together, the art, atmosphere, and advocacy created an unforgettable evening of color, culture, and community, proving that when creativity meets cause, awareness shines even brighter.
