From Coverage to Community: Looking Ahead to 2026

Over the past year, the Springfield News-Leader shared two snapshots of my work. One focused on the release of my first cookbook, The Accessible Cooking Cookbook. The other highlighted Creative Commons and the events I’ve been hosting to bring people together. Those articles captured important moments, but they only tell part of the story.

The cookbook became a thing in a very simple way. I liked cooking in the kitchen, and at one point I started filming it with a friend. There wasn’t a big plan behind it — we were just recording what I was already doing. Over time, those videos turned into something people actually found useful. That’s when the idea clicked: instead of just posting videos, I could turn them into a cookbook that combined clear instructions with visual support. What started as something casual quickly showed me how powerful accessibility can be when it’s built in from the beginning.

Creative Commons grew from that same mindset. What started as a vision for a physical coworking space evolved into in-person events where people from different backgrounds and experiences could show up, connect, and be taken seriously. The goal was never to separate or spotlight — it was to create spaces where participation feels natural and equal.

Last year, we hosted one Creative Commons event as a starting point. It wasn’t meant to be big — it was meant to be real. That gathering confirmed something I already believed: people are looking for spaces where connection feels natural and intentional. In 2026, the plan is to host events on a regular basis, aiming for roughly one each month. The goal is consistency and connection, even if some months change due to travel or other commitments.

One thing I’ve noticed is how rarely spaces exist where people with different abilities and experiences interact meaningfully. Communities are often divided without anyone meaning for them to be. When people don’t interact, assumptions take over. Real connection only happens when people are in the same room, working toward something together.

Looking toward 2026, my focus is on growth and permanence. That means hosting larger, more intentional events — and taking a major step forward by opening a physical coworking and community space. This space is still in the planning phase, but the vision is clear: a place designed with access at its core, leadership rooted in lived experience, and doors open to anyone willing to show up, learn, and contribute.

This next chapter is about building something sustainable. A place where creativity and entrepreneurship are expected. Where people are valued for their skills and ideas. And where community isn’t a buzzword, but something practiced every day.

Media coverage helps share the story, and I’m grateful for that. But the real work happens after the article is published — through consistency, collaboration, and long-term commitment.

As 2026 approaches, the goal isn’t to talk about inclusion. It’s to build spaces where it already exists.