There’s something powerful about seeing people who have spent years quietly creating impact finally step into the same room together.
What began as a community voices and digital storytelling initiative through San Diego Weekly and the San Diego Standouts Series became something much bigger this week. It became real human connection.
Our first San Diego Standouts gathering brought together leaders, founders, educators, creatives, advocates, and community builders from across San Diego, the Cali-Baja region, and beyond. Many of the incredible women recognized throughout our March 2026 Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day series were finally able to meet in person, exchange ideas, laugh together, have real conversations, and connect beyond titles or resumes.
And honestly… that may have been the most important part.
Behind many polished bios are years of sacrifice, resilience, reinvention, and continuing to show up even when nobody sees the work behind the scenes.
Some are mentoring quietly.
Some are building businesses while lifting others up.
Some are advocating for communities that often go unheard.
Some are balancing leadership, healing, service, family, and reinvention all at once.
That deserves recognition.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this launch event possible. Special appreciation to Lori Jefferson of R.O.C. Media for serving as an incredible MC, DJ Doc Thomas Howard for helping capture interviews, Tramaine Stallworth for video coverage, and Tihut for photography.
Huge thanks as well to the entire NOVO Brazil Mission Valley team, especially Jimmy, Pablo, and Allison, for helping make the evening seamless.
And thank you to Roosevelt Williams III. The vision is becoming reality.
It truly took a village to make this happen. More photos coming soon. Stay tuned.
Great event tonight! Thank you San Diego weekly and their partners @bogeyski and @ybnbfest for the recognition amongst an absolute great group of female STANDOUTS
Thank you Casey with @casey_blondevoyage and Jasmine with @silk.and.suede.wax.co for joining me with gracious support and enthusiasm.
@j.craig40 -being your Mom is one of the absolute best things in my life. You make it easy, fun and your love is truly beyond the proudest ever felt ♥️
🌟 And that’s a wrap on STILL WATER 👑🎣
Follow us to stay tuned for updates on our film 🎥 💚
Thank you to @lakejennings for letting us film at this gorgeous location 🌞⛅️
BTS by @kyrv4life 💋💅🏼
#stillwaterfilm #studentfilm #sdsu #fishinglife #pageant
This past week, San Diego Weekly dropped its March 2026 San Diego Standouts series, highlighting women shaping San Diego, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to it around the world.
But these aren’t just features.
These are SHEroes.
Women who have defied the odds, rewritten their own narratives, and are getting things done when no one was watching.
Women who turned pain into purpose.
Setbacks into strategy.
And vision into something real that others can now stand on.
You can feel it in their stories.
Entrepreneurs building from nothing.
Advocates fighting for voices that were overlooked.
Leaders creating impact that stretches far beyond this region.
This isn’t polished success.
This is earned.
And this is only the beginning.
More leaders are coming. More stories are about to surface.
Stay tuned. Pay attention.
sdweekly.com
sandiegostandouts.com
Because this isn’t about recognition.
It’s about who is shaping what comes next.
And the real question is…
are you paying attention?
The Diary of a 25 Year Old Alcolohic, written by author Elli Rose Cikovic ~ L🤍VE your book 📖
@ellirosecikovic , CONGRATULATIONS! ✨
And thank you for stopping by @thestorymakerslounge to talk about your new book, acting, and all the incredible layers of who you are.
Wise beyond your years, a hidden gem who has now surfaced fully and beautifully — unfiltered, unblemished, and unstoppable.
Stay unbreakable. Keep leading with L♥️VE.
I look forward to seeing you again soon. Link to purchase book in my story and on Eli’s page.
Ahhhhhh @sara.kiing is someone who I have recently worked with and I just k ew how lucky I was to be working with such a serious range of talent. Lucky for me. Please tune in to this episode and don’t forget to hit like while you are there.
It was more than an honor to have this wonderful Latino 🇵🇷🇲🇽 sit with me and take in his very essence of brilliant filmmaking along with a touching personal look at his uprising thus far! Meet @edwin.franko on an episode soon. Meantime watch @fuegosalsafilm (link in story) https://youtu.be/pEV3YGeBY6w?si=seG2fp6TAEnxo2a4
January has been calm, intentional, and quietly productive. Less noise, room for alignment, work opportunities, family time, and space to breathe.
A soft beginning to a year still unfolding, already rooted in purpose and fulfillment.
Onward. 🎬✨
I sat down with Mark Coulter to talk about the work beneath the work —
craft, discipline, and staying in the doing!
No shortcuts.
Just truth, consistency, in the room.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE like, share comment and most of all ENJOY….
🎧 Full episode now live on YouTube
đź”— Link in bio
