Nova

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My first and only tattoo was inspired by a devastating loss the passing of my cousin, who I also considered a sister, Monique. She died from cancer at a young age, just 2 days after her birthday. The pain of losing her was overwhelming, and honestly, I was angry not just at death but even at her for leaving. I didn’t know how to process it. That grief led me to Bali, Indonesia, where I attended a healing retreat called Mindspo.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

"I am the echo of a love that will never fade. I carry the name of the one whose strength still lives in YOU. I witnessed your anger, your tears, and your journey to healing. I remind you that letting go isn’t forgetting — it’s remembering with grace. I am your compass, your promise, your release. And every time you look at me, I whisper, 'You made it through. Keep going'."

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use it to honor the legacy of my cousin-sister Monique, who passed away from cancer and left behind two beautiful children. I would invest in their futures emotionally, academically, and spiritually, making sure they feel supported, seen, and never alone.