Leila, at the age of 11, is the daughter of a white American mother whose family traces its roots back to the Mayflower, and a father of Afro-Caribbean heritage, with a rich blend of Asian, Caribbean Indian, European, and Black ancestry. Her mother, a former Peace Corps volunteer, was teaching in Grenada, West Indies, when she crossed paths with her father, whose family played pivotal roles in their island community, fostering its prosperity. A skilled artist, carpenter, and builder, Leila's father embodies creativity and craftsmanship.

In their household, Leila's maternal grandmother, a retired but still active education activist, also resides. Her maternal grandparents relocated to Paterson, New Jersey, in 1969 as part of her grandfather's Methodist ministry and their joint commitment to the civil rights movement. Although Leila's grandfather disassociated from the Methodist church before her mother's birth, her mother persuaded them to join St. Paul's Episcopal Church during her childhood.

My connection with Leila's family stems from our shared involvement with St. Paul's Episcopal Church. There, I embarked on a project focusing on homelessness, featuring her foster sister, which acquainted Leila with my work. Engaging with Leila and her daughter was profoundly enlightening, witnessing firsthand the empathetic teachings she imparts regarding her diverse heritage.

Expressing aspirations of becoming a dancer, Leila thrives on artistic endeavors, learning from her father's expertise and benefiting from extensive exposure to the arts both at home and in school. Her mother, a former middle school science teacher, spearheaded after-school programs integrating science and the arts (STEAM) within the Paterson Public Schools for 14 years. This allowed Leila to attend classes in the very schools where her mother taught until the family relocated to a new community.