My 2 pieces reflect the joys of spending time on the Chesapeake Bay—sitting on the sand, collecting shells, sea glass, and watching sailboats. The second piece captures my fears from the 1970s when as a teen I saw first-hand the changes affecting the Bay from pollution, and what could happen without conscious people and conservation.

I spent every summer of my childhood (and still do) at a Black beach community, Highland Beach, MD founded by Frederick Douglass’ son Charles. A peninsula, nestled within the Chesapeake Bay and surrounded by Black Walnut Creek and Oyster Creek. The fishing and crabbing are still plentiful. I watched the clear waters become polluted in the 1970s and seen dead sea life wash ashore along with trash. Thankfully the Chesapeake Bay Foundation—located next to our community—has been very active in preserving the Bay. Water has been and continues to be one of the joys of my life, from the fruit of the sea to boating, swimming and just watching the waves come in.