Always Be Creating
Welcome to our new series, Always Be Creating (ABC).
Join us as we dive into the creative explorations of our community.
Meet Lauren Reyes-Grange
Where are you from and where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town east of Toronto- Brooklin, Ontario. I had the opportunity of finishing high school abroad in Italy and returned to Toronto for university. I’ve worked in Toronto my entire career and I now reside in Clarington with my family.
How do you describe what you do?
I am a senior strategist at Reason One where I help build inclusive websites for a variety of clients. I’m the co-author of the children’s book series, Myrtle the Purple Turtle. Because of Myrtle we get to meet with kiddos across Canada and talk about subjects like inclusion, friendship, the importance of kindness and standing up for our peers. I’m also a mum to a darling girl named Vivian.
What are some things you love to make in your KOKKUR apron?
Everything! But probably my “best” dish is my cornbread that I make for most holiday dinners. My family requests this one a lot. I’m not the most sophisticated chef, so I try to stick to simple dishes I can’t mess up too badly like pastas, shepherd’s pie and experimenting with plant-based dishes, since my husband is a vegetarian.
When and where do you feel most creatively inspired?
In nature. A brisk walk with my dog amongst the trees is my go-to for creative blocks and feelings of doubt. I believe trees are magic and are quite often taken for granted.
What’s something you’ve made with the intention of sharing with others?
I recently helped launch the Reason One Mentorship and Scholarship program which will award 6 Black students who aspire to work in tech with scholarships that range from $1,000-10,000 as well as mentorship and professional development support. We are accepting applications until April 20, 2021 and the program is open to Ontario and South Carolina-based students ages 17-35. My hope is that this program will positively impact the 6 students and will inspire other organizations to follow suit in helping to remove barriers within the tech industry for Black and other equity-seeking groups.
Life can be messy: what’s your attitude when it comes to spills, splashes, blunders, and mistakes?
Brush it off, take your lessons and keep it moving!
What’s for dinner?
My favourite, quick pasta dish: Grab a bottle of Pepperoncino from Terroni’s, some garlic, parsley and olive oil. Toss this with some penne and cover with Parmesan for a fabulous 7-minute dish that everyone will love.