storyteller, producer, social impact/ creative strategist, etc., etc . . .

Michelle Zei

Welcome to my world. Let’s start at the beginning. That baby represents so much of who I still am today and why I do what I do. My grandmother who was a skilled seamstress made that outfit and those are her lovely plants in the background. My grandma’s creativity, hustle, and love for hospitality has influenced me greatly. This chair was my grandpa’s reading chair in their home in Silver Spring, MD. It’s there that I would sit for hours throughout my youth and listen to my grandpa tell stories, often about history and often with the message that my generation was capable of changing society for the better. In particular, he felt people shouldn’t have to suffer under the manmade systemic horrors of war and poverty. I was captivated by his curiosity and optimism. Despite having only a high school education, he was one of the most knowledgeable and well read people I’d ever met.

I’m so grateful and proud to carry on their legacies, in my own way, in my life and life’s work as a storyteller, producer, and creative strategist.