This is just a snippet of Amber’s story; you’ll hear the rest in her future Grammy acceptance speech.

Amber was born in August 1994 in the Bronx, New York where her mom's family is from.

Amber’s love of singing has always been a constant since birth. There’s a picture of her mom holding her as a baby where Amber is clearly crying while her mom looks straight-faced into the camera. The running joke is that the photo depicts Amber’s first time singing for the cameras.

She lived in the Bronx for several years until she permanently moved to Philadelphia in 1999, and as she grew older, she further developed her passion for singing by auditioning for talent shows, performing at open-mic nights, singing in choirs, and acting in plays.

For undergrad, she attended Drexel University and studied behavioral health counseling with a minor in business administration. So, when she happened to stumble upon an opportunity to audition for an a cappella group at Drexel, she was more than up for the challenge of having only one day to prepare for the audition. It’s no shocker that she was accepted and joined the group: The Cleftomaniacs. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Amber always knew she wanted to help people. Throughout her journey she considered being a pediatrician, a teacher, and even a United Nations interpreter, but eventually, after having taken a course that focused primarily on trauma, she discovered her interest in Trauma Counseling. Trauma was where she felt like she could really make a difference in peoples’ lives, particularly as a person of color with lived traumatic experiences. Amber wanted to be the person for her clients that she herself wished she’d had when she was younger. And after some time off after undergrad, she attended Thomas Jefferson University in East Falls to further her studies in Community and Trauma Counseling.

Aside from her chosen career and her innate love of singing, Amber makes time for other hobbies and interests as well. These include hanging out with her friends (the Drexel Squad), watching Netflix, perusing memes before naptime, and going to restaurants and concerts. Most notably, she recently attended Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour! #BeyHive. When it comes to food, Amber embraces the fact that Philly is a foodie city and will try almost any dish! Just don’t ask her to eat something gross like olives or mushrooms (very unlikeable foods); she would much prefer shellfish, ribs, or baked mac and cheese.

Lastly, something that Amber won’t compromise on is her self-care, especially as a therapist. Her self-care rituals include mood lighting, candles, and the sounds of rain or crackling noises of a fireplace. Self-care is very much needed when racism, sexism, and other social injustices plague this country! And Amber has a strong desire to travel to other countries and explore beyond our Americentric society. She’s already started watching foreign language television shows and picking up what she can of other languages outside of her own.

Amber's journey is a tapestry of melodies and milestones, woven from her Bronx roots to the vibrant streets of Philadelphia. Her life is a symphony of diverse interests - from the soulful echoes of her voice with The Cleftomaniacs to the empathetic whispers of her work in trauma counseling. Her story is more than just a pursuit of personal dreams; it's a testament to her relentless spirit in overcoming challenges and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. As she balances the rhythmic beats of self-care with the harmonious chords of professional and personal growth, Amber continues to stride forward, leaving an indelible mark on every stage and soul she encounters.

There is a lot more to her story, a narrative still unfolding with every new dawn. It's a story of resilience, passion, and discovery, waiting to be further revealed and celebrated. You’ll just have to wait and see what the next verse holds, as Amber writes her future, one note at a time.