radiant.NYC CONTRIBUTORS
Meet the amazing women who write regularly for RADIANT.NYC. Each one of them understands the joys and challenges of living in our city. Through their stories and wisdom you will gain clarity, courage, and confidence to become women of beauty and grit.
bria holness
Born and raised in the Bronx, Bria lived in New York City for 26 years before recently moving to Philadelphia. She works remotely for the Vermont-based, Population Media Center, an international nonprofit implementing entertainment-education to improve the rights of women and girls and environmental sustainability. Outside of work, she can frequently be found traveling, spending time with family and friends, working out, enjoying a good glass of wine, and seeking to understand how to deepen her love and knowledge of God.
“One thing I love about NYC is bumping into someone I know almost every other day. It creates a feeling that you’re never really alone.”
Carly Graham
Carly Graham is a licensed professional counselor in northern New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communication studies from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in biblical counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. She and her husband Jonathan live in New Jersey with their two sons.
“One thing I love about NYC is the randomness I see there — you never know if you are going to cross paths with a celebrity, a photoshoot, or a street festival.”
HALEY WRIGHT
Haley Wright works in marketing and communications for the legal industry. She loves helping organizations craft stories to show the world who they are. You can often find her shoe shopping, practicing Krav Maga, coffee hunting, or exploring to find a new favorite restaurant. Through her volunteer work, she is an orphan and foster care advocate with The New York Foundling and Many Hopes. Her desire is for all children and youth to know what it is to have someone cheering them on and loving them deeply.
“In the city I love the ability to walk out of my apartment building and have access to so many different places in minutes.”
jessica minieri
Jessica Minieri lives in Norwalk, CT and works as a psychotherapist. She loves spending time with her husband, son, and Tibetan Terrier named Oakley. When she is not taking short trips into New York City to explore new ethnic restaurants, she is walking the wooded trails with her family in Fairfield County, CT.
“The one thing I love about NYC is the incredible variety of ethnic food and cultural diversity.”
Kourtney Naomi
Kourtney Naomi was raised in Philadelphia, PA. At 18, she moved to New York with dreams of becoming a socialite. However, God had other plans. She became a Christian at 21. Her subsequent years in NYC have consisted of growth, grad school(s), teaching, and some writing here and there.
“What I love about NYC is that it is a training ground for toughness. Living in NYC is not easy but neither is life.”
maria vermulen
While I can’t call NYC “home” anymore, part of me will always reside there. New York, in all of its beauty, craziness, darkness, and, of course, radiance has inspired the faith within the Michigan-living, writer, runner, coach, trainer, wife, dog owner, and soon-to-be mother that I am today.
“One thing I love about NYC is while many places can serve as backdrops to our narratives, NYC can't help but play a strong, supporting character role in them.”
nyla watson
Giving all glory to God, Nyla Watson is a dedicated actor, concert artist, voice teacher and coach, competition singer and writer in the New York City community and a recent grad of New York University (NYU) where she received her Masters in Music Theater Voice. She gave her life to Christ at the age of 4-years-old and rededicated her life at 21, but began a journey to relentless obedience at 25. She attributes her successes to her faith, her parents, her education, and her professional and personal influences. Acts 4:7-12. www.queennyla.com
“My favorite thing about NYC is the pace of the city. There’s a heartbeat to New York that is not like anywhere else in the world. It keeps you guessing and thrives on the element of surprise. It is not for the weak or the faint at heart and is quick to weed out those who can’t keep up. It’s scary and thrilling all at the same time.”
Rachel Gifford
Rachel Gifford is an actor, singer, writer, and producer based in New York City. She is a co-founder of Seeded Productions and Head of the Professional Branch at The HANG NYC. She is passionate about encouraging artists, exploring New York, and spreading the hope and joy of Jesus.