Learning in Layers: My Fall Curriculum Experiment

Crisp air, falling leaves, warm cider, back-to-school vibes, cozy corners… these are the things I instantly associate with fall. For a while, I’ve been searching for something that truly invigorates me—something that challenges me and keeps me growing. For me, learning has always done exactly that.

Lately, I’ve noticed a TikTok trend around creating a personal curriculum, and after watching countless videos (and doing a little research), I knew this was an idea I wanted to bring into my own life. And so, The Fall Flourish 101 was born—a 12-week intensive filled with topics that are fun, interesting, and a little challenging too. Each “course” is tailored to my learning style and passions, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

Here’s my semester lineup:

Soulful Plates: Food, Memory & the Black Experience 101 Food is never just food—it’s memory, culture, and survival. This fall, I’ll be digging into the history of Black cuisine, tracing recipes across the African diaspora, and reflecting on the way food carries our stories.

Why this matters to me: Cooking connects me to family, ancestors, and traditions. Learning the history behind soul food and other dishes means I’m not just tasting flavors—I’m tasting resilience.

Tiny Particles, Big Questions: An Introduction to Quantum Physics 101 On the other end of the spectrum is something wildly different: quantum physics. I’ve always been fascinated by how science brushes up against faith, philosophy, and even art. I may not understand every formula, but I love the awe that comes with discovering how the universe works.

Why this matters to me: It stretches my mind, challenges my assumptions, and reminds me that the world is bigger (and stranger) than I could ever imagine.

Adorned in History: Jewelry, Identity & Black Culture As a jewelry maker, I’ve always been drawn to the way adornment carries meaning. This fall, I’ll be studying how African traditions used beads, gold, and shells as spiritual and cultural symbols—and how jewelry continues to shape Black identity today.

Why this matters to me: Jewelry isn’t just decoration—it’s storytelling, heritage, and identity. This course

connects my own creative work to a deeper, richer history.

Freedom Notes: The Soundtrack of a Movement Music is one of the most powerful ways to tell history. This fall, I’ll be exploring jazz, gospel, and blues as more than art—as vehicles of protest, hope, and community during the Civil Rights era.

Why this matters to me: Music has always been the heartbeat of movements. Learning the stories behind these songs shows me how art and justice walk hand in hand.

This curriculum is my way of making learning personal and joyful again. By the end of fall, I won’t just have consumed information—I’ll have cooked meals, created art, curated playlists, and written reflections that weave these subjects into the fabric of my own life.

But this isn’t just about me—it’s an invitation. What would it look like if you created your own personal curriculum this season? Pick a few topics that stretch your mind, nurture your soul, and bring you joy. They don’t have to be “academic”—they just have to matter to you.

So here’s my challenge: build your own fall curriculum. Make it yours. And if you do, I’d love to hear what’s on your list!