The Happiest Wishes and Blessings for the Graduations of Our Ladies-
Nicole Añgel Evans and
Leilani Raine Banday-Akau
Receiving Their Masters of Arts Degrees
Accolades For Niki-
Master of Art Degree In Public Leadership
University of San Francisco- May 2026
Presentation of Her Project
“WOMBINARY”
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner
Dear Niki,
We am so proud of all that you have accomplished and contributed to our humanity. I am glad you had the courage to step back into the Academic Community to feed your mind and nourish your soul. It was not an easy undertaking considering working full time and going to grad school full time. The trips to San Francisco for in class sessions and navigating a presence on the job. Investing in your relationship and making sure that you could be present with your family. I am so excited about what you have created that will be of service to humanity in terms of us being more intentionally and thoughtfully communicative with each other.
You of all people in the professions that you have dedicated yourself, to both in law enforcement and the United States Coast Guard, you have witnessed first-hand that the tools of effective communication can be a matter of life or death. You are now in a position that you are moving into the next chapter of your life and this experience in grad school has been a step in the right direction. This project of yours will blow up on a global level and to think this is only the beginning. I am proud to announce that you have now been excepted to the Academy of Art, in San Francisco, and will be pursuing a “Master of Fine Arts degree in “Photography”. We as a family have so been waiting for you to show the world the gifts you carry in the arts.
Loving you always and forever- your Mommie and Family
Accolades For Leilani-
Master of Art -Ph.D. Degree In Depth Psychology
With an Emphasis in Community Liberation, Indigenous and Eco Psychologies
Pacifica Graduate Institute- May -2026
Dear Lei,
We are so proud of you Leilani for following the calling of your “Spirit”. You had an intuition that this degree was to be a steppingstone on your journey to fulfill your “Divined Purpose and Destiny”. You had the insight to know that this work would bring into fruition a pathway on which you were able to not only research and polish your natural spiritual tools or gifts, but that what you had to contribute to that academic community would bring into play a sense of making people deal with aspects of their life experience that had close them off from “Spirit”.
You found your voice and your voice found you. Managing work full time, motherhood to three amazing children, a husband that showed up as a partner, and going to grad school full time was an amazing feat. But as God would have it, the beautiful loving relationship you have with your mother, supported your courage, tenacity and determination to meet each challenge the institution failed at, only strengthened you for doing what is ultimately God’s will for your life.
By this time next year, you will have completed the entire program and graduated with your doctorate degree. In the meantime, congratulations on the completion of your master’s degree and stay the course. Loving you always and forever- Your Family
So Ladies-
P.S. I just want to tell your ladies that all your ancestors and elders are standing in prayer for you. We know you and we see you. We will always be there to love you, protect you, and guide you. There is a whole of dancing going on in Heaven and in LA today!
P.P.S.S.
Thanks for going to schools in Santa Barbara and San Francisco cause we have had a ball being on the trail with you guys!!! Our trips have been great!!