Ember - Hayley DeRoche
• – • Martin
About the speaker
Meet our Ember speaker, Hayley DeRoche: poet, humorist, and public librarian (and someone who knows that the quietest shelves often hold the most heat!).
She's the creator of the viral "Sad Beige" TikTok series (@officialsadbeige), covered by the BBC, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more, racking up half a million followers and setting conversations ablaze along the way.
But long before the algorithm noticed, Hayley was already doing what librarians and poets do best… tending the embers. Holding space for the stories that don't need to be loud to last. Her newest book, Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe, is exactly that: a warm glow of goodness.
April's theme is Ember. Join us as we unpack this global theme locally, and hear how Hayley ignites and reignites conversations through her poetry, wit, and words. Follow more of her work at hayleyderoche.com.
Local partners
Worth Higgins & Associates
Just as we did when our company was founded in 1970, we continue to call ourselves “printers” – and so do our customers. Makes sense. Offset, digital, wide-format, and letterpress printing are today the core technologies of Worth Higgins & Associates. UV ink and coating, foil stamping, embossing and die cutting are tools of the printing process that we handle extraordinarily well in helping our clients achieve their creative goals and take their ideas beyond their imaginations.
Frontier
We are in the business of belief. Belief that work can be better, that leaders can be braver, that organizations can evolve and grow. We use our heads and our hearts to help our partners think differently about what’s possible then create it through bespoke, people-based solutions.
Ant Boogie , a fixture in the Greater Richmond DJ scene for over 20 years, is renowned for his ability to craft deep, infectious dance grooves and vibrant atmospheres. From private events to grand openings, his dynamic style seamlessly blends hip-hop, electronic beats, soulful melodies, and more, creating unforgettable experiences. Ant’s talent and dedication have earned him collaborations with artists like Erykah Badu, The Roots, and Wyclef Jean, as well as partnerships with brands such as Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, and VA Pride.
Additional details
Our theme for April is EMBER. It was chosen by our Poulsbo chapter in Washington and illustrated by Sarah Gordon.
The literal meaning of ember is a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. But as a metaphor, it means so much more.
Our Poulsbo chapter had this to say about the significance of this month’s theme:
“Embers represent the quiet, enduring remnants of fire—what remains after the intensity fades. They carry a smoldering potential, a subtle strength that holds heat long after the flames have gone. As a quieter community outside the city, we may not always burn the brightest, but we never burn out. Our spark lives in reflection, resilience, and the space we have to pause, think, and grow.
In those calm moments, we find what many others miss: the steady glow of ideas, relationships, and dreams that don’t need noise to thrive. Embers remind us that even after challenges or change, something powerful remains—ready to reignite when needed. We hold that same quiet fire within ourselves, and in community with each other, we kindle more.
Together, we tend the quiet fire—fueling one another through presence, care, and shared warmth.”
What ember is quietly glowing inside you? And what new fire will it ignite in your life?
Location
