In Memory of Kandace Florence

The Make(HER) Collective, a Hampton Roads-based community of local women makers and business owners, is raising money to establish The Kandace Florence Memorial Scholarship and assist Kandace's family with the burden of memorial expenses.

Kandace departed this earth far too early on October 30th, 2022.

She traveled with two friends, Jordan Marshall and Cortez Hall, to Mexico City for the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. The three friends were found unresponsive in their Airbnb. The cause of death is still unknown.

We lost a massive light in our community when we lost Kandace, owner of Glo Through It candles + self-care.

She was by our side since the beginning- her unforgettable smile lighting the rows of every one of our women-owned Make(HER) Markets and many other special events.

In the small business world, many of us work at home alone. Kandace was our co-worker.

She graced us through workshops with her expansive business & marketing knowledge and sought to reach and teach more women through our upcoming winter retreats.

She inspired us constantly with her honesty, her confidence, her vulnerability, and her unshakable motivation to grow her business.

We can't imagine our community without her, and we know the world had big things in store for her.... But not because she was given it- because she worked tirelessly for it. While still prioritizing self-love, rest, fun, and family.

In Kandace's honor, we are doing our best to Glo Through this impossibly difficult time, and we vow to carry on her legacy of self-care.

Our hearts are with her family during this time, and our goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support them in paying for memorial expenses.

The first $500 raised will establish the Kandace Florence Memorial Scholarship, which will provide one yearly, all-expenses-paid Make(HER) Collective Membership + Make(HER) Market registration & mentoring for a local maker.

To learn more about our community and to confirm our legitimacy for this fundraiser, donors can visit www.themakehercollective.com

The Make(HER) Community gathering in August 2022 at Elation Brewing Co. in Norfolk, where Kandace worked with the most incredible 2nd family she could ask for.