Advocacy and assisting others with setting their goals and objectives is something I have done for years. It started with me writing a letter concerning my need for a three-bedroom apartment in the public housing community where I resided. I was told I could not get one because of the asbestos in the units. That did not make sense to me, since I was living in a two-bedroom unit with my two children. I continued to write letters and send them everywhere I could.

Citizen Action of New York contacted me concerning their advocacy and organizing. They were working on environmental and healthcare issues at that time. I became the first organizer of the Buffalo Empowerment Project. My advocacy and organizing developed and grew out of this experience.

When my children and I relocated to Winston-Salem, NC, in 1995, they attended and graduated from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. They went on to universities in North Carolina and received their bachelors degrees.

My leadership can be seen in my personal and professional life. I have served on numerous committees in schools and the community. Roles I have held are school social worker, director of family engagement, lead graduation coach, president of Forsyth County Association of Educators, National Education Association director, and president of North Carolina Association of Educators -region 2 director. I have worked on campaigns for candidates and assisted with voter registration. I have served as an assistant, judge, and chief judge on election day.

Working with children, families, and communities is what I have done in North Carolina for numerous years. I have canvassed and phone/text bank, and I organized public housing tenants to get the necessary repairs and resources they needed. I have helped to organize educators and parents around issues of concern.