What were your majors/minors?

Accelerated Bachelor Degree in Political Science; Master of Public Policy and Master of Urban Planning.

What activities were you involved in while a student, both within the RC and elsewhere on campus?

German Theater in the RC; NAACP, Black Celeb; Teach for America; Michigan Gospel Chorale; Phi Sigma Pi Honor Frat; Residential Staff (as an RA and RA supervisor).


What are some highlights of your career - or side projects - that you’re most proud of?

Helping with a violence prevention initiative, talking to newer people in local government, helping ask questions to shift the conversation on many local government public policy issues, and working on a history book for East Palo Alto. I will also be doing one for my hometown of Flint, MI. 

What are you doing lately that you’re passionate about?

I'm fortunate to be able to work on race and equity work, which is something I've been passionate about for some time but it wasn't included in my assignments until recently. On a personal level, it would be working on a history book. 


What about it makes you so passionate? What is the underlying reason or cause you’re doing what you’re doing?

I am excited to be discussing race and equity work at the local government level, as it has real impacts on the lives of individuals in the community. As for the history books, it is very important to me that the history of African Americans in these communities is documented from our perspective and cherished, because the stories told in the news are often without context and perspective.


How does something you did in the RC relate to this?

If you could have dinner with anyone, fictional or real, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Hmm, I don't know. For alive and present celebrity people, maybe Common or John Legend. They are just really cool people that I'm inspired by. For deceased people, it would be cool to have dinner with so many people that I can't even list them all here. People like my ancestors whose history may or may not be recorded, Harriet Tubman, Hamilton, Jesus, and tons of others. 


What’s your favorite food to make, and why?

Cheesecake because it is my Mom's recipe, and it is super easy to make.