Where were you born and raised?
Kansas City, Missouri.
What is your occupation?
Manager of Housing and Property at the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council in Kansas City.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Being involved in scouting.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Well deserved and delayed recognition for African-American contributions to this country.
What do you believe is the most important issue currently facing the Black community?
The lack of good secondary educational opportunities.
When did you realize you were Black in America and what has that meant for your life?
My freshman year of high school. I went to a predominately white high school. My mother always said that I needed to perform twice as good as my white counterparts to be considered half as good. I found out it was true my freshman year.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration to push for change?
My faith in Jesus Christ.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Black community?
I have spent the last 35 years working within the Ivanhoe Neighborhood in several capacities. The goal has been to increase the availability or affordable housing, economic development, and crime reduction.
