Where were you born and raised?
Kansas City, Missouri.
What is your occupation?
Owner of Ruby Jean's Juicery
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Christmas mornings at my grandma's house with the whole family, opening gifts, listening to music and eating!
What does Black History Month mean to you?
It's a mere moment to recognize and celebrate the various and often overlooked impacts Black people have made on the planet.
What do you believe is the most important issue currently facing the Black community?
Being truly valued for our contributions beyond the trends, buzzwords and corporate diversity strategies.
When did you realize you were Black in America and what has that meant for your life?
When I had an officer follow me home late at night as a 16-year-old kid all the way into my driveway with a flashlight and hand on his gun. When I was referred to as "boy" by a fellow incoming freshman at my university. It made me realize just how the steep the hill in front of me was.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration to push for change?
My mom. She made a way for me and my siblings with the odds stacked against her. I fight for people just like her.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Black community?
I've given of my heart genuinely and used my voice earnestly at every opportunity I could.
