Where were you born and raised?
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
What is your occupation?
Manager and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant at G&H Consulting, LLC.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory is when I accidentally bumped into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while staying in a New York hotel. I was a freshman student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. at the time. Earlier that summer, he had given his "I Have A Dream" speech which I was one of thousands who attended.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month has recently come to mean to me learning about many unrecognized Black leaders, politicians, inventors, engineers, medical professional, business people, Black millionaires, and the list goes on and on. Of course, I knew about the few that I was taught about in school, but white authors write the books.
What do you believe is the most important issue currently facing the Black community?
Poverty and poverty-related issues: lack of jobs, affordable housing, healthcare, hunger, all compounded by COVID-19.
When did you realize you were Black in America and what has that meant for your life?
Interesting question. If you are born Black, it should be obvious at an early age. Those who say they don’t see color, are blind. All of us can see color. The experience of being Black was only complicated when whites decided my color was a problem for them.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration to push for change?
Everyday I work on change, whether it is through the political system, justice system or the civic/social system. It’s a lifetime struggle for me. The state of American for people of color and people living in poverty are my biggest inspirations to push for change.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Black community?
I’ve contributed consistently, in every way possible, with service and dollars.
