Where were you born and raised?
Born in Independence, Missouri and grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri.
What is your occupation?
Political Strategist and Social Justice Activist.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would be wrestling at Blue Springs High School and seeing my parents in the stands. Wrestling at Blue Springs High School surrounded by my teammates and family was by far the happiest moment I can remember in my childhood. From my coaches, to my brothers and sisters I went to battle with, I will never forget wrestling as a Blue Springs Wildcat.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
What Black History Month means to me is to honor the progress that's been made, pay respects to the shoulders you stand on, and further bend the moral arch of the universe more towards Justice. I believe the best way to honor those who came before us is by continuing the work that they where willing to die for.
What do you believe is the most important issue currently facing the Black community?
The most important issue facing the Black community would be education because systems of oppression and white supremacy keep people down because they they're the only ones who have access to information and they don't want to empower those they oppress. I believe that after we are armed with information, our community will continue to fight for the liberation of all Black people.
When did you realize you were Black in America and what has that meant for your life?
The moment I realized I was Black in America was early on in my childhood. While in middle school, I remember being call the "N" word and not fully understanding the hate behind the word until my parents explained it to me at home. I remember my mom crying and my dad explaining it to me and I didn't understand why someone would throw such a hateful word towards me. Since that day, I knew I was different from the other kids because of that moment. I didn't understand it, but over time, I would learn to embrace my blackness and who I am.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration to push for change?
My biggest inspiration to push for change would be my parents. My parents have sacrificed so much for me to be where I am today and because of that, I'm always going to strive to make them proud by putting more good into the world. I really think that's my only purpose in life, to help others. I could go tomorrow and I'd be 100% proud of all that has happened during my life because I've done everything I can with the platform I am to make the community and the communities I come from better.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Black community?
How I've contributed to the local Black community would be through the activism, political, and policy realm. I also feel for theses movements can only last over time, when we build coalitions of people who aren't from our community. As a Black, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Caucasian, and LGBTQIA+ individual, I believe that everyone's fight is our own. Like MLK once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." In every space I've held in advancing the Black community, I've always made even more space for our Black LGBTQIA+ community who has gone unrepresented for far too long. I believe that Black Lives Matter, Black LGBTQIA+ Lives Matter, and especially that Black Trans Lives Matter.
