Growing up in Seattle as Black and Gay, I never felt like I fully fit into either community. I didn't see people in the Gay community that looked like me or people in the Black community that identified as gay. It was challenging.

But my life has been shaped and molded by powerful leaders, fierce advocates, and loyal activists. I'm a third-generation Seattleite that was born and raised in the historic Central District neighborhood and the daughter of a proud working-class family who dedicated their lives to public service. My father worked 35 years for the Seattle Parks Department, making sure our parks and playgrounds were clean and safe. My mother grew up in New Orleans in the Calliope Projects and came to Seattle in search of better opportunities. She worked at the King County Housing Authority connecting families to permanent housing.

My grandmother, standing 5 feet 2 inches tall, was always a voice for the underdog, using her towering strength to help bridge our city as school board president during turbulent times involving integration.

And my wife, a first-generation college graduate whose family migrated from Michochán, Mexico, started a new life working on an apple orchard in the Yakima Valley.

From my mom's belly to weekly family dinners, I've been uplifted by people who've helped our communities be a place of growth, opportunity, and prosperity. A place where you could afford to live in the city, have a great-paying job with benefits or own a small business, enjoy a safe work environment, raise a family, and feel connected to your neighbor. These are still my values.

Today, I live in the house that my grandparents purchased in the Central District back in the 1940s with my wife, Iesha. I've led a career involving nonprofit programming, collegiate athletics, farming, small business ownership, and food justice work, and now I am ready to make the next transition and run for public office. I am so proud to be a Black and Gay woman running for Seattle City Council.

Over the last 39 years, I have seen how local policies have impacted people and witnessed communities that have fallen through unseen gaps. I want to prioritize essential city services, provide tangible goals to measure progress, bring transparent access for District 3 residents, and help amplify voices that have been historically excluded from City Hall decisions.

I envision a Seattle where...
• girls who are like I was when I was growing up are surrounded by community and diversity;
• children are able to access green spaces and families have access to resources that they need to thrive;
• our LGBTQIA+ community not only has a seat and voice at the table but is seen, valued, and provided resources;
• our neighbors are small businesses owners;
• transportation is accessible;
• accessing mental health resources and substance use counseling is not a barrier to achieving stable housing;
• young people are engaged in their communities and empowered;
• seniors are able to age in place gracefully and with dignity; and
• affordable childcare is available.

And where a young, Black girl like me sees herself in public leadership and as an integral part of her community.