My life’s work has been centered in under-resourced communities – from growing up in rural poverty to rooting my home and career in a disinvested neighborhood, I’ve spent virtually my whole life in marginalized places.

I hold a unique voice in most spaces.  My lived experience as a child in poverty gains the respect of my neighbors and friends in the struggle – I am no stranger to food insecurity, domestic violence, substance abuse, trauma, and more.  My vocational experience and education gains the respect of those in power – with 15+ years invested in community development efforts and a Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership from the Azusa Pacific University Seminary, I am grounded in a Biblical understanding of God’s heart for the marginalized and best practices for empowering communities.

Of course, the work of community empowerment and transformation doesn’t come easy…but my experience on both sides of that equation helps me navigate those waters with an extra measure of grace.

Over the years I have led afterschool programs and summer camps, helped launch an affordable neighborhood-based Christian school, mentored college students and recent grads through internships, managed a seasonal homeless shelter for men, and consulted with individuals and organizations considering how to best engage their communities, among other projects.  Additionally, I am an adjunct professor at North Carolina A&T State University, and am a licensed minister in the Wesleyan Church.

At the core of my value system is an embrace of the imago Dei, the belief that all people are created in the image of God.  It’s a joy to know the Creator more fully through the myriad of people I encounter every day.  Operating from a trauma-informed baseline supports this belief, recognizing that each person’s story is valuable, impactful, and worth hearing.

I’d love to connect and hear about your endeavors.  If you sense a potential collaboration, feel free to reach out!