A Different School. A Different Perspective
Not long after, I had the opportunity to attend school in an affluent community that was very different from the one I had known in Richmond. This new school had more programs, technology, support and more opportunity within reach. I saw firsthand what was possible when students had access to resources and opportunity. That contrast stayed with me ever since, because it showed me the distance between what some children are given and what all children deserve. The difference was not in the students. It was in the system around them
Every child deserves access to a quality education, safe schools, strong teachers, and the opportunity to reach their full potential—regardless of the circumstances they were born into. My story began with hardship, but it did not end there. It was changed by people who believed that my circumstances did not have to determine my future.
Why I Am Running
Education is one of the most powerful forces shaping a child’s life and a community’s future. It is more than academics — it is the foundation of generational change.
I believe in schools that see every child. Schools that do not lower expectations because of a student’s background, but raise their support so every student can succeed. Schools that recognize each student’s potential, cultivate their talents, and give them the support and opportunities they need to reach their goals.
That is what the S.P.A.R.K Initiative is about, and that is why I am asking for your vote.
Where I Come From
I grew up in Richmond, California, during a time when our community faced crime, violence, and limited economic opportunity. I saw firsthand how a child’s circumstances can shape their opportunities—not because of their ability or potential, but because of the environment around them.
When my mother decided we needed to get away from the violence, we moved temporarily into a friend’s home in a neighboring city. The only space available to us was a spot on the living room floor. When that arrangement ended unexpectedly, one day after football practice I learned that we had nowhere to live.
Two Trash Bags
As a teenager, I experienced homelessness while in high school. My mother and I were accepted into a homeless shelter, where everything we owned fit into two trash bags. We shared a room about the size of a large walk-in closet, with a single bunk bed. It was small, but it was safe—and it was better than sleeping in a car, but little did I know we'd only get to stay for one month.
Facing homelessness for a second time, a friend of my mom learned what we were going through, and offered us a spare bedroom in their home so that we would not have to sleep in our vehicle, until we got back on our feet. That act of generosity taught me something I carry with me to this day: sometimes, one person’s decision to step up can change the trajectory of a child’s entire life.
Building A Career
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno, with an emphasis in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics. My career has been spent in real estate, public housing, and local government—work centered on budgets, contracts, transparency, accountability, and helping families find stable footing. Through my work serving the public, I have learned to negotiate solutions, protect public interests, and make decisions that impact communities.
Paying It Forward
For more than a decade, I volunteered every Friday evening supporting young people in my community, including at-risk youth. From 6:00 to 8:00, youth received a hot meal, participated in sports and games, and took part in life-skills and educational workshops. I helped create that experience by playing games/sports with the youth, building relationships, mentoring, and leading educational instruction on various topics.
I also mentored youth transitioning into adulthood without strong family support, including youth aging out of foster care. Having experienced a period in my own life without stable housing, I understood some of the challenges they were facing. I saw firsthand how consistent mentorship, meaningful relationships, and access to opportunity can help change the direction of a young person’s life.
