Q: What is a challenge you’ve faced in your life that has led you to this work?
A: Where I grew up, there was significant tension of race and culture that was sadly deeply ingrained into the community. My closest friend in grade school was a different race than I was and I remember often being criticized for our friendship. Frankly, I didn’t fully comprehend the tragedy of racism until I moved away. I moved to Kansas City to attend college and thankfully found my future here. Even with the challenges and divisions that Kansas City has faced, I find hope here. I firmly believe we can make a positive impact on generations to come. Failure is not an option, and success will be defined by everyone’s success.