Home: Tacoma, WA. Age: 30. Organization/Title: Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs/Chief Equity Officer; The Fair and Impartial Foundation/Owner and Founder. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Alma mater: University of Kansas; University of Mississippi.
Current project: Public speaking regarding DEI. Recent professional development: Volunteering with social justice organizations. Latest accomplishment: Getting my business credited as a minority business. Hobbies: Running, hiking, listening to political podcasts. Recent travel or adventure: New York City.
Personality profile: Outgoing, smart, passionate, determined. Moral compass: The Bible. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Both working to advance equity. What is your greatest joy? My son. What is your guilty pleasure? Playing Call of Duty. What is at the top of your bucket list? Travel to China. How do you relieve stress? Going for a run.
What was your favorite college course? World Politics and Democracy. What movie have you repeatedly watched? FRIDAY. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Items showing my fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Martin Luthor King. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Speak truth to power. What is your go-to source of news and information? The New York Times. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? African American Policy Forum.
What is your big idea?
Creating a fair tax system.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Working to combat harmful rhetoric about DEI. What change would you like to see in the world? The end of widespread poverty. What message do you want to send out into the world? Life will get better. What mega-trend most concerns you? Retreat from DEI.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? President of the United States. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Family photos. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Fighting to improve the quality of life for low-income people back home in New Orleans. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t second guess yourself. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The birth of my son. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? College years.
Personal mission: Dismantle barriers that have caused many to struggle in our society. Personal motto: Bad times won’t last long. Favorite quote: “Don't count the days, make the days count” (Muhammad Ali). Desired epitaph: Life is a journey with breakthroughs and breakdowns.
