I’m a proud single mother to a thriving teenager and a courageous young adult. But my path here wasn’t linear; it was shaped by perseverance, heartache, and an unshakable belief in something greater.

In May 2002, I graduated from high school and started college at an Historically Black College (HBCU)- Langston University. I made the life-altering choice to leave college in 2004 and care for my unborn son, who was born in March 2005. That decision launched me into years of single motherhood, emotional depression, and silently endured pain. The birth of my daughter in 2009 led me to many challenges that most never see: homelessness, addiction, and despair, and still, I never stopped dreaming of something better.

My story isn’t just one of struggles, it’s one of extraordinary transformation!

In 2018, I began my recovery journey. With every step, I rewrote the narrative of my life. In May 2022, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a symbol not only of academic achievement, but of healing, renewal, and hope.

Today, I’m thriving as a graduate student on track to become a Licensed Professional Counselor by 2027, and I’m honored to serve as a 2024 Fellow with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), a testament to how far I’ve come and how deeply I’m committed to this work. But more than titles or degrees, my lived experiences fuel everything I do! They fuel my commitment to give back through organizations like Next Level Speakers Academy, SMART Recovery Inc., Youth Empowerment Services, and the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). After everything I’ve lived through and risen from, serving these communities isn’t just volunteer work; it’s purpose. It’s my way of turning survival into service and making sure others know that transformation is possible for them too.