I am the proud child of sharecroppers, and my journey began in the fields working alongside my family from sunrise to sunset, every summer and after school, until I graduated. For many, those memories of hard work in the fields may fade with time, but for me, they are the foundation of who I am—a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and hope.

Growing up, my life was filled with both hardship and perseverance. When my mother moved us from the quiet countryside to the city, I didn't realize she was battling illness, trying to shield us from worry. We faced homelessness, living out of the back of a box truck and using a hotel address just to stay enrolled in school. By eighth grade, my mother, working multiple jobs to support us, entrusted me to my grandmother's care. When my grandparents moved away during my ninth-grade year, I made a promise to myself to finish school and stay focused on my dreams, living on my own and taking responsibility for my siblings along the way.

Eventually, I moved to the city's projects, where I finished high school. Every piece of clothing, every school trip, every piece of football equipment I earned through weekend and summer work in the fields. With my mother working long hours, I took on the role of caring for my brothers and sisters, learning what it truly means to be responsible and resilient.

I entered college with hope, but life threw another challenge my way. In my second year, I learned my mother was diagnosed with brain tumors that became cancer. I made the difficult decision to leave college in 2000 and joined the United States Marine Corps to support my family. The transition was tough, but my upbringing prepared me for any challenge. I graduated with honors and earned the title of Battalion Iron Man for my top physical fitness.

My Marine Corps journey was both rewarding and demanding, taking me far from home and testing my resolve. In my final year, I served in the Wounded Warrior Recovery Battalion at Balboa Hospital, where I completed my degree and prepared for the next chapter of service.

After serving in the military, I dedicated myself to law enforcement, working tirelessly to protect and serve our community until my retirement. Today, I continue to serve as a Commissioner for the Southeast Georgia Consolidated Housing Authority and just resigned from a nonpartisan position as the Housing Chairman for the Camden County NAACP working to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.

My life has been shaped by overcoming adversity, serving others, and never forgetting where I come from. I understand the struggles of working families, the hardships faced by rural and urban communities alike, and the sacrifices it takes to build a better future. My journey is rooted in hard work, resilience, and hope—values I hold dear.