Background

I was born and raised in a small town in the foothills of the Appalachians. Like so many in Western North Carolina, my early life was marked by both hardship and resilience. My parents divorced when I was in kindergarten, and for years, my single mother struggled to make ends meet. We moved often, lived in government housing, and relied on public assistance to get by. I fell behind in school, and it seemed like the odds were stacked against me.

But everything changed when I moved in with my grandparents at the age of ten. My grandmother became my rock. With her love, structure, and high expectations, I caught up in school and became a star student. That turning point led me to earn a scholarship to Troy University, where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a Master’s in Social Science Education.

I went on to spend a decade teaching history to students in Alabama, Alaska, Virginia, and here in Asheville, North Carolina. Teaching was never just a job—it was a calling. My classroom was a place where students learned how the past shapes our present and how civic action shapes our future. I was honored to be named Teacher of the Year in my last year in the classroom and recognized as a finalist for North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year.

Today, I work at a local community college in a role dedicated to expanding access to skilled trades education. I’ve seen firsthand how empowering it is when people gain the tools they need to build good-paying, meaningful careers—especially in underserved and rural communities like the ones I’ve always called home.

Personal Philosophy

I believe in a simple but powerful idea: that every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and a fair shot—no matter where they start in life.

I was raised in the foothills of the Appalachians, where my earliest lessons came from struggle. After my parents divorced, my mother worked as a bartender and relied on food stamps and public housing to keep us afloat. We moved often, and I fell far behind in school. But when I moved in with my grandparents at age ten, everything changed. My grandmother—my fiercest advocate—taught me to read, write, and believe in myself. She showed me what love, faith, and commitment could do for a child.

That experience shaped everything I believe. I earned a scholarship to college, became a teacher, and spent a ten years helping young people discover their own potential. My time in the classroom taught me the value of compassion, structure, and second chances. It taught me that no one gets anywhere alone—and that every child needs a champion like I had.

My faith is rooted in the redemptive power of grace and the call to love our neighbors as ourselves. I draw strength from the values of the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes—not fear or condemnation, but mercy, justice, and peace.

I believe government can and must be a force for good—not a bloated bureaucracy. Our government should take bold, effective action that empowers working people, protects the vulnerable, and invests in the future we all share. The New Deal, the civil rights movement, and the hard-won progress of past generations are my compass—and I believe it’s time for a 21st century New Deal.

I want to fight for a New Deal that builds:

• An economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy
• Public schools that serve every child
• Infrastructure that connects and strengthens our communities
• Programs that protect the aged and honor their dignity
• Government that earns people’s trust by working for them

These aren’t just policies. They’re promises—born of experience, grounded in faith, and guided by a deep belief in what we owe each other as neighbors, citizens, and human beings.