Humble beginnings–I was born on September 11th in New Orleans, LA. When I was younger, I was a tomboy and spent a lot of time playing sports outside with my oldest brother and friends in the neighborhood. I played double dutch, ate frozen cups, and bought treats from the candy lady. By the time I got to junior high school, I became interested in dance. I soon joined the dance team and dance became my life. I became the captain of the dance team my junior year of high school. In high school, I began to put my leadership skills into practice. I became the Vice President of Student Council, Vice President of Beta Club, Vice President of my Senior Class, Choir Member (Soprano), a member Etiquette Club and Character First. At the end of my senior year, I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed”.

I had most of my life planned— I would attend Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA, and become a Dancing Doll. I would earn my degree, while pursuing  law school to study corporate law, get married at the age of 26, and have 3 children. The plan for my life went nothing like that …. well I do have 3 children :). I was a first-generation student, who was not prepared for college and did not know how to navigate the system.

I was a first-generation student, who was not prepared for college and did not know how to navigate the system. My parents did not have money to purchase books, food, clothes or other supplies. I felt embarrassed and ashamed. I wanted to be successful, but how could I? Short version: I ended up pregnant with my first child and dropped out of college after my first semester (2002).

My parents got divorced when I was 3; my dad raised me. My mother was a “homemaker” and had moved out of the projects by the time I graduated from high school. My dad became a security guard after being let go from the police department. When I came home from college pregnant, I was devastated and disappointed in myself. I went to live with my mom until I figured out what I was going to do next. She tried her best to help me, in the only way she knew how, but I refused the help although I needed it because I was in denial and prideful.

Refusing to give in to the status quo, I enrolled my daughter into daycare when she was 6 weeks (2003), and started working 2 jobs. Shortly after, I began a certification program to become a Dental Assistant (2004). I completed the program, but quickly realized I did not like it and wanted to do more. I continued working at 1 of the jobs, at a hotel, and eventually became a supervisor. I enjoyed doing this, but still felt as if there was more I could be doing.

Little did I know, I would get the worst call of my life —-my mother died at the age of 38 to diabetes complications (2004), and I told myself that the only way I could do more to change the narrative would be to go back to school and earn my degree. I did not want to attend any of the colleges in New Orleans, so I scheduled a tour at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. I was interested in this university because it has a great, well-known law program and a daycare on campus. Given I now had a kid, I thought it would be perfect.

I visited TSU and returned excited about the new journey I was getting ready to embark on. While I was in Houston, I stopped at a Sprint store and spoke to the manager about a job. My second interview for this job would be the same day as Hurricane Katrina (2005). Although I was excited, it still was not easy for me to leave. I evacuated to Houston, interviewed, and got the job. I found an apartment and thought I would return to pack-up everything once the storm passed buy my hometown was destroyed. The ceiling in my apartment caved in, I lost everything and had to start over. However, my daughter and I were safe and alive, I had a job, a car and an apartment, so I was still blessed.

Eventually, because the hours changed, I had to decide between attending school full-time or working full-time. Given that there were no online programs at traditional universities, I later transferred to University of Phoenix (2009). I was a nontraditional student and work was my priority.

Once I earned my Bachelor’s (Management and Human Resource Management, 2012), I started my career at the University of Houston. Working at the University of Houston has provided me with many opportunities while also affording me the work-life balance I needed to be an active/hands-on mom with my 3 children.

After earning my Masters from the University of Houston in Human Resource Development (2016), I applied and got accepted in a doctoral program at the University of Houston. I was terrified about starting this program, but I knew that it was important for those who look like me, those first-generation students trying to navigate the system, to know it can be done.

I know how difficult it is to work full-time, be a first-generation college student and full-time parent. But throughout this journey, the Lord continues to give me the strength to endure. My testimony for Him is great and never-ending. In fact, Hurricane Harvey (2017) happened at the beginning of my first semester into the doctoral program and my eldest daughter’s freshman year. Later that year, I was planning to leave to study abroad in China. But on May 18, 2018 my daughter almost lost her life due to the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. The shooter (student) came to her classroom and opened fire, killing 8 students and 2 substitute teachers. My daughter survived, but the lasting effects of the trauma/grief from this experience does not seem to go away. This has been extremely challenging for us to work through in my home as this experience affects everyone in various ways, which has led to my research interest and dissertation topic (school safety).

No matter what has happened in my life, I have never stopped chasing after my dreams. The fact that my parents could not fulfill their dreams, coupled with my desire for my children to have opportunities that I did not grow up with, has been my driving force. I never imagined I would be a single mother of three, but God has given me unyielding strength and determination. Without it, I would not be where I am or who I am today.

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Advice to younger self:

• • Things may not always turn out the way you want them to, but don’t quit

• • Don’t waste time worrying about things that don’t/won’t really matter

• • Be patient and trust the process

• • Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and seek help!