When Policy Chose Me: Shedding Light on My Journey from Reflection to Action—Navigating My Path from Challenges and Untold Stories to Policy.

I’ve always felt that life guides us in ways we never expect. My path toward policy wasn’t a decision I consciously made—it found me through my lived experiences, personal losses, and the harsh realities of my community.

A Defining Moment in the Room

One day, while sharing my journey in a room filled with listeners, my words illuminated a path I never thought possible. I spoke openly about my life—from growing up in the projects to embracing the challenges of being a non-traditional student determined to break free from a cycle of despair. In that transformative moment, I realized that policy was not simply an option; it was my destiny. I had the honor of meeting the late Lt. Governor Oliver, a remarkable woman whose wisdom and compassion reaffirmed that my story mattered. Her insight reminded me that our struggles, however painful, can light the way toward change.

Witnessing Tragedy Up Close

The tragedies that have shaped my life are seared into my memory. The events surrounding George Floyd forced me to confront a harsh truth: many of my friends never had a chance to escape the confines of the hood. I found myself asking, “What made my path different? Why did so many of my peers fall victim to gun violence?” These painful questions resonated as I returned home after my first round of college and assumed the role of my family’s breadwinner. I witnessed firsthand the sorrow that plagued my community.

I remember one neighbor whose silent battle with job loss, personal despair, and the weight of his struggles ended in a heartbreaking loss—a moment marked by a cracked open door, held open by a bowl, and the mournful gaze of his cat. Days later, my dear friend was taken by a violent act, a loss so raw, as his body lay discovered under my 6th-floor bedroom window.

Leaving the Hood but Carrying Its Weight

Leaving the environment that nurtured and scarred me was an act of survival. Although my heart remained tethered to the hood, I physically stepped away to protect myself and my future. As a college student, I learned that education is more than classroom lessons—it’s a change in atmosphere, a chance to see the world from a new perspective, and a vital tool in breaking free from cycles of despair.

Policy: The Inevitable Calling

Every loss, every question, and every painful memory shaped my conviction that policy was my calling. I came to understand that it wasn’t about choosing a policy—it was about letting my journey, my struggles, and my triumphs guide the policies needed to break the cycle of stagnation in communities like mine. The injustices that once seemed insurmountable now fuel my dedication to policy work. I aim to transform personal grief into tangible change that honors the memory of those who never made it out.

A Future Forged by Our Stories

Today, I stand at the crossroads of personal history and professional purpose. Sharing my story in that room wasn’t just about recounting my past—it was about illuminating the path forward for all of us. I invite you to join me in reimagining how policy can serve as a tool for transformation, one that listens to and uplifts the voices of those who have been marginalized.

Our experiences, whether as nontraditional students, individuals from underrepresented communities, or survivors of social inequities or violence, hold the power to reshape policy. When policy chooses you, it offers a responsibility to become a catalyst for change—a chance to ensure that the voices of those left behind are finally heard.

Let’s use our collective experiences to drive policy changes that heal communities and create a more equitable future for all.