Leveling the playing field
Although I am an attorney by trade and hold a master’s degree in policy, my biggest professional accomplishment is opening the doors to Freedom Prep and ensuring that kids in Westwood get a college preparatory education that will prepare them to attend the university of their choice; thereby, providing them with myriad life choices. At the young age of 6, I realized unfortunately, that race and socioeconomic background mattered. Since that time, I have strived to work toward ways to level the playing field between black and white and rich and poor. I dedicated my life toward working on civil rights issues and I believe that I am accomplishing just that by giving my students the tools (through their education) to strive toward a level playing field with students who may come from more affluent, fortunate backgrounds.
Q: What can you find in Memphis that you can’t find anywhere else?
A: A big city with a “small” town feel. It always feels like 1 degree of separation. Everyone is connected in some way.
Q: What current local initiative excites you most?
A: The intense focus on strengthening public education.
Q: What is your favorite local festival?
A: Africa in April is my favorite local festival, but I also really enjoy the Cooper Young Festival.
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
A: Flight
Q: Favorite building in Memphis?
A: All of the buildings on the campus of Rhodes College (“my alma mater”)
Q: Memphis’ most underrated trait?
A: The expansive and beautiful riverfront. Every visitor comments on its beauty.
Q: Favorite “secret” place or hidden gem in Memphis?
A: The Coro Lake area in Southwest Memphis is absolutely beautiful and most people have no idea that it exists. “I Choose Memphis” is a biweekly series that spotlights Memphians who are passionate about calling this community home. New Memphis Institute provides the profiles.