Born November 13, 1954, in the State of Louisiana; and the 4^th child of my parents, in a family of eight siblings. The early stages of my life were of very humble beginnings. My parents maintained various jobs throughout their life span, but both started out as sharecroppers. They weren’t able to read or write but was born and blessed with a supernatural supply of common sense, were good listeners, as well as believers in Christ. This was the road map that set the perimeters for my family to be Christians as we walked through the journey called life.

Our family lived on several different plantations and worked the land as farmers to provide for the family; this was the scenario for most families during those times. Fortunately, my parents were faithful followers of Christ and members of the Catholic Church the guiding force of our spiritual beginnings. Although we followed the Catholic faith of my paternal family, at the time, most of my maternal family were Baptist and had family members, Uncles who were ministers/preachers at their church. Needless to say, growing up in this scenario, I was in church before church had its place to reside in me. That being the case, I learned the culture of both religion from youth into early adulthood. Just as my parents had the insight to lead our family on a spiritual path, they also had the wisdom to guide us toward an educational path as well, even though they were limited in this arena. With those two avenues, Church and Education, fueling my life ultimately set the course for me on a journey of excellence for both venues. I participated in school and church activities growing up, and to this day, I am still a work in progress and life learner for both.

I was very social and outgoing in high school and a member and officer of the Beta Honors Club, FBLA-Future Business Leaders of America, The Drama Club, FHMA-Future Homemakers of America, I ran for class president but was nominated and elected for class secretary because of my ability to take clear, precise and often entertaining notes and summaries of the various meetings. Students and teachers loved my writing style and ability to present with a flare and the notable production quality made my monthly reports a highlight of most meetings. Maintaining a “B” average while in high school afforded me the opportunity to attend Louisiana State University. Attending the university was a great steppingstone to learned more about life, other cultures and nationality of people, because I grew up and attended school in a segregated environment.

During my short time living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana I worked odd jobs, at different stages of my existence starting as head hostess at nationally known Ralph & Kacoo’s Seafood restaurant, an insurance office clerk, church office assistant, and the Reserve-Book room at the LSU Library to support myself financially while attending school. My stay at LSU was short lived because of a lack of funding, work opportunities and a declining GPA. The opportunity presented itself and I made a decision to move out of Louisiana to California, the lifestyle change took an effort in getting use to, but it appeared to be a more open and inviting environment and more financially rewarding. Meanwhile, the challenges of starting over was strenuous I was still grounded in faith, and I had relatives that I called upon that lived in Los Angles; I had an Uncle and Great-Uncle that live and pastured churches where I attended and spoke on many occasion. This sparked an interest in me to further pursue public speaking, media and broadcasting. Juggling work, school and survival I continued to pursue my passion through attending community college, technical school and internship at various venues, including a fifteen-year stint as a clerical worker at the Los Angeles Times, where because of God’s favor and my outgoing personality I was afforded the rare opportunity to interact with writers, photographers, researchers and often called upon as a volunteer model for classified ads.

At church and school, I gained first-hand experience and sharpen my skills in digital media and broadcasting. At Century Cable in Santa Monica, California I continued my professional development, completed a class to become a certified Public Access Producer, and learned to use various editing software, and operate cameras for television production, lighting and stage settings. Although I felt like this is where I wanted to be career wise, I needed to take a step back and regroup, so I decided a change of scenery would be the ideal thing for me until I could decide the next course or direction for my life; I moved to Texas where I had sisters and brothers living in Dallas. I was able to quickly gain employment at NBC-National Bank of Commerce. I also worked for a short time part-time at Sears department store as a clerk and cashier-teller. This move to Texas was a great learning experience, but I also felt a pull to go back to California, so I did.

The transition back to California wasn’t difficult for I was able to build up a cash reserve from diligently working and savings funds from working and maintaining a full-time and part-time position in Texas. Because I had laid the groundwork before, my period of adjustment was easily sorted out. During this time, I still had access of being near relatives, friends and my younger brother and sister had also moved to California. We lived, work and shared many precious moments together. Through the years while living in CA, my personal life had taken a rise and fall from finding romance, being engaged, married and divorced. I am truly grateful for all of life encounters and grateful to rise above all the difficulties that I’ve endured. I have learned that persistence, perseverance and diligence are keys to moving forward in life. I thank God daily, for family, friends, and the opportunities that has afforded me to pursue and sustain the goals I’ve set for my life.

Through the many wonderful years of living in Louisiana, Texas, and California my life have come full circle back to Texas; as my parents grew older, and their health failed, a medical emergency of my parents was the cause of them relocating from Louisiana to Texas, where they lived out their last years on earth. Texas is where the majority of my siblings lived and during the difficult days of my parent medical emergencies Texas became home for all of us and the final resting place for my parents. The outcome of hope instilled in me by my parents, has led me on the road that I am on today. I fulfilled one of my life’s goal and desire of becoming a mentor and counselor to help others in their reach and pursuit of the American dream of being a business owner/operator.

In 2010 I became a volunteer SCORE Mentor, in the city of Victoria, Texas where I lived for nine plus years. One of my greatest joy was presenting at meetings and conferences at the Small Business Development Center, located on the campus of the University of Houston-Victoria and imparting wisdom, knowledge, confidence and encouragement to those souls who have step out in faith to change not only their lives but the lives of the members of the families that will work for them and the communities they will locate their business in. I am here today fulfilling my dreams and pursuing the hope my parents had for the entire family; that we stay in faith, trust in the Lord and pursue knowledge through education. Friends university has been both the catalysts and the instrument to bring my dream to fruition. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in 2021 and my Master’s in Global Business Administration in 2022.

As I reflect back on life and think about how my parents (because they couldn’t read or write), were hearers of the Word of God, as well as doers; so they saw to it that I obtained an education through traditional learning and life’s lessons and became a reader, listener, and doer of the Word myself. I am blessed to have this discernment and will continue to fulfill my goals so that I may be able to pass insight onto others; in other words, being blessed to be a blessing; through church and school, I plan to become the instrument that receive and give back abundantly!