This is Kalapuya land. I feel very grateful to be able to live in this beautiful valley, and excited that by the time they reach adulthood, all of my children will be Oregonians. I am fortunate to have a wonderful partner, Eric, who is infinitely supportive of me personally and in all my (wild) ambitions.

We moved to Eugene (from Berea, KY) in June 2016, because I was offered a Promising Scholar Award to attend the UO grad school for International Studies where (so far) I have completed one year of coursework.

I am 36 years old, and I grew up in Wichita, KS. In 2016, I completed my bachelor’s degree in International Political Economy from Berea College (KY). I work for Homes for Good Housing Agency, as the Housing Liaison, and I am a (good standing) member of AFSCME Union 3267.

Prior to Berea, I spent the better part of 12 years working (hard) in restaurant kitchens and a spattering of other random, odd and often weird jobs, sometimes two at a time.

Over the years, social and political activism have been a constant thread. Community work is difficult, and involves a lot of embarrassment and sacrifice. Nevertheless, I know that my family is safer, happier and more resilient when our communities are strong.

Today, I am more committed than ever to speaking truth to power.

The path to progress is best laid when it’s navigators have more information. I am running for Ward 1 City Councilor because marginalized knowledge, experiences and ideas deserve real inclusion, and I know I can help the city council find meaningful ways to achieve that. Eugene is a good place to live and has the potential to be a thriving beacon of resilience if we revolutionize and optimize our civic systems.

Mainstream conventional wisdom leads us to believe that we need to elect “leaders”. Suppose that instead of leaders, we had servants? How would that impact your life, your community?

The Solidarity Platform offers a better way forward. Our core values outline five key priorities: Climate urgency, Protecting Human Rights, Fostering Regenerative Economics, Empowering Participatory Democracy, and Decolonization. We offer an open invitation for people who align with these values to collaborate, share stories and ideas; and to know that your struggles matter to us.