Jackson Free Press

Why does your district need you right now?

House District 63 needs me right now to mirror their interests and needs in the fight for public education, economic development, safety, expansion of Medicaid and women's issues.

Provide one or two examples of when you have been an advocate for your district in your personal or professional life. What was the result?

I have worked with a local nonprofit, Town of Bolton Development Corporation, to help at-risk youth transition into higher education and career advancement. I have worked as a program manager for workforce development helping post-Hurricane Katrina victims and veterans secure additional training and employment opportunities by placement into a trade, college, job, GED program and or referral to other community resources. Additionally, I have served on Hinds County Public Schools Community Team-Drop Out Prevention. Through all these entities of service, I have advocated for Hinds County Public School, Jackson Public School and Clinton Pubic School students with disabilities, which allowed them to transition into the work force.

In the past year or so, what was the most important vote taken for your district? How would you have voted and why? What is the most pressing issue for your district?

The most important vote impacting House District 63 was to close Hinds Agricultural High School. I would have voted not to close Hinds AHS because we need more educational opportunities for our students, not less. Hinds AHS was in its first year of revamping the educational curriculum opportunities to yield professional agricultural careers. A majority of the constituents of District 63 are graduates of Hinds AHS and many have family members who have attended. Education, job training and jobs are the most pressing issues for the people in House District 63.

If you could propose one piece of legislation that would greatly improve the quality of life for people in your district what would it be? I support fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) by passage of Initiative 42.

If you are unsuccessful in winning your race, how specifically will you continue working on behalf of your district?

I will continue to be an advocate for public education, economic development, engaging the fight for Medicaid expansion, enforcing safety and ensuring women's issues.